Mafia films have a sense of dirty, exciting fun when done right. These gangster pictures have been a staple in all of Hollywood’s assemblage of films, from the classic Little Caesar and The Public Enemy from the '30s to more recent movies like American Gangster. It's hit-and-miss, and while movies like Gangster Squad and Live By Night haven’t really done anything to benefit the genre, others like Goodfellas, The Godfather, and The Untouchables have been essential viewing for the average filmgoer.
The latter movies are known to be a joy to watch and have stood the test of time, with people having cherished them for many decades. Despite what many think, gangster films are not just about gangs and rivals shooting and killing each other. They in fact weave a history of what a certain part of American culture was about, resulting in some of the best mafia and gangster movies.
Updated on August 9th, 2023 by Callum Jones: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
15 The Departed (2006)
This Best Picture winner is without a doubt a great flick to sink your teeth into if you want a gritty thriller that follows in the footsteps of other gangster flicks. The story sees William Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) play moles for opposing sides of the law.
The Departed is an assessment of law and order, but flips the switch, with chaotic good and lawful evil, and uses its cast to the absolute fullest. Its harrowing themes of right and wrong are still potent and strong years after release. It remains a highlight of Martin Scorsese's career and got him his first and only Oscar for Best Director which still seems well-deserved in the director’s long tenure as a filmmaker.
14 American Gangster (2007)
With American Gangster, dipped his toe into the gangster movie genre, and the result is nothing less than superb. Set in New York in the 1960s, the film follows detective Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) as he attempts to bring down notorious Harlem drug lord, Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington).
The film is very loosely based on the life and crimes of the real-life Frank Lucas, who boasted of smuggling heroin in the coffins of dead American servicemen. American Gangster is a film that is made by the two lead performances. Both Crowe and Washington are on top form, particularly Washington who does some of his best work here. Recalling classic gangster movies of the 70s and 80s, the film received mostly favorable reviews from critics and was nominated for two Academy Awards.
13 Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
Bonnie and Clyde is arguably the film that had the biggest influence on the gangster genre. The 1967 classic has been credited with inspiring such titles as The Godfather, The Departed, and True Romance among others. Starring Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway as the title characters, a real-life criminal couple that performed a string of robberies during the Great Depression.
Considered controversial at the time, the film was one of the first to depict graphic violence, which has since become a staple of the genre. The final shot of the duo's dead bodies left a particularly sour taste in people's mouths. Despite the initial uproar, Bonnie and Clyde bagged itself two Academy Award wins from nine nominations.
12 The Irishman (2019)
Another of the best Scorsese films; one which proved to be somewhat overlong and the most expensive film of his career. The film revolves around World War II veteran Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro), who recalls becoming a hitman for the Mafia and eventually killing union leader Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino).
With an ardent sense of Scorsese retracing his roots as a director and using his cinematic penchant to create a marvel of a film, it’s not hard to figure out why The Irishman was so highly acclaimed by critics. Its rawness and realistic charm coupled with impressive de-aging is what made this epic mafia film a winner.
11 Scarface (1983)
With a script by Oliver Stone, and based on the novel of the same name, 1983's Scarface is a classic of the gangster genre. A remake of the 1932 film that shares its title, the story revolves around Tony Montana, a Cuban immigrant who evolves into a powerful drug lord when he takes over a cartel.
Starring Al Pacino in one of his most famous roles, the film has become recognizable in popular culture and has been parodied and paid homage to in a number of different mediums since its release. Though it was initially met with a negative response from critics, it has undergone somewhat of a revaluation over the years, with many now considering it among the best gangster movies of all time.
10 The Usual Suspects (1995)
The Usual Suspects was a game-changer when it hit cinema screens in the summer of 1995. Told from the perspective of a small-time con man who is the sole survivor of a shoot-out aboard a docked ship, the film is famous for its many twists and turns, particularly the big reveal in the final few moments.
With an ensemble cast made up of big names including Benicio del Toro, Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, and Stephen Baldwin, The Usual Suspects is an entertaining watch that has all the ingredients of a proper gangster film. The movie went on to win two Academy Awards; Best Actor for Spacey and Best Original Screenplay for screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie.
9 Black Mass (2015)
After a string of less successful films, Johnny Depp’s career bounced back with this banger of a gangster film detailing the meteoric rise and fall of Whitey Bulger. Black Mass is a memoir of sorts of its character, an informant for FBI agent John Connelly (Joel Edgerton), while Bulger remains murdering and committing heinous acts.
