by Isabella Apr 23,2025
Movies have long romanticized the allure of gunslingers, bank robbers, and wise guys, tapping into our fascination with those who live beyond the law. The genre of crime stories predates cinema itself, and as soon as moving pictures were invented, they became a staple genre. For those eager to immerse themselves in a world where gritty characters forge their own paths and live by their own codes, we present a curated list of the best mafia movies of all time.
Organized crime, a hallmark of the 20th Century, naturally became a focal point for filmmakers. As mob syndicates grew across the country, movies paralleled this development. Directors like Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese became legends in this genre, while others ventured into mafia storytelling with remarkable results.
Our list spans from films based on real-life mobsters and the law enforcement officers pursuing them to imaginative works of fiction designed to captivate and entertain. Here are our selections for the top 15 mafia movies, presented in no particular order:
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Kicking off our list with a bang is Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas, a film revered for over three decades as one of the best mob movies ever made (often ranked second only to The Godfather series). With standout performances by Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, and Oscar-winner Joe Pesci, Goodfellas offers a gripping, blood-soaked portrayal of the rise and fall of mob associate Henry Hill (played by Liotta) across several decades. Based on Nicholas Pileggi's biography Wise Guy, this film showcases the pinnacle of Scorsese's craft and elevates Liotta and Pesci into the ranks of cinematic "made men."
Next up is another true story, Donnie Brasco, directed by British filmmaker Mike Newell. This film delves into the life of an FBI agent, Joe Pistone (played by Johnny Depp and known undercover as Donnie Brasco), who infiltrates the Bonanno crime family. Al Pacino delivers a nuanced performance as Lefty, a veteran enforcer who unknowingly mentors Pistone. Adapted from Pistone's autobiography Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia, this film stands out with its cool and compelling narrative, offering a fresh perspective on the mob genre.
A more contemporary entry, A Most Violent Year stars Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain in a gripping tale set during 1981, New York City's most crime-ridden year. Isaac plays Abel Morales, a trucking company owner trying to navigate the corrupt world around him while holding onto his moral compass. This film, also featuring David Oyelowo, Alessandro Nivola, and Albert Brooks, is a thought-provoking thriller that captures the essence of a turbulent era.
In the same year as Goodfellas, the Coen brothers delivered Miller's Crossing, a unique take on organized crime set during the Prohibition era. This film noir masterpiece features Gabriel Byrne as Tom, a conflicted lieutenant caught in a mafia war. With its stylized dialogue and compelling performances, Miller's Crossing helped launch Byrne's career in the U.S. and solidified the Coens' reputation for innovative storytelling.
Another Scorsese classic, Casino, reunites Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci for a story based on Nicholas Pileggi's book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas. De Niro plays Ace, inspired by real-life casino mogul Lefty Rosenthal, and Pesci portrays Nicky, based on enforcer Tony Spilotro. This epic tale charts their journey from allies to adversaries, with Sharon Stone earning an Oscar nomination for her role as the catalyst for their downfall. Despite inevitable comparisons to Goodfellas, Casino stands firmly on its own merits.
Stepping outside of American cinema, City of God is a Brazilian crime drama that chronicles the rise of organized crime in Rio de Janeiro's Cidade De Deus neighborhood from the 1960s to the 1980s. Based on real events, this film features a cast largely composed of non-professional actors from Rio's low-income areas, adding authenticity to its portrayal of the era's violence. Directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund, City of God also inspired a TV series and a subsequent film.
Brian De Palma's The Untouchables transports us to 1930s Chicago, where Eliot Ness (played by Kevin Costner) wages a fierce battle against Al Capone (Robert De Niro). This action-packed film, with its comic-book style and memorable performances, showcases Ness assembling his incorruptible team to take down Capone. Sean Connery's portrayal of a veteran cop earned him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
A remake of the 2002 Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs, The Departed adapts the story to the backdrop of Boston and the infamous crime boss Whitey Bulger. Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon play moles on opposite sides, each trying to uncover the other, while Jack Nicholson's Bulger always seems one step ahead. This ensemble film, filled with tension and dark humor, also stars Vera Farmiga, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Alec Baldwin, and Ray Winstone.
During the 2000s, Viggo Mortensen starred in two consecutive crime films directed by David Cronenberg: A History of Violence and Eastern Promises. Here, we focus on Eastern Promises, where Mortensen plays a Russian mob enforcer in London navigating the dangerous dynamics between his boss, his boss's volatile son, and a determined midwife. This film is notable for its intense and iconic bathhouse fight scene.
Often considered the pinnacle of mafia movies, The Godfather revolutionized the genre. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on Mario Puzo's novel, this film stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, and Diane Keaton. It broke box office records in 1972 and remains a landmark film, depicting the Corleone family's saga under patriarch Vito Corleone and the transformation of his son Michael into a ruthless leader.
Competing with its predecessor, The Godfather Part 2 is both a sequel and a prequel, following Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) as the new Don while simultaneously exploring the early life of his father, Vito (Robert De Niro), from his childhood in Sicily to his rise in New York. This film, also starring Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, and John Cazale, is a testament to the enduring power of the Corleone saga.
Based on a graphic novel, Road to Perdition features an unlikely cast including Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Jude Law, Daniel Craig, and young Tyler Hoechlin. Directed by Sam Mendes, the film follows Irish mob enforcer Michael Sullivan (Hanks) and his son as they flee after a family tragedy, embarking on a vengeful journey. This beautifully shot and emotionally charged film blends elements of a father-son drama with the intensity of a mobster tale.
While many know the 1983 remake with Al Pacino, the original Scarface directed by Howard Hawks offers a raw look at the gangster life inspired by Al Capone. Starring Paul Muni as Tony Camonte, this pre-Hays Code film showcases stylish visuals and gripping violence, making it a timeless piece of cinema that even Capone himself enjoyed.
Another Scorsese masterpiece, The Irishman, is a Netflix original that reunites Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci. This film delves into the life of truck driver Frank Sheeran (De Niro), who becomes a hitman for mobster Russell Bufalino (Pesci) and works with Teamster leader Jimmy Hoffa (Pacino). Exploring themes of regret and the unglamorous realities of mafia life, The Irishman is a poignant reflection on the cost of a life in crime.
Ridley Scott's American Gangster stars Denzel Washington as Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas and Russell Crowe as Newark Detective Richie Roberts. The film follows Lucas's innovative method of smuggling heroin from Vietnam and Roberts's relentless pursuit to bring him down. With exceptional performances and a gripping narrative, American Gangster is a compelling addition to the crime genre.
AnswerSee ResultsThese are our selections for the best mafia movies ever, presented in no particular order. Did your favorite make the cut? If not, let us know your top picks in the comments, but please, no horse heads in our beds!
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