Gangster movies are appreciated and produced everywhere in the world. This type of cinema has captured the imaginations of the audience thanks to stunning visual esthetics, epic and climactic stories, and timeless characters. One of the aspects that characterizes the genre and explains its presence in pop culture is the fantastic dialogue lines that permeate gangster movies' screenplays and their evocative tone.

This list contains the most iconic lines pronounced by gangster characters, lines that have stood the test of time and set themselves apart for their instant appeal, timeless echo, and legendary coolness. From the smooth threats of Don Corleone to the street philosophy of Carlito Brigante, these iconic lines are deeply impressed on the minds and hearts of gangster movie aficionados.

Updated on August 19th, 2023 by Sean Shuman: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.

15 Boyz n the Hood (1991)

"Never respect anybody who doesn't respect you back."

Boyz n the Hood
Columbia Pictures

Boyz n the Hood, written and directed by John Singleton, is easily one of the most emotionally compelling crime films. Focusing on a different side of the criminal underworld, we follow Tre Styles (Cuba Gooding Jr.), who is transplanted into South Central Los Angeles while he lives with his father, Furious Styles (Laurence Fishburne). Despite this being done to teach Tre some life lessons, however, the encroachment of gang culture into Tre's surroundings may have some dire consequences.

This line comes from a scene of bonding between Tre and Furious, accompanying other "rules" to showcase Tre's leadership abilities. It's representative of what Boyz n the Hood is trying to accomplish, painting a life where societal pressures may ultimately compel someone to act in ways they shouldn't. In this instance, these words ring true as Tre's childhood friends slip further and further away into the gang scene, ultimately leading to their mournful deaths.

14 The Many Saints of Newark (2021)

"He doesn't have the makings of a varsity athlete."

Corey Stoll in The Many Saints of Newark (2021)
Warner Bros. Pictures

The Many Saints of Newark served as the long-awaited prequel to HBO's The Sopranos, arguably one of the greatest mafia dramas ever conceived. Directed by Alan Taylor and co-written by David Chase and Lawrence Konner, the former of which is responsible for the original HBO series, this New Jersey gangster film sees a young Tony Soprano (Michael Gandolfini) growing up amid the 1967 Newark riots. While Tony weighs his prospects in the criminal underworld, there's a faint glimmer of hope that he'll put his resources elsewhere.

This line would also be uttered in The Sopranos by Corrado Soprano, much to the chagrin of Tony. As funny as it is in context, it's a line that feels eerily on-point for how Tony would turn out in his adulthood. He was never cut out for civilian life. His sociopathic tendencies, twisted worldview, and familial ties to "this thing of ours" would ultimately be his undoing.

13 The Irishman (2019)

"Three people can keep a secret only when two of them are dead."

Robert de Niro in The Irishman (2019)
Netflix

The Irishman, written by Steven Zaillian and directed by Martin Scorsese, is as grandiose as it is long. Partially infamous for its 209-minute runtime, The Irishman sees Robert De Niro play Frank Sheeran, a truck driver who works his way up the ranks of the Bufalino crime family. The film itself is framed as a story being told by Sheeran in his silver years, with his mob activities running all the way from the 1950s to the 1970s.

While originally attributed to Ben Franklin, this line spoken in The Irishman is indicative of what a life of crime eventually boils down to. At the end of the day, you can't really trust anyone in such a cutthroat enterprise. It becomes all the more apparent when Frank is entrusted to murder Jimmy Hoffa due to his increasingly worrisome behavior.

12 Reservoir Dogs (1992)

"I don't tip because society says I have to."

Reservoir Dogs
Miramax Films

Reservoir Dogs, both written and directed by Quentin Tarantino in his feature-length debut, is as slick and violent a gangster movie as you can get. A non-linear story of a diamond heist gone awry, we follow eight gangsters under colorful aliases as we jump back and forth in time, showcasing the planning of the heist and its disastrous aftermath. Before everything hits the fan, however, the group enjoys a greasy breakfast at a diner in Los Angeles. When it comes time to foot the bill, Mr. Pink (Steve Buscemi) purposefully avoids handing over a tip.

Even when he's grilled by the others for refusing to tip, Mr. Pink refuses to change his stance, offering a calm and collected response for his reasoning. Aside from foreshadowing the eventual betrayal of Mr. Orange, who tattles on Mr. Pink for his actions, it presents Mr. Pink as someone who purposefully eschews concepts that may not make complete sense to him. He also just so happens to be the only member of the gang whose fate is left wholly undetermined by the end.

11 Carlito’s Way (1993)

“You're a gangster now. You're on the other side. Whole new ball game. You can’t learn about it in school, and you can’t have a late start.”

