The Mob, Mafia, Gangsters, Cosa Nostra – all names of organized crime which have been the centerpiece of some of the greatest films of all time. The Godfather (1972) and The Godfather: Part II (1974) ignited the Gangster film trend and are considered both classics of the Gangster film subgenre and general cinema.
Though there were some popular Gangster and Mob films that came before The Godfather – On The Waterfront (1954), Bonnie and Clyde (1971) and Get Carter (1971) to name a few – the 1970’s saw the subgenre take off after the success of The Godfather. Dillinger (1973) and Mean Streets (1973) were other classic films of the decade that further cemented the growing popularity of the Gangster film subgenre.
The 1980’s were defined by three classic Gangster films – Scarface (1983), Once Upon a Time in America (1984) and The Untouchables (1987). Other notable Gangster films from this decade include The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984), Prizzi’s Honor (1985), F/X (1986) and Someone to Watch Over Me (1987).
The 1990’s was the pinnacle of the Gangster film with many films defining and refining common Mafia tropes in film. 1990 became the “Year of the Gangster film” with an unbelievable number of classic films from a single year: King of New York (1990), Goodfellas (1990), State of Grace (1990), Miller’s Crossing (1990), and The Godfather: Part III (1990). Other classics from the decade included Bugsy (1991), Reservoir Dogs (1992), Hoffa (1992), True Romance (1993), A Bronx Tale (1993), Carlito’s Way (1993), Pulp Fiction (1994), Casino (1995), Donni Brasco (1997), Jackie Brown (1997), and Analyze This (1999). This decade alone features many films in the Top 200 films of all time!
It’s hard to follow-up so many classic Gangster films from the 1990’s, but the 2000’s produced a new wave of films that helped expand the subgenre. Classic films include Snatch (2000), Sexy Beast (2000), Made (2001), City of God (2002), Road to Perdition (2002), 25th Hour (2002), Layer Cake (2004), The Departed (2006), Eastern Promises (2007), American Gangster (2007) and Public Enemies (2009).
While the 2010’s didn’t have as many classic Gangster films as the 1990’s and 2000’s, there were notable films from this decade including Kill the Irishman (2011), Black Mass (2015), Legend (2015) and The Irishman (2019). 2021 also saw a filmed version of the Soprano’s story with The Many Saints of Newark (2021).
Our list of Films about Gangsters and The Mob includes over 230+ films featuring all the classic films noted above as well as quite a few World Cinema Gangster and Mob films from Korea, Japan, Italy and other countries. Films that did not make our list of the Top Gangster and Mob Films You Haven’t Seen and are honorable mentions include: The Sicilian (1987), My Blue Heaven (1990), The Last Don (1997), Lansky (1999), Boss of Bosses (2001), Infernal Affairs (2002), Tsotsi (2005), Find Me Guilty (2006), and The Outsider (2018).
We have embedded a compilation video of our Top Films About Gangsters, The Mafia & The Mob You Haven’t Seen and more details on these films can be found in the list below. Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
#10
Harlem Nights
Plot: In the 1920’s, the owner of an illegal casino must deal with gangsters and corrupt police.
KBZ’s Take: This film was written and directed by Eddie Murphy and savaged by the critics. However, as a period piece that covers 1920’s gangster life, it’s a somewhat commendable film. Given the cast of Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx, you wouldn’t be at fault thinking you were going to see a comedy. Thought this film does have some comedic scenes and characters, it’s a much darker film that’s enjoyable if you watch it for what it is – not a typical comedy.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3gNmdTz
Plot: Man returns home to Hell’s Kitchen and hooks up with a childhood friend who’s involved with the Irish mob.
KBZ’s Take: Another film from the Year of the Gangster Film (1990) that tends to get lost in the shuffle. This is one in a string of films that helped propel Gary Oldman to stardom which is no small feat given the cast of this film – Sean Penn, Ed Harris, John Turturro and Robin Wright. Though the film’s foundation is based on a common “man comes home to a different world” trope, it’s a compelling film that delves into the strengths (and weaknesses) of friendship over time.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Fjv9Jw
Plot: The story of Jacques Mesrine, a French Gangster who became France’s #1 public enemy.