Many critics have considered Depp’s performance here to be one of his greatest in decades. This film added a sense of 'Depp-th' in the mafia pantheon that elevates itself into the perfect biographical portrayal of Bulger that could have never happened without his involvement.
8 Public Enemies
Yet another Depp film that has made this list of gangster movies, and for good reason. Johnny Depp turns in a chilling performance yet again as notorious gangster John Dillinger. Audiences get the chance to witness Dillinger’s treachery and his ultimate downfall as a Robin Hood of the streets in Michael Mann's slick flick Public Enemies.
This epic neo-noir flick has often been underrated by critics and audiences, but its realism and daring thematic elements are what bring this dark thriller to life as a unique gangster film.
7 Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Director, Quentin Tarantino, has dabbled in the gangster genre on a few occasions over the course of his long and illustrious career, but arguably his best effort is his very first. 1992's Reservoir Dogs crime film told in a nonlinear storytelling style. When a jewelry heist goes seriously wrong, those involved begin to suspect that there is a police informant among them.
With an all-star cast that includes Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Steve Buscemi, Michael Madsen, and Chris Penn, as well as plenty of iconic scenes, Reservoir Dogs has managed to gain cult classic status, despite poor box office takings. It also introduced the world to some of the staples of Tarantino's unique directorial style, just as sharp dialogue, strong violence, and heavy use of profanity.
6 Casino (1995)
In Martin Scorsese's Casino, Robert De Niro plays Ace Rothstein, a Chicago mafia associate sent to Vegas to run the Tangiers Casino with enforcer Nicky Santoro. There, the two deal with several obstacles, including dealings with the FBI.
Though not as well-received as Goodfellas or The Irishman, Casino was an intense film with an all-star cast. Aside from De Niro, Casino starred Joe Pesci, James Woods, and Kevin Pollack, and even garnered a Best Actress Academy Award nomination for Sharon Stone.
5 Goodfellas (1990)
Goodfellas introduced audiences to Henry Hill, who has always been attracted and drawn to the gangster lifestyle, one that ends up ruining his life rather than sustaining the thrill that he always desired.
The film is largely considered to be the best movie of the director’s career and has many staunch followers obsessed with its trivia. Its raunchy and bloody liveliness, as well as its ability to be funny and violent simultaneously, makes it a one-in-a-million gangster film for a generation.
4 White Heat (1949)
If there was one definitive James Cagney film that had the actor as a ruthless gangster in an equally ruthless movie, White Heat would be it. Cagney portrays Arthur “Cody” Jarrett, who proves himself to be a huge mama’s boy.
The character, while nefarious in his nature, is still a mommy's boy and does everything he can to please her. The film was an epic cinematic achievement in the genre of crime-thrillers and still stands as a harrowing film that has taken its rightful place on top of the world.
3 The Untouchables (1987)
Gangsters, cops, and killers are a mainstay in this magnificently detailed period gangster movie. The Untouchables is based upon the non-fiction book of the same name by Eliot Ness and Oscar Fraley. The story follows the 1930s Prohibition era when Al Capone (Robert De Niro) reigns supreme as the crime lord of Chicago.
Eliot Ness forms a group of highly-trained, police-backed gunmen to bring down Capone’s terror in the city. The film’s crime-drenched art direction is what elevates the beauty of a gangster film to more than just the sum of its parts. Additionally, Sean Connery was awarded the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for playing Jim Malone, even if his accent was incredibly noticeable.
2 The Godfather Part II (1974)
The sequel to its supreme predecessor has been cited as one of the best sequels ever made in Hollywood. Fans see Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) take the mantle of the Godfather while the audience learns more about his father Vito.
The Godfather: Part II charted his rise to power as the original Godfather working his way through the streets of New York. The film was the winner of six Academy Awards and was a sight to behold, with some outlets hailing it as superior to its predecessor. The sequel proved to be a staple in mafia movies and was a rousing sensation in cinema.
1 The Godfather (1972)
Speaking of The Godfather and Francis Ford Coppola, the original got there first and remains the quintessential gangster film and a defining chapter of 1970s New Hollywood. It had heart, bloody violence, and a magical charm for gangster films.
Audiences were first introduced to the Corleone family and The Godfather saga, with Michael being the reluctant member to want to join the crime-obsessed organization just coming back from the war. The Godfather has been known as not only one of the greatest gangster films ever made but one of the greatest films ever made. It has been in the top 10 on many movie polls and has endured longevity even after fifty years of its release.