Movies have long been captivated by the allure of gunslingers, bank robbers, and wise guys, fueling our fascination with those who live outside the law. Crime stories predate cinema itself, and as soon as moving pictures were invented, they became one of the earliest and most popular genres. For those eager to dive into a world where ruthless individuals craft their own rules and live by their own codes, we've curated a list of the top mafia movies of all time.
Organized crime, a phenomenon largely of the 20th century, naturally became a compelling subject for filmmakers, mirroring the rise of mob syndicates across the nation. Directors like Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese have become synonymous with the genre, thanks to their iconic portrayals of the mafia world. Other renowned directors have also ventured into this territory, often with remarkable results.
Below, you'll find a diverse selection of films, ranging from historical accounts of real-life mobsters and the law enforcement officers who pursued them, to imaginative works of fiction designed to captivate and entertain. Here are our picks for the 15 best mafia movies ever, presented without a specific ranking.
The 15 Best Mafia Movies
16 Images
Looking for more great movies? Check out more lists like this:
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 start with Martin Scorsese's "Goodfellas," a film that has been hailed as one of the greatest mob movies for over three decades (and arguably the best non-"Godfather" mob movie). This gripping saga, starring Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, and Joe Pesci (who won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor), chronicles the tumultuous life of mob associate Henry Hill (Liotta) across several decades. Based on the biography "Wise Guy" by Nicholas Pileggi, "Goodfellas" showcases some of the finest work from its cast and crew, leveraging Scorsese and De Niro's iconic status to elevate Liotta and Pesci to stardom.
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
Next up is "Donnie Brasco," another film rooted in reality, directed by British filmmaker Mike Newell (known for "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"). Johnny Depp stars as FBI agent Joe Pistone, who goes undercover as "Donnie Brasco" within the Bonanno crime family. Al Pacino delivers a nuanced performance as Lefty, an aging enforcer who unwittingly introduces Pistone to the mafia world. Based on Pistone's autobiography, "Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia," this film offers a fresh perspective on the genre with its compelling narrative and distinctive style.
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" is a modern addition to our list, often overlooked but deserving of attention. Directed by J.C. Chandor, this film stars Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain. It follows Abel Morales (Isaac), a trucking company owner navigating the corrupt and chaotic environment of New York City during its most violent year, 1981. Abel strives to maintain his integrity in a morally compromised business, making "A Most Violent Year" 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. This film noir-inspired tale follows Tom (Gabriel Byrne), an Irish mob lieutenant caught between two warring factions. With its stylized dialogue, striking visuals, and powerful performances, "Miller's Crossing" not only introduced Gabriel Byrne to American audiences but also set the stage for the Coens' next project, "Barton Fink." The film also features notable performances from 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 masterpiece, "Casino" reunites Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in a story based on Nicholas Pileggi's non-fiction book, "Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas." De Niro plays Ace, inspired by real-life casino magnate Lefty Rosenthal, while Pesci portrays Nicky, modeled after enforcer Tony Spilotro. The film traces their journey from partnership to rivalry, with Sharon Stone delivering an Oscar-nominated performance as the woman who drives them apart. Although "Casino" was often compared to "Goodfellas," it stands tall as a compelling epic in its own right.
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
Stepping outside of American cinema, "City of God" is a powerful Brazilian crime drama that chronicles the rise of organized crime in the Cidade De Deus suburb of Rio de Janeiro from the 1960s to the 1980s. Based on real events, this film offers an authentic portrayal of the era's violence, enhanced by the casting of local residents rather than professional 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
"The Untouchables," directed by Brian De Palma and written by David Mamet, is a crowd-pleasing film set in 1930s Chicago. It follows Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner) and his team of incorruptible lawmen as they attempt to bring down notorious gangster Al Capone (Robert De Niro). With its blend of action and drama, the film earned Sean Connery an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role as a seasoned police officer who joins Ness's fight against Capone's corrupt influence.
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," Martin Scorsese's "The Departed" is set in Boston and loosely inspired by the life of crime boss Whitey Bulger. The film follows two cops, one rising in the police force as a mole for Bulger (Matt Damon) and the other infiltrating Bulger's gang (Leonardo DiCaprio), as they race to uncover each other's identities. Featuring a stellar cast that includes Jack Nicholson, Vera Farmiga, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Alec Baldwin, and Ray Winstone, "The Departed" is a thrilling and complex tale of loyalty and betrayal.
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
Viggo Mortensen, known for his role as Aragorn in "The Lord of the Rings," starred in two crime films directed by David Cronenberg in the 2000s: "A History of Violence" and "Eastern Promises." We've chosen "Eastern Promises" for this list, in which Mortensen plays a Russian mob enforcer in London navigating the dangerous dynamics between his boss (Armin Mueller-Stahl), his boss's volatile son (Vincent Cassel), and a midwife (Naomi Watts) trying to protect a newborn. The film is memorable for its intense and visceral action scenes, including a now-iconic bathhouse knife fight.
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.
Considered by many to be the quintessential mob movie, Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather" revolutionized the genre. Based on Mario Puzo's novel, the film features an all-star cast including Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, and Diane Keaton. It broke box office records and became the highest-grossing film of 1972. "The Godfather" follows the Corleone family under the leadership of patriarch Vito Corleone (Brando) and the transformation of his youngest son, Michael (Pacino), from a reluctant outsider to a ruthless mob boss.
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 consolidates his power as the new Don, while also tracing the early life of his father, Vito (Robert De Niro), from his childhood in Sicily to his rise in New York. With a cast that includes Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, and John Cazale, this film is a masterful exploration of family, power, and the American Dream.
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," directed by Sam Mendes and based on a graphic novel, combines unlikely elements into a compelling narrative. Tom Hanks plays Michael Sullivan, an Irish mob enforcer who goes on the run with his son (Tyler Hoechlin) after the son of his boss (Daniel Craig) kills the rest of their family. This film is a poignant tale of revenge and redemption, featuring strong performances from Hanks, Paul Newman, and Jude Law, and visually stunning scenes that echo the style of its graphic novel origins.
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 the 1983 remake by Brian De Palma starring Al Pacino is well-known, the original "Scarface" directed by Howard Hawks is a landmark film inspired by the rise of Al Capone. Starring Paul Muni as Tony Camonte, this pre-Hays Code film pushed boundaries with its depiction of violence and mob life. Its stylish visuals and compelling narrative have ensured its enduring legacy as a classic of the genre.
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" marks his fourth entry on our list, and for good reason. This Netflix film is often compared to "Unforgiven" for its themes of regret, isolation, and the passage of time. Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci reunite to tell the story of Frank Sheeran (De Niro), a truck driver turned hitman for mobster Russell Bufalino (Pesci) and their involvement with Teamster leader Jimmy Hoffa (Pacino). Based on Charles Brandt's book "I Heard You Paint Houses," "The Irishman" offers a sobering look at the cost of a life in the mafia.
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" focuses on the criminal empire of Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) and the efforts of Newark Detective Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) to bring him down. Set during the Vietnam War, the film explores Lucas's innovative smuggling methods and the intense cat-and-mouse game with Roberts. With standout performances from its leads and a strong supporting cast including Josh Brolin, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Ruby Dee, Ted Levine, and Cuba Gooding Jr., "American Gangster" is a riveting and intelligent crime drama.
AnswerSee ResultsThese are our selections for the best mafia movies ever, presented without a specific ranking. Did your favorite make the list? If not, instead of leaving a symbolic horse head in our bed, share your top picks in the comments section.
Latest Downloads
Downlaod
Top News
