Top 15 Mafia Movies Ever Ranked

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 captivated audiences since before the advent of cinema, and as soon as moving pictures emerged, they became one of the first genres to gain traction. For those eager to delve into a world of steely characters who craft their own rules 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 found its way into films, paralleling the growth of mob syndicates across the country. Legendary filmmakers like Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese have become synonymous with the genre, delivering iconic portrayals of the mafia. Other acclaimed directors have also ventured into this territory, often yielding remarkable results.

Our list below encompasses a range of narratives, from historical accounts of real-life mobsters and the law enforcement officers pursuing them, to entirely fictional works designed to entertain and enthrall. Discover our selection of the 15 best mafia movies ever, presented in no particular order.

The 15 Best Mafia Movies

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Goodfellas (1990)

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 with Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas, a film that has been a top contender for the best mob movie for over 30 years (or at least the best non-Godfather mob movie). Headlined by Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, and Joe Pesci, who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar, this film offers a riveting, blood-soaked look at the rise and fall of mob associate Henry Hill (Liotta) over the course of decades. Based on the biography Wise Guy by Nicholas Pileggi, Goodfellas showcases some of the finest work by all involved, leveraging Scorsese and De Niro's iconic status to elevate Liotta and Pesci into "made men."

Donnie Brasco (1997)

Director: 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

Another true mafia tale, Donnie Brasco, directed by British filmmaker Mike Newell, immerses us in the chaotic life of an FBI agent deeply embedded in the Bonanno crime family. Johnny Depp portrays Agent Pistone, known in the underworld as "Donnie Brasco," while Al Pacino delivers a nuanced performance as the aging enforcer Lefty, who unwittingly brings Pistone into the fold. Based on Pistone's own autobiography, Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia, the film offers a cool and compelling narrative, distinct from most other mob films.

A Most Violent Year (2014)

Director: 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 recent and somewhat under-the-radar entry, A Most Violent Year stars Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain. Like Donnie Brasco, it features a protagonist adjacent to the mob, with Isaac playing Abel Morales, a trucking company owner navigating the corrupt and chaotic landscape of New York City during its most crime-ridden year, 1981. Abel strives to maintain his moral compass in an inherently immoral business. A Most Violent Year, also starring David Oyelowo, Alessandro Nivola, and Albert Brooks, is a thought-provoking thriller that captures the essence of a turbulent era.

Miller's Crossing (1990)

Director: 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 a unique take on organized crime with Miller's Crossing. Set during the Prohibition era, this film offers a stylized, film noir-inspired look at the Irish mob, focusing on the angsty lieutenant Tom (Gabriel Byrne) who navigates a mafia war from both sides. With its heightened dialogue, stylish sequences, and compelling performances, Miller's Crossing helped elevate Byrne's career and launched the next star in the Coens' upcoming film, Barton Fink. Albert Finney, Marcia Gay Harden, and Steve Buscemi also star.

Casino (1995)

Director: 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 the nonfiction book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas by Nicholas Pileggi, the film loosely portrays real-life figures, with De Niro's character Ace inspired by casino owner Lefty Rosenthal and Pesci's Nicky by enforcer Tony Spilotro. Casino is an epic tale of partnership turned rivalry, with Sharon Stone's performance as a former dancer earning an Oscar nomination. Despite being Scorsese's follow-up to Goodfellas, Casino stands tall on its own merit.

City of God (2002)

Director: 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 beyond American cinema, City of God is a powerful Brazilian crime drama that spans decades, depicting the rise of organized crime in the Cidade De Deus suburb of Rio de Janeiro 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 its use of non-professional actors from local low-income neighborhoods. Directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund, City of God also inspired a spin-off TV series, City of Men, and its subsequent film adaptation.

The Untouchables (1987)

Director: 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

The crowd-pleasing, slightly comic-bookish The Untouchables by Brian De Palma transports us to 1930s Chicago, where Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner) leads a violent campaign against notorious gangster Al Capone (Robert De Niro). With its unsubtle approach, this film showcases Ness assembling his team of incorruptible lawmen, the "untouchables," to take down the seemingly invincible Capone. Sean Connery's portrayal of a veteran police officer earned him the Best Supporting Actor Oscar.

The Departed (2006)

Director: 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 2002 Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs, Martin Scorsese's The Departed is set in Boston and draws inspiration from real-life crime boss Whitey Bulger. The film follows two cops from opposite sides of the law—one rising in the force as a mole for Bulger (Matt Damon) and the other working undercover within Bulger's ranks (Leonardo DiCaprio). As both try to uncover the other's identity, Bulger (Jack Nicholson) remains steps ahead. With its complex ensemble, The Departed is a gripping film filled with tension, heart, and humor. The cast also includes Vera Farmiga, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Alec Baldwin, and Ray Winstone.