Movies have long romanticized the allure of gunslingers, bank robbers, and mobsters, fueling our fascination with those who live beyond the law. Crime narratives existed long before cinema, and as soon as films emerged, they became one of the earliest and most enduring genres. For those eager to dive into a thrilling world where tough individuals craft their own rules and adhere to a unique code, we present a curated list of the top mafia movies of all time.
Organized crime, a phenomenon largely of the 20th century, naturally became a staple in films, evolving alongside the rise of mob syndicates across the nation. Iconic filmmakers like Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese have become synonymous with the genre due to their masterful portrayals, while other renowned directors have also ventured into mafia storytelling, often with remarkable success.
Below, you'll discover a mix of films featuring real historical mobsters, the law enforcement officers pursuing them, and captivating works of fiction designed to entertain and captivate. Here's our selection of the 15 best mafia movies, presented in no particular order.
The 15 Best Mafia Movies
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Best Spy MoviesBest Thriller MoviesBest Netflix MoviesGoodfellas (1990)
Image credit: Warner Bros.Director: Martin Scorsese | Writer: Martin Scorsese, Nicholas Pileggi | Stars: Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci | Release Date: September 19, 1990 | Review: IGN's Goodfellas review | Where to Watch: Included with HBO Max subscription, rent from Amazon, Apple TV, and most platforms
We kick off with Martin Scorsese's masterpiece, Goodfellas, which has been hailed as one of the greatest mob movies for over three decades. This film, which might be the best non-Godfather mob movie, features standout performances by Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, and Oscar-winning Joe Pesci. It chronicles the tumultuous life of mob associate Henry Hill (Liotta) over several decades, drawing from Nicholas Pileggi's biography, Wise Guy. Goodfellas showcases some of the finest work from everyone involved, leveraging Scorsese and De Niro's iconic status to elevate Liotta and Pesci to legendary heights.
Donnie Brasco (1997)
Image credit: Sony PicturesDirector: Mike Newell | Writer: Paul Attanasio | Stars: Al Pacino, Johnny Depp, Michael Madsen | Release Date: February 28, 1997 | Review: IGN's Donny Brasco review | Where to watch: Rent from Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and more
Another true story brought to life, Donnie Brasco is directed by British filmmaker Mike Newell. It delves into the life of an FBI agent who goes deep undercover within the Bonanno crime family. Johnny Depp portrays Agent Pistone, known as "Donnie Brasco," while Al Pacino delivers a nuanced performance as Lefty, a seasoned yet fading enforcer who unwittingly mentors Pistone. Based on Pistone's autobiography, Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia, the film offers a cool and compelling take that stands out among other mob movies.
A Most Violent Year (2014)
Image credit: A24Director: J. C. Chandor | Writer: J. C. Chandor | Stars: Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain, David Oyelowo | Release Date: December 31, 2014 | Where to watch: Rent from Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, FlixFling, and more
A Most Violent Year offers a modern twist on the genre, featuring Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain. It follows Abel Morales (Isaac), a trucking company owner navigating the corrupt landscape of 1981 New York City, the most crime-ridden year in its history. Abel strives to maintain his morality in an inherently immoral business. With a cast that also includes David Oyelowo, Alessandro Nivola, and Albert Brooks, this film is a thought-provoking thriller that captures the essence of a tumultuous era.
Miller's Crossing (1990)
Image credit: 20th Century FoxDirector: Joel Coen | Writer: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen | Stars: Gabriel Byrne, Marcia Gay Harden, John Turturro | Release Date: September 22, 1990 | Where to watch: Rent from Amazon, Apple TV, and more
In the same year as Goodfellas, the Coen brothers delivered Miller's Crossing, a unique take on organized crime set during the Prohibition era. It's a film noir-inspired tale centered on the Irish mob, with Gabriel Byrne playing Tom, a conflicted lieutenant caught between warring factions. The film's stylized dialogue, visual flair, and compelling performances helped establish Byrne in the U.S. and launched the career of John Turturro, who starred in the Coens' next film, Barton Fink. Other notable stars include Albert Finney, Marcia Gay Harden, and Steve Buscemi.
