Netflix has a knack for turning international series into global obsessions. From the Brazilian hit Radioactive Emergency to Spain's iconic Money Heist, the streamer consistently delivers top-tier crime dramas from around the world. The latest to join that elite club is Crooks, a German heist thriller that's perfect for a weekend binge.
Season 1 of Crooks dropped on April 4, 2024, and quickly became a fan favorite. It earned an impressive 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and spent four weeks in Netflix's top 10 non-English-language series, peaking at #2 worldwide. The buzz was so strong that Netflix renewed the show for a second season, which premiered on April 14, 2026, and is already climbing the charts again.
What's 'Crooks' About?
The series kicks off with Charly (Frederick Lau), a former safe cracker living a quiet life in Berlin. He's pulled back into the criminal underworld for one last job: stealing the priceless 'Big Maple Leaf' coin. But the heist goes horribly wrong, forcing Charly to team up with his driver, Joseph (Christoph Krutzler), a low-level gangster from Vienna. Together, this unlikely duo must outrun a ruthless crime boss, Hassan Al-Walid (Erdal Yildiz), and his clan, all while protecting Charly's family.
Season 1 takes viewers on a frantic journey from Berlin to Vienna and Marseille. In Season 2, the coin goes missing again, and Charly and Joseph find themselves on the run once more—this time all the way to Bangkok, Thailand. Created by Benjamin Hessler, the cast also includes Svenja Jung as Charly's wife Samira, Jonathan Tittel as his son Jonas, and a host of criminals with their own agendas played by Kida Khodr Ramadan, Karl Welunschek, and Lukas Watzl.
Why 'Crooks' Is a Must-Watch
Like Money Heist, Crooks balances pulse-pounding action with genuine emotional stakes. The heart of the show is the growing bond between the no-nonsense Charly and the more thoughtful Joseph. Critics have praised this dynamic, with one Rotten Tomatoes review noting, 'Crooks has potential to rise above the usual crime drama tropes, thanks to the unlikely friendship at its core.' Another review added, 'Crooks burns all of Charly and Joseph’s chemistry for fuel across multiple European cities in a slew of chases and turns that are easy to predict but enjoyable to watch.'
If you're looking for a fast-paced thriller that delivers both adrenaline and heart, Crooks is your next Netflix obsession. And with Season 2 already making waves, there's no better time to catch up. For more international crime thrills, check out Netflix's 'Trauma Code: Heroes on Call' or dive into 'Free Fire,' Netflix's hidden gem crime thriller.
