Subscribe to ListverseTop 20 Best Gangster Movies
- Published September 18, 2007 - 289 Comments
The gangster genre is one of the most popular in modern movies and some of the best film directors alive have produced some incredible ganster movies. In fact, on the Internet Movie Database, the number 1 ranked movie is the Godfather – out of all genres. Because there are so many great gangster films out there, this was a tough list to put together. Nevertheless, I have managed to round up what I consider to be the 20 greatest gangster movies of all time. As usual, if you don’t agree with my selections or ordering, post a comment and let us all know. So, without further ado, from good to amazing, here are the top 20 gangster movies of all time.
20. Road to Perdition Sam Mendes, 2002 Amazon
Mike Sullivan works as a hit man for crime boss John Rooney. Sullivan views Rooney as a father figure. However after his son is witness to a killing he has done Mike Sullivan finds him self on the run trying to save the life of his son and at the same time looking for revenge on those who wronged him. Jude Law co stars as a hit man hired to kill Sullivan.
Memorable Line: John Rooney: What men do after work is what made us rich. No need to screw them at work as well.
19. Donnie Brasco Mike Newell, 1997 Amazon
This true story follows FBI agent Joe Pistone as he infiltrates the mafia of New York. Befriending Lefty Ruggiero, Pistone (under the name Donnie Brasco) is able to embed himself in a mafia faction lead by Sonny Black. Ruggiero and Pistone become tight as the group goes about collecting money for ‘the bosses’. Eventually, the group become big time when Black himself becomes a boss, all the while Pistone collects evidence. However, the trials and tribulations of the undercover work become more than Pistone can bear. His marriage falls apart and to top it off, the mafia suspect a mole in the organization. The real dilemma is afforded to Pistone, who knows if he walks away from the mafia, Ruggiero will be the one punished.
Memorable Line: Lefty: How many times have I had you in my house? If you’re a rat, then I’m the biggest mutt in the history of the Mafia.
18. Miller’s Crossing Coen Brothers, 1990 Amazon
A highly styled ‘genre’ film which can perhaps be seen as a pastiche of all gangster movies. Tom Reagan is the laconic anti-hero of this amoral tale which is also, paradoxically, a look at morals within the criminal underworld of the 1930s. Two rival gangs vie for control of a city where the police are pawns, and the periodic busts of illicit drinking establishments are no more than a way for one gang to get back at the other. Black humour and shocking violence compete for screen time as we question whether or not Tom, right-hand man of the Irish mob leader, really has a heart.
Memorable Line: Tom Reagan: If you want me to keep my mouth shut, it’s gonna cost you some dough. I figure a thousand bucks is reasonable, so I want two.
17. The Untouchables Brian De Palma, 1987
1920’s prohibition Chicago is corrupt from the judges downward. So in going up against Al Capone, Treasury agent Eliot Ness picks just two cops to help him and his accountant colleague. One is a sharp-shooting rookie, the other a seen-it-all beat man. The four of them are ready to battle Capone and his empire, but it could just be that guns are not the best way to get him.
Memorable Line: Capone: I want you to get this fuck where he breathes! I want you to find this nancy-boy Eliot Ness, I want him DEAD! I want his family DEAD! I want his house burned to the GROUND! I wanna go there in the middle of the night and I wanna PISS ON HIS ASHES!
16. The Departed Martin Scorsese, 2006 Amazon
In South Boston, the state police force is waging war on Irish-American organized crime. Young undercover cop Billy Costigan is assigned to infiltrate the mob syndicate run by gangland chief Frank Costello. While Billy quickly gains Costello’s confidence, Colin Sullivan, a hardened young criminal who has infiltrated the state police as an informer for the syndicate, is rising to a position of power in the Special Investigation Unit. Each man becomes deeply consumed by his double life, gathering information about the plans and counter-plans of the operations he has penetrated. But when it becomes clear to both the mob and the police that there’s a mole in their midst, Billy and Colin are suddenly in danger of being caught and exposed to the enemy-and each must race to uncover the identity of the other man in time to save himself. But is either willing to turn on the friends and comrades they’ve made during their long stints undercover?
Memorable Line: Dignam: My theory on Feds is that they’re like mushrooms, feed ‘em shit and keep ‘em in the dark.
15. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels Guy Ritchie, 1998 Amazon
Four Cockney wide-boys are tricked into owing 500,000 nicker to the local gang-land boss and porn king, ‘Hatchet’ Harry Lonsdale. With the very real threat of finger amputation looming over them the lads come up with a plan to nick the cash from their next-door neighbours: a gang of hardcase drug-dealers… Meanwhile, ‘Hatchet’ ain’t none too pleased when a pair of antique shotguns wot he wants are sold on by a pair of Scouse thieves, to be used in a “job”… The involvement of a conscientious debt-collector, some public school “chemists”, a psychotic hash-baron, a lot of guns and knives, ensures that karma is surrealistically resolved (just!) before the end credits roll
Memorable Line: Eddie: Err, bad breath, colorful language, feather duster… what do you think they’re gonna be armed with? Guns, you tit!
14. Mean Streets Martin Scorsese, 1973
In a series of character-led incidents set against the background of New York City’s Little Italy, we follow the life of Charlie, a small-time member of the wiseguy community who collects protection money. His friends Tony and Michael are part of the community, but his other friend Johnny Boy is unreliable and therefore must be shunned. Charlie’s secret girlfriend Teresa has epilepsy, and so must also be shunned. When Charlie’s uncle Giovanni offers him a restaurant – the first step up the ladder – Charlie is forced to choose between his desire for power, his love for Teresa and his duty to protect his friend Johnny Boy.
Memorable Line: Martin Scorsese: You don’t make up for your sins in church. You do it in the streets. You do it at home. The rest is bullshit and you know it.
13. Casino Martin Scorsese, 1995 Amazon
This Martin Scorsese film depicts the Janus-like quality of Las Vegas–it has a glittering, glamorous face, as well as a brutal, cruel one. Ace Rothstein and Nicky Santoro, mobsters who move to Las Vegas to make their mark, live and work in this paradoxical world. Seen through their eyes, each as a foil to the other, the details of mob involvement in the casinos of the 1970’s and ’80’s are revealed. Ace is the smooth operator of the Tangiers casino, while Nicky is his boyhood friend and tough strongman, robbing and shaking down the locals. However, they each have a tragic flaw–Ace falls in love with a hustler, Ginger, and Nicky falls into an ever-deepening spiral of drugs and violence.
Memorable Line: Ace Rothstein: No matter how big a guy might be, Nicky would take him on. You beat Nicky with fists, he comes back with a bat. You beat him with a knife, he comes back with a gun. And you beat him with a gun, you better kill him, because he’ll keep comin’ back and back until one of you is dead.
12. Snatch Guy Ritchie, 2000 Amazon
Turkish, an unlicenced boxing promoter is pulled into trouble when he becomes involved in big time criminal Brick Top, who wants him to arrange a fight and fix it. Meanwhile, a diamond theft goes down but the 84 karat stone goes missing. This leads Avi, the boss who was supposed to receive the stone, to come to England to search for it, with the help of his cousin, Doug The Head and Bullet Tooth Tony. As events twist and turn, the two situations blend into one with a chain reaction of events carrying on for each and every character.
Memorable Line: Sol: You ain’t from this planet are you, Vincent? Who is gonna mug two black fellas, holding pistols, sat in a car that is worth less than your shirt?
11. Reservoir Dogs Quentin Tarantino, 1992 Amazon
They were six strangers, assembled to pull off the perfect crime: Mr. White, a professional criminal; Mr. Orange, a young newcomer; Mr. Blonde, a trigger-happy killer; Mr. Pink, a paranoid neurotic; Mr. Brown; and Mr. Blue. Hired by mob boss Joe Cabot and given fake names so no one could identify the others, they thought there was no way their heist could have failed. But after a police ambush, killing Mr. Brown and seriously injuring Mr. Orange, the criminals return to their rendezvous point (a warehouse), and realize that one of them had to have been a police informant. But who?
Memorable Line: Mr. Pink: I don’t tip because society says I have to. All right, if someone deserves a tip, if they really put forth an effort, I’ll give them something a little something extra. But this tipping automatically, it’s for the birds. As far as I’m concerned, they’re just doing their job.
10. White Heat Raoul Walsh, 1949 Amazon
Cody Jarrett is the sadistic leader of a ruthless gang of thieves. Afflicted by terrible headaches and fiercely devoted to his ‘Ma,’ Cody is a volatile, violent, and eccentric leader. Cody’s top henchman wants to lead the gang and attempts to have an ‘accident’ happen to