Movies have long captivated audiences with tales of gunslingers, bank robbers, and wise guys, fueling our intrigue with those who live beyond the law. The allure of crime stories existed well before the advent of cinema, and as soon as films began, crime became a staple genre. For those eager to dive into a world where 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 hallmark of the 20th century, naturally found its way into the narrative of films, evolving alongside the real-world expansion of mob syndicates. Directors like Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese have become synonymous with the genre due to their iconic contributions, while other renowned filmmakers have ventured into the mafia world, often yielding remarkable results.
Our list encompasses a range from historical mob figures and the law enforcement officers tracking them, to purely fictional narratives designed to entertain and captivate. Below, discover our selection of the 15 best mafia movies ever, presented in no specific 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
Kicking off our list is Martin Scorsese's "Goodfellas," a film that has been hailed as one of the best mob movies for over three decades (often considered the best outside of the Godfather series). This gritty, blood-soaked narrative charts the rise and fall of mob associate Henry Hill, played by Ray Liotta, over several decades. With Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci delivering powerhouse performances—earning Pesci an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor—"Goodfellas" is an adaptation of Hill's biography, "Wise Guy," by Nicholas Pileggi. It showcases some of the finest work from everyone involved, leveraging Scorsese and De Niro's iconic status to elevate Liotta and Pesci to the ranks of "made men."
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
"Donnie Brasco" is another true story brought to life by British director Mike Newell, known for "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." The film delves into the life of FBI agent Joe Pistone, alias "Donnie Brasco" (Johnny Depp), who infiltrates the Bonanno crime family. Al Pacino plays Lefty, a seasoned but fading enforcer who unwittingly inducts Pistone into the mob. Based on Pistone's autobiography, "Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia," this film offers a cool, compelling perspective that diverges from typical mob narratives.
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 more contemporary entry, often overlooked but highly impactful, starring Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain. Similar to "Donnie Brasco," it focuses on a protagonist who operates on the fringes of the mob. Isaac's character, Abel Morales, a trucking company owner, navigates the turbulent and corrupt landscape of New York City during its most crime-ridden year in 1981. Morales strives to maintain his integrity in an inherently corrupt business, making "A Most Violent Year" a thought-provoking thriller and a vivid snapshot 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 offered a distinct take on organized crime with "Miller's Crossing." Set during Prohibition, this film noir-inspired story follows Tom (Gabriel Byrne), an Irish mob lieutenant caught between rival factions. Its stylized dialogue, visually striking sequences, and compelling performances not only launched Byrne's career in the U.S. but also propelled the Coens' next project, "Barton Fink." The film also stars 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 gem from Martin Scorsese, "Casino" reunites Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, this time adapting Nicholas Pileggi's non-fiction book "Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas." De Niro's character, Ace, is inspired by real-life casino magnate Lefty Rosenthal, while Pesci's Nicky echoes the notorious Tony Spilotro. An epic saga, "Casino" captures the journey from partnership to rivalry between the leads, with Sharon Stone's Oscar-nominated performance as the catalyst for their rift. Despite comparisons to "Goodfellas," "Casino" stands firmly on its own as a cinematic achievement.
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
"City of God" takes us beyond American shores to a Brazilian crime drama that captures the evolution of organized crime in Rio de Janeiro's Cidade de Deus suburb from the 1960s to the 1980s. Inspired by real events, the film's raw intensity is heightened by its cast of non-professional actors from local low-income communities. Directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund, "City of God" not only shocked audiences with its depiction of violence but also spawned the spin-off TV series "City of Men."
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" is a crowd-pleasing, slightly stylized take on the battle between law enforcement and organized crime in 1930s Chicago. Kevin Costner plays Eliot Ness, who forms a team of incorruptible officers to take down Al Capone (Robert De Niro). With its action-packed narrative and Sean Connery's Oscar-winning performance as a seasoned cop, "The Untouchables" delivers a thrilling, if somewhat dramatized, portrayal of this iconic conflict.
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
"The Departed," a remake of the Hong Kong thriller "Infernal Affairs," sees Martin Scorsese crafting a gripping tale around Boston crime boss Whitey Bulger. The story follows two cops on opposite sides: one (Matt Damon) rising through the ranks while secretly working for Bulger, and the other (Leonardo DiCaprio) embedded deep within Bulger's organization. With Jack Nicholson's menacing portrayal of Bulger, "The Departed" weaves a complex, suspenseful narrative filled with tension and dark humor, featuring a stellar cast including Vera Farmiga, Mark Wahlberg, and Alec Baldwin.
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
During the 2000s, Viggo Mortensen not only graced the screen as Aragorn in "The Lord of the Rings" but also became a key collaborator with director David Cronenberg. "Eastern Promises," one of their two crime films, sees Mortensen as a Russian mob enforcer in London navigating a perilous web involving his boss (Armin Mueller-Stahl), the boss's volatile son (Vincent Cassel), and a midwife (Naomi Watts) determined to protect a newborn. This film is notable for its intense bathhouse fight scene, a testament to its raw energy and gripping narrative.
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.
Often hailed as the quintessential mob movie, Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather" revolutionized the genre. Based on Mario Puzo's novel, the film shattered box office records and dominated 1972. Featuring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, and Robert Duvall, "The Godfather" follows the Corleone family under the leadership of Vito Corleone (Brando) and the chilling transformation of his son Michael (Pacino) from a reluctant outsider to a ruthless mob 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.
"The Godfather Part 2" not only competes with its predecessor but also expands the saga by intertwining the stories of Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) as the new Don facing betrayal, and his father Vito's (Robert De Niro) rise from a Sicilian childhood to the founding of his New York crime empire. This dual narrative adds depth and richness to the Corleone family's legacy, making it a formidable contender for the top spot in mafia cinema.
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," adapted from a graphic novel, brings together an eclectic cast including Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, and Jude Law under the direction of Sam Mendes. Set in 1931, the film follows Irish mob enforcer Michael Sullivan (Hanks) and his son (Tyler Hoechlin) as they flee after a family tragedy orchestrated by a jealous rival (Daniel Craig). This poignant tale of revenge and familial bonds unfolds with a visual style reminiscent of its comic book origins, blending beauty and brutality seamlessly.
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
The original "Scarface," directed by Howard Hawks, is inspired by the rise of Al Capone and offers a glimpse into early cinema's take on the mob genre. Paul Muni stars as Tony Camonte, a gangster climbing the Chicago mob ladder, amidst a backdrop of stylish visuals and gripping violence. Despite facing censorship challenges, "Scarface" remains a significant and enduring piece of mafia cinema, even earning the approval of Capone himself.
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 production, reunites Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci for an epic that delves into themes of regret, isolation, and the unglamorous side of mafia life. De Niro plays a truck driver turned hitman working for a mobster (Pesci) and involved with Teamster Jimmy Hoffa (Pacino). Based on the book "I Heard You Paint Houses," "The Irishman" offers a sobering look at the toll of a life in crime, portraying its characters as aging, remorseful figures rather than the glamorous icons often seen in mob films.
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" stars Denzel Washington as Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas and Russell Crowe as the detective determined to bring him down. Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, Lucas's innovative smuggling methods challenge Detective Richie Roberts (Crowe) and his task force. With stellar performances and a compelling narrative, "American Gangster" stands out as an intelligent and stirring exploration of crime and justice.
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.
