biography mafia movies

• Things the Mafia Still Controls
• Al Capone's Demise by Syph
• More Than the Italian Mafia
• Getting to Know Al Capone
• 14 Things We Just Learned About The Mafia That ...
• Who Was James 'Whitey' Bulger?
• Public Enemy George 'Baby Face' Nelson
• Gruesome Mob Hits You Should Never Google
• Growing Up in a Mafia Family
• Weird Stories of Famous Gangsters
• Insanely Gruesome Mafia Murders
• The Nightmare of Making 'The Godfather'
• Behind the Scenes of 'Goodfellas'
• The Irishman and Jimmy Hoffa
• Moments in Mob Movies That Were Real
• Totally Untrue Tropes All Over the Movies
• What Mafia Life Is Really Like
• Brutal Modern Mob Bosses
• 11 American Crime Families Most People Have Nev...
• The History Of The New York Mafia's Five Famili...
• The Most Powerful Female Crime Lords
• What Happened To The People Al Capone Knew Best

The Best Gangster Biopics Of All Time

The crime genre has spawned films that delve into the lives of underworld figures, with gangster biopics standing out for their stirring narratives and historical accuracy. Gangster biopics offer a window into the lives of notorious underworld figures. These biographical movies artfully balance entertainment with historical accuracy, providing fascinating insight into the rise and fall of some of the most infamous mobsters and criminals in history. 

Gangster biopics transport viewers into the world of organized crime while portraying the personal struggles and ethical dilemmas faced by their central characters. These films paint a vivid portrait of the criminal lifestyle, often depicting the darker side of human nature while exploring themes of power, loyalty, and betrayal. 

Several top-tier films in the genre offer a captivating viewing experience while illustrating why gangster biopics remain a popular choice for audiences. Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas delves into the life of Henry Hill, offering an unflinching look at the inner workings of the New York mafia during the 1960s and 1970s - a time when the city was dominated by such criminal organizations. Ridley Scott's American Gangster chronicles the story of Frank Lucas, who rose from humble beginnings to become one of Harlem's most powerful drug kingpins in the 1970s. Meanwhile, Blow follows the tumultuous life of George Jung, a pivotal figure in the rise of the cocaine trade during the late 20th century. 

The sustained interest in gangster biopics stems from their capacity to illuminate the lives of infamous figures through captivating storytelling and carefully crafted character development. These films strike a balance between factual accuracy and dramatic storytelling, resulting in captivating viewing experiences that leave audiences enthralled. 

Delving into the gritty world of organized crime, this captivating film tells the true story of Henry Hill and his rise through the ranks of the Lucchese crime family. From humble beginnings to living the high life as a mobster, viewers are taken on an exhilarating journey filled with violence, betrayal, and ultimately, redemption. With unforgettable performances and masterful direction, it's no wonder this biopic remains a classic in the gangster genre.

• Dig Deeper... Who Would Star In 'Goodfellas' If It Were Cast Today?
• # 67 of 769 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 21 of 375 on The Best Movies Based On Books

In this stylishly crafted biopic, audiences witness the incredible true story of George Jung, a small-town boy who became one of the biggest cocaine smugglers in American history. With a mesmerizing performance from its lead actor, this film showcases the seductive allure of power and wealth, as well as the destructive consequences that inevitably follow. It's an engrossing cautionary tale that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats.

• # 192 of 375 on The Best Movies Based On Books
• # 28 of 113 on The Best Movies Of 2001
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American Gangster

This compelling biopic charts the meteoric rise and fall of real-life drug lord Frank Lucas, who smuggled heroin into the United States during the Vietnam War. Filled with intense drama and nail-biting suspense, the film offers a gripping portrayal of Lucas' cunning ruthlessness and the dogged determination of the cop pursuing him. With powerhouse performances from its lead actors, it's a gripping exploration of ambition, corruption, and justice.

• # 207 of 675 on The Best Movies Roger Ebert Gave Four Stars
• # 124 of 191 on The Best Movies For Men
• # 9 of 94 on The 90+ Best Mafia Movies Of All Time

Donnie Brasco

Based on a remarkable true story, this gripping film follows an undercover FBI agent as he infiltrates one of New York's most powerful Mafia families. As he becomes more entrenched in their world, loyalty and duty blur, leading to a heart-wrenching finale. Featuring stellar performances from its ensemble cast, this tale of deception and sacrifice showcases the dangerous game played by those who dare to challenge the mob.

• # 189 of 375 on The Best Movies Based On Books
• # 60 of 191 on The Best Movies For Men
• # 10 of 59 on The Best Movies Based on Non-Fiction Books

The Untouchables

Set during Prohibition-era Chicago, this thrilling biopic focuses on the relentless efforts of federal agent Eliot Ness as he battles against the ruthless Al Capone and his criminal empire. The film brilliantly captures the moral ambiguity of the time, as Ness and his team resort to unconventional means to bring down their formidable foe. An all-star cast and expert filmmaking make this a must-watch for fans of gangster cinema.

• # 279 of 769 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 71 of 375 on The Best Movies Based On Books
• # 81 of 399 on The Best Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked

Gangs of New York

Set in the 19th-century Five Points district of New York City, this sweeping epic tells the gritty tale of vengeance, betrayal, and bloodshed between rival gangs fighting for control of the city. Featuring larger-than-life characters and stunning visuals, it's a brutal exploration of the underbelly of a city in turmoil. An undeniably powerful and visceral experience that will stay with you long after the final credits roll.

• # 662 of 769 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 154 of 375 on The Best Movies Based On Books
• # 16 of 94 on The 90+ Best Mafia Movies Of All Time

This chilling biopic tells the disturbing true story of notorious mobster Whitey Bulger and his unholy alliance with the FBI, which allowed him to commit unspeakable acts of violence while maintaining his status as an informant. With a hauntingly brilliant performance from its lead actor, this film paints a terrifying portrait of a man whose lust for power corrupted all those around him. A harrowing and unforgettable journey into the heart of darkness.

• # 21 of 94 on The 90+ Best Mafia Movies Of All Time
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Public Enemies

Set during the Great Depression, this thrilling biopic chronicles the final years of legendary bank robber John Dillinger as he evades capture by the tenacious FBI agent Melvin Purvis. With nail-biting action sequences and powerful performances, it's a captivating look at the man behind the myth and the relentless pursuit of justice at any cost. A must-see for fans of gangster films and true-crime enthusiasts alike.

• # 34 of 59 on The Best Movies Based on Non-Fiction Books
• # 22 of 94 on The 90+ Best Mafia Movies Of All Time
• # 121 of 240 on The 200+ Best Movies Based On A True Story

The Irishman

A sprawling epic that spans decades, this masterfully crafted film tells the gripping story of Frank Sheeran, a hitman for the Bufalino crime family, and his involvement in the disappearance of labor union leader Jimmy Hoffa. With a powerhouse ensemble cast, this biopic is a haunting exploration of loyalty, betrayal, and the price one pays for a life of crime. It's an unforgettable cinematic experience that will leave a lasting impression.

• Dig Deeper... Everything You Need To Know About The True Story That Inspired 'The Irishman'
• And Deeper... Historians Don’t Actually Believe Frank Sheeran Killed Jimmy Hoffa
• # 305 of 375 on The Best Movies Based On Books

Bonnie and Clyde

This iconic biopic follows the infamous crime duo Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow as they embark on a thrilling crime spree across Depression-era America. With its perfect blend of romance, action, and dark humor, this groundbreaking film captures the desperation and lawlessness of the time while humanizing two of history's most notorious outlaws. It's a timeless classic that remains as compelling today as it was upon its initial release.

• Dig Deeper... This Gruesome Photo Shows The Moment Bonnie And Clyde Were Riddled With Bullets
• # 698 of 769 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 37 of 675 on The Best Movies Roger Ebert Gave Four Stars

Based on the chilling true story of Richard Kuklinski, a prolific hitman with over 100 kills to his name, this biopic delves into the psyche of a cold-blooded killer who managed to lead a seemingly normal family life. With an unnerving performance from its lead actor, this film offers a disturbing glimpse into the mind of a man who killed without remorse or hesitation. It's a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface.

• # 48 of 59 on The Best Movies Based on Non-Fiction Books
• # 29 of 94 on The 90+ Best Mafia Movies Of All Time
• # 66 of 99 on The Best Period Movies Set in the '80s

Featuring a tour de force performance from its lead actor, this stylish biopic tells the incredible true story of London's notorious Kray twins, who ruled the city's underworld with an iron fist during the 1960s. Filled with equal parts violence and dark humor, this film provides a gripping look at two men whose quest for power led to their ultimate downfall. A compelling and unforgettable journey into the heart of darkness.

• # 205 of 399 on The Best Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
• # 31 of 96 on The 90+ Best Movies Of 1985, Ranked
• # 5 of 16 on The Most Terrifying Figures In Horror With The Lowest Kill Counts

Kill the Irishman

This gripping biopic tells the incredible true story of Danny Greene, an Irish-American mobster who waged war against the Mafia in 1970s Cleveland. With gritty realism and intense action sequences, this film offers a thrilling look at the life of a man who refused to be broken by the criminal underworld. Featuring an outstanding ensemble cast, it's a must-see for fans of true-crime and gangster films alike.

Focusing on the enigmatic labor union leader Jimmy Hoffa, this biopic explores his rise to power, his relationships with organized crime figures, and the mystery surrounding his eventual disappearance. Filled with intrigue and suspense, it's a fascinating examination of the complex man behind the legend. Featuring powerhouse performances and expert storytelling, it's an engrossing journey through one of history's most intriguing unsolved mysteries.

• # 28 of 94 on The 90+ Best Mafia Movies Of All Time
• # 129 of 240 on The 200+ Best Movies Based On A True Story
• # 78 of 165 on The Best Political Films Of All Time

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

This visually stunning film examines the tumultuous relationship between legendary outlaw Jesse James and his eventual assassin, Robert Ford. With its poetic storytelling and mesmerizing performances, this biopic offers a haunting meditation on fame, obsession, and the nature of heroism. It's a poignant and unforgettable journey into the heart of American folklore.

• # 163 of 288 on The 250+ Best Western Movies Of All Time
• # 288 of 375 on The Best Movies Based On Books
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Set in 1930s Harlem, this stylish biopic follows the exploits of Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson as he battles against the infamous Dutch Schultz for control of the lucrative numbers racket. With a stellar cast and expertly crafted visuals, it's a thrilling exploration of ambition, betrayal, and the ruthless pursuit of power. A riveting addition to the gangster genre that should not be missed.

• # 43 of 94 on The 90+ Best Mafia Movies Of All Time
• # 50 of 89 on The Greatest African American Biopics Of All Time, Ranked
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Based on the life of the infamous bank robber John Dillinger, this biopic offers a thrilling glimpse into the dangerous world of Depression-era crime. As it follows Dillinger's daring heists and narrow escapes from the law, the film paints a vivid portrait of a man driven by ambition, greed, and a desire for infamy. With razor-sharp dialogue and tense action sequences, it's an exhilarating ride that will leave viewers breathless.

• # 32 of 59 on The 55+ Best Movies Of 1973
• # 57 of 118 on The 115+ Best R-Rated Gangster Movies
• # 14 of 57 on Movies Set In Indiana, Ranked

Chronicling the life of notorious mobster Bugsy Siegel, this biopic takes viewers on an electrifying journey through the glitz and glamour of Hollywood's Golden Age and the gritty Las Vegas underworld. With its dazzling visuals and compelling storytelling, the film provides an unflinching look at the man behind the myth and the price one pays for ambition. A captivating exploration of power and obsession that should not be missed.

• # 360 of 675 on The Best Movies Roger Ebert Gave Four Stars
• # 42 of 94 on The 90+ Best Mafia Movies Of All Time
• # 48 of 50 on The Best Oscar-Nominated Movies of the '90s

Delving into the enigmatic world of Meyer Lansky, this biopic explores the life of the man who helped build the modern American Mafia alongside figures like Bugsy Siegel and Lucky Luciano. With its captivating narrative and superb performances, it's a fascinating examination of power, ambition, and betrayal within the criminal underworld. A riveting addition to the gangster genre that should not be missed.

