Top 15 Mafia Films Ever Made

Movies have long romanticized the world of gunslingers, bank robbers, and wise guys, tapping into our fascination with those who live outside the law. Crime stories have been captivating audiences since long before the advent of cinema, and they were among the first genres to thrive in the medium. For those eager to delve into a world where tough characters create their own rules and live by their own code, we've curated a list of the best mafia movies of all time.

Organized crime, a hallmark of the 20th century, naturally became a prominent theme in films, mirroring the rise of mob syndicates across the nation. Legendary filmmakers like Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese became synonymous with the genre, delivering iconic portrayals of the mafia world. Other esteemed directors also ventured into this territory, often yielding exceptional results.

Our list spans from historical accounts of real-life mobsters and the law enforcement officers pursuing them to imaginative works of fiction designed to entertain and captivate. Here's our selection 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

Kicking off our list is Martin Scorsese's masterpiece, Goodfellas, which has been hailed for over three decades as one of the greatest mob movies ever made (outside of The Godfather series). This gripping film charts the rise and fall of mob associate Henry Hill, portrayed by Ray Liotta, across several decades. Based on the biography Wise Guy by Nicholas Pileggi, Goodfellas 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 audiences.

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 offers another compelling true story, this time directed by British filmmaker Mike Newell. The film plunges us into the tumultuous life of FBI agent Joe Pistone, alias "Donnie Brasco," played by Johnny Depp, as he infiltrates the Bonanno crime family. Al Pacino delivers a nuanced performance as Lefty, the seasoned enforcer who unwittingly vouches for Pistone. Adapted from Pistone's own book, Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia, the film presents a fresh take on the genre, blending cool intensity with a distinct atmosphere.

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 more contemporary addition to the genre, A Most Violent Year is a sleeper hit featuring Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain. Set in 1981, during New York City's most crime-ridden year, the film follows Abel Morales, a trucking company owner portrayed by Isaac, as he navigates the morally corrupt environment while striving to maintain his integrity. With a stellar supporting cast including David Oyelowo, Alessandro Nivola, and Albert Brooks, this thriller offers a poignant time-capsule of the era's turmoil.

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 their unique take on organized crime with Miller's Crossing. Set during the Prohibition era, this film noir-inspired drama follows Tom, an Irish mob lieutenant played by Gabriel Byrne, as he navigates a mob war. With its stylized dialogue and captivating performances, the movie not only solidified Byrne's presence in American cinema but also launched the career of John Turturro, who would later star in the Coens' 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 Goodfellas stars Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci. Based on Pileggi's non-fiction book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas, the film loosely follows the lives of real-life figures Lefty Rosenthal and Tony Spilotro. De Niro's Ace and Pesci's Nicky navigate their complex relationship from partnership to rivalry, with Sharon Stone's compelling performance as a former dancer driving a wedge between them. Despite comparisons to Goodfellas, Casino stands as a formidable epic in its own right.

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 takes us outside American cinema to Brazil, where it offers a powerful crime drama spanning several decades. Set in the Cidade De Deus suburb of Rio de Janeiro, the film depicts the rise of organized crime from the 1960s to the 1980s. Loosely based on real events, its raw authenticity is heightened by casting local non-actors from Rio's low-income neighborhoods. Directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund, City of God also inspired a successful 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 transports us to 1930s Chicago, where Eliot Ness, played by Kevin Costner, wages a relentless war against Al Capone, portrayed by Robert De Niro. With its dramatic flair and intense action, the film chronicles Ness's formation of an incorruptible team to bring down the notorious gangster. Sean Connery's Oscar-winning performance as a seasoned cop adds 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

A remake of the Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs, The Departed is set in Boston and inspired by the life of crime boss Whitey Bulger. The film follows two moles: one within the police force (Matt Damon) and the other within Bulger's gang (Leonardo DiCaprio). As they seek to unmask each other, Jack Nicholson's portrayal of the cunning Bulger adds a layer of complexity. With a strong 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 David Cronenberg for two crime films in the 2000s, including Eastern Promises. In this film, Mortensen plays a Russian mob enforcer in London, navigating the tensions between his boss, his boss's volatile son, and a midwife trying to protect a baby, played by Naomi Watts. The film is notable for its intense and memorable bathhouse fight scene.

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, is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. Based on Mario Puzo's novel, it shattered box office records and became the highest-grossing film of 1972. With an iconic cast including Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, and Diane Keaton, the film follows the Corleone family's dynamics under patriarch Vito Corleone and the transformation of his son Michael into a ruthless mob leader.

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 not only continues the story of Michael Corleone, now the Don, but also delves into the backstory of his father, Vito, portrayed by Robert De Niro. This dual narrative explores Michael's struggles with betrayal and Vito's rise from a Sicilian immigrant to a powerful mafia boss. With a stellar cast including Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, and John Cazale, this film is often considered a masterpiece in its own right.

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, blends unlikely elements into a compelling mobster narrative. Tom Hanks plays Michael Sullivan, an Irish mob enforcer who goes on the run with his son after their family is targeted by his boss's jealous son, played by Daniel Craig. Directed by Sam Mendes, the film combines elements of a revenge story and a father-son road trip, delivering a visually stunning and emotionally charged tale.

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

Inspired by the rise of Al Capone, Howard Hawks's Scarface is a landmark in early cinema. Despite battling censors, the film showcases Paul Muni as Tony Camonte, a gangster who ascends through the ranks of the Chicago mob. Its stylish visuals and intense violence have secured its place as a timeless classic, appreciated by Capone himself.

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, brings together genre heavyweights Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci for a story about a truck driver turned hitman and his involvement with the mob and Teamster Jimmy Hoffa. Based on the book I Heard You Paint Houses, the film explores the less glamorous side of mafia life, focusing on themes of regret and loneliness. With additional performances by Bobby Cannavale, Anna Paquin, Jesse Plemons, and Harvey Keitel, 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 focuses on the criminal empire of Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas, portrayed by Denzel Washington, and the efforts of Newark Detective Richie Roberts, played by Russell Crowe, to bring him down. With strong performances from its leads and a supporting cast including Josh Brolin, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Ruby Dee, Ted Levine, and Cuba Gooding Jr., the film offers a gripping and intelligent portrayal of organized crime.

What's the best mafia movie of all time? ----------------------------------------

The GodfatherThe DepartedAmerican GangsterThe Godfather Part 2The IrishmanCasinoDonnie BrascoGoodfellasA Most Violent YearEastern PromisesMiller's CrossingCity of GodScarface (1932)The Untouchables (1987)Road to PerditionSomething else (let us know in the comments!)

AnswerSee ResultsThose are our picks of the best mafia movies ever – in no particular order. Did your favorite make the cut? If not, rather than leaving a horse head in our bed, let us know your top picks in the comments.