Casino (1995)
Image credit: Universal PicturesDirector: Martin Scorsese | Writer: Martin Scorsese, Nicholas Pileggi | Stars: Robert DeNiro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci | Release Date: November 22, 1995 | Review: IGN's Casino review | Where to watch: Stream with AMC Plus, rent from Amazon, Apple TV, and more
Another Scorsese gem, Casino reunites Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, following their success in Goodfellas. Based on Nicholas Pileggi's book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas, the film draws from real-life figures, with De Niro playing Ace, inspired by casino owner Lefty Rosenthal, and Pesci as Nicky, based on enforcer Tony Spilotro. Casino is an epic saga of partnership turning into rivalry, with Sharon Stone's performance as a former dancer driving a wedge between them earning her an Oscar nomination. Despite being compared to Goodfellas, Casino holds its own as a formidable mob movie.
City of God (2002)
Image credit: MiramaxDirector: Fernando Meirelles, Kátia Lund | Writer: Bráulio Mantovani | Stars: Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino Da Hora, Jonathan Haagensen | Release Date: August 30, 2002 (Brazil) | Review: IGN's City of God review | Where to watch: Rent on Amazon, Apple TV, and more
Venturing beyond American cinema, City of God is a powerful Brazilian crime drama that spans decades, tracing the rise of organized crime in Rio de Janeiro's Cidade De Deus from the 1960s to the 1980s. Based on real events, the film offers an authentic portrayal of the era's violence, enhanced by a cast primarily made up of local residents rather than experienced actors. Directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund, City of God also inspired a spin-off TV series, City of Men, and its subsequent film adaptation.
The Untouchables (1987)
Image credit: Paramount PicturesDirector: Brian De Palma | Writer: David Mamet | Stars: Kevin Costner, Charles Martin Smith, Andy Garcia | Release Date: June 3, 1987 | Review: IGN's The Untouchables review | Where to watch: Paramount+, Hoopla, or rentable on most platforms
Brian De Palma's The Untouchables takes us to 1930s Chicago, where Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner) leads a fierce campaign against Al Capone (Robert De Niro). This crowd-pleasing film, with its comic-book style action, showcases Ness assembling his team of incorruptible officers to tackle the seemingly untouchable Capone. Sean Connery's portrayal of a seasoned cop joining the fight earned him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, despite the widespread corruption within the police force.
The Departed (2006)
Image credit: Warner Bros. PicturesDirector: Martin Scorsese | Writer: William Monahan | Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson | Release Date: October 6, 2006 | Review: IGN's The Departed review | Where to watch: Rent on Amazon and most platforms
A remake of the 2002 Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs, The Departed is set in Boston and focuses on the city's crime boss, Whitey Bulger. It features two cops on opposite sides: one (Matt Damon) rising in the force as Bulger's mole, and the other (Leonardo DiCaprio) going deep undercover within Bulger's organization. Both are on a mission to uncover each other, while Bulger (Jack Nicholson) seems to be one step ahead. This complex ensemble film combines tension, emotion, and dark humor, also starring Vera Farmiga, Mark Wahlberg (nominated for an Oscar), Martin Sheen, Alec Baldwin, and Ray Winstone.
Eastern Promises (2007)
Image credit: Focus FeaturesDirector: David Cronenberg | Writer: Steven Knight | Stars: Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts, Vincent Cassel | Release Date: September 14, 2007 | Review: IGN's Eastern Promises review | Where to watch: Paramount+, rentable on most platforms
In the 2000s, Viggo Mortensen not only fought for Middle Earth in The Lord of the Rings but also became David Cronenberg's leading man in two consecutive crime films: A History of Violence and Eastern Promises. We've chosen Eastern Promises for this list, where Mortensen plays a Russian mob enforcer in London navigating the treacherous waters between his boss (Armin Mueller-Stahl), his boss's volatile son (Vincent Cassel), and a midwife (Naomi Watts) trying to protect a baby. The film is memorable for its intense bathhouse knife fight scene.
The Godfather (1972)
Image credit: Paramount PicturesDirector: Francis Ford Coppola | Writer: Francis Ford Coppola, Mario Puzo | Stars: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan | Release Date: March 24, 1972 | Review: IGN's The Godfather review | Where to watch: Stream on Paramount+, or rent on Amazon and most platforms.