The Valachi Papers

Based on the explosive true story of Mafia informant Joseph Valachi, this biopic offers a fascinating look at the inner workings of organized crime during its heyday. With gripping storytelling and intense performances, this film provides an insider's perspective on the ruthless world of the mob and the price one pays for betraying its secrets. A must-see for fans of true-crime and historical drama.

Dillinger and Capone

In this thrilling biopic, two of history's most notorious gangsters – John Dillinger and Al Capone – are brought together in a fictionalized story that blends fact and speculation. As the two criminal masterminds attempt to pull off one last heist, their paths become entwined in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Filled with action, suspense, and intrigue, it's a tantalizing "what if" scenario that fans of gangster cinema won't want to miss.

This gritty biopic delves into the final years of notorious gangster Al Capone as he grapples with the physical and mental toll of his violent past. Featuring an unrecognizable lead performance, this film provides a haunting look at a man whose lust for power ultimately led to his own destruction. A chilling reminder that even the most feared criminals cannot escape the consequences of their actions.

• # 84 of 94 on The 90+ Best Mafia Movies Of All Time
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The 20 Best Movies About Gangs and Gangsters, Ranked

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Guns, girls, and gangs—such is the life of the gangster. And betrayals, manhunts, robberies, sacrifices, drugs, and weapons... these tropes make up much of the gangster film subgenre.

Recent successes like The Outfit and Peaky Blinders show us that gangsters are still as popular as ever in movies and television. We can't get enough of murderous anti-heroes, apparently!

That said, gangster movies have been around for ages, ever since the surprise hit of Josef von Sternberg's film Underworld in 1927, which is generally accepted as the first-ever gangster film.

Here are my picks for the best movies about gangs and gangsters, spanning everything from America to Europe to Asia, from 1920s gangsters to modern-day street thugs.

20. The Gentlemen (2019)

Directed by Guy Ritchie

Starring Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Michelle Dockery

Action, Comedy, Crime (1h 53m)

7.8 on IMDb — 75% on RT

When thinking of gangsters, two images might come to mind: the hat-and-trench-coat-wearing cigar smokers of Prohibition, or the tracksuit-wearing weed smokers who flex on the streets.

The Gentlemen presents us gangster types who are somewhere in between. Although Colin Farrell does rock a tartan tracksuit as Coach, most of the other characters wear fine suits and drink whiskey.

They're "gentlemen gangsters," so to speak.

While Coach's students are stupidly making a music video at a crime scene, Ray (Charlie Hunnam) whips out a machine gun to teach some wannabe roadmen gangsters some humility.

Apart from Matthew McConaughey, The Gentlemen prides itself on being distinctively British and distinctively Guy Ritchie.

19. Donnie Brasco (1997)

Directed by Mike Newell

Starring Al Pacino, Johnny Depp, Michael Madsen

Biography, Crime, Drama (2h 7m)

7.7 on IMDb — 88% on RT

Johnny Depp has appeared in several mobster movies—most notably Public Enemies and Black Mass —but his best appearance came alongside Al Pacino in Donnie Brasco .

Many gangster movies take the undercover angle, where officers must convincingly infiltrate a dangerous gang. This keeps us on our toes for every near-miss mistake that could blow their cover.

But this one's even more tense since Donnie Brasco was a real undercover cop who made it into the Mafia during the 1970s, exemplifying the adage of "fake it 'til you make it."

Mike Newell adapted the nonfiction book into a two-hour drama that dodges the usual criminal tropes you might expect.

18. American Gangster (2007)

Directed by Ridley Scott

Starring Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor

Biography, Crime, Drama (2h 37m)

7.8 on IMDb — 81% on RT

Criminal organizations take a lot of, well, organizing. The most successful ones involve tons of people, jobs, bribes, secrets, fights, meetings, rigs, robberies, etc.

In 1968, Frank Lucas decided to cut out the middleman and deal with his heroin source directly—like any true businessman would. After all, Frank Lucas was a real-life corporate guy.

He's played by Denzel Washington in Ridley Scott's American Gangster , going up against detective Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe).

While most of Harlem takes Lucas at face value when he fronts as a businessman striking connections with politicians, Roberts sees through it and works to bring him down.

Although not entirely accurate (Roberts took issue with Washington's "noble" portrayal of Lucas), American Gangster is a gripping watch thanks to Ridley Scott's expert dramatization.

17. The Long Good Friday (1980)

Directed by John Mackenzie

Starring Bob Hoskins, Helen Mirren, Paul Freeman

Crime, Drama, Mystery (1h 54m)

7.6 on IMDb — 97% on RT

Most British crime films feature Cockney gangsters. There's just something about the accent and their want for London domination.

The London setting is crucial in The Long Good Friday , which serves as a backdrop to the politics of the era, all of which is expertly woven throughout the film by director John Mackenzie.

Bob Hoskins is Harold Shand, a gangster trying to go legit. The corruption of cops and politicians help, as he's able to strike deals and make plans to redevelop the London Docklands.

Then, bombs go off. Friends are murdered. Harold has to chuck it all in to find the culprit, and he has to do it all without showing any cracks or blind spots in his growing business.

The watertight plot and Hoskins's "sinister" performance put The Long Good Friday up there with Britain's best gang movies.

16. Eastern Promises (2007)

Directed by David Cronenberg

Starring Naomi Watts, Viggo Mortensen, Vincent Cassel

Crime, Drama, Thriller (1h 40m)

7.6 on IMDb — 89% on RT

Gangsters are a hard bunch, but Russian gangsters are something else. Eastern Promises depicts the Russian mafia in London as they're approached by Anna (Naomi Watts), despite being warned not to.

After delivering the baby of a 14-year-old prostitute—who dies giving birth—Anna tries to track down the girl's family using her diary. This diary leads her straight to the doorstep of Nikolai Luzhin, whose tattoos and Russian accent speak to his mafia status.

Viggo Mortensen gives a chilling performance as the violent, man-of-few-words mobster, made all the more real by his study of Russian gangs and symbology before filming.

The psychological aspect of Eastern Promises is what differentiates it from most action-based crime flicks. David Cronenberg directs this brooding drama that isn't afraid to outsmart its viewers.

15. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)

Starring Jason Flemyng, Dexter Fletcher, Nick Moran

Action, Comedy, Crime (1h 47m)

8.1 on IMDb — 75% on RT

Circling back to Guy Ritchie, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels puts the comedy in crime via Ritchie's usual style of dark humor.

Although Ritchie's Snatch is more well-known for its tapestry of criminal plotlines and characters, everything that made Snatch great can first be found in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels .

Ritchie laid the foundations for his trademark collaborations, criminal themes, fast-paced filming, and British slang/humor (where everyone seems to have a nickname) in his feature debut.

Of these collaborations, Vinnie Jones, Jason Statham, Jason Flemyng, and Alan Ford all appear in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels . Sting is also in there, somewhere.

This one isn't just a gangster movie—it's also a heist movie! And it's all awash in themes of masculinity, patriotism, power, loyalty, and revenge, presented with a rough-and-tumble sheen.

14. Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Directed by Quentin Tarantino

Starring Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen

Crime, Thriller (1h 39m)

8.3 on IMDb — 90% on RT

An independent cult neo-noir? That might sound like one for the cinephiles, but Reservoir Dogs seems to be popular with everyone. Quentin Tarantino's feature debut was a hit—to say the least—and it only got more popular after the release of Pulp Fiction .

Gangsters love nicknames, but these guys take it to another level by adopting secret color aliases: Mr. Brown, Mr. White, Mr. Blonde, Mr. Blue, Mr. Orange, and Mr. Pink.

Reservoir Dogs depicts a gang trying to pull off a heist that inevitably goes wrong, but soundtrack dissonance, deadpan jokes, trivial conversations, and a Mexican standoff set Reservoir Dogs apart as one of the most unique crime movies in the genre.

Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Chris Penn, Steve Buscemi, and Michael Madsen make their first of several Tarantino movie appearances, alongside the director himself as Mr. Brown.

13. Casino (1995)

Directed by Martin Scorsese

Starring Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci

Crime, Drama (2h 58m)

8.2 on IMDb — 79% on RT

If there's one person to rule the gangster genre, it's Robert De Niro—usually under the direction of Martin Scorsese.

The acclaimed director grew up in Little Italy of New York City back during the Mafia's "golden age," so he witnessed the gangster lifestyle first-hand, albeit from a distance.

You'll notice that Martin Scorsese's mobster movies often go beyond gang warfare and into family dynamics, friendship, culture, loyalty, guilt, and religion (specifically Catholicism).

That's what makes them so great—alongside strong casts and dynamic camerawork—and it's a direct result of his childhood observations.

Scorsese's first gangster flick Mean Streets marked the dawn of New Hollywood's greatest crime duo: De Niro and Scorsese. They got together with Joe Pesci for Casino , and later again for The Irishman .

The Chicago Outfit is a huge Italian-American crime syndicate (formerly led by Al Capone) that, in Casino , asks a gambling expert to oversee a casino in Las Vegas. Although he starts off doubling profits, working under the Mafia's eye proves a difficult task.

11. Get Carter (1971)

Directed by Mike Hodges

Starring Michael Caine, Ian Hendry, Britt Ekland

Action, Crime, Thriller (1h 52m)

7.3 on IMDb — 87% on RT

Mike Hodges's directorial debut Get Carter ended up becoming an emblem of 1970s British cinema.

Known for his anti-heroic characters and sarcastic humor, Michael Caine had already established himself as the go-to Cockney casting choice for his work in the infamous caper film The Italian Job .

Caine came on board as another criminal in Get Carter , but this time he was an official London gangster returning to Newcastle to investigate his brother's murder.

Jack Carter isn't a trained detective, but his history in organized crime has sharpened his senses to foul play. And even though he's the protagonist, Carter is a truly terrible person, resulting in a blatantly amoral movie that was praised for its soulless realism.

12. A Prophet (2009)

Directed by Jacques Audiard

Starring Tahar Rahim, Niels Arestrup, Adel Bencherif

Crime, Drama (2h 35m)

7.8 on IMDb — 96% on RT

French cinema has some truly great crime movies, from La Haine to Purple Noon . There's also A Prophet , which takes us off the streets and into prison, where 19-year-old Malik El Djebena (Tahar Rahim) is taken in by the Corsican Mafia.

Generally, prison is supposed to rehabilitate inmates and prevent further crime. But in A Prophet , Malik enters as a petty criminal and leaves as a high-ranking assassin.

What else is there to do in prison except learn new skills?

As Malik rises through the ranks to become a respected member of the mob, director Jacques Audiard grabs us from the start and holds us captive with this character-driven prison drama.

10. Tokyo Drifter (1966)

Directed by Seijun Suzuki

Starring Tetsuya Watari, Chieko Matsubara, Hideaki Nitani

Action, Crime (1h 22m)

7.1 on IMDb — 93% on RT

Leaving the criminal life behind is easier said than done—once you're in the game, you're effectively in it forever.

"Phoenix Tetsu" Hondo didn't ask to quit the game, though. His boss just up and left, leaving Tetsu to wander around Tokyo, ducking rival gangs like a deadly game of dodgeball.

That said, it's a lifestyle he ends up quite attached to.

Seijun Suzuki's yakuza film starring Tetsuya Watari as hitman-turned-vagrant is a bold and poppy crime flick, filmed in crazy camera angles. Looking for an Asian gangster flick? It's one of the best.

Sadly, Suzuki was fired by Nikkatsu not long after releasing Tokyo Drifter . As wild and wonderful as it is, the company had been warning Suzuki to tone down his work for a while—and he refused.

