Top 15 Mafia Movies Ever Ranked

Movies have long celebrated the allure of gunslingers, bank robbers, and wise guys, tapping into our fascination with those who live outside the law. The crime genre, which predates cinema itself, was among the first to captivate audiences when movies began. For those eager to delve into a world where tough individuals craft their own rules and follow their unique codes, we present a curated list of the best mafia movies of all time.

Organized crime, largely a 20th-century phenomenon, naturally became a popular subject in films, mirroring the rise of mob syndicates across the nation. Directors like Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese became synonymous with this genre due to their masterful storytelling, while other acclaimed filmmakers have also ventured into mafia narratives, producing exceptional works.

Below, you'll discover a mix of films featuring historical mobsters and the real-life law enforcement agents pursuing them, as well as captivating fictional tales designed to entertain. Here are our selections of 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

We kick off our list with Martin Scorsese's iconic film, Goodfellas, a perennial favorite often hailed as the best mob movie ever made (or at least the best non-Godfather mob movie). Featuring powerhouse performances from Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, and Oscar-winner Joe Pesci, Goodfellas offers a gripping, blood-soaked chronicle of the rise and fall of mob associate Henry Hill (Liotta) over decades. Adapted from Hill's biography, Wise Guy, by Nicholas Pileggi, the film showcases some of the finest work from its cast and crew, leveraging the iconic status of Scorsese and De Niro to elevate Liotta and Pesci to legendary heights.

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

Next up is Donnie Brasco, another true story brought to life by British director Mike Newell. The film plunges us into the tumultuous life of an FBI agent, portrayed by Johnny Depp, who goes deep undercover within the Bonanno crime family under the alias "Donnie Brasco." Al Pacino delivers a nuanced performance as Lefty, a seasoned yet struggling enforcer who unwittingly welcomes Pistone into the fold. Based on Pistone's autobiography, Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia, the movie stands out with its cool, compelling narrative and a distinctive tone that sets it apart from typical mob films.

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 offers a more contemporary take on the genre, starring Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain. Set during 1981, New York City's most violent year, the film follows Abel Morales (Isaac), a trucking company owner striving to maintain his integrity amidst rampant corruption. This thought-provoking thriller, also featuring David Oyelowo, Alessandro Nivola, and Albert Brooks, encapsulates the moral dilemmas and turmoil of the era, making it a standout entry.

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

In the same year as Goodfellas, the Coen brothers delivered Miller's Crossing, offering a unique, stylized take on organized crime set during the Prohibition era. This film noir-inspired tale follows Tom (Gabriel Byrne), a conflicted lieutenant navigating the treacherous waters of an Irish mob war. With its sharp dialogue, stylish sequences, and compelling performances, Miller's Crossing not only introduced Gabriel Byrne to American audiences but also launched the career of its titular character, who would star in the Coens' next film, Barton Fink. The cast also includes 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 classic, Casino reunites Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, following their success in Goodfellas. Based on Nicholas Pileggi's non-fiction book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas, the film draws inspiration from real-life figures like casino owner Lefty Rosenthal and enforcer Tony Spilotro. Casino is an epic saga of partnership turning into rivalry, with De Niro and Pesci delivering career-defining performances. Sharon Stone's portrayal of a former dancer who drives a wedge between them earned her an Oscar nomination. Despite inevitable comparisons to Goodfellas, Casino stands firmly on its own as a monumental work.

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 outside of American cinema, City of God is a compelling Brazilian crime drama that charts the rise of organized crime in Rio de Janeiro's Cidade De Deus neighborhood from the 1960s to the 1980s. Loosely based on true events, the film's raw authenticity is enhanced by casting local residents as actors. Directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund, City of God not only shocked audiences with its portrayal of violence but 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, where Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner) leads a crusade against Al Capone (Robert De Niro). With its larger-than-life style and dynamic shootouts, the film portrays Ness assembling a team of incorruptible lawmen to take down Capone. Sean Connery's performance as a seasoned cop won him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, adding depth to this thrilling narrative.

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

Adapted from the Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs, Martin Scorsese's The Departed relocates the story to Boston, focusing on crime boss Whitey Bulger (Jack Nicholson) and two cops playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon star as the undercover operatives on opposite sides of the law, each trying to unmask the other. With a stellar ensemble cast including Vera Farmiga, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Alec Baldwin, and Ray Winstone, The Departed is a gripping, multifaceted thriller.

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, known for his role as Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings, teamed up with director David Cronenberg for the intense crime drama Eastern Promises. Set in London, the film follows a Russian mob enforcer (Mortensen) navigating the treacherous dynamics between his boss (Armin Mueller-Stahl), his boss's volatile son (Vincent Cassel), and a midwife (Naomi Watts) determined to protect a baby. The film's highlight is undoubtedly the brutal bathhouse knife fight, which has become iconic.

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.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made, The Godfather revolutionized the mafia genre. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on Mario Puzo's novel, the film follows the Corleone family under the leadership of Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) and his son Michael's (Al Pacino) transformation from outsider to ruthless mob boss. With a stellar cast including James Caan, Robert Duvall, and Diane Keaton, The Godfather broke box office records and became a cultural phenomenon.

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 the best mafia movie, The Godfather Part 2 is both a sequel and a prequel. It follows Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) as he consolidates his power while also tracing the early life of his father, Vito (Robert De Niro), from his childhood in Sicily to his rise in New York. With its rich storytelling and compelling performances, The Godfather Part 2 is 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 is a visually stunning and emotionally powerful film based on a graphic novel. Directed by Sam Mendes, it stars Tom Hanks as Michael Sullivan, an Irish mob enforcer who goes on the run with his son (Tyler Hoechlin) after a family tragedy. With strong performances from Paul Newman, Jude Law, and Daniel Craig, the film blends elements of a revenge thriller and a father-son road trip, delivering a unique take on the genre.

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 a landmark film inspired by the rise of Al Capone. Starring Paul Muni as Tony Camonte, the movie chronicles his ascent through the Chicago mob ranks and his doomed love affair with his boss's mistress. Despite battling censors, Scarface remains a significant work, blending historical relevance with genre-defining elements. Notably, even Capone himself appreciated the film.

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, is a monumental achievement in the genre. Often likened to Unforgiven for its themes of regret and isolation, the film reunites Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci to tell the story of a truck driver turned hitman (De Niro) and his involvement with mobster Russell Bufalino (Pesci) and Teamster leader Jimmy Hoffa (Pacino). Based on Charles Brandt's book I Heard You Paint Houses, The Irishman offers a sobering look at the toll of a life in organized 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 delves into the criminal empire of Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) and the efforts of Detective Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) to bring him down. Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, the film is a riveting tale of ambition and justice, featuring exceptional performances from its leads and a strong supporting cast including Josh Brolin, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Cuba Gooding Jr.