Serpico Returns: Al Pacino’s Gritty Cop Classic Hits Paramount+
Al Pacino’s iconic turn as a whistleblowing New York cop in Serpico is back, now streaming on Paramount+ from January 2026. Discover why this 1973 thriller still packs a punch decades later.
Few films from the 1970s have left as lasting a mark on the crime genre as Serpico. With its raw depiction of police life and corruption in New York, the film quickly became a touchstone for punters keen on a good thriller. Now, more than half a century since its original release, Serpico is making waves again, landing on Paramount+ for a new generation to discover from 1 January 2026.
Starring Al Pacino in one of his most memorable roles, the story follows a young officer who refuses to play along with the dodgy dealings of his colleagues. The film, based on the real-life experiences of Frank Serpico, doesn’t shy away from the tough realities of whistleblowing in a system stacked against you. While the script takes a few liberties for the sake of drama, it’s still widely recognised as a faithful retelling of Serpico’s battle to clean up the force.
Pacino’s Reluctance and Transformation
It’s hard to imagine anyone else in the lead, but Pacino wasn’t always keen on taking the part. He doubted he could do justice to the real bloke behind the story. That all changed after meeting Frank Serpico himself. The actor later recalled,
‘Before I met the person that I was supposed to do, I didn't want to play him. It was an odd thing. Not because he was negative or positive, but I just felt I couldn't be him. But when I met Frank, I knew there was something I could paint there. There was something that I could sort of serve. He had an earring, long hair, and was strange-looking. But he had a look in his eye that I thought, there it is. I got to know him very well and hung with him.’
Frank Serpico himself was chuffed with the result, saying Pacino
‘played me better than I played myself’
. That’s high praise from the man who lived it. The film’s authenticity and Pacino’s performance helped it stand out in a decade packed with tough-as-nails crime stories.
Behind the Scenes and Lasting Impact
Directed by Sidney Lumet, Serpico also features John Randolph, Tony Roberts, Jack Kehoe, Barbara Eda-Young, and Cornelia Sharpe. The film hit cinemas in December 1973, just a year after Pacino’s breakout in The Godfather. It went on to earn him his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor and pulled in $29 million at the box office on a modest $3 million budget.
The official synopsis sums it up: Frank Serpico (Pacino) is an idealistic New York City cop who refuses to take bribes, unlike the rest of the force. His actions get Frank shunned by the other officers, and often placed in dangerous situations by his partners. When his superiors ignore Frank's accusations of corruption, he decides to go public with the allegations. Although this causes the Knapp Commission to investigate his claims, Frank has also placed a target on himself.
Serpico’s Place in Crime Film History
Serpico sits comfortably alongside other gritty classics from the era like Taxi Driver, Death Wish, and Mean Streets. The film’s unvarnished look at the city’s underbelly and the personal cost of doing the right thing still resonates with viewers today. For those who’ve never caught it, or for anyone keen to revisit a standout performance from Pacino, Serpico is now streaming on Paramount+.