9. The Departed (2006)

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson

Crime, Drama, Thriller (2h 31m)

8.5 on IMDb — 91% on RT

Martin Scorsese is one of the few filmmakers who can actually turn a reboot into something better. He did it first with Cape Fear , then again with The Departed many years later.

The critically acclaimed Hong Kong original—titled Infernal Affairs —didn't seem like one that needed an English-language remake. People feared that it would butcher the original's emotional depth.

But Martin Scorsese knows what he's doing. In collaboration with one of his favorites, Leonardo DiCaprio, he went ahead and based The Departed on real corrupt agents and Irish mob bosses.

The Departed takes your standard undercover cop plot and doubles it: while MSP trooper Billy Costigan is trying to infiltrate a Boston gang, the gang's leader has already planted his own spy within the MSP.

The complex plot is brought to life by a star-studded cast that includes Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone, Vera Farmiga, and Alec Baldwin.

8. Scarface (1983)

Directed by Brian De Palma

Starring Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, Steven Bauer

Crime, Drama (2h 50m)

8.3 on IMDb — 79% on RT

Did you know that Brian De Palma's Scarface was actually a semi-remake of the 1932 pre-Code Scarface by Howard Hawks?

Hawks had based his film on Armitage Trail's novel, which in turn was based on the life of Al Capone, who was nicknamed "Scarface."

Brian De Palma took that basic framework and remodeled it into a Hollywood movie. Set in the 1980s, we now have Tony Montana (instead of Al Capone) selling illegal substances and getting charged with tax evasion.

Profanely portrayed by Al Pacino, Tony is a Cuban refugee who starts working for a drug lord in exchange for a green card. The indulgent three-hour runtime is worth it for that grand finale.

7. Gomorrah (2008)

Directed by Matteo Garrone

Starring Toni Servillo , Gianfelice Imparato, Maria Nazionale

Crime, Drama (2h 17m)

7.0 on IMDb — 91% on RT

How about some Italian gangsters? Not the New York variety—we're talking real mobsters from Italy. The Casalesi clan is a subsection of the Camorra criminal society operating between Naples and Latium.

Roberto Saviano wrote about the Casalesi in his nonfiction book Gomorrah , and his involvement in the film adaptation is partly why Gomorrah is so good!

Gomorrah takes us through the lives of five separate characters affected by gang warfare in Naples. It took six writers to weave it all together: Maurizio Braucci, Ugo Chiti, Gianni Di Gregorio, and Massimo Gaudioso, alongside Saviano and director Matteo Garrone.

The street rivalries aren't just surface level in this New Italian Epic. Matteo Garrone probes deeper to show the full scale of organized crime, with tendrils that spread low and wide below society.

6. Once Upon a Time in America (1984)

Directed by Sergio Leone

Starring Robert De Niro, James Woods, Elizabeth McGovern

Crime, Drama (3h 49m)

8.3 on IMDb — 87% on RT

Once Upon a Time in America is the third installment in Sergio Leone's "Once Upon a Time" trilogy, which all share similar titles but are otherwise unrelated.

Set in 1918, street kids named Noodles, Patsy, Cockeye, and Dominic are committing petty crimes for a guy called Bugsy. Fifteen years later, they're adults who are practically running Manhattan thanks to bootleg liquor profits during Prohibition.

Although it's now considered among the greatest gangster movies ever made, Once Upon a Time in America was initially met with nonchalance and a distinct lack of Oscar nominations.

If you're a hardcore Robert De Niro fan, there's an Extended Cut that stretches over four hours for your enjoyment. It was originally intended to be two movies, but Leone fused them into one big film—and then Warner Bros. shortened it without Leone's supervision...

5. Boyz N the Hood (1991)

Directed by John Singleton

Starring Cuba Gooding Jr., Laurence Fishburne, Ice Cube

Crime, Drama (1h 52m)

Most of these movies take place back in the day, with old-school mobsters making up the bulk of cinema's greatest gang films. Boyz N the Hood , however, is all about 90s urban gang culture.

Once upon a time in South Central LA, young Tre is sent to live with his tough-loving father. Despite the rough neighborhood, Tre grows into a respectable young man... until his old friends return from prison.

Cuba Gooding Jr., Ice Cube, Morris Chestnut, and Laurence Fishburne star in what was supposed to be a script for film school application, but turned into an Oscar-winning classic that launched careers and changed cinema forever.

Director John Singleton became the first African American—and youngest person—to get an Oscar nomination for Best Director, thanks to this poignant coming-of-age drama.

4. The Public Enemy (1931)

Directed by William A. Wellman

Starring James Cagney, Jean Harlow, Edward Woods

Crime, Drama (1h 23m)

7.6 on IMDb — 100% on RT

The Public Enemy wasn't just set during the era of Al Capone and speakeasies—it was made during it!

The early 1930s saw Hollywood take over the film industry and become dominated by big studios, drifting in a kind of limbo phase between "talkies" and censorship laws.

Set in Chicago, a hotbed for Prohibition-era mobsters, Tom Powers and Matt Doyle climb the ladder from poverty to bootlegged riches. They credit their success to "beer and blood" (which is the title of the unpublished novel The Public Enemy was based on).

The Public Enemy is a gangster-versus-law narrative, rather than the typical gang-versus-gang story of the time. Critics weren't overly fond of its glorification of crime, but that's not much of an issue nowadays.

3. The Godfather (1972)

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola

Starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan

Crime, Drama (2h 55m)

9.2 on IMDb — 97% on RT

It's hard to pick just one film from this legendary trilogy... so even if I'm going with the first, it's really a stand-in for the entire series. The Godfather is best appreciated in its full form, anyway.

Adapted from Mario Puzo's 1969 novel, The Godfather movies center on the Corleone crime family, for whom loyalty means everything.

Marlon Brando leads the family as Vito Corleone, a Sicilian orphan and immigrant who builds his empire from scratch. Vito has four children, with Michael (Al Pacino) next in line for the throne.

Francis Ford Coppola's Oscar-winning trilogy is in the top five of pretty much any mainstream "best movies" list. The complex storyline, high-caliber acting, symbolic cinematography, and keen character development all make for a cinematic masterpiece.

2. City of God (2002)

Directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund

Starring Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino, Matheus Nachtergaele

Crime, Drama (2h 10m)

8.6 on IMDb — 91% on RT

City of God might just be the least glamorized gangster movie on our list. The savagely vicious gangs in Cidade de Deus make The Gentlemen look like a tea party.

Plus, this one's based on a real period of time when warfare in Rio was at its peak—and the filmmakers made the brave decision to shoot on-location (using locals instead of actors).

Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund direct this Brazilian crime epic that's not for the faint-hearted. We witness Rio's gang culture through the eyes of Rocket (Alexandre Rodrigues), a young wannabe photographer who captures the events on his camera and narrates the movie.

City of God is a raw and bloody-nosed depiction of poverty and what it can lead to, made all the more astounding by the fact it even got made at all. (That said, some Brazilian critics disliked how City of God reduced the favela down to pure violence.)

1. Goodfellas (1990)

Starring Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci

Biography, Crime, Drama (2h 25m)

8.7 on IMDb — 96% on RT

Did you know Martin Scorsese was reluctant to make yet another gangster film when he was planning Goodfellas ? It ended up being the most famous gangster movie of all time.

Robert De Niro is at the forefront in one of his most iconic roles, alongside Ray Liotta and Joe Pesci (with his notoriously improvised "Funny how?" scene).

Set between the 1950s and 1980s, Goodfellas is the rise-and-fall story that tops them all. The long takes and candid dialogue give us a peek into the everyday life of a mafia man as he saunters from nightclubs to drug deals to family dinners.

Goodfellas is the epitome of Scorsese's trademarks, as if all his other gangster films were just practice for this one. It's the perfect balance between naturalism, entertainment, and craftsmanship!

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The 10 best mafia movies of all time, according to imdb.

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With this year marking The Godfather 's 50th anniversary, there's no better time to brush up on some of the best mafia films to date. Specialized by directors like Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola, mob films have remained popular for their cutting-edge action, witty dialogue, and overall legendary filmmaking.

Mafia films are also important because they reflected a key time in American history. Most mob stories often follow the lives of immigrants, who as ordinary people were able to rise to the top ranks because of the mafia and ultimately became all-powerful forces. That power, however, inevitably leads to a great downfall, which is the mafia tale directors articulate with some of the most unforgettable film techniques.

Donnie Brasco (1997) - 7.7

Stream on netflix.

While most mafia films are inspired by the overall historic mobs centered in America, some are based on true stories directly. This is the case for Donnie Brasco, a film that illustrates the biography of Joesph D. Pistone, an undercover FBI agent who infiltrated a family mob under the alias Donnie Brasco. One of the greatest aspects of the movie is its plot, which explores the complex line Pistone must walk between his job and his newly formed relationships, especially his close bond with aging mobster Lefty (Al Pacino).

Related: 10 Best Documentaries About The American Mafia

Donnie Brasco also features some excellent acting, balancing the classic mobster acting style of Al Pacino and the proven versatility of Johnny Depp (Pistone). The two have excellent chemistry in the film, which makes the story's themes of honor and betrayal even more heartbreaking and impactful.

A Bronx Tale (1993) - 7.8

Rent on redbox, amazon, google play, & vudu.

A Bronx Tale has proved itself as an excellent mobster film because of its representation of the real-life struggles of Italian-Americans in the 1960s. The movie's plot centers around the conflict of the young Calogero, who is stuck between his honest, working-class family and the enticing life of the mob.

The movie A Bronx Tale contains a lot of serious subjects, such as the racial tensions between Italian-American and the black community at the time. However, its solemn themes coincide with vivid acting performances and comical, fast-paced dialogue. These juxtaposed tones overall blend together to create a rich experience that earns the film a title as one of the best gangster movies .

The Irishman (2019) - 7.8

A couple of years ago, The Irishman became an overnight hit on Netflix, and for good reason. Though most of the highest-rated mafia films have been released before the year 2000, Scorsese proved that classic mob films can still be made today with his three-and-a-half-hour epic tale.

The Irishman is great because it brings back the filmmaking techniques of old mafia hits, making it visually look more classic than other films produced today. It also stands it ground because of its acting performances from Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci. These actors have already solidified their names as mafia stars years ago, but their older age gives a unique perspective to the mob story through their lenses of maturity.

Casino (1995) - 8.2

Stream on peacock premium.

Director Martin Scorsese has earned a spot as one of the primary leaders in mobster films, and Casino is a great example of his filmmaking mastery of the genre. The story follows the complex relationship between old friends Ace and Nicky, who are deep and well-written characters encapsulated in the risky mob life.

Related: 10 Ways Casino Is Actually Better Than Goodfellas

Casino has unique, stunning visuals that work to articulate the lavish, gaudy lifestyle that makes the mafia so appealing. However, Scorsese skilfully balances this luxury with the dangers of wealth and power, all wrapped in an immersive story that is based on true events.

Once Upon A Time In America (1984) - 8.3

Once Upon a Time in America is a gangster masterpiece co-written and directed by Sergio Leone. The film has many great qualities, but one of the most notable is its plot, which follows best friends Noodles and Max, as they rise to become gangsters in the Jewish mob. The story is incredibly immersive and credible to the time period it is trying to convey, and its focal point around best friends makes its dark themes of greed and betrayal even more impacting.

Unfortunately, the U.S. release of the film was heavily cut and received terrible reception. It has since been restored in its over 3-hour long "European cut," which retains all the good pacing and construction of the original production.

Scarface (1983) - 8.3

Scarface is an 80s crime movie that follows Tony Montana's journey from his start as a Cuban refugee to an all-powerful drug lord. Some find the film excessively violent and crude, and it took a long time for it to be more widely accepted. However, as of the current day, it is regarded as one of the best mafia stories on screen.

Most of Scarface 's success is due to its lead star, Al Pacino, whose dedicated performance paints Montana as a unique, well-rounded character who is both fearless and brutal, yet able to be sympathized with. The movie's story is unforgettable because of Montana's epic rise and downfall. The film also avoids mobster clichés and creates something that can stand on its own.

