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35 Best Mafia Movies to Watch   

Mafia Movies are entertaining. Whether fictional or screenplays adapted from real-life stories of reformed thugs or retired police officers, people just love watching them and Hollywood knows this. 

Over the years, so many movies with storylines revolving around criminal gangs have been released. Here are the 35 best mafia movies to watch. 

1. The Irishman 

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The Irishman is a 2019 epic gangster movie with a very interesting cast of legendary actors like Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, and Harvey Keitel among others. The film is based on a true story from a book titled “I heard you paint houses”. The title is a mob code meaning, I heard you kill people, the “paint” being the blood that splatters on the walls, floor, and ceiling when a person gets shot.  

Frank Sheeran is an Irish American World War II veteran who is in a nursing home. He narrates his past life after leaving the army and getting a job as a truck driver. He is also a hitman on call, working for mafias.

Read about Robert De Niro Here.

2. Scarface 

Scarface is one of the greatest gangster films ever made. The movie was released in 1983 as a remake of a previous 1932 one with the same title. It is based on the 1929 novel that tells the story of Cuban refugee Tony Montana, who arrives in Miami as a refugee without any money. 

He sets up a cocaine-selling business and uses his profits to build a multi-million-dollar empire. He also constructs a large, heavily guarded estate and becomes a powerful and dangerous drug lord. It is a watch! 

3. Safe 

Actor Jason Statham. Photo By Georges Biard –

Safe is a 2012 action thriller movie that stars Jason Statham, famous for his role in the movie 鈥楾he Transporter’. In this one, he plays Luke Wright, an ex-cop and a black ops hitman for the government plus a former cage fighter. 

His role is to protect a gifted child who is being chased by the Russian mafia, Chinese Triads, and corrupt New York City police. Watch it to see how it goes. 

4. Gangs Of New York 

Gangs of New York is a 2002 epic historical drama film that is based on Herbert Asbury’s 1927 book with the same title. The movie is set in 1846 when two gangs engage in a battle to determine who will control the territory.  

One gang is the Protestant Confederation of American Natives that is led by William “Bill the Butcher” Cutting, and the other is the Irish Catholic immigrant Dead Rabbits, led by “Priest” Vallon. Watch the movie to see the long-running Catholic and Protestant differences in opinion turn into violence.  

5. Black Mass  

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Black Mass is a crime movie based on the book 鈥楤lack Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob鈥�. It was released in 2015 and it is a story that focuses on a famous American crime boss Whitey Bulger. 

Whitey led the Winter Hill Gang of Somerville, Massachusetts, and the larger Boston area. It is an interesting story of how he eliminates his rivals by snitching on them to the FBI in exchange for his gang’s protection. Watch and see how the story goes. 

6. American Gangster  

American Gangster is a 2007 Mafia movie that is fictionally based on the criminal activities of Frank Lucas. He smuggles heroin into the United States on service planes returning from the Vietnam War, through the coffins of dead servicemen. 

After Frank is arrested, he cuts a leniency deal by exposing corrupt police officers. He provides evidence that leads to three-quarters of the New York DEA and many NYPD officers being arrested and convicted. This is an interesting movie that you should watch. 

7. The Departed 

The Departed is another mafia film that is based on the true story of Whitey Bulger just like Blass Mass. It was released in 2006 and is a remake of the 2002 Hong Kong film, Infernal Affairs.

The Boston Winter Hill Gang is selling stolen computer microprocessors to some Hong Kong Mafia. Watch it to see what the gang鈥檚 fate is. 

8. Casino 

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Casino is a crime film that was released in 1995. It is the story of a sports handicapper sent by the Chicago Mafia to Las Vegas to run a Casino. He quickly doubles the casino’s profits, with cash skimmed directly from the count room and delivered to the Midwest Mafia bosses.  

How sustainable are the tricks used? Watch this mafia movie to find out. 

9. Legend 

This crime movie was released in 2015. It is the story of twin brothers, one is a former boxer and the other is a paranoid schizophrenia patient. They become an important part of the criminal underground in London, controlling a large part of London’s criminal activities.

They are in charge of a local nightclub, using extortion and brutal violence. Watch to see how it goes. 

10. The Godfather  

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The Godfather is a 1972 crime movie, regarded as one of the greatest and most influential films ever made in the gangster genre. It was the first movie in a sequel with The Godfather Part II  released in 1974 and The Godfather Part III in 1990. 

The movie is based on Mario Puzo’s novel of the same name, and it focuses on the powerful Italian-American crime family of Don Vito Corleone. When the don’s youngest son, Michael, reluctantly joins the Mafia, he becomes involved in the inevitable cycle of violence and betrayal. Will he maintain a normal relationship with his wife or be drawn deeper into the family business? 