KBZ’s Take: This French film has 2 parts – Mesrine: Killer Instinct (2008) and Mesrine: Public Enemy #1 (2008) – and is often compared to Scarface. That comparison is spot-on as Vincent Cassel gives a performance of a lifetime as a disillusioned ex-soldier who turns to a life of crime. While the first film is more of a biopic that covers Mesrine’s transformation to a life of crime, the second film focuses more on the actual crimes and pursuit by French law enforcement. Both films are equally amazing and shouldn’t be missed.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3uiiqk4
#7
Legend
Plot: The story of the infamous British gangsters, The Kray Brothers.
KBZ’s Take: The Kray brothers have been featured before in another good film, The Krays (1990), but Legend is a more powerful film based on the performance of Tom Hardy. The film must be seen to be believed that Tom Hardy actually plays twin brothers with completely separate mannerisms and temperaments. It’s a career defining performance from Hardy and elevates the film into one of the better Gangster films that’s a must-see for fans of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3XJ2JA5
#6
Revenge
Plot: Ex-navy officer visits Mexican businessman friend and falls for his much younger wife.
KBZ’s Take: Two words. Anthony Quinn. This film is worth watching for Anthony Quinn’s performance alone. Though the film has style over substance with the late Tony Scott’s direction, it’s an early Kevin Costner effort that’s an engaging and thrilling film. Worth catching if you haven’t seen before or to re-watch for a ‘gangster done right’ by Quinn’s mesmerizing performance.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3H2UvN6
Plot: Turf war between Irish and Italian mob in 1976 Cleveland.
KBZ’s Take: Another seldom seen gangster film with a stellar cast – Ray Stevenson, Vincent D’Onofrio, Val Kilmer, Christopher Walken and Linda Cardellini. Based on a true story, the film tells the story of Danny Greene (Stevenson) who becomes an enforcer in the mob. Another great film any fan of the Gangster film subgenre shouldn’t miss.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3B4fN9g
#4
Prime Cut
Plot: Chicago mob enforcers are sent to Kansas City to rough up a Kansas City slaughterhouse owner.
KBZ’s Take: An older film that has an out of the box Gangster tale that typically wasn’t seen after The Godfather and Italian mafia became popular. Lee Marvin, Gene Hackman and Sissy Spacek star in this thrilling and action-packed film that features smaller scale mob operations.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3UpSHAM
#3
Middle Men
Plot: The story of Jack Harris who pioneered internet porn and his involvement with the mafia.
KBZ’s Take: Middle Men is more of a Techno Thriller film as it chronicles the rise of Jack Harris (Wilson) and the usual issues that affect somebody that is suddenly rich – booze, dugs, women and more. The film is elevated by Wilson’s performance and the always engaging Rade Šerbedžija (who has been Hollywood’s go-to actor in portraying crooked Russians for the last 20 years). The film narrative plays like a weaker version of Casino (1995), but is still a great film in the Gangster subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3VMIjUK
Plot: A former drug lord is released from prison and seeks to regain his control of his territories.
KBZ’s Take: There was debate if this film should even be included on a “Films You Haven’t Seen List” but after polling people from multiple generations, it was surprising how few people have actually seen this classic film. A member of the “Year of the Gangster Film” in 1990, it’s often overshadowed by Goodfellas (1990) and The Godfather: Part III (1990) and Narcos & Drugs subgenre films like New Jack City (1991). Though slower than other Gangster subgenre films and more of a character study of Frank White (Walken), the film has a dark edge and gritty ruthlessness to it that isn’t found in comparable films. It’s also one of the few Gangster films where you’re actively rooting for the villain despite all the death and destruction left in his wake. This film should be added to everybody’s streaming queue that wants to binge watch a night of classic mafia tales.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3ivK8az
Plot: The life of Jewish gangsters in New York over 30 years.
KBZ’s Take: Pound for pound this film is better than The Godfather trilogy. There, we said it and we’re ready to bring out the brass knuckles for anybody that thinks otherwise. Though there are multiple versions of this film, we’re deeming the 250-minute “Cannes Cut” of the film as the definitive version to seek out. With additional scenes and backstory for Noodles (DeNiro), this Sergio Leone film should be considered his best and the best film of the Gangster subgenre. Like King of New York, a surprising number of people haven’t seen this film and it’s a shame because it’s an amazing film. Like a novel you want to immerse yourself in, Once Upon a Time in America should be a film you clear 3-4 hours from your day to watch in its entirety to fully appreciate.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3iu5F3t