The Departed (2006) - 8.5

Stream on hbo max & the roku channel.

The Departed is yet another Scorsese classic, though this film delves into the Irish mob instead of the Italian-American mafia and features two men attempting to infiltrate a gang led by Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). The movie marked Scorsese's first and only Oscar for Best Director and is most highly revered for its riveting plot rooted in pure suspense.

Related: The 10 Best Gangster Movies Of The 2000s, Ranked According To IMDb

Though one of The Departed 's initial appeals is its all-star cast, what really drives the movie is its complex story. Under Scorsese's direction, the film is always moving forward, with excellent pacing and plenty of twists to maintain audience interest from the beginning to its end.

Goodfellas (1990) - 8.7

Stream on fubotv & hbo max.

Scorsese's Goodfellas is considered a classic mafia movie for good reason. From a filmmaking standpoint, the movie has been commended for its nonlinear storytelling techniques, which examine the lead character Henry Hill from different points in time, allowing the audience many perspectives on his downward journey.

Goodfellas is also considered one of the greats for its immersion into mafia life. The plot was derived from Nicholas Pileggi's book Wiseguys, which follows a true story. Since the movie is rooted in nonfiction , its story feels incredibly real and accurate, giving viewers a proper look into what life is like in the mob.

The Godfather: Part II (1974) - 9.0

Stream on fubotv & paramount+.

The Godfather: Part II is only bested by its predecessor. The film is still ranked one of the best movies of all time for many reasons, mostly its deep and complex story. While The Godfather sets up the dynamic of the Corleone family, Part II intensely examines the life of Micheal Corleone (Al Pacino), the family's youngest son.

Through Micheal, the audience can see the slow corruption the mafia takes on one of its leaders, even though he previously tried to remain uninvolved. It also uses flashback techniques to give a full picture of the Corleone dynasty and an interesting parallel between young Vito's rise to power and Micheal's story. The deep and serious themes of the film are encapsulated by Pacino's stellar acting, which artfully illustrates just how intense the mafia can take on one person.

The Godfather (1972) - 9.2

The Godfather holds the position as not only the greatest mafia movie but one of the best films of all time. Francis Ford Coppola's film contains undisputed mastery in all aspects of filmmaking and includes a poetic, epic storyline that perfectly outlines the power struggles and downfalls of being involved in the mob.

There's an endless list of film techniques that make The Godfather legendary. One is its unforgettable score, which perfectly articulates the film's somber and serious tones. Another is its award-winning screenplay, which was written by both Coppola and the original novel's author Mario Puzo. Also, Marlon Brando's versatile performance is a large part of the film's legendary success.

NEXT: 10 Great Italian-American Movies That Aren't About The Mafia

• The Godfather (1972)

Mafia biography movies

In the top there are new films of 2023, a plot description and trailers for films that have already been released.

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A film about the life and career of the early rock and roll star.

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American car designer Carroll Shelby and the British-born driver Ken Miles work together to battle corporate interference, the laws of physics, and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford Motor Company and take on the dominating race cars of Enzo Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1966.

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The life story of Elvis Presley as seen through the complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker.

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Henry Hill and the Real-Life GoodFellas: The True Story Behind the Movie

READ MORE: The Five Crime Families of New York City: Inside the Rise and Fall of the Mafia

Hill became involved with the mob at a young age

GoodFellas is told from the point of view of Hill, a local Brooklyn gangster and drug dealer who worked as an associate for the Lucchese crime family, one of Brooklyn’s most notorious mafioso organizations. The son of an Irish father and Sicilian mother, he got in with the mob early, running errands for the gangsters who hung out near his family’s home in Brownsville and then graduating to more serious crimes, including arson.

He spent time in the army, though he was discharged for starting a brawl and stealing a sheriff’s car, and wound up back with the mafia in Brooklyn soon after. His wife Karen, played by Lorraine Bracco in GoodFellas , was initially unaware of his crime connections, but ultimately embraced the lifestyle .

In 1967, Hill took part in robbing an Air France cargo terminal at JFK , which netted $420,000. As he told biographer Nicholas Pileggi for the book Wiseguy , on which GoodFellas was based, that robbery won him big points with the mafia higher-ups. In biographies, memoirs and interviews later in life, Hill swore up and down that he’d never killed anyone, though he openly admitted to witnessing 20 murders and helping to bury the bodies of at least 10 victims. The time he spent in prison was for extortion, not any violent crimes.

Jimmy Burke endured a rough childhood which contributed to his criminal behavior later in life

On the other hand, Brooklyn gangster Jimmy Burke delighted in murder and was responsible for several of the corpses that Hill had to bury. In his 2003 memoir, A Goodfellas Guide to New York , Hill said that Burke had the bodies buried locally , scattering them underneath houses, bocce ball courts and even his own bar. Burke was known as “Jimmy the Gent” because he was always passing out wads of cash and big tips to everyone in the neighborhood, but the nickname also contained more than a trace of irony.

Burke had a rough childhood . The first 13 years of his life consisted mostly of repetitive abuse from the foster families he lived with after his mother put him in an orphanage at the age of 2. While he eventually found loving adoptive parents, the mold had been cast. After so many years of absorbing beatings and fending for himself, Burke spent most of his teenage and early 20s alternately committing crimes and doing time in prison.

In the years that followed, he began working for both the Lucchese and Colombo crime families. The fact that he was Irish American made it impossible for him to be a full member or rise up the ranks in either group — only Italians could earn that privilege — but he commanded his own squad of loyal soldiers. He too got in on the drug game over time, though stealing was his true favorite past time.

The heist was an inside job, engineered by Brooklyn gangsters

Well before dawn on December 11, 1978, six henchmen working for Burke pulled up outside a Lufthansa Airlines cargo building at JFK Airport. They didn’t know it, but they were about to make history.

A tip had come in through Hill, Burke’s mob associate, that the German airline would be delivering a big load of cash to the New York hub. It was a pretty solid lead, having initially come from a Lufthansa employee named Louis Werner , who passed it to a bookie named Marty Krugman as make-good on some gambling debt. Krugman passed it to Hill, and despite Burke’s reservations about Krugman, the opportunity was too good to pass up. After planning it out in Burke’s Queens restaurant, the six men in the van, along with Burke’s son and another associate in a nearby Buick, set off for JFK to pull off the robbery.

What they thought would be a $2 million score wound up being a $5 million haul, with an extra $850,000 in jewelry thrown in for good measure. With inflation, that translates to just over $23 million in today’s dollars, all-in. At the time, it was the biggest heist in American history, making it the subject of a massive FBI investigation and decades’ worth of books and movies — in GoodFellas , Hill was played by Ray Liotta , while Burke inspired a character named Jimmy Conway, who was portrayed by Robert De Niro . Most everyone else involved in the heist, however, did not live to see themselves portrayed on the big screen by legendary actors.

The heist itself was relatively simple. The six mob soldiers wore ski masks, busted into the cargo area, took one Lufthansa employee hostage and then rounded up the rest of his co-workers. Once they had everyone tied up, they hit the airline’s vault, grabbing the boxes of cash — there were 72 of them, weighing 15 pounds apiece — and made their escape. It took just over an hour and the crew was gone before 4:30 a.m., still well before the sunrise.

Soon after, they met Burke in Brooklyn, transferred all the money out of the van and went their separate ways. The heist made international headlines for not only how much was stolen, but soon enough, just how little the police knew about it. It stayed that way for a long time, in part because most of the people who were involved with the high-stakes robbery were killed soon after.

The heist was just the beginning of Burke's crime spree

Burke’s propensity for bribing police officers meant that while he spent a stretch of time in prison in the ‘70s, his biggest crimes went unprosecuted — even when he went down years later, for his involvement in fixing college basketball games, he was never tried for murder. The reason why he never was arrested for the Lufthansa Heist, however, is quite different.

When the heist was over, one of the henchmen, Parnell "Stacks" Edwards, a guitar player and frequent mob soldier, was supposed to ditch the big van in New Jersey. Instead, he proceeded to leave it in front of his girlfriend’s apartment, where cops found it two days later, covered in fingerprints. That’s when it struck Burke that with so many people involved in the heist, he risked ultimately being found out by the FBI. Now paranoid — as well as unwilling to pay the participants their fair share of the money — Burke went on a killing spree.

After he had Edwards killed, Burke methodically mowed down — or signed death warrants for — nearly every other mob soldier involved in the heist. It didn’t matter that some of them were close friends or associates; guys like Joe "Buddha" Manri and Robert McMahon, who helped plan the heist in the first place, both got bullets in the back of the head. So did Marty Krugman ( GoodFellas fans would know him as the wig salesman Morrie Kessler), though he was taken out more for his demand for half a million dollars as the guy who brought the tip to Hill in the first place.

Louis Cafora, who bought a pink Cadillac for his wife soon after the heist, permanently disappeared, which is to say his body still hasn’t been found.

Meanwhile, Thomas DeSimone, a close friend of Burke’s was killed by the Gambino crime family for a murder he’d committed earlier that decade. DeSimone was portrayed by Joe Pesci in GoodFellas as a hot-head, trigger-happy maniac, which won Pesci an Oscar.

Burke had other associates killed during this time, as well, including Richard Eaton, who had been one of Burke’s closest colleagues. He wasn’t involved in the actual heist, but he ripped Burke off for $250,000 in a drug scam and taking cash off the top of the Lufthansa score when the money was being laundered.

Why do we know all this? Because when Hill was arrested for dealing drugs and then his involvement in the Lufthansa Heist, he decided to become a government informant. He didn’t have any other option — he knew Burke was going to have him killed whether he remained on the street for the time being or went to prison. Hill’s testimony led to 50 convictions , including Burke’s arrest for rigging college basketball games.

Hill, his wife Karen and their two children entered the witness protection program after his testimony, though Hill couldn’t quite stick to the straight-laced anonymity required of the participants. He was kicked out of the program in 1987 and Karen divorced him in 1989, just a year before the premiere of GoodFellas . He spent the next 25 years milking the fame that came with the movie. When he died in 2015, none of his remaining mafia associates showed up at his funeral.

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Top 30 Best Gangster Movies of All Time, Ranked (2023)

N o genre has influenced the public’s perception of criminals more than Gangster Movies. For more than 80 years, the best gangster movies have fascinated and allured the minds of millions; from Prohibition-era pre-code crime to 21st Century gang life. Our list of the 30 best gangster movies of all time includes films that span the globe and were produced in different time periods, with very different budgets.

Whether sensational like De Palma’s Scarface  or grounded like Singleton’s Boyz n the Hood , audiences have grown to see gangsters in new ways. But their binding similarity is that they are each responsible for shaping the publics’ view of gangsters.

GOOD MODERN GANGSTER MOVIES

30.  american gangster  (2007).

American Gangster  •  Trailer

What better way to begin than with a film with the genre in the name? The eponymous American Gangster  had a strong showing at the box office in 2007, grossing over $266 million on a $100 million budget. The film was directed by  Ridley Scott , written by Steven Zaillian ( Schindler’s List ), and starred Denzel Washington.

The plot of the film takes place mostly in the 1960s, which gives  American Gangster  the unique perspective of being able to look back at 20th-century crime from the present. The result is a blockbuster film somewhere between popcorn filler and violent think-piece.

IN CONCLUSION

American gangster.

• Accolades: Two Oscar Nominations (Best Supporting Actor and Best Art Direction)
• Tomatometer:  80%

FAMOUS NEW YORK GANGSTER MOVIES

29.  king of new york  (1990).

"What's in the Cup!"  •  King of New York

King of New York   is a film that fits into the stylistic tone of other New York City underworld movies,  Escape from New York  and  Good Time . The  use of color ; like neon deep blues, gives this  sub-genre  an interesting visual tone.

King of New York is a film with an all-star cast, headed by lead actor Christopher Walken. This gangster crime movie raises points about the “Robin Hood” nature of gangsters, and how gangsters sometimes envision themselves as heroes.