11. GoodFellas 

GoodFellas is a 1990 mafia movie that is an adaptation of the 1985 nonfiction book known as Wiseguy by Pileggi. It narrates the rise and fall of mob associate Henry Hill and his friends and family.

Henry is attracted by the criminal life and Mafia presence in his working-class Italian-American neighborhood in Brooklyn.  It is a violent, tense, and pessimistic film because no one gets a happy ending.  

12. The Untouchables 

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The Untouchables is a 1987 mob movie that is loosely based on a book of the same title. It is the story of Al Capone(Scarface) who controlled most of Chicago. Scarface had an illegal liquor business but always bribed his way out of any legal issues. That is until an Italian-American trainee who still believes in law enforcement is assigned to work on the case because of his superior marksmanship and integrity.

The law enforcer is joined by another and they successfully raid a Capone liquor warehouse, and the media labels them “The Untouchables”. Will they survive going against scarface? Watch the movie to find out. 

13. Infernal Affairs 

Infernal Affairs is a 2002 Hong Kong action thriller mafia movie. It follows an undercover Hong Kong Police officer who infiltrates a Triad and another officer who is secretly a spy for the same Triad.

Each is assigned to flush out the other, leading to escalating tension and identity crises all around.  It is the first movie in the Infernal Affairs series and is followed by Infernal Affairs II and Infernal Affairs III.   

14. The Bronx Tale  

The Bronx Tale is a 1993 crime movie that is the coming-of-age story of an Italian-American boy, Calogero, who, after encountering a local Mafia boss, is torn between the temptations of organized crime and the values of his honest, hardworking father, as well as racial tensions in his community.

Will the boy’s father approve of his friendship with a mafia boss? Watch this interesting movie to find out. 

15. Pulp Fiction 

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Pulp Fiction is a 1994 movie about crime in Los Angeles, California. The lives of two mob hitmen, a boxer, a gangster and his wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption.  

Pulp Fiction’s narrative is told out of chronological order and the three main interrelated stories have three protagonists, one for each story.

16. Donnie Brasco 

This is an interesting movie that was released in 1997. It is the story of an FBI undercover agent, Donnie, who infiltrates the mob and finds himself identifying more with the mafia life, at the expense of his regular one. 

The agent is forced to behave like a criminal as he gains the trust of the Mafia hitman, Lefty, who trusts him and introduces him to the other mafias, getting him deeper into the criminal organization. 

This movie made it to our 4 must-watch Johnny Depp mob movies list.

17. Once Upon A Time In Mexico 

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Once Upon a Time in Mexico is a 2003 movie in which Sheldon Sands, a CIA agent who plays both sides, hires El Mariachi to kill a corrupt general responsible for the death of the hitman’s wife and daughter.  

The corrupt general is a Mexican Army officer who has been hired by A Mexican drug lord and Mafia leader to assassinate the President of Mexico and overthrow the government. There is mistrust and betrayal as is the norm with mob movies. 

18. Blow 

Blow is a crime movie that is based on a book titled 鈥楤low: How a Small Town Boy Made $100 Million with the Medell铆n Cocaine Cartel and Lost It All鈥�. It is the story of a gangster that has connections with mafias like narcotics kings Pablo Escobar and Carlos Lehder Rivas (Diego Delgado), and the Medell铆n Cartel.  

The story starts from when he is 10 years old to when he is aged. He has been in and out of prison several times, ruining his family and having many other issues. In the end, he only has one regret. Watch the film to find out. 

19. Public Enemies  

Public Enemies is a 2009 American biographical crime drama film that is set during the Great Depression. The film chronicles the final years of the notorious bank robber John Dillinger as he is pursued by FBI agent Melvin Purvis who wants to arrest him together with his associates and fellow criminals.  

20. The Lone Ranger 

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The Lone Ranger is a 2013 movie that starts with a San Francisco funfair. A boy named Will who idolizes the legendary Lone Ranger encounters the elderly Comanche Tonto, who proceeds to recount his experiences with the Old West adventurer. It is an interesting movie to watch. 

21. Once Upon A Time In America  

Once Upon a Time in America was released in 1984 and is a story of Jewish gangsters in New York City’s world of organized crime. The film explores themes of childhood friendships, love, lust, greed, betrayal, loss, and broken relationships.

The Jewish gangster returns to the Lower East Side of Manhattan 35 years later, where he must once again confront the ghosts and regrets of his old life. 

22. Killing Them Softly  

Killing Them Softly is a 2012 crime movie. It is a story that follows Jackie Cogan, a hitman who is hired to deal with the aftermath of a Mafia poker game robbery that ruptured the criminal economy.

The events are set during the 2008 United States presidential election and financial crisis. “Killing them softly” in this mafia movie means shooting his victims from a distance, without warning, giving them no opportunity to experience fear or despair. You should watch this very interesting movie.

