The world of the mob or Mafia has long fascinated audiences, captivating us with its gritty realism and morally ambiguous characters. From the classic films of Martin Scorsese to modern-day crime dramas, the genre has consistently produced some of the most acclaimed and enduring movies of all time. At its core, the appeal of the mob genre lies in our morbid curiosity, as we are drawn to both the power and mystique of these underground figures, as well as the shocking brutality and lawlessness that often accompanies their lives.
We are both in awe of their strength and influence, and repelled by the violent and destructive codes they live by. This paradox is at the heart of why we find the mob genre so compelling, as we are simultaneously drawn to and horrified by the moral ambiguity and chaos that surrounds these characters. So, here are the 6 best mob movies.
6. A Bronx Tale (1993)
A Bronx Tale stands out in the mob genre as a nuanced and deeply personal exploration of identity and loyalty, rather than a traditional Mafia epic. At its core, the film is a coming-of-age story about a young man, Calogero, torn between two worlds – his working-class Italian-American roots and the allure of the Mafia world. As Calogero navigates this double life, he finds himself drawn to the charismatic and influential Sonny, a mob boss who becomes a mentor and friend. As well as being Robert De Niro‘s directorial debut, A Bronx Tale marks a significant departure from his typical tough-guy persona, as he takes on the role of Lorenzo Anello, a member of society. This subtle shift allows the film to explore themes of class, identity, and community, making it a more relatable and humanizing portrayal of the mob genre.
Watch A Bronx Tale on Apple TV+
5. Casino (1995)
Casino, released on November 22 1995, is a crime drama that tells the story of Sam “Ace” Rothstein, a sports handicapper who becomes the head of the Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas. The film follows Ace’s rise to power and his subsequent fall, as he becomes embroiled in a world of corruption and violence. Robert De Niro stars as Ace, while Joe Pesci plays Nicky Santoro, a ruthless mob enforcer who is Ace’s childhood friend and partner. Further building upon his image as a unpredictable psychopath, Pesci shines as Nicky, a man completely lacking empathy as he seeks to take over Las Vegas.
The film marks the third collaboration between De Niro, Pesci, and Martin Scorsese, following Raging Bull and Goodfellas. Directed by Scorsese, Casino is a sprawling crime epic that explores themes of greed, loyalty, and the corrupting influence of power. The film features a star-studded supporting cast, including Sharon Stone (in an Oscar-nominated role), James Woods, and Don Rickles, and its intense and violent portrayal of the mob’s inner workings has become one of the most iconic and influential films in the genre.
4. Donnie Brasco (1997)
Donnie Brasco is a gripping crime drama that tells the true story of Joseph D. Pistone, an FBI undercover agent who infiltrated the Bonanno crime family in the 1970s. The film follows Pistone’s (Johnny Depp) transformation into “Donnie Brasco,” a low-level mob associate who gains the trust of mobster Benjamin “Lefty” Ruggiero (Al Pacino). As Donnie becomes increasingly entrenched in the Mafia’s inner workings, he finds himself torn between his loyalty to his new friends and his duty to gather evidence for the FBI.
Al Pacino shines in one of his most understated roles, playing Lefty as a worn-down and troubled member of the Mafia who forms a close bond with Donnie unbeknownst to his role as a undercover agent. Pacino’s performance is all the more remarkable for its subtlety, as he eschews his usual larger-than-life persona to convey a sense of vulnerability and desperation. The film’s tense and claustrophobic atmosphere is expertly crafted by director Mike Newell, and Depp and Pacino deliver strong performances that bring Pistone’s remarkable true story to life.
Watch Donnie Brasco on Apple TV+
3. Carlito’s Way (1993)
Despite receiving widespread critical acclaim, Carlito’s Way is often overlooked when it comes to the pantheon of great mob movies. However, this 1993 film stands out from the crowd due to its subversive plot, which follows Carlito Brigante (Pacino), a career criminal who decides to go straight after being released from prison. As he tries to distance himself from his life of crime, he finds himself pulled back in by the people and circumstances he thought he’d left behind.
What makes Carlito’s Way truly unique is its undertone of romance, which adds a layer of depth and complexity to the story. The film’s tense and violent climax, featuring a memorable standoff at a train station, is also one of the most iconic moments in cinema history. Director Brian De Palma brings his signature style to the scene, using eerie camera angles and slow motion to create a sense of unease and foreboding. Overall, Carlito’s Way is a standout mob movie that offers a fresh take on the genre, and its blend of crime, drama, and romance makes it a must-see for fans of the genre.
Watch Carlito’s Way on Prime Video
2. Goodfellas (1990)
Goodfellas is not only one of the most iconic mob movies of all time, it has long been lauded as one of the greatest movies ever made. As of the time of writing, Goodfellas stands at number 17 on IMDB’s top 250 rated movies. Directed by Martin Scorsese, Goodfellas is a gripping and intense biographical crime drama that tells the story of Henry Hill, a mobster who rose to power in the 1950s and 1960s. The film is based on Hill’s memoir, “Wiseguy,” and follows his journey from a young boy fascinated by the mob to his eventual rise as a high-ranking member of the Lucchese crime family.
The film is a masterclass in tension and suspense, with Joe Pesci delivering a performance that is both menacing and mesmerizing. As Tommy DeVito, a ruthless and volatile mob associate, Pesci earned his first Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, cementing his status as one of the greatest character actors of all time. The film’s portrayal of the mob’s inner workings is both brutal and fascinating, with Robert De Niro and Ray Liotta also delivering standout performances as Jimmy Conway and Henry Hill, respectively. Goodfellas is a must-see for fans of Scorsese, Pesci, and the gangster genre, offering a gritty and unflinching look at the dark underbelly of organized crime.
1. The Godfather (1972)
Much like Goodfellas, The Godfather is both a classic movie in the mob genre and also widely considered one of the best movies of all time. As of the time of writing, The Godfather has a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes, sits at number 2 on IMDB’s Top 250 movies, and was hailed the third greatest movie of all time by Empire in 2024. Francis Ford Coppola‘s masterpiece was arguably the first movie depicting the Mafia to work its way into the mainstream.
The epic crime drama that tells the story of the Corleone family, a powerful and influential Mafia family in New York City. The film follows the later years of Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando), a ruthless and cunning mob boss who is forced into retirement due to illness. His youngest son, Michael Corleone (Al Pacino), a war hero who is initially reluctant to join the family business, is drawn into the world of organized crime and becomes increasingly embroiled in the family’s violent struggles for power and loyalty. As the story unfolds, Michael’s transformation from a reluctant outsider to a ruthless and calculating leader is both captivating and terrifying. The Godfather won three Academy Awards and catapulted its stars to new realms of fame. To this day, its enduring legacy on grows year by year. Want to read more about the world of the mob? Meet Michael Franzese, the former mob boss who critiques Mafia movies and TV shows.
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