KING OF NEW YORK

• Accolades: Film Independent — One Nomination (Best Cinematography)
• Tomatometer:  71%

CLASSIC IRISH GANGSTER MOVIES

28.  the friends of eddie coyle  (1973).

The Friends of Eddie Coyle  •  Critics' Pick

The Friends of Eddie Coyle  is one of the first great Boston mob films. Boston has a unique perspective within gangster movies because of the city’s long history with Irish, Italian, and African-American gangs.

This particular story is about the dealings of the Irish mob, partially inspired by Whitey Bulger’s Winter Hill Gang.  The Friends of Eddie Coyle shot entirely on location in the Massachusetts area and is one of the most authentic gangster films ever made.

THE FRIENDS OF EDDIE COYLE

• Accolades: Entered into the Criterion Collection in 2009.
• Tomatometer:  100%

GOOD 21ST CENTURY GANGSTER MOVIES 

27.  killing them softly  (2012).

Killing Them Softly  •  Banned Trailer

The most modern gangster film on this list,  Killing Them Softly   addresses the impact of organized crime on American society after the collapse of the housing market. It also happens to be one of the  best crime movies .

The  themes  of questioning loyalty and escape from poverty are shown in new and modern lights. It's one of the  best Brad Pitt movies and James Gandolfini also gives an excellent performance. The last scene, although divisive among viewers, is one that has stuck with me for years.

KILLING THEM SOFTLY

• Accolades: Cannes Palme d’Or Nominee
• Tomatometer: 73%

CLASSIC GANGSTER MOVIES LIST

26.  the untouchables  (1987).

The Untouchables  •  Trailer

Anchored by an incredible cast and helmed by  Brian De Palma ,   The Untouchables  is one of the most iconic gangster films ever made. Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, and Robert De Niro all turn in incredible performances.  The Untouchables is a Prohibition-era crime film that mixes police procedural and thriller to a satisfying degree.

THE UNTOUCHABLES

• Accolades: Academy Awards — 3 Nominations (Best Art Direction, Costume Design, Original Score) and 1 Win (Best Supporting Actor for Sean Connery)
• Tomatometer:  82%

KUBRICK’S GANGSTER MOVIE

25.  the killing  (1956).

"Worth the Risk" Scene  •  The Killing

There are heist movies and there are gangster movies, and then there’s Stanley Kubrick’s  The Killing . Kubrick’s 3rd film,  The Killing , has given enormous inspiration to the likes of  Reservoir Dogs ,  The Usual Suspects , and   Logan Lucky .

The picture follows a career criminal's last dance of stealing $2,000,000 at the racetrack. But, of course, complications arise. The Killing  also shares many similarities to the 1955 film,   Rafifi ; both films exist in a transitional space between “Hollywood” gangster movies and  film noir . Fun fact:  Rafifi  was a French film but it was made by a  blacklisted  Hollywood filmmaker.

THE KILLING

• Accolades: BAFTA Awards — 1 Nomination (Best Film)
• Tomatometer:  97%

ITALIAN GANGSTER MOVIES

24.  mafioso  (1962).

Mafioso  •  Trailer

Mafioso  is the film that kick-started the American fascination with  Mafia movies . Alberto Sordi delivers an incredible performance that balances  comedy  and tragedy effortlessly.

Although nearly 60 years old, the themes of Mafioso  still ring true today. In the first part of the film, the social and cultural distinctions between the North (Milan) and the South (Sicily) are portrayed beautifully.

From costuming to dialogue , everything is expertly crafted. In the second part, a tonal shift makes Sordi’s character despaired, haunted by the ghost of a life of crime. In Mafioso,  the mafia renders a person into a cog within a machine, and watching that happen is more fascinating now than ever.

• Accolades: Entered into The Criterion Collection in 2013.
• Tomatometer:  96%

TOP MIAMI GANGSTER MOVIES

23.  scarface  (1983).

"Say hello to my little friend!"  •  Scarface

Brian De Palma’s remake of the 1932 film of the same name, is bigger, bolder, and better. Pacino turns in an over the top performance in all the right ways. The 1983  Scarface   was also significant for its style.

Television shows like  Miami Vice  and games like  Grand Theft Auto: Vice City  would go on to draw heavy inspiration from  Scarface in constructing their own vision of Miami crime.

• Accolades: Golden Globes — 3 Nominations (Best Actor, Supporting Actor, and Original Score).
• Tomatometer:  81%

HOOD GANGSTER MOVIES

22.  menace ii society  (1993).

Menace II Society  •  Trailer

Menace II Society  is one of the great Los Angeles gangster movies. Released just one year after the ‘92 LA riots,  Menace II Society  spoke sympathy to some and stoked the fire for others. Nonetheless,  The Hughes Brothers directorial debut is one of the most essential gangster films ever made.

Menace II Society

• Accolades: Cannes Golden Camera Nominee 
• Tomatometer:  84%

SCORSESE GANGSTER MOVIES LIST

21.  mean streets  (1973).

Mean Streets  •  Trailer

Martin Scorsese’s  third directorial feature   Mean Streets  is one of his most influential. Scorsese said that he was attracted to the idea of making films about him and his friends. He even compared himself to De Niro’s character Johnny Boy, the irresponsible fool of the film.

The film takes place in Little Italy, NY, and puts Scorsese’s experiences in the neighborhood front and center. There’s mafia, police corruption, and crime in spades. What more would one expect from a Scorsese gangster picture?

MEAN STREETS

• Accolades: Entered into the National Film Preservation Registry in 1997

FAMOUS GANGSTER CRIME MOVIES

20.  donnie brasco  (1997).

"This is Life and Death" Scene  •  Donnie Brasco

Donnie Brasco  is a good mafia movie elevated by extraordinary performances from Johnny Depp and Al Pacino. It tells the story of Mafia crime in the 1970s from two perspectives; the FBI and the mob. 

Depp finds a rare balance of emotional depth in playing a dual role as an FBI agent (Joseph Pistone) who becomes someone new after infiltrating the mob (Donnie Brasco). This is also inspired by a true story which lends a sense of credence and authenticity to the film.

DONNIE BRASCO

• Accolades: Academy Awards — 1 Nomination (Best Adapted Screenplay)
• Tomatometer:  88%

GREATEST BRITISH GANGSTER MOVIES

19.  snatch  (2001).

"I'll Fight Ya For It" Scene  •  Snatch

Guy Ritchie  made an explosive entrance to the world of cinema with his debut film  Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels .

But in his second film Snatch ,  Ritchie improves on the British Gangster formula with an all-star cast and heavy stylization.

Brad Pitt steals the show as a gypsy prizefighter. Much of the movie is about the different sects of British gangs — “pikeys,” bookies, and London crooks. There’s even an element of international gang commentary between Irish and British. This is all packed into 100 minutes of violent crime and rollicking fun.

• Accolades: Entered into the National Board of Review for excellence in filmmaking.
• Tomatometer:  73%

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IRISH GANGSTER CRIME MOVIES

18.  the general  (1998).

The General  •  Trailer

Paranoia seeps into the mind of gangster Martin Cahill (Brendan Gleeson) like a drug by the end of  The General . After drawing the ire of the IRA with his business dealings, Cahill is forced to reflect on a lifetime of mischief and crime.

This is an authentic Irish film that portrays authentic Irish crime; such as the crimes of the Catholic church and the corruption of the police. Cahill is a real Irish gangster played by a real Irish actor.

But the differences between the Italian Mafia and the Irish Mob have never been clearer. Still, the themes of controlling your city and pride in your work stay at the forefront of the seminal film,  The General .

THE GENERAL

• Accolades: Cannes — 1 Nominations (Palme d’Or), 1 Win (Best Director)

JAMAICAN GANGSTER MOVIES LIST

17.  the harder they come  (1972).

The Harder They Come  •  Trailer

The Harder They Come  is perhaps best known for its infectious reggae soundtrack, which holds its own against the  best movie songs . But at the heart of the picture, is an important commentary on gangster celebrity. The protagonist Ivan, played by Jimmy Cliff, wants to be a reggae singer but corruption and poverty keep him from success.

Instead, Ivan finds himself enraptured in a life of crime. He becomes infamous for killing police officers. In turn, his former record label releases his song and reaps the profits of his celebrity. Ivan succumbs to a glorified view of the gangster which ultimately forces his downfall.

THE HARDER THEY COME

• Accolades: A cult hit, midnight movie, and a huge step forward for both black cinema and cinema as a whole.
• Tomatometer:  91%

JAMES CAGNEY GANGSTER FILMS

16.  angels with dirty faces  (1938).

Angels with Dirty Faces  •  Trailer

Billed as “the most devastating blast of drama to hit the screen since  Public Enemy , ”  Angels with Dirty Faces  mostly makes true on its assertion. In many ways, this is the spiritual successor to  Public Enemy ; the chief difference being that  Angels With Dirty Faces was produced after the institution the Hays Code and censorship guidelines.

The film condemns the gangster lifestyle even more than before. This is also one of the first gangster films to heavily involve the Catholic faith, which would go on to become a major characteristic of Mafia films.

ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES

• Accolades: Academy Awards — 3 Nominations (Best Actor, Director, and Original Story).

GREATEST SCORSESE GANGSTER MOVIES

15.  the departed  (2006).

The Departed  •  Trailer

The Departed   is adapted from the Hong Kong film  Infernal Affairs .  Infernal Affairs  is an excellent movie in its own right and I considered putting it here in place of  The Departed . But I came to the conclusion that if one film outranked the other, it was  The Departed .

Scorsese paints a sensational portrait of South Boston crime with  Jack Nicholson  commanding the screen in one of  his all-time great performances . In some ways,  The Departed  is the antithesis of  The Friends of Eddie Coyle . Whereas the former is loud, explosive, and consequential, the latter is quiet, understated, and contextual.

The Departed is one of the great gangster movies of all-time, it just doesn’t say much beyond its subject matter.

THE DEPARTED

• Accolades: Academy Awards — 1 Nomination (Best Supporting Actor), and 4 Wins (Best Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay, and Film Editing).

C OCKNEY GANGSTER FILMS

14.  the long good friday  (1980).

The Long Good Friday  •  Trailer

The Long Good Friday   is the quintessential British gangster film. Bob Hoskins plays the leader of a British gang that plans to start a partnership with the American Mafia in hopes that he can become a legitimate businessman.

But things start to unravel as  conflicts  between British, American, and Irish gangs arise.  The Long Good Friday is also significant because of its detailed re-creation of Cockney crime.

THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY

• Accolades: BAFTAs — 1 Nominee (Best Actor)

LA HOOD GANGSTER FILMS

13.  boyz n the hood  (1991).

"Gentrification" Scene  •  Boyz n the Hood

John Singleton’s  directorial debut   Boyz n the Hood  is a landmark achievement in film-making. It started a whole sub-movement of art that addressed street life in Los Angeles during this period of rioting and fear.  Boyz n the Hood  is a cautionary tale about the gangster lifestyle; and how even if you don’t choose it, it might choose you depending on who you are and where you live.

The film is also a warning to the audience about the effects of gentrification and how institutions proliferate crime to keep people down. Many films before  Boyz n the Hood explored the idea of community gang life but none put into words its effect like Laurence Fishburne’s Furious Styles did on a Compton street corner.

BOYZ IN THE HOOD

• Accolades: Academy Awards — 2 Nominations (Best Original Screenplay and Director). John Singleton is the youngest, and first African American, director to ever be nominated for the award. 

PROHIBITION-ERA GANGSTER MOVIES

12.  miller’s crossing  (1990).

Miller's Crossing  •  Trailer

The  Coen Brothers’  Miller’s Crossing is a phenomenal Prohibition-era crime movie. What does crime do to a man? Does it strip him of his morals and humanity or make him more of who he always was?

These are the questions that Miller’s Crossing explores across a thrilling backdrop of Irish and Italian gangs.

