Top 15 Mafia Films Ever Made

Movies have long captivated audiences with tales of gunslingers, bank robbers, and wise guys, often glamorizing those who live outside the law. The allure of crime stories predates cinema, and as soon as films were invented, these narratives became a staple genre. For fans eager to dive into a world where tough individuals forge their own paths and live by their own codes, we present a curated list of the top mafia movies of all time.

Organized crime, a hallmark of the 20th century, naturally became a rich vein for filmmakers to explore. The evolution of mob syndicates across the country provided a compelling backdrop for cinema. Legendary directors like Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese became synonymous with the genre, delivering unforgettable films. Other acclaimed filmmakers also ventured into the world of the mafia, often with remarkable results.

Below, you'll discover a diverse collection of mafia films, ranging from true stories of notorious mobsters and the law enforcement officials who pursued them to purely fictional tales designed to entertain and thrill. Here are our picks for the 15 best mafia movies ever—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

Kicking off our list is Martin Scorsese's iconic Goodfellas, a film that has been hailed as one of the greatest mob movies for over three decades. This gripping tale chronicles the rise and fall of mob associate Henry Hill, portrayed by Ray Liotta, over several decades. With stellar performances by Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, who won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, Goodfellas draws from Nicholas Pileggi's biography Wise Guy. Scorsese and De Niro's established reputation in the industry helped cement Liotta and Pesci as "made men" in the cinematic world.

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, directed by British filmmaker Mike Newell, immerses viewers in the life of an FBI agent, played by Johnny Depp, who infiltrates the Bonanno crime family under the alias "Donnie Brasco." Al Pacino delivers a nuanced performance as Lefty, an aging enforcer who unwittingly introduces the agent into the mafia world. Based on the real-life experiences of agent Joe Pistone, detailed in his autobiography, this film offers a fresh take on the genre, blending tension and authenticity.

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, a more contemporary addition to our list, features Oscar Isaac as Abel Morales, a trucking company owner navigating the corrupt landscape of 1981 New York City, the most crime-ridden year in the city's history. Jessica Chastain and David Oyelowo also star in this thought-provoking thriller, which explores the struggle to maintain integrity in a morally compromised environment. The film serves as a compelling time capsule of a turbulent 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

Released the same year as Goodfellas, the Coen brothers' Miller's Crossing offers a distinctive take on organized crime, set during the Prohibition era. The film follows Tom, an Irish mob lieutenant played by Gabriel Byrne, as he navigates a mafia war. With its stylized dialogue, noir aesthetics, and captivating performances, Miller's Crossing not only boosted Byrne's career but also introduced audiences to the talents of John Turturro and Marcia Gay Harden.

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 masterpiece by Martin Scorsese, Casino reunites Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, this time inspired by Nicholas Pileggi's non-fiction book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas. De Niro's character, Ace, is loosely based on real-life casino owner Lefty Rosenthal, while Pesci's Nicky mirrors enforcer Tony Spilotro. The epic narrative traces their journey from partnership to rivalry, with Sharon Stone delivering an Oscar-nominated performance as the woman who drives them apart. Despite inevitable comparisons to Goodfellas, Casino stands firmly on its own merits.

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, depicting the rise of organized crime in Rio de Janeiro's Cidade De Deus suburb from the 1960s to the 1980s. Based loosely on real events, the film uses non-professional actors from Rio's low-income neighborhoods to deliver an authentic and shocking portrayal of the era's violence. Directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund, City of God also inspired a spin-off TV series and film.

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 transports audiences to 1930s Chicago, where Eliot Ness, played by Kevin Costner, leads a crusade against notorious gangster Al Capone, portrayed by Robert De Niro. With a slightly comic-book style, this film showcases Ness's formation of the "untouchables," a team of incorruptible lawmen. Sean Connery's performance as a seasoned police officer earned him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, adding to the film's appeal.

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 Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs, Martin Scorsese's The Departed adapts the story to fit around Boston crime boss Whitey Bulger. It features Leonardo DiCaprio as an undercover cop infiltrating Bulger's gang, and Matt Damon as a police officer secretly working for Bulger. Jack Nicholson delivers a menacing performance as Bulger, while the film's intricate plot and ensemble cast, including Vera Farmiga and Mark Wahlberg, contribute to its gripping narrative.

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 stars in David Cronenberg's Eastern Promises, a film that delves into the world of the Russian mafia in London. Mortensen's character, a mob enforcer, navigates the complex dynamics between his boss, his boss's volatile son, and a midwife trying to protect a baby. The film's intense scenes, including a notorious bathhouse fight, highlight its gritty realism and emotional depth.

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 cited as the definitive mob movie, Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather revolutionized the genre. Based on Mario Puzo's novel, the film follows the Corleone family, led by patriarch Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando), and his son Michael's (Al Pacino) transformation from an outsider to a ruthless mob boss. With its iconic performances and groundbreaking narrative, The Godfather became the highest-grossing film of 1972 and remains a cultural touchstone.

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 best mob movie, The Godfather Part 2 expands the saga by alternating between Michael Corleone's (Al Pacino) struggles as the new Don and his father Vito's (Robert De Niro) rise from a Sicilian immigrant to a mafia leader. This ambitious sequel delves deeper into the family's history and the consequences of their criminal empire, solidifying its status as a cinematic masterpiece.

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, based on a graphic novel, combines unlikely elements to create a compelling mobster tale. Tom Hanks plays Michael Sullivan, an Irish mob enforcer who flees with his son after their family is murdered. Directed by Sam Mendes, the film features stunning visuals and a poignant narrative, as it explores themes of revenge and redemption against the backdrop of the Great Depression.

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, draws inspiration from Al Capone's rise to power in Chicago. Paul Muni stars as Tony Camonte, a gangster who ascends the ranks of the mob while battling censors and the Hays Code. Despite its age, Scarface remains a timeless classic, blending historical significance with gripping storytelling and stylish visuals.

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 Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci for an epic tale of regret and loneliness in the mafia world. The film follows a truck driver turned hitman and his involvement with the mob and Teamster Jimmy Hoffa. Based on Charles Brandt's book I Heard You Paint Houses, The Irishman offers a sobering look at the costs of a life in organized crime, contrasting with the more glamorous depictions often seen in cinema.

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 life of Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas, portrayed by Denzel Washington. As Lucas exploits the Vietnam War to smuggle heroin, Newark Detective Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) leads the effort to bring him down. With its intelligent storytelling and powerful performances, the film offers a gripping portrayal of the criminal underworld and the law enforcement efforts to combat it.

These are our selections for the best mafia movies ever, presented in no particular order. Did your favorite make the list? If not, feel free to share your top picks in the comments section.