Critics haveaccused many films of romanticizing crimeand turning crooks into honorable men.
But this has never been the intention.
Theres aninclination toward greedand violence lurking just below the surface of all human beings.
And what better way to explore those impulses than through watching a mobster flick?
The kind where things get bloody, and someone ends up in the dirt.
Thats why weve assembled this list of the best gangster movies ever made for your viewing pleasure.
It follows a mafia family and sees them turn from small-time gangsters to powerful and ruthless tycoons.
It is immediately evident that he is not the same as his father;he is much more ruthless!
The movie tells two stories at once.
One thread follows Michael as he turns away from his family and becomes the new Don Corleone.
The other thread follows his father, Don Vito back in the old country.
Henry lives across the street from a popular mafia hangout joint.
With their suave suits and sleek cars, they are the embodiment of everything Henry wants to be.
He starts skipping school so he can run errands for the mobsters.
It is not long before he starts doing serious crimes and living the good life.
Its a story of drugs, gangs, violence, broken families, absent fathers, and corrupt institutions.
We follow Tre as he struggles to mature into adulthood.
He fears becoming a product of his environment.
However, he isnt sure how to avoid it.
The film is littered with symbolism and metaphors.
These transform it from a generic coming-of-age story into a powerful social commentary on the state of black America.
5.The Departed(2006)
The Departedis an American crime drama directed by Martin Scorsese.
It stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Jack Nicholson.
The film takes place in Boston, where it pits two rats against each other.
Colin Sullivan (Damon) is a gangster acting as a mole within the Massachusetts State Police.
While both are attempting to complete their respective missions, neither is aware of the others identity.
Scorsese won the Academy Award for Best Director.
It was also nominated for four other Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
With this new way of smuggling, he was able to undercut the prices of his competitors.
Consequently, Lucas soon became one of the most successful crime bosses in America.
Meanwhile, Russell Crowe, as Detective Richie Roberts starts tracking Lucas to take down his heroin empire.
However, it doesnt help that Frank has almost the entire police force in his pockets.
Will Detective Roberts prevail?
Watch and find out!
The film follows a Cuban immigrant who finds opportunity in crime selling cocaine.
Tony eventually finds himself in the middle of a gang war as his past comes back to haunt him.
Critics throughout the years have rightly praised the films cinematography, score, and screenplay.
They fight, drink together, and party hard.
However, Max betrays Noodles by going after his girlfriend.
Meanwhile, federal agents are closing in on the gangsters.
However, this flick does not focus on the infamous mobster.
In those days, these men would kill as needed and without thinking too much of it.
But as time goes on, they realize that some discretion is required.
At first glance, one might think this movie is about Sheeran or his associates, but its not.
This movie covers the mafia from roughly 1960 to 1980.
The Irishman feels like a very typical Scorsese film.
Reservoir Dogsis thought to be one of the most iconic films in the Crime genre.
Along withPulp Fiction, they are considered some of Tarantinos best work.
His unique filmmaking style gives this movie its own identity in a genre full of classics.
It is based on the Japanese manga of the same name.
In this movie, vengeance is a central theme in Gang-Soos life.
The single-shot corridor fight scene is absolutely legendarya must-see for action enthusiasts and film nerds alike.
However, his past catches up with him.
The film was a critical and commercial success.
It saw to Al receiving his third Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of Carlito Brigante.
14.City of God(2004)
City of Godis one of the most powerful films ever made.
It is a documentary-style account of life in Rios biggest slum, the titular City of God.
They kill people with the same casualness that others go to the movies.
The setting is Rio de Janeiro in the 1960s through 1970s.
15.Casino(1995)
Casinois arguably the most definitive mobster film from Martin Scorsese.
(Due to their rawness, watching gangster movies makes for a surprisinglygood date idea, as well.)
How far would you go?
What lines would be drawn for yourself?
Whats your favorite mobster movie?Did we miss any of the classics in your opinion?
Or, got a mob flick that you consider criminally underrated?
Shoot us a comment below.