MILLER'S CROSSING

• Accolades: National Board of Review Top 10 Films (1990).

ORSON WELLES’ GANGSTER CRIME

11.  touch of evil  (1958).

Touch of Evil  •  Trailer

Orson Welles ’ Touch of Evil is one of the greatest gangster crime movies ever made. The film served as a return to Hollywood for Orson Welles, albeit a brief one at that. The original release of the film was partially re-written and re-shot after Welles was dismissed from the project. Despite the arduous production, Touch of Evil emerged as the seminal gangster film about the corruption of the drug trade on the U.S. — Mexico border.

TOUCH OF EVIL

• Accolades: Entered into the National Board of Film Preservation in 1993.

TOP 10 GANGSTER MOVIES

10.  the french connection  (1971).

The French Connection  •  Trailer

Part police thriller, part international gangster drama,  The French Connection  is one of the most praised films of each  genre . Gene Hackman plays New York detective “Popeye” who uncovers a New York City drug trade with a French connection (Ha! How ironic!).

This story is unique within the gangster genre because it’s told from the perspective of the cops, who solve the gang case one clue at a time. Still, I consider  The French Connection a gangster movie although it’s told from the other side.

THE FRENCH CONNECTION

• Accolades: Academy Awards — 3 Nominations (Best Supporting Actor, Cinematography, and Sound), and 5 Wins (Best Picture, Lead Actor, Director, Adapted Screenplay, and Film Editing).
• Tomatometer:  98%

TOP ITALIAN GANGSTER MOVIES

9.  gomorrah  (2008).

Gomorrah  •  Trailer

By the year 2000, world culture had grown to see gangster films as a mostly sensational, idyllic genre. Popular gangster movies were rife with moral praise; often creating heroes and badass anti-heroes  out of people the court would sentence to death.

Gomorrah , which is based on a book of the same name about the real Mafia group from Napoli, has no intent of glamorizing gang life. In fact,  Gomorrah  is an indictment of gangster films that have inspired young people to take up a life of crime.

One film in particular that is condemned in this way is  Scarface . Children in the film say they want to be like Tony Montana but the life of crime they find is not the one that they had envisioned from the movies.

• Accolades: Cannes — 1 Nomination (Palme d’Or) and 1 Win (Grand Jury Prize).
• Tomatometer:  92%

TOP FRENCH GANGSTER FILMS

8.  a prophet  (2009).

A Prophet  •  Trailer

Jacques Audiard  directs this thrilling gangster film about a young man who finds himself recruited into the Corsican Mafia while serving a prison sentence.  A Prophet   is a remarkably modern gangster movie.

At the center of the film is a struggle between Muslim and Corsican French cultures. The  protagonist , played Tahar Rahim, is a man that is caught between these cultures. On one side, he has his ancestry. On the other, he has the illusion of a future. 

This is a film that has roots in older gangster films like  The French Connection  and  The Godfather .

Similar themes arise but are shown in unique lights.

• Accolades: Academy Awards — 1 Nomination (Best Foreign Language Film).

TOP BRAZILIAN GANGSTER MOVIES

7.  city of god  (2002).

City of God  •  Trailer

City of God   is a unique gangster film for a few reasons. 

• It’s told by a narrator.
• It uses photography to connect the story.
• It’s one of the few prominent Brazilian gangster movies.

We’ve explored gangster movies from the perspective of the criminal, the cop, and the bystander. But what about a gangster movie from the perspective of someone documenting it?

City of God is about the rise and fall of criminal under lords throughout the Cidade de Deus favela in Brazil. It also represents a cast made up primarily of people who lived in that favela. The whole film has a documentary-style feel to it while very much still being a thriller.

CITY OF GOD

• Accolades: Academy Awards — 4 Nominations (Best Director, Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Editing).

TOP RUSSIAN GANGSTER MOVIES

6.  eastern promises  (2007).

Eastern Promises  •  Trailer

Viggo Mortensen’s Russian accent is just one reason to watch  Eastern Promises .   David Cronenberg  directed from a script by Steven Knight. 

The story follows a British nurse who becomes entangled in the Russian Mafia after discovering the notebook of a young girl that connected her pregnancy to a prominent mobster.  Eastern Promises is the definitive Russian Mob movie and one of Mortensen’s best performances ever.

EASTERN PROMISES

• Accolades: Academy Awards — Nomination (Best Actor).
• Tomatometer:  89%

BEST CLASSIC GANGSTER MOVIES

5.  the public enemy  (1931).

The Public Enemy  •  Trailer

The  pre-code era  of film from the late 1920s to 1934 produced some of the most interesting Hollywood films ever made. Pre-code exists after the silent era but before the advent of censorship guidelines. Perhaps no film is more iconic of this short time than  The Public Enemy .

This was an era of fundamental transition for the American people. The wealth and grandeur that pushed the 1920s through, exhausted itself entirely for the decade to come. The Great Depression was a time of intense strife and complex moral decisions.

The Public Enemy put these issues center stage while telling one of the first large-scope stories of gangsters in cinema history.

THE PUBLIC ENEMY

• Accolades: Academy Awards — 1 Nomination (Best Original Story for John Bright and Kubec Glasmon)

GREATEST GANGSTER MOVIES

4.  once upon a time in america  (1984).

Once Upon a Time in America  •  Trailer

Once Upon a Time in America  is one of the craziest films ever made. It was the final film of  Sergio Leone’s  legendary career and the only film he completed in the last thirteen years of his life.

He originally wanted the film to be split into two three-hour features but the studio told him he had to cut it into one film. Leone cut it down to 269 minutes but the studio was not satisfied with his attempts at shortening it. He conceded to a 229-minute version but the American version was further cut without his permission to 139 minutes. 

The result of the cuts was mass confusion amongst audiences. If the confusion wasn’t enough, the film was further censored for explicit content. It wasn’t until 2012 that the restored 255-minute version was made available to the public — which is a shame because it’s such a terrific film.

It’s a decades-spanning story of friendship and loyalty in the mob in New York City. De Niro gives one of the  best performances of his career  as a conflicted, opium sick, mobster dreamer. Some of the content is extremely heavy and pushes the boundary, even for a gangster film. But when all is said and done, the full cut of  Once Upon a Time in America is one of the top five best gangster movies of all-time.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA

• Accolades: Golden Globes — 2 Nominations (Best Director and Original Score).
• Tomatometer:  86%

BEST GANGSTER MOVIES OF ALL-TIME

3.  the godfather  (1972).

The Godfather  •  Trailer

Saying something against  The Godfather   is like complaining about winning a million-dollar lottery — nobody wants to hear it. Francis Ford Coppola’s  undeniable masterpiece is an adaption of Mario Puzo’s novel of the same name. Marlon Brando gives  his all-time great performance  as Don Vito Corleone, the patriarch of the Corleone crime family.

This is the most iconic gangster film ever made. Every cinema fan knows the image of Don Vito holding the cat, the horse in the bed, or Michael shutting the door on his former life. And for good reason, these are some of the most expressive and emotional moments in film history.

Puzo and Coppola's brilliant  screenplay for The Godfather  is like a cherry on top and if there’s any argument against the film , it’s that its story wasn’t fully told in the first film.

THE GODFATHER

• Accolades: Academy Awards — 7 Nominations (Best Editing, Sound, Costume Design, Director; Supporting Actor (Pacino, Caan, Duvall), and 3 Wins (Best Lead Actor, Adapted Screenplay, and Picture).

FAMOUS GANGSTER FILMS

2.  goodfellas  (1990).

Goodfellas  •  Trailer

Goodfellas   is a film that I’ve watched nearly a dozen times and have found a new way to appreciate it every time. Martin Scorsese directed the film based on an adaption of the novel  Wiseguy  by Nicholas Pillegi.

The film begins with Liotta as the narrator saying “as far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster.” From there, the film takes you on a tour of the Brooklyn Italian crime world, and halfway through it, you’ll probably want to be a gangster too.

There’s sex, drugs, and vice galore — and the wiseguys on-screen seem like they’re having the time of their life. But by the end of the film, Scorsese does away with the glamorized view of gangsters and cripples his protagonist to the one thing every gangster hates — a rat.

• Accolades: Academy Awards — 5 Nominations (Best Film Editing, Adapted Screenplay, Actress, Director, Picture) and 1 Win (Best Supporting Actor). 

GREATEST GANGSTER MOVIE OF ALL-TIME

1.  the godfather part ii  (1974).

The Godfather Part II  •  Trailer

No shot in film history has sobered me more than that of Pacino’s Michael Corleone, fist over the face, pondering the choices that have led him to this moment. The camera zooms  towards him, and all we hear is silence. Michael’s eyes gaze into oblivion.

Then, the unforgettable music   swells and the tragedy of both Godfather films wash over you like a monsoon. Perhaps no character demonstrates the phrase “absolute power corrupts absolutely” more than Michael Corleone.

Over the course of two films, we see how his gangster ascent correlates directly to his moral descent. Both films are masterclasses, but it’s  The Godfather Part II that takes the top spot for its flawless execution of gangster film themes.

THE GODFATHER PART II

• Accolades: Academy Awards — 5 Nominations (Best Actor, Supporting Actor (Gazzo, Strasberg), Supporting Actress, and Costume Design), and 6 Wins (Best Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay, Supporting Actor, Art Direction, and Original Score).

The Best Mafia Movies 

Gangster movies cover a lot of ground, including Mafia movies, but this is our list of Mafia-centric entries only. But in case you're thinking this list is only Italian Mafia, you're dead wrong. Sure, the word Mafia is Italian and there are obviously Italian mob movies on the list but we've got entries from around the world — including the best Irish, Japanese, Russian, British mob movies, and more. Read on or else we'll have to go to the mattresses.

Up Next: Best Mafia Movies →

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The 13 Best Gangster Movies of the Last 10 Years, Ranked

Crime never rests.

The allure of the outlaw lifestyle has always been intriguing to audiences. They are entertaining stories that contain sex, violence, and thematically rich stories of morality, containing the consequences of criminal activity while providing insight into the human condition. Directors like Brian De Palma and Martin Scorsese have taken the genre and lifted it to its heights, giving gangster movies a home in people's hearts.

A perfect gangster movie has compelling characters with complex motivations, a well-paced plot filled with tension, authentic dialogue, and a vivid portrayal of the setting and era, thus giving audiences a new perspective on history and how the world works. In the last ten years, gangster films have experienced something of a resurgence , and while most are quite good, only a few are worthy of standing next to the all-time greats.

13 'The Highwaymen' (2019)

Directed by john lee hancock.

This is the familiar story of bank robbers and gang affiliates Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, but told from the perspective of the lawmen tracking them. Kevin Costner , Woody Harrelsion and Kathy Lee Bates star in John Lee Hancock 's well-appointed perid crime thriller for Netflix.

The Highwaymen is a well-crafted and exceedingly well-acted procedural with one hindrance of note that isn't even the movie's fault: there's no way a movie about the lawmen tracking Bonnie and Clyde was ever going to be as thrilling as a movie about Bonnie and Clyde, especially in the shadow of the New Hollywood classic film. Still, it's easy ro recommend The Highwaymen based on the lead performances alone.

The Highwaymen

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12 'The Many Saints of Newark' (2021)

Directed by alan taylor.

Released day-and-date in theaters and on HBO Max (now Max), Alan Taylor 's The Many Saints of Newark is a prequel to one of the most iconic shows of all time, HBO's The Sopranos . Alessandro Nivola and Michael Gandolfini , it chronicles the rise of Anthony Soprano in the 1960s, specifically against the backdrop of the 1967 riots.

The Many Saints of Newark certainly isn't on the same level of the series that inspired it, but if anything it's a little underrated. The most remarkable part of the enterprise is the performance of Michael Gandolfini , who bears an incredible likeness to late father James Gandolfini . Despite receiving generally positive reviews, The Many Saints of Newark was unfortunately a box-office bomb.

