The Films About Undercover Agents subgenre resides within the Crime, Action, Thriller, War and Drama genres. Undercover Agent films usually include other subgenres such as Films About Spies & Espionage, Films About Assassins & Hitmen, Films About Cops, Films About The Mob & Gangsters, Action Thrillers and War Action Films. While Undercover Agents can be a broad category, films in this subgenre typically involve Films About Undercover Police Officers, Films About Informants, Films About Undercover Spy Operatives, and more.
While there were a few films featuring Undercover Agents in the 1970’s such as The Amazing Dobermans (1976) and Hardcore (1979), the subgenre started to become popular in the 1980’s. Police officers going undercover were featured in films like Prince of the City (1981), Partners (1982), Raw Deal (1986), No Mercy (1986), Stripped to Kill (1987), No Man’s Land (1987) and Renegades (1989). A classic film of the subgenre featured an Undercover FBI agent investigated the Ku Klux Klan in Betrayed (1988) while Undercover Agents posing as high school students was a popular theme in the mid-1980’s with Under Cover (1987) and Plain Clothes (1988). Hiding Out (1987) also utilized this theme but it was a stockbroker posing as a high school student to avoid a mob hit.
The 1990’s started the first Golden Age of Undercover Agent films as the subgenre exploded in popularity. Various themes and genres were utilized by the subgenre in this decade. Undercover Agents infiltrating the mob or drug organizations were featured in State of Grace (1990), Rush (1991), Deep Cover (1992), Reservoir Dogs (1992), True Romance (1993) and Donnie Brasco (1997). Sci-fi also featured agents going undercover in both Face/Off (1997) and Gattaca (1997). And Point Break (1991) became one of the classic films of the subgenre with an FBI agent going undercover as a surfer to bust a gang of bank robbers. Other classic and notable films of the subgenre this decade included Impulse (1990), Death Warrant (1990), Kindergarten Cop (1990), The Hitman (1991), Stone Cold (1991), Undercover Blues (1993) and Kiss of Death (1995).
The 2000’s continued the Golden Age of Films About Undercover Agents as the subgenre featured additional genres – primarily comedies. Big Momma’s House (2000), Miss Congeniality (2000), Undercover Brother (2002), White Chicks (2004), Man of the House (2005), Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (2005), Underclassman (2005), Big Momma’s House 2 (2006) and Code Name: The Cleaner (2007) were all Undercover Agent comedy films. This decade also produced classic films of the subgenre with The Fast and the Furious (2001), Training Day (2001), Narc (2002), The Salton Sea (2003), Infernal Affairs (2002), Gangs of New York (2002), 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003), House of Flying Daggers (2004), A Scanner Darkly (2006), Miami Vice (2006), The Departed (2006), Breach (2007) and Eastern Promises (2007).
In the 2010’s, Undercover Agent films decreased in popularity and suffered from a lack of quality films of the subgenre. However, 21 Jump Street (2012), 22 Jump Street (2014) and BlacKkKlansman (2018) were popular comedy films of the subgenre. And New World (2013), Snitch (2013), The Raid 2 (2014), Point Break (2015) and The Informer (2019) were the best films of the subgenre within the Action genre.
Our list of Films About Undercover Agents includes over 90+ films from 1976 – 2019. Most of these films feature Films About Undercover Police and Undercover FBI agents. For our list of the Top Films About Undercover Agents You Haven’t Seen, we couldn’t include the following honorable mentions on our list: Raw Deal (1986), No Man’s Land (1987), Kiss of Death (1995), Fifty Dead Men Walking (2008), Cleanskin (2012), New World (2013), The Informant (2013), The Operative (2019) and Extreme Job (2019).
Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Here is our list of Top Films About Undercover Agents You Haven’t Seen:
#10
Imperium
Plot: Young FBI agent goes undercover and infiltrates a white supremacy terrorist group.
KBZ’s Take: Though this film follows some standard undercover agent film tropes – undercover agent is recognized by a random person, group member doesn’t trust new member, etc. – it rises above standard fare due to its performances. Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) is barely recognizable as the FBI agent now within the white supremacist group. The film also has amazing performances from Toni Collette, Tracy Letts, Chris Sullivan, Pawel Szajda and especially from Sam Trammell (as the soft spoken but equally dangerous leader of the group). Recommended for fans of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3HEDLL5
#9
The East
Plot: Operative from an elite private intelligence firm infiltrates an anarchist group that attacks major corporations.
KBZ’s Take: Of all the films in the Undercover Agent subgenre, this film tackles a somewhat unique premise – eco-terrorists that fight back against immoral corporations. The film remains apolitical throughout the film and focuses more on the individuals involved with the group and their beliefs. Regardless if you think their methods are right or wrong, you’ll find yourself questioning what you would do when finding out corporations are slowly killing you with drugs, toxic waste or other malicious intent.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3HEljDj
#8
The Informer
Plot: Former convict related to the Polish mafia, must deal with the mafia boss and two federal agents.