A scene from Carlito’s Way
Universal Pictures

Written by David Koepp and directed by Brian De Palma, Carlito’s Way stars Al Pacino in the role of Carlito Brigante, a seasoned criminal who is released after only a sixth of his long sentence due to a legal technicality and the help of his lawyer David Kleinfeld (Sean Penn). Carlito's Way is a stylish and atmospheric gangster movie that still amazes the audience.

The line is emblematic in showing the different mentalities that separate Carlito from his sleazy lawyer Kleinfeld. The gangster knows what it takes to lead that type of lifestyle and especially the effect of the environment you grow up in. On the other hand, Kleinfeld is an overconfident character who thinks criminal life is easy and possible for everyone.

Related: Best Brian De Palma Films, Ranked

10 Bonnie and Clyde (1967)

"This here's Miss Bonnie Parker. I'm Clyde Barrow. We rob banks."

Bonnie and Clyde
Warner Bros.

Directed by Arthur Penn and co-written by David Newman and Robert Benton, 1967's Bonnie and Clyde was a landmark film for not just the gangster genre, but for controversial filmmaking in general. Based on the true story surrounding its titular pair of bank robbers, Bonnie and Clyde sees Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway play a duo of gun-toting criminals in the midst of the Great Depression. Their infamous exploits would subsequently end in a hail of gunfire in 1934.

The line is uttered in the film as the duo introduces themselves to a nervous farmer. However, because his property was foreclosed on by a bank, the duo shows a rare form of sympathy. This charismatic exchange paints the duo in a romantic light, opening the door for future films to paint a dream-like portrait of gang-related activities. We likely wouldn't have films like Goodfellas without Bonnie and Clyde.

9 Once Upon a Time in America (1984)

“I like the stink of the streets. It cleans out my lungs.”

A scene from Once Upon a Time in America
The Ladd Company

Co-written and directed by Sergio Leone and based on the novel The Hoods by Harry Grey, Once Upon a Time in America is a certified masterpiece. Spanning many decades, this magnum opus tells the story of a group of Jewish gangsters. It features a fantastic ensemble cast that includes Robert De Niro, James Woods, Elizabeth McGovern, Treat Williams, Danny Aiello, and Joe Pesci.

Robert De Niro's character Noodles responds with this line to his friend Max (James Woods), who warns and mock him about the impossibility of leaving the streets and their lifestyle. In fact, Max wants to graduate, exert other types of power, and become more influential. Noodles, on the contrary, is proud of his belonging and the mentality that being a gangster gives him. The extended cut is mandatory!

8 The Untouchables (1987)

“You’ve got nothing. You’ve got nothing but talk and a badge.”

A scene from The Untouchables
Paramount Pictures

Written by David Mamet and directed by Brian De Palma and based on a true story, The Untouchables stars Kevin Kostner as Eliot Ness, the Bureau of Prohibition agent who captured Al Capone for tax evasion. The movie also features Robert De Niro as the Italian-American gangster and Sean Connery as Jim Malone, Ness's right-hand man. The Untouchables is an impressive achievement in style and form, and it's gifted with an amazing soundtrack by Ennio Morricone.

Al Capone speaks the line in consideration during a verbal altercation with Ness, showing the power relationship that pervades them. Capone was one of the most potent gangsters at the time, and his defiant and provocative tone showed the stature of the character; in fact, he thought of himself as somebody who couldn't be touched by justice. Gold screenplay.

7 Casino (1995)

“For guys like me, Las Vegas washes away your sins. It’s like a morality car wash.”

Robert De Niro as Sam in Casino
Universal Pictures

Co-written and directed by Martin Scorsese and featuring Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, Don Rickles, and James Woods, Casino is, without a doubt, a peak in the filmography of the Italian-American director. Robert De Niro is Sam Rothstein, a seasoned gambler who is tasked with running the Tangiers Casino. The movie is characterized by lush costume design, excellent directing, mind-blowing cinematography, and a screenplay that exhibits pure cinema.

Sam Rothstein is the character that pronounces the line, synthesizing the business environment and under-the-radar mechanisms of Las Vegas and the casino industry in the 1970s and 1980s. The control that the Italian-American Mafia exerted on many casinos made it possible for many criminals to live and prosper in Las Vegas, or to re-imagine their life completely, burying their past.

6 American Gangster (2007)

"See, ya are what ya are in this world. That's either one of two things: Either you're somebody, or you ain't nobody."