The Many Saints of Newark

11 'the gentlemen' (2019), directed by guy ritchie.

Before the popular Netflix series of the same name, there was Guy Ritchie 's 2019 movie of the same name, generally well-reviewed by fans and celebrated as a return to form. Matthew McConaughey , Charlie Hunnam and Colin Farrell star in a fun, suave comedic thriller about warring gangsters feuding over a marijuana empire in London.

In addition to receiving overall warm reviews from critics, The Gentlemen was released just in the nick of time to have a shot at box-office success before peak pandemic era challenged theaters. Released stateside in January 2020, the film grossed a respectable $115 million, over five times its reported budget. The spinoff TV series premiered earlier this year to positive critical notices and high audience interest.

The Gentlemen

10 ‘the drop’ (2014), directed by michaël r. roskam.

In James Gandolfini 's final role, he plays Marv, the owner of a bar that acts as a “drop” location for illegal cash transactions from the local mobsters and criminals. But when the bar is robbed, the bartender, Bob ( Tom Hardy ), finds himself caught up in a web of conspiracy. The aggressors make Bob confront his past and keep him guessing as he tries to make the best decisions to protect himself and his family.

The narrative makes this movie excel, filling it with meticulous twists and turns from the moment the bar is robbed to when audiences learn of secret identities and the motives of innocuous characters. Keeping a slow-burning pace that allows for gradual reveals and simmering conflicts to come to a head, The Drop adds depth and suspense to the story , which helps the viewers stay engaged until the final payoff.

Bob Saginowski finds himself at the center of a robbery gone awry and entwined in an investigation that digs deeply into the neighborhood's past where friends, families, and foes all work together to make a living –  no matter the cost.

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9 ‘The Infiltrator’ (2016)

Directed by brad furman.

The Infiltrator is based on Robert Mazur's autobiography and stars Bryan Cranston as Mazur , a U.S. Customs special agent. Set in the 80s, when the war on drugs was reaching its height, the film sees Mazur going undercover as a money launderer to infiltrate the drug trafficking network of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar.

Cranston's performance carries this movie, portraying Mazur with gripping authenticity as he remains morally conflicted by the actions he has to take. Surrounded by the suspenseful atmosphere in the world of drug trafficking, The Infiltrator keeps viewers on the edge of their seats and immersed in the possibilities that could happen. Cranston creates empathy with this character, giving a different relationship with the viewer that other gangster films don't have.

The Infiltrator

8 ‘wrath of man’ (2021).

Based on the 2004 French film Cash Truck , Wrath of Man stars Jason Statham as H, a mysterious and skilled security guard hired by an armored truck company in Los Angeles. H’s background is shrouded in secrecy as he proves himself to be a formidable protector of the company’s cash shipments. Eventually, he becomes embroiled in a deadly game of revenge and uncovers the truth behind a heist that resulted in his son's death.

Wrath of Man takes on vengeance with intense gusto , showcasing Guy Ritchie’s signature style of gritty and fast-paced violence. However, it may fall short for some viewers looking for character development, as supporting characters are underdeveloped, and H’s motivations are not fully fleshed out. Nevertheless, this seems more of a creative choice, and plenty of excitement happens elsewhere, seeking deeper storytelling and character exploration through fight choreography and H's rage.

Wrath of Man

7 ‘legend’ (2015), directed by brian helgeland.

This fascinating gangster picture stars Tom Hardy in a dual role as twins Ronald and Reginald Kray, notorious gangsters in London’s East End during the 50s and 60s. The film shows their criminal empire and how they controlled nightclubs, gambling rings, and extortion rackets while rubbing shoulders with celebrities and other politicians.

Legend maintains the dark allure of a stereotypical organized crime film while delving into the Kray brothers' complex relationship and the impact their criminal activities had on those around them. Offering a stylish portrait of London’s underworld, Legend is bolstered by Hardy’s performance, who has to possess contrasting personalities and motivations.

6 ‘The Outfit’ (2022)

Directed by graham moore.

Set in the world of organized crime, The Outfit follows an expert tailor ( Mark Rylance ) who runs a bespoke suit shop in Chicago. When Leonard becomes entangled in a dangerous situation involving a mysterious woman and a violent gangster, he must use all of his cunning skills to navigate the treacherous underworld and protect himself and his business.

The Outfit explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and survival as the protagonist finds himself caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse where nothing is what it seems. With an intense atmosphere, The Outfit is a thrilling take on a classic genre that soars where others fall. The plot inevitably allows the audience to relate to Rylance's character because he is in a situation that could have happened to anyone in the wrong place at the wrong time.

5 ‘The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil’ (2019)

Directed by won-tae lee.

The South Korean action thriller The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil is an unlikely partnership between a hardened gangster and a determined police detective teaming up to track a vicious serial killer targeting gang members. When a gangster survives his attacker, he forms an uneasy alliance to seek revenge, leading to an exploration of the blurred lines between good and evil as the trio confronts their demons while pursuing their common enemy.

The seamless blend of action, crime, and drama makes The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil one of the most refreshing gangster films to come out in a while. The unlikely alliance creates a compelling dynamic, driving the narrative forward with tension and intrigue that is sure to grip any fan of the genre. With Won-Tae Lee 's tight pacing and fast-moving sequences, The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil will quickly become a new viewer's favorite.

The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil

4 ‘a most violent year’ (2014), directed by j.c. chandor.

Set in New York City during the winter of 1981, A Most Violent Year follows Abel Morales ( Oscar Isaac ), a determined immigrant trying to grow his heating oil business while navigating the city's increasingly violent and corrupt environment. As Abel faces threats from rival competitors, violent hijackings, and an aggressive District Attorney, he must grapple with difficult choices when protecting his family and business.

Abel’s moral dilemmas are the tip of the iceberg. A Most Violent Year offers a nuanced portrayal of the city, capturing urban decay and the allure of the American Dream . With its compelling storyline, complex characters, thoughtful direction, and career-best performances from Isaac and Jessica Chastain , A Most Violent Year is a thrilling cinematic experience that raises the stakes with each act.

A Most Violent Year

3 ‘sicario’ (2015), directed by denis villeneuve.

Sicario follows FBI agent Kate Macer ( Emily Blunt ), who is recruited by a government task force led by a mysterious operative. As she becomes increasingly involved in the task force operations, she finds herself in moral and ethical conflict with herself over the jobs she has to do. The film offers a tense portrayal of the brutality that goes on in the drug trade and the lengths to which individuals and governments will go to combat it.

Compelling and thought-provoking, Sicario portrays the power struggles within cartels operating along the U.S./Mexico border through a poignant narrative, striking cinematography, and career-best work from Emily Blunt . Delving into the inner workings of these organizations and depicting their tactics when fighting over territorial disputes, Sicario tells a gripping story that shows the complexities of the current war on drugs .

2 ‘Black Mass’ (2015)

Directed by scott cooper.

Based on the book by Dick Lehr and Gerard O’Neill, Black Mass stars Johnny Depp as the notorious Boston gangster James “Whitey” Bulger. It chronicles his rise to power as the leader of the Winter Hill Gang and his alliances with the FBI as an informant. Throughout the film, audiences see Bulger's reign of terror over South Boston during the 70s and 80s, watching as his criminal empire becomes intertwined with law enforcement.

Depp’s transformation into the notorious gangster is mesmerizing, capturing both his charisma and ruthless brutality. Supporting characters, played by Benedict Cumberbatch and Joel Edgerton , add depth to the complex web of relationships and betrayals that are so pertinent to the story. Effectively blurring lines between law enforcement and criminality, Black Mass is an enthralling yet challenging experience throughout .

1 ‘The Irishman’ (2019)

Directed by martin scorsese.

Spanning several decades, The Irishman follows the life of Frank Sheeran ( Robert De Niro ), a truck driver who becomes a hitman for the Bufalino crime family. It shows Sheeran’s involvement in organized crime and his close relationship with union leader Jimmy Hoffa ( Al Pacino ), offering a new take on key historical events like Hoffa’s disappearance.

Offering a meditation on morality and the passage of time, The Irishman soars under the direction of the king of the crime genre, Martin Scorsese , and stellar performances from its ensemble cast, including the long-awaited return of Joe Pesci . As a powerful exploration of the underworld and a reflection on the choices people make that shape the rest of their lives, The Irishman is a true cinematic epic that will continue to be one of the most remembered gangster films.

The Irishman

NEXT: 15 Best Gangster Movies, Ranked

Al Pacino Returns to the Gangster Genre With New Mafia Boss Role

Al Pacino is returning to the gangster genre to play a mob boss in a new movie.

Film icon Al Pacino is heading back to the world of gangsters, this time joining the cast of Captivated , based on the true story of the kidnapping of John Paul Getty III.

Pacino joins Katie Holmes ( Batman Begins ) and Toby Kebbell ( Black Mirror ) in yet another adaptation of the famous kidnapping. In 2017, Ridley Scott's All the Money in the World tackled the same material, though much of the film's press at the time stemmed from the post-production replacement of Kevin Spacey by Christopher Plummer. According to Deadline , "The film focuses on Calabrian mafia boss Saro (Kebbell, and in present day, Pacino) who kidnaps the grandson of one of the world’s richest men, Jean Paul Getty, and endangers his entire organization when he falls in love with his victim’s mother (Holmes) during the fraught ransom negotiations."

Johnny Depp Credits Al Pacino for His Directorial Return: 'How Could I Refuse Pacino?'

Captivated is being produced by Michael Benaroya, Michael Mammoliti, Manasvi Mamgai, and Andrea Bucko. Speaking on the optimism he has for the film, Benaroya said, " Captivated has all the ingredients of a great film, a fantastic script, stellar cast, and visionary director. We couldn’t be more excited to have it on our slate."

Pacino and Gangster Movies

The history of cinema can't be told without Pacino. Specifically, it cannot be told without Pacino's gangster films. Whether it's The Godfather trilogy , Scarface , or more recently, The Irishman , Pacino just commands the screen whenever he's in one. Pacino's reserved menace in The Godfather Part II is spell-binding. Every little gesture he gives Michael Corleone, the way he moves and even the way he sits is given an immense weight not many actors can pull off. Pacino is linked to possibly one of the most quoted lines of dialogue in cinema history, with his delivery of "Say hello to my little friend!" in Scarface . Pacino's legacy is etched in the gangster film, which makes his casting in Captivated a no-brainer.

Al Pacino Jokes He 'Gave Harrison Ford a Career' by Turning Down Star Wars

Joey Stanton and Nick de Graffenreid will executive produce the film, with Dito Montiel chosen to direct. The script was written by Montiel, Robin Shushan and Mammoliti. The film is currently for sale at the Cannes Film Festival and shooting is expected to begin later this winter.

There is no release date for the movie as of yet, though fans can currently stream Pacino's Scarface on Hulu and Peacock.

Source: Deadline

A Cuban immigrant rises through the Miami underworld to become a powerful drug lord. His relentless pursuit of the American dream turns into an obsession with power and wealth, leading to paranoia and a violent downfall, starkly portraying the costs of extreme ambition and corruption.

Donald Trump's 'Mafia' Code Confirmed by Secret Recording: Lawyer

M ichael Cohen's secret recording of Donald Trump confirms that the former president spoke in a mafia-like code, an attorney has said.

Cohen, who was previously Trump's attorney, said during the former president's hush-money trial Thursday that he did not seek Trump's permission to make the recording. He alleged that Trump could be heard talking about reimbursing a publisher in cash for buying the silence of Karen McDougal, a former Playboy model who said she had an affair with Trump.

Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee for November's election, is the first former president in U.S. history to stand trial in a criminal case. He has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records related to payments made to McDougal and the adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. He has denied having an affair with either woman and has said the case and other criminal and civil challenges involving him are politically motivated.

In the recording, Cohen discussed sending "information," meaning money, to "our friend David," which he told the court was a reference to David Pecker, the National Enquirer publisher who had purchased McDougal's silence on Trump's behalf.

