One of the earlier and best Neo Noir movies is Chinatown (1974) starring Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, and John Huston. I have begun grown a listing of Neo Noir movies and I have ranked them in the order I think is correct.
The classic Film Noir era ran from circa 1941 to circa 1964. The Film Noir genre was supplanted by television shows like “The Fugitive” 1963-1967. Beginning in the early 1970s, Neo-Noir films began to appear in the theaters. These Essential Neo-Noir films included the elements of Film Noir, with vibrant colors, something that was lacking in most Film Noir, and realistic violence.
![Reservoir Dogs (1992)](https://classicmovierev.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Reservoir-Dogs-1992.png")
![The Yakuza (1974)](https://classicmovierev.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/The-Yakuza-1974-Poster.png")
![The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973)](https://classicmovierev.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/The-Friends-of-Eddie-Coyle-1973-Poster.png")
![Blood Simple (1984)](https://classicmovierev.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Blood-Simple-1984.png")
![The Long Goodbye (1973)](https://classicmovierev.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/The-Long-Goodbye-1973-1.png")
![L.A. Confidential (1997)](https://classicmovierev.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/L.A.-Confidential-1997.png")
![Get Carter (1971)](https://classicmovierev.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Get-Carter-1971.png")
![Serpico (1973)](https://classicmovierev.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Serpico-1973.png")
![Dog Day Afternoon (1975)](https://classicmovierev.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Dog-Day-Afternoon-1975.png")
![To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)](https://classicmovierev.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/To-Live-and-Die-in-L.A.-1985.png")
![Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982)](https://classicmovierev.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Dead-Men-Dont-Wear-Plaid-1982.png")
![Carlito's Way (1993)](https://classicmovierev.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Carlitos-Way-1993.png")