We all sometimes want to watch a movie about bad guys who don’t play by the rules. These guys live in a world where power and money are the only things that matter. Well, we conducted a survey of our readers to find out which gangster movies they think are the best to watch. Here is the list which is based on their most popular answers.
1.The Godfather
Drama, crime.
USA, 1972.
Duration: 175 minutes.
IMDb: 9.2.
In March 1972, the premiere of the film by the young American director with Italian roots Francis Ford Coppola "The Godfather" took place in the USA. The crime drama based on the novel of the same name by Mario Puzo immediately became a sensation - with a relatively small budget of $6 million, the film collected $268.5 million at the box office, received the title of the highest-grossing film in the history of American cinema (at that time) and soon began to be considered the greatest gangster saga of all time and people. This has not changed today.
Coppola has been accused of romanticizing crime more than once, because young people really do have something to be tempted by when they look at such bandits. The gangsters there are not just thugs with blood on their hands, but people with their own principles and even strict morals.
This film has had a huge impact on world culture. You can find references to the film The Godfather in various modern songs, videos. You can even play online casino games based on the film at bookies without GamStop.
2. Once Upon a Time in America
Drama, crime.
USA, 1983.
Duration: 229 minutes.
IMDb: 8.4.
In the Roaring Twenties America enjoyed the sounds of jazz and every drifter dreamed of becoming a millionaire. A group of desperate men met in the slums of New York. They became the kings of the criminal underworld during the golden era of Prohibition. How? They eliminated rivals, mercilessly punished traitors, and masterminded clever heists. Friendship, duty, and justice were their guiding principles, and they swore to give their lives for one another. Many years later, the legendary gangsters found themselves in a situation where they had to fulfill their oath. It all happened once in America...
3. The Untouchables
Drama, crime, history.
USA, 1987.
Duration: 119 minutes.
IMDb: 7.9.
Various gangs are involved in smuggling large quantities of alcohol. The problem is most severe in Chicago. The gang leader Al Capone (Robert De Niro) controls almost the entire city and sells low-quality alcohol at high prices. The plot revolves around the police's battle against the king of the criminal underworld, the infamous gangster Al Capone. As we know, he was ultimately imprisoned for tax evasion.
4. A Bronx Tale
Drama, crime.
USA, 1993.
Duration: 121 minutes.
IMDb: 7.8.
Bronx mob kingpin Sonny killed a man. In broad daylight, he pulled out a gun and fired several times. The police learned that 9-year-old Calogero had witnessed the crime, and they questioned the boy. But Calogero didn't rat out Sonny. That’s how their friendship began. As Calogero grew up, he not only witnessed more of his boss’s violent deeds but also found himself on the brink of ruin.
What makes the plot of "A Bronx Tale" interesting is that the mafia is not shown through the eyes of the mafia itself or the feds opposing them, as we are used to. The story is shown through the eyes of a young boy who looks up to a local crime boss, while his dad tries to keep him away from a life of crime.
5.The Departed
Drama, crime, thriller.
USA, 2006.
Duration: 151 minutes.
IMDb: 8.5.
Two top police academy graduates find themselves on opposite sides of the barricade: one is a mafia agent within law enforcement, the other is a mole embedded in the mafia. Each considers it their duty to find and eliminate the other. "The Departed" is a modern take on the classic undercover cop vs. gangster narrative.The movie has a super famous cast with big names like Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Jack Nicholson.
6. Miller’s Crossing
Drama, crime.
USA, 1990.
Duration: 115 minutes.
IMDb: 7.7.
During Prohibition, Tom Reagan was the right-hand man of Irish mob boss Leo O'Bannon, who was in a rivalry with Italian mob boss Johnny Kaspar. Kaspar wanted to kill bookmaker Bernie Bernbaum, but Leo offered to protect him, and that led to a mob war. This is the Coen brothers' third major film, and they are truly masters of cinematography. It's beautifully shot, extremely violent, and features some of the best actors around.
7. Scarface
Drama, crime.
USA, 1983.
Duration: 170 minutes.
IMDb: 8.3.
In the spring of 1980, Mariel Harbor opened, and thousands of Cuban refugees poured into the United States in search of the American Dream. One of them found it on the sun-drenched streets of Miami. Wealth, power, and passion surpassed even his wildest dreams. His name was Tony Montana. The world remembered him by another name: Scarface.
This film has the second highest number of swear words of any film, with a swear word used once every 30 seconds, along with every curse word known to man.
8. Carlito's Way
Drama, crime.
USA, 1993.
Duration: 144 minutes.
IMDb: 7.9.
The 1970s. Big-time drug dealer Carlito Brigante gets out of prison after serving five years. He returns to New York's Spanish Quarter and wants to leave the crime world behind to live an honest life with his girlfriend. But his criminal past and his close friend, lawyer Kleinfeld, pull Carlito back into trouble.The story is a well-told tale about an anti-hero with his own way of seeing the world and a personal code of honor.This is definitely not a film for children or impressionable teenagers as its violent images are gruesome and horrific.
And if you haven’t watched the movies from this suggested list yet, don’t waste any time. Grab some popcorn, invite friends, and watch them. These are awesome gangster movies that are worth watching and talking about afterward.