Top 15 Mafia Movies Ever Ranked

Movies have long captivated audiences with tales of gunslingers, bank robbers, and wise guys, fueling our fascination with those who live outside the law. Crime stories have been a staple since the dawn of cinema, quickly becoming one of the earliest and most enduring genres. For those 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 best mafia movies of all time.

Organized crime, a hallmark of the 20th century, naturally became a compelling subject for filmmakers. As mob syndicates grew across the country, movies followed suit, exploring this shadowy world. Directors like Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese became synonymous with the genre, delivering iconic films that have set the standard. Other esteemed filmmakers have also ventured into this territory, producing remarkable works that enrich the genre.

Our list includes a mix of films inspired by real-life mobsters and the law enforcement officers who pursued them, as well as captivating works of fiction designed to entertain and enthrall. Here are our selections for the 15 best mafia movies ever, presented 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

Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas stands as a towering achievement in the mafia genre, often hailed as the best mob movie ever made (outside of The Godfather series). This film chronicles the rise and fall of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), a mob associate, over several decades. With powerhouse performances from Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, and Joe Pesci—who won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor—Goodfellas is a gripping, blood-soaked journey. Adapted from Nicholas Pileggi's biography Wise Guy, the film showcases some of the finest work from its cast and crew, leveraging Scorsese and De Niro's iconic status to elevate Liotta and Pesci to "made men" in the eyes of cinema.

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 Mike Newell, offers a compelling true story of an FBI agent's deep undercover mission within the Bonanno crime family. Johnny Depp stars as Agent Pistone, alias "Donnie Brasco," while Al Pacino delivers a nuanced performance as Lefty, a seasoned but fading enforcer who unwittingly mentors Pistone. Based on Pistone's autobiography, Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia, the film provides a cool and engaging perspective on the mob, distinct from other entries in the genre.

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 modern take on the mafia genre, starring Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain. Set during 1981, New York City's most crime-ridden year, the film follows Abel Morales (Isaac), a trucking company owner navigating the corrupt and chaotic world around him. Abel strives to maintain his integrity in a morally compromised environment, making A Most Violent Year a thought-provoking thriller that captures the essence 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

The Coen brothers' Miller's Crossing offers a unique, stylized take on organized crime, set during the Prohibition era. The film follows Tom (Gabriel Byrne), an Irish mob lieutenant caught between rival factions. With its sharp dialogue, distinctive visual style, and compelling performances, Miller's Crossing not only launched Gabriel Byrne's career in the U.S. but also set the stage for the Coens' next project, Barton Fink. The film also features standout performances from 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 Scorsese masterpiece, Casino reunites Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, this time based on Nicholas Pileggi's book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas. De Niro plays Ace, inspired by real-life casino owner Lefty Rosenthal, while Pesci portrays Nicky, based on enforcer Tony Spilotro. The film traces their journey from partnership to rivalry, with Sharon Stone delivering an Oscar-nominated performance as the woman who drives them apart. Casino stands tall as a follow-up to Goodfellas, showcasing the peak of its stars' talents.

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 is a 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. Loosely based on real events, the film offers a raw and authentic portrayal of the era's violence, enhanced by the casting of local residents rather than professional actors. Directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund, City of God also inspired a 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, action-packed film set in 1930s Chicago. It follows Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner) as he forms a team of incorruptible lawmen to take down Al Capone (Robert De Niro). With its larger-than-life portrayal of the battle between good and evil, the film earned Sean Connery an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role as a seasoned cop who joins Ness's fight against Capone's corrupt influence.

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

Martin Scorsese's The Departed, a remake of the Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs, is set in Boston and revolves around crime boss Whitey Bulger (Jack Nicholson) and two cops on opposite sides of the law. One (Matt Damon) rises through the ranks as a mole for Bulger, while the other (Leonardo DiCaprio) infiltrates Bulger's organization. This complex, thrilling film also stars Vera Farmiga, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Alec Baldwin, and Ray Winstone, delivering a gripping narrative filled with tension and dark humor.

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

Eastern Promises, directed by David Cronenberg, features Viggo Mortensen as a Russian mob enforcer in London navigating the treacherous dynamics between his boss (Armin Mueller-Stahl), the boss's volatile son (Vincent Cassel), and a midwife (Naomi Watts) trying to protect a baby. The film is notable for its intense action sequences, including a memorable bathhouse fight, and its exploration of the dark underbelly of organized crime.

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.

The Godfather, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on Mario Puzo's novel, is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. It follows the Corleone family, led by patriarch Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando), and the transformation of his youngest son, Michael (Al Pacino), from a reluctant outsider to a ruthless mob boss. With a stellar cast including James Caan, Robert Duvall, and Diane Keaton, The Godfather broke box office records and set a new standard for the genre.

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 continues the saga, serving as both a sequel and a prequel. It follows Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) as he navigates threats to his leadership while a parallel storyline traces the early life of his father, Vito (Robert De Niro), from his childhood in Sicily to his rise in New York. This film, also directed by Francis Ford Coppola, is often considered a masterpiece in its own right, further cementing the legacy of the Corleone family.

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, directed by Sam Mendes and based on a graphic novel, stars Tom Hanks as Michael Sullivan, an Irish mob enforcer who goes on the run with his son (Tyler Hoechlin) after a family tragedy. The film blends elements of a revenge story with a poignant father-son journey, featuring standout performances from Paul Newman and Jude Law. Road to Perdition is both visually stunning and emotionally powerful, capturing the essence of its source material.

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 features Paul Muni as Tony Camonte, a gangster who ascends the ranks of the Chicago mob. This pre-Hays Code film battled censorship to reach audiences, offering stylish visuals and gripping violence that have stood the test of time. Even Capone himself reportedly enjoyed the film, which remains a significant entry in the mafia genre.

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 a truck driver turned hitman (De Niro) and his involvement with a mobster (Pesci) and Teamster leader Jimmy Hoffa (Pacino). Based on Charles Brandt's book I Heard You Paint Houses, the film explores the unglamorous realities of mafia life, focusing on themes of regret and isolation. The Irishman is a poignant reflection on the cost of a life in crime.

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, who uses the Vietnam War to smuggle heroin into the U.S. Russell Crowe plays Detective Richie Roberts, leading a task force to bring Lucas down. With exceptional performances from its leads and a strong supporting cast including Josh Brolin and Chiwetel Ejiofor, American Gangster is a compelling and intelligent exploration of crime and justice.