Widely regarded as the pinnacle of mob movies, The Godfather revolutionized the genre. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on Mario Puzo's novel, the film broke box office records and became the highest-grossing film of 1972. Featuring iconic performances by Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, and Diane Keaton, it follows the Corleone family led by Vito (Brando) and the transformation of his youngest son, Michael (Pacino), into a ruthless leader.
The Godfather Part 2 (1974)
Image credit: Paramount PicturesDirector: Francis Ford Coppola | Writer: Francis Ford Coppola, Mario Puzo | Stars: Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton | Release Date: December 20, 1974 | Review: IGN's The Godfather Part 2 review | Where to watch: Stream on Paramount+ and FuboTV, or rent on Amazon and most platforms.
Competing with its predecessor for the title of the best mob movie, The Godfather Part 2 is both a sequel and a prequel. It follows Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) as he takes over the family business, uncovering a traitor, while parallel narratives trace the early life of his father, Vito (Robert De Niro), from his Sicilian roots to building his empire in New York. With a stellar cast including Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, and John Cazale, this film is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Corleone saga.
Road to Perdition (2002)
Image credit: DreamWorks PicturesDirector: Sam Mendes | Writer: David Self | Stars: Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Jude Law | Release Date: July 12, 2002 | Review: IGN's Road to Perdition review | Where to watch: Paramount+, or rentable on most platforms
Road to Perdition blends unlikely elements into a compelling narrative based on a graphic novel. Tom Hanks plays Michael Sullivan, an Irish mob enforcer, who goes on the run with his son (Tyler Hoechlin) after their family is murdered by his boss's jealous son (Daniel Craig). This film, directed by Sam Mendes, is a beautifully shot and emotionally charged journey of revenge and redemption, featuring standout performances from Hanks, Paul Newman, and Jude Law.
Scarface (1932)
Image credit: United ArtistsDirector: Howard Hawks | Writer: W.R. Burnett, John Lee Mahin, Seton I. Miller, Ben Hecht | Stars: Paul Muni, Ann Dvorak, Osgood Perkins | Release Date: April 9, 1932 | Where to watch: Rent on Amazon and most platforms
While Brian De Palma's 1983 remake with Al Pacino is well-known, Howard Hawks' original Scarface is a seminal work inspired by Al Capone's rise in Chicago. Facing censorship challenges, this pre-Hays Code film stars Paul Muni as Tony Camonte, a gangster climbing the ranks and falling for his boss's mistress. With its stylish visuals and intense violence, Scarface remains a timeless classic in the mob genre, even earning Capone's approval.
The Irishman (2019)
Image credit: NetflixDirector: Martin Scorsese | Writer: Steven Zaillian | Stars: Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci | Release Date: November 1, 2019 | Review: IGN's The Irishman review | Where to watch: Netflix
Martin Scorsese's The Irishman, a Netflix original, reunites genre icons Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci for an epic tale of regret and isolation. The film follows a truck driver (De Niro) who becomes a hitman for a mobster (Pesci) and their association with the infamous Jimmy Hoffa (Pacino). Drawing from Charles Brandt's book I Heard You Paint Houses, The Irishman offers an unflinching look at the costs of mafia life, portraying the lonely decline of its characters rather than their violent demise. Also featuring Bobby Cannavale, Anna Paquin, Jesse Plemons, and Harvey Keitel.
American Gangster (2007)
Image credit: Universal PicturesDirector: Ridley Scott | Writer: Steven Zaillian | Stars: Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Josh Brolin | Release Date: November 2, 2007 | Review: IGN's American Gangster review | Where to watch: Starz Apple TV Channel, rentable on most platforms.
Ridley Scott's American Gangster delves into the criminal empire of Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), who uses the Vietnam War to smuggle heroin into the U.S. Opposing him is Newark Detective Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe), who leads a task force to bring Lucas down. With powerful performances from its leads and a supporting cast including Josh Brolin, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Ruby Dee, Ted Levine, and Cuba Gooding Jr., the film is a gripping and intelligent portrayal of organized crime.
AnswerSee ResultsThose are our picks of the best mafia movies ever – in no particular order. Did your favorite make the cut? If not, rather than leaving a horse head in our bed, let us know your top picks in the comments.