KBZ’s Take: This is another film of the subgenre that has a somewhat original premise and is also led by great performances. The premise involves the Polish mafia, drug trade in prison and corrupt cops. The performances though make this film above average led by Joel Kinnaman, Rosamund Pike, Common, Clive Owen and Ana de Armas. Highly recommended film for fans of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://www.netflix.com/title/81161855
#7
Hardcore
Plot: Conservative Midwest businessman goes undercover in the underworld of pornography to find his runaway teenage daughter.
KBZ’s Take: Before 8MM (1999), there was Hardcore. If you’re familiar with Paul Schrader films (American Gigolo (1980), Affliction (1997), Auto Focus (1999)) you’ll know what’s in store in this film – an often-brutal look at a seedy industry and the depraved undercurrent of society. This is one of George C. Scott’s best performances and its worth watching for his performance alone. Note: though there’s no X-rated content in this film, it’s still a disturbing look at that industry and not for younger viewers.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3XL1i3A
#6
Breach
Plot: Young agent assigned to spy on suspected Russian spy.
KBZ’s Take: For our money, this is one of Chris Cooper’s Top 3 roles. Another Cold War true story, Cooper’s Robert Hanssen shows the hubris often associated with these spies who think they’re too good to get caught. As with most spy thrillers, this film has suspenseful moments throughout and is a great lesser-known Cold War film to add to your queue.
Additional Lists: Top Cold War Films You Haven’t Seen #5, Top Films About Spies & Espionage You Haven’t Seen #7
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/401LGdK
#5
Deep Cover
Plot: Anti-drug squad officer goes undercover and works his way up to the boss.
KBZ’s Take: A film that is also one of the best Films About Undercover Agents, Deep Cover is a Neo Noir Thriller that is fast-paced and full of 1990’s style. As you might expect from the title, the film explores how Fishburne’s undercover agent (who swore to never do drugs) slowly loses himself in his undercover role to the point where he doesn’t know if he’s a cop or dealer any longer. Gritty film with some thrilling action sequences, it’s a lost gem of the 1990’s that shouldn’t be missed by fans of the Drugs & Narcos Film subgenre.
Additional Lists: Top Drugs & Narcos Films You Haven’t Seen #7
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3jaZoKJ
Plot: Man returns home to Hell’s Kitchen and hooks up with a childhood friend who’s involved with the Irish mob.
KBZ’s Take: Another film from the Year of the Gangster Film (1990) that tends to get lost in the shuffle. This is one in a string of films that helped propel Gary Oldman to stardom which is no small feat given the cast of this film – Sean Penn, Ed Harris, John Turturro and Robin Wright. Though the film’s foundation is based on a common “man comes home to a different world” trope, it’s a compelling film that delves into the strengths (and weaknesses) of friendship over time. It’s also one of the best films of the Undercover Agent subgenre.
Additional Lists: Top Gangster and Mob Films You Haven’t Seen #9
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Fjv9Jw
Plot: Young police officer goes undercover in the local mafia while a young mafia member infiltrates the police force.
KBZ’s Take: People are divided on whether The Departed (2008) is better as a remake than this original Hong Kong film. Though we think The Departed is a classic film of the subgenre (and won numerous Academy Awards including Best Picture & Best Director), Infernal Affairs just seems like the better film. The film is much tighter with a shorter running time, doesn’t spend as much time on the psychiatrist and mental stability of the undercover cop and has a much more realistic ending. With all that said, you can’t go wrong with either film as they’re both great. But, if you enjoyed The Departed, you should definitely watch the original film which is also a classic of this subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3DpDmux
Plot: After the murder of his wife, a man goes undercover and turns to crystal meth to hang out with speed addicts.
KBZ’s Take: Probably one of the better performances by Val Kilmer. While the film plays like a Tarantino-directed Neo Noir film, the film’s memorable characters help it rise above similar ‘lost in a haze of addiction’ drug-themed films. Vincent D’Onofrio is the most memorable character as a crazy drug dealer without a nose but it’s Peter Saarsgard as Jimmy the Finn who provides the emotional backbone to the story. A depressing film with spurts of dark comedy that follows a man’s struggle for redemption and revenge.
Additional Lists: Top Drugs and Narcos Films You Haven’t Seen #2
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3HnfIjo
#1
Betrayed
Plot: FBI agent infiltrates a white supremacist group but falls in love with their leader.
KBZ’s Take: Unlike Imperium (2019), this film shows the more psychological impact of going undercover in a white supremacist organization. It also delves into the despicable racial violence some of these groups are responsible for. This film is a bit of a forgotten film of the 1980’s but one of its best led by the performances of Debra Winger and Tom Berenger. This film is also one of the best of the subgenre at tackling the loyalty angle of the undercover agent and the eventual impact of the group being betrayed. Highly recommended film for fans of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3XUpcd1