A scene from American Gangster
Scott Free Productions

Written by Steven Zaillian and co-produced and directed by Ridley Scott, American Gangster stars Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas, the real-life drug lord who dominated Harlem between the 1960s and 1970s. On his traces, we find the Newark detective Richie Roberts, played by Russell Crowe. American Gangster features impressive directing by master Ridley Scott, and flawless performances by the two leading actors. Still today, the movie retains all its cinematic power.

The line is spoken by Frank Lucas during his rise to power and symbolizes the character's vision of life. His goal is to have success, measured not only by how much money is being stacked but, most importantly, by being able to influence and command respect. Lucas is well aware of the ruthless reality of American society at the time, and he's willing to do everything to secure his spot.

Related: Best Denzel Washington Movies, Ranked

5 The Godfather (1972)

"Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."

Cannoli and gun from The Godfather
Paramount Pictures

The Godfather is the only movie that has been featured twice. And for good reasons: the movie is full of timeless lines. One of the movie's greatest features is the ability to perfectly show all the nuances of the various mobsters in simple and effective ways. In this example, the screenwriters Coppola / Puzo opt for a line of dialogue to convey a particular vision of the character Peter Clemenza, played immensely by Richard Castellano.

The dryness of the sentence, the contraposition between gun and cannoli, and the context in which it is pronounced are elements that show the real power of screenwriting. With one simple line, the audience understands that Clemenza is well-accustomed to executions, to the point that he is calm enough to make a dark joke about food in front of a cadaver. Cinema with the capital "c."

4 The Godfather: Part II (1974)

"Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer."

A scene from The Godfather_ Part II
American Zoetrope

The Godfather: Part II was co-written, produced, and directed by Francis Ford Coppola and is considered by many to be superior to its predecessor. The movie alternatively follows the lives of Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) during his reign and a young Vito Corleone (Robert De Niro) rising to power. Technically perfect as The Godfather, this movie is psychologically rich and cinematically powerful.

At the core of Coppola and Puzo's gangster universe is a complex and intertwined mix of relationships, which can constantly shift and change nature. Trust nobody is the golden rule of the criminal life, and Michael Corleone, the one who pronounces the line, encapsulates this mentality perfectly. Keeping the enemies closer is fundamental to understanding them and predicting their next moves. A life of paranoia and continuous surveillance is necessary.

3 Goodfellas (1990)

"As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster."

A screenshot from Goodfellas
Irwin Winkler Productions

Co-written by Martin Scorsese and Nicholas Pileggi and directed by Scorsese, Goodfellas is an iconic gangster movie and a pure and simple masterpiece. The movie is based on the book Wiseguy by Pileggi, which details the real life of Henry Hill, a mobster associated with the Lucchese family. Goodfellas features a magnificent cast, including Ray Liotta in the part of Hill, Robert De Niro playing James Conway, and Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVito.

Henry Hill pronounces the line at the beginning of the movie, setting the tone and the thematic universe of the movie. This line is one of the best ever pronounced by a character, and it is fundamental for understanding the trajectory of the mobster. It shows how the decision to lead that life was the product of the environment of Hill.

2 Scarface (1983)

"Say hello to my little friend!"

A scene from Scarface
Universal Pictures

Written by Oliver Stone and directed by Brian De Palma, Scarface is the quintessential 1980s gangster movie and a cocaine-infused over-the-top opus. Al Pacino famously plays Tony Montana, a Cuban refugee who morphs into a Miami drug lord. The movie also features other iconic performances by Michelle Pfeiffer as Elvira, Tony's wife, and Steven Bauer as Manny Ray, Tony's associate. Scarface has become a cult thanks to the stylish directing, fantastic soundtrack, and atmospheric screenplay.

Montana is armed with a grenade launcher and highly intoxicated by his drug of choice when he pronounces the iconic line, which perfectly encapsulates his lifestyle and mentality. He is always over the top and ultra-confident in how he lives his life and, most importantly, never scared by anything or anyone. This line is Tony Montana himself. Cult.

1 The Godfather (1972)

"I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse."

A scene from The Godfather
Paramount Pictures

Co-written by Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo and directed by Coppola, The Godfather is the greatest gangster movie ever and one of the most influential movies ever made. The movie is characterized by flawless directing by the Italian-American filmmaker, epochal performances by Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, and groundbreaking cinematography by Gordon Willis. At the same time, The Godfather is elevated by the highly recognizable soundtrack curated by Nino Rota.

This line will forever be the greatest in a gangster movie and the perfect example of the character of Vito Corleone. Marlon Brando delivers it with a sense of authority and confidence, and he manages to fix in cinematic history another timeless moment. The line is essential in showing the don's strategic and ruthless mentality and resoluteness. Quintessential.