23. Black Souls 

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Black Souls movie was released in 2014. It is the story of brothers who choose different paths in life. Their father was in a gang and one of his sons is a drug dealer who hopes to one day avenge his dad鈥檚 death.

Watch this movie to see how each brother is affected by the path their father chooses.  

24. Run All Night  

Run All Night is a 2015 mafia film that follows an ex-Irish Mob hitman who goes on the run with his estranged adult son after he is forced to kill the son of a mobster boss. The x-Irish Mob hitman has become an angry drunk. 

His son Michael ‘Mike’ Conlon, a chauffeur and retired professional boxer who mentors at-risk kids at the local gym, is disgusted by his father’s actions and refuses to call him “Dad” or involve him in the lives of his daughters. Watch the movie to know how the story goes. 

25. Layer Cake  

Layer Cake is a 2004 crime movie that is adapted from a novel with the same title. The film’s plot revolves around a London-based criminal who works in the cocaine trade and wishes to leave the drug business.

With the kind of scheming and betrayal that goes on in the mafia world, will he get out alive? Watch and find out. 

26. Eastern Promises 

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Eastern Promises is a 2007 gangster film. It is about a Russian-British midwife who delivers the baby of a drug-addicted 14-year-old Russian prostitute who dies during childbirth. The midwife learns that the teen was forced into prostitution by the Russian Mafia in London.

The leader of the Russian gangsters threatens the baby’s life and warns the midwife not to interfere. This movie tackles the subject of sex trafficking and violence. Did you know Russian career criminals have tattoos that indicate their crimes and criminal status? Watch this movie to learn more.

27. American Hustle  

The 2013 crime movie is about two con artists that are working together. The two have improved their scams but that is until an FBI agent nabs them and forces them to set up an elaborate sting operation.

The elaborate plan is to catch corrupt politicians, including the mayor of Camden, New Jersey. It is an interesting one that has the mob looking for con artists. 

28. Boyz N the Hood  

Boyz n the Hood was released in 1991. The movie is about a young boy who lives with his mum but gets in trouble in school. She sends him to go and live with his father in South Central Los Angeles, a neighborhood that is surrounded by the booming gang culture.   

Will he be influenced into joining the gangs? Watch and find out. 

29. Miller’s Crossing  

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Miller’s Crossing is a 1990 gangster film about a power struggle between two rival gangs. Trouble starts when one party extends protection to the others鈥� enemies. The protagonist plays both sides against each other, setting off a mob war. Will he end up as the boss or will his plan backfire on him?

30. The Highwaymen

The Highwaymen is a 2019 crime thriller film. It tells the story of two former Texas Rangers who attempt to track down and apprehend the famous notorious criminals Bonnie and Clyde in the 1930s. After being on the run for two years, the criminals help several associates to break out of Texas’ Eastham Prison Farm.

A manhunt for the fugitive gang follows. Watch to see how the two were apprehended.

31. The Kitchen 

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The Kitchen is a 2019 American crime movie that tells the story of the wives of Irish American mobsters who take over organized crime operations in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen after the FBI arrests their husbands.   

Will the wives run the criminal empire and expand their territory or will they lose to other gangs? 

32. King Of New York  

King of New York is a mafia movie that was released in 1990. It is the story of a New York City drug kingpin rebuilding his criminal empire after his release from prison, while also attempting to go legitimate.  

The drug lord strives to control New York City’s criminal underground. Shortly after his release from prison, he and his gang consolidate power by eliminating their rivals in the Columbian drug cartel and Triad.  

33. Keanu

Keanu is a 2016 action and comedy film. Assassins the “Allentown Brothers”, enter a Mexican cartel’s drug-processing facility and kill everyone, including the boss, King Diaz. They try to take Diaz’s kitten Iglesias, but the kitten escapes.

A guy who is going through a breakup finds the kitten on his doorstep and names it Keanu. Two weeks later, He and his cousin come home from seeing a movie to find Rell鈥檚 place ransacked and Keanu missing. The cousins infiltrate a gang to try and get back their stolen kitten.

34. Nobody

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Nobody is a 2021 American action thriller film. It is the story of an ordinary guy with a normal life, having two children with his wife and an unremarkable office job in his father-in-law’s metal fabrication company. His marriage is strained, and his working life seems tedious.

One night, an armed man and woman break into his house, triggering his return to his dangerous former life and making him the target of a vengeful crime lord. He is a former assassin employed by intelligence agencies.

35. Mob Town  

Mob Town is a 2019 crime film Based on the true story of a New York State Trooper who investigates a gathering of high-profile mobsters in his small town of Apalachin, New York.  

The Apalachin meeting was planned by the boss of the Luciano crime family after he decided to consolidate power and announce to the underworld that it was his time to be Capo Dei Capi, 鈥渢he boss of bosses.鈥� 

These are the movies that made it to our mafia list. Check out the 20 best cold war movies and also the 30 best comedy movies to watch.