Gangster movies have been a major spoke in the Hollywood wheel since the Silent Era, but as entertaining as they are, fans never really get to know how they were made. Luckily. the recently concluded The Godfather.
Given how detailed the Paramount+ series was, fans can hope for similar projects relating to some of the other critically acclaimed movies in the genre. But which gangster movies do fans truly adore? Everyone has their favorite but through Ranker votes, there is a clear consensus as to which blockbusters top the genre.
Note: Ranker lists are live and continue to accrue votes, hence some of the rankings may change in the future.
American Gangster (2007)
Stream On Apple+
After the death of the Harlem crime boss Bumpy Johnson, Frank Lucas, a career criminal from La Grange, North Carolina, takes over his business. Lucas then goes on to build one of the biggest drug empires in the United States.
With Denzel Washington and Russel Crowe playing the villain and hero, there is little to criticize performance-wise. And with the two names being at the peak of their careers at the time the Ridley Scott period drama was released, it's no surprise that fans enjoyed every single moment. The movie strikes the perfect balance between glorifying crime and condemning it. It's packed with badass moments too, including one where Lucas shoots a debtor right in the middle of a street.
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Stream On HBO Max
One of Quentin Tarantino's best movies follows 6 thieves hired to steal diamonds. Unfortunately, the heist ends up going terribly wrong.
The director's feature-length debut wows audiences by incorporating motifs that are now considered his hallmarks, including nonlinear storytelling, strong violence, pastiche, and profanity. And despite being the only indie film on the list, budget restrictions don't affect the quality in any way as the director is clever enough to limit the scenes to a few locations.
A Bronx Tale (1993)
Stream On Amazon Prime Video
Directed by Robert De Niro, A Bronx Tale revolves around a teenager who befriends a local mobster, who in turn indoctrinates him into the mafioso lifestyle. However, his life takes a turn for the worst when he falls in love.
A number of factors make A Bronx Tale one of the best actor directorial debuts. It provides as many lessons about parenting as it does about love. Most of the events might be sad but there are enough funny bits of dialogue to prevent those watching from shedding tears. Additionally, it perfectly highlights the injustices against Italian Americans and Black people.
Donnie Brasco (1997)
Stream On Netflix
An FBI undercover agent is assigned the task of infiltrating one of the biggest crime families in America. He quickly rises up the ranks and manages to take down several of its .
A fast-rising John Depp and an established Al Pacino look badass in the movie's promotional material and they channel the same energy in the proceedings, ensuring no ticket holder or streaming subscriber walks away disappointed. Many genre cliches are avoided too. The mole never gets killed and neither do the Dons take the lion's share of the proceedings.
Scarface (1983)
Stream On Hulu
A Cuban refugee builds a major drug empire after illegally immigrating to Miami. Regrettably, power corrupts his mind, making him fall out with key allies.
The Brian DePalma project is appealing to hardcore genre fans because the content and dialogue aren't diluted to make it more palatable. By '80s Hollywood standards, all lines are crossed, whether it's the use of excessive words or the depiction of extreme violence. It all works because, instead of triggering disgust, the movie feels very authentic.
The Departed (2006)
Stream On Netflix
In what's one of Martin Scorsese's best-ever movies, an Irish mafia member gets tasked with ing the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) and becoming a spy. At the same time, a junior police officer is tasked with infiltrating the mob.
The star power is the first thing that attracts fans to the gangster flick. With Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, and Mark Wahlberg all taking different roles, fans are audiences are spoilt for choice as to who to root for. And even though it's adapted from the Hong Kong action thriller Internal Affairs, Scorsese does his best to make things fresh by adopting different themes and twists.
Casino (1995)
Stream On Hulu
A mob associate is tasked with running one of the biggest casinos in Vegas. But as good as he is at his job, his reckless best friend and his wild love interest threaten to destroy everything he has built.
Goodfellas. Such a direction might have misfired with any other cast and director but Scorsese, Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone are so good that they prevent any plot concern from being a major issue. Those who loved the 1990 movie will definitely enjoy seeing the same lead actors again.
The Godfather (1972)
Stream On Paramount+
Don Vito Corleone is forced to deal with numerous foes during his stint as one of the biggest crime families in New York. After an attempt on his life, his son, who had vowed to never the mafia, is forced to get involved.
Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece remains iconic because it has a story that only has highs and no lows. Events remain engaging from start to finish, forcing everyone watching to forget the outside world during the 3-hour running time. Most importantly, there are dozens of scenes worth dissecting again and again.
The Godfather: Part II (1974)
Stream On Paramount+
After taking over from his father, Michael attempts to venture into more legitimate business dealings. The early years of Vito Corleone are explored too.
There's a lot to love about the first-ever sequel to win Best Picture at the Oscars. Jumping from one time period to another helps ease the tension. Al Pacino also gives a stronger performance than he did the first time, while the introduction of Robert DeNiro adds spice to an already delicious meal. But what forever sticks to the minds of viewers is the dialogue.
Goodfellas (1990)
Stream On HBO Max
An Irish-American teenager quickly rises up the ranks of the Gambino crime family after impressing the superiors. Regrettably, pressure from law enforcement forces him to become an informant.
Even for the casual viewer, events in the biographical drama are easier to comprehend because of the detailed voiceovers/narration. Characters become familiar before they say a world and motivations get clearer. There are plenty of unforgettable twists too, including a key character getting whacked and a seemingly perfect love story turning chaotic.