John J. Perlstein, a senior Los Angeles litigator, told Newsweek that the recording confirmed Cohen's previous claims that Trump spoke in a mafia-like code.

"Unless Trump takes the stand to explain this recording and others, why wouldn't the jury, and general public for that matter, believe Cohen's account of the recording, which is almost comical in its lack of information," Perlstein said.

"I think it aligns well with Cohen saying that Trump never wanted to talk about anything and preferred to speak in unclear, uncertain terms like he is some sort of mafia boss," he continued, adding, "'Less is more' when it can be used as evidence."

Newsweek has contacted Trump's attorney for comment via email.

In February 2019, Cohen told a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing that Trump spoke like a mafia boss about sensitive subjects and that Cohen had learned the code.

"He doesn't give you questions. He doesn't give you orders," Cohen told the committee. "He speaks in a code, and I understand the code because I've been around him for a decade."

In 2018, Cohen was convicted on charges related to illegal campaign contributions and tax fraud, among others. He has become an implacable Trump opponent , and they have attacked each other's characters on social media since the hush-money trial began.

Prosecutors said Cohen made a $130,000 payment to Daniels on Trump's behalf and was later reimbursed. They described the payment as an illegal campaign contribution, saying it was intended to silence Daniels and thereby influence the 2016 presidential election.

The cross-examination of Cohen began Tuesday and is expected to resume on May 20.

Related Articles

• Donald Trump Attacks Have Made Stormy Daniels Look Relatable: Attorney
• Donald Trump Team's Attempts To Rile Up Michael Cohen Are Failing: Attorney
• Ex-Trump Lawyer Says Michael Cohen Is 'Connecting' With Jury

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Top 35 mafia movies of all time

1. The Godfather

2. Goodfellas

3. Donnie Brasco

4. Pulp Fiction

6. The Godfather Part II

7. Reservoir Dogs

8. Carlito's Way

9. Bonnie and Clyde

10. City of God

12. Public Enemies

13. The Untouchables

14. State of Grace

15. The Departed

16. A Bronx Tale

17. Once Upon a Time in America

19. Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead

20. Mean Streets

21. Borsalino

22. The Valachi Papers

23. The Sopranos

24. True Romance

25. The Desperate Hours

27. Last Man Standing

28. The Cotton Club

29. Mulholland Falls

30. Mobsters

31. Road to Perdition

32. The Sting

33. The Client

34. New Jack City

35. Key Largo

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James Franco and Tommy Lee Jones to Star in Mob Thriller The Razor's Edge

The Razor's Edge will follow a mob hitman with another assassin on his tail, and begins production in June, 2024.

• James Franco and Tommy Lee Jones have been cast in the action thriller The Razor's Edge, which begins production June 25.
• The film follows a mob hitman facing a perilous mission after his daughter's kidnapping.
• After being cancelled in 2018, Franco is trying to make a comeback with international films from France and Cuba and dark thrillers like The Razor's Edge and The Policeman .

Producer Corey Large ( Paradise City, It Follows, The November Man ) announced today, May 13, that actors James Franco and Tommy Lee Jones have been cast in the action thriller The Razor’s Edge . Demian Lichtenstein ( 3000 Miles to Graceland) is directing the film from a screenplay co-written by Lichtenstein and Vance Duplechin. Red Sea Media will be handling international sales and will debut the film for buyers at the upcoming Marché du Film in Cannes . Production starts June 25 in Georgia.

The synopsis for The Razor's Edge reads as follows:

After a mob hitman vows to leave his deadly past behind, he faces an impossible choice when his daughter is kidnapped and the woman he loves becomes a target of the syndicate. He is forced to undertake one final, perilous mission while being pursued by an assassin even more lethal.

“I’m excited that we have signed the superbly talented actors James and Tommy Lee to bring The Razor’s Edge to the big screen," said Corey Large in his announcement. "They are perfectly suited to embody the protagonists in Demian’s script. We cannot wait to begin filming this taut thriller next month with an assist from our seasoned executive producer, Kirk Shaw.” Large and his production company, 308 Enterprises, will also be producing Assassination, directed by Barry Levinson and starring Al Pacino and Shia LaBeouf.

The Slow Return of James Franco

We haven't seen a film with James Franco in quite some time, with 2019's Arctic Dogs and Zeroville being his last released projects after the actor was involved in sexual misconduct allegations and lawsuits. Five women accused Franco of inappropriate sexual behavior when he was their acting coach. He was also involved in a class-action lawsuit against his acting studio, which cost him nearly $1.5 million, plus an $894,000 settlement to two of his students.

Like Johnny Depp with Jeanne du Barry , however, Franco is making a comeback via international films and smaller productions. He will star in the French action movie The Price of Money: A Largo Winch Adventure, and will play Fidel Castro in the Cuban film, Alina: La Hija Rebelde . He will also star opposite the infamous Vincent Gallo in The Policeman , a production which has faced its own set of allegations. Time will tell if The Razor's Edge will be part of a Franco comeback.

The Razor's Edge is executive produced by Kirk Shaw ( The Hurt Locker, Papa Hemingway in Cuba, Extraction). BondIt Media Capital is financing with Matthew Helderman ( Clerks III, Book of Love ), Luke Taylor ( Dual, Redemption Day ), and Jordan Nott ( Assassination, Cold DeckI).

“We’ve worked with Corey on over a dozen projects throughout the years and always appreciate his ability to get projects made in many different industry climates. We’re excited for another adventure here with Corey and his team,” added Bond It Capital co-founder CEO Matthew Helderman. Watch this space for more information about the film.

Mafia Involved in Making of 'The Godfather'?

During the production of the movie masterpiece, director francis ford coppola found himself entangled with real-life new york crime families., nikki dobrin, published may 5, 2024.

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In early 2024, a viral  post on X  claimed that real-life mobsters were involved in the making of the 1972 movie masterpiece "The Godfather."

"The mob actively followed the actors and actresses around and hovered around the sets," read the post, which received more than 34 million views.

This claim is true. According to various reports and firsthand accounts from those involved in the production, the filmmakers received assistance and advice from people connected to the Mafia — whether solicited or not.

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on the crime novel by Mario Puzo, "The Godfather" depicts the fictional Sicilian Corleone crime family and their power struggles within the world of organized crime in New York City. During the production of the film, Coppola found himself intertwined with real-life mob figures.

Joseph Colombo, head of New York City's  Colombo crime family , reportedly struck a deal with Paramount Pictures to sanitize the film's script by removing the word  "Mafia"  to present a less-negative portrayal of Italian Americans. This arrangement allowed the studio to film in New York without interference from rival mob factions.

The casting process also saw involvement from individuals linked to organized crime. Russell Bufalino, a prominent Pennsylvania mob boss, reportedly  influenced crooner Al Martino's casting  as singer Johnny Fontane after pressuring big-band singer Vic Damone to drop out of that role. Additionally, it's believed that the character of Fontane was inspired by Frank Sinatra's experiences with the mob, showcasing the intertwining of Hollywood and organized crime during the era.

Gianni Russo, who played Carlo Rizzi in the film, claimed to have Mafia ties and used those connections to secure his role. According to his 2020 memoir, " Hollywood Godfather: My Life in the Movies and the Mob ," Russo associated with Colombo, Frank Costello of the Luciano crime family and Carlo Gambino, the leader of the Gambino crime family. 

Speaking about his "Godfather" co-star James Caan, Russo told the New York Post  in 2022, "He's hanging around with mob guys, like Carmine Persico, and mob guys all know me already. I came from Mulberry Street, how do you live on Mulberry Street and not know mob guys?"

According to the overview of Russo's memoir:

Gianni Russo was a handsome 25-year-old mobster with no acting experience when he walked onto the set of  The Godfather  and entered Hollywood history. He played Carlo Rizzi, the husband of Connie Corleone, who set her brother Sonny — played by James Caan — up for a hit. Russo didn't have to act — he knew the mob inside and out: from his childhood in Little Italy, where Mafia legend Frank Costello took him under his wing, to acting as a messenger for New Orleans mob boss Carlos Marcello during the Kennedy assassination, to having to go on the lam after shooting and killing a member of the Colombian drug cartel in his Vegas club.

Additionally, Russo claimed he introduced Coppola to several real-life mobsters, including Gambino and Vito Genovese, who provided advice and support during the production.

Notably, actor Lenny Montana, known for playing Luca Brasi, had ties to the mob before his acting career. Montana, who was a wrestler in the 1950s, worked as an enforcer and bodyguard for the Colombo crime family, bringing authenticity to his portrayal of the intimidating enforcer in the film.

The relationship between the Mafia and "The Godfather" extended beyond casting and production. During filming of the opening wedding scene, Marlon Brando, in character as Don Vito Corleone, reportedly mooned 500 extras, including Montana and other men connected to the Bufalino crime family who were on set. In a clip taken from an interview prior to his death in 2004, Brando recalled the mooning incident:

These mob figures who contributed to "The Godfather" production used their influence to ensure filming proceeded unhindered, allowing director Coppola to bring Puzo's novel to life on the big screen. While their involvement may have raised eyebrows, it ultimately added an aura of authenticity to the film's portrayal of the Mafia underworld.

A Real Life Mobster Joined the Cast of The Godfather After Marlon Brando Mooned the Mafia From His Car . 13 Jan. 2024, https://fandomwire.com/a-real-life-mobster-joined-the-cast-of-the-godfather-after-marlon-brando-mooned-the-mafia-from-his-car/.

Alexander, Bryan. "'The Godfather' Turns 50: Why Frank Sinatra Loathed the Novel, Told Author Mario Puzo to 'Choke.'" USA TODAY , https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2022/03/18/godfather-50th-anniversary-frank-sinatra-famous-fight-mario-puzo/6997604001/. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

Colombo Crime Family | History, Members, The Godfather, & Facts | Britannica . https://www.britannica.com/topic/Colombo-crime-family. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

Hollywood Godfather: My Life in the Movies and the Mob , Barnes & Noble, 7 July 2020, https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hollywood-godfather-gianni-russo/1128526418.

James Caan's "Godfather" Co-Star Gianni Russo on Working Together . 9 July 2022, https://nypost.com/2022/07/09/james-caans-godfather-co-star-on-working-together/.

Kyriazis, Stefan. "'Frank Sinatra Hated Marlon Brando, Had Mobsters Threaten to Kill Him." Express.Co.Uk , 22 Dec. 2021, https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/1539888/Frank-Sinatra-hated-Marlon-Brando-Guys-Dolls-mafia-feud-bisexual.

PressReader.Com - Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions . https://www.pressreader.com/usa/globe/20230828/282213720343999. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

Seal, Mark. "The Godfather Wars." Vanity Fair , 4 Feb. 2009, https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2009/03/godfather200903.

The Actor Whose Mob Connections Got Him onto "The Godfather." 24 June 2023, https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/al-martino-the-actor-who-used-mob-connections-to-land-a-role-in-the-godfather/.

"The Offer" Reveals How Real Mobsters Got "The Godfather" Made . 26 Apr. 2022, https://nypost.com/2022/04/26/the-offer-reveals-how-real-mobsters-got-the-godfather-made/.

The Real Mafia Was Incredibly Involved in "The Godfather." 8 July 2023, https://nypost.com/2023/07/08/the-real-mafia-was-incredibly-involved-in-the-godfather/.

"To Make 'The Godfather' His Way, Francis Ford Coppola Waged A Studio Battle." NPR , 16 Nov. 2016. NPR , https://www.npr.org/2016/11/15/502250244/to-make-the-godfather-his-way-francis-ford-coppola-waged-a-studio-battle.

"When the Mob Protested 'The Godfather.'" Mental Floss , 12 Apr. 2017, https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/93739/when-mob-protested-godfather.

By Nikki Dobrin

Nikki Dobrin is based in Los Angeles and has previously worked at The Walt Disney Company, as well as written and edited for People, USA Today and The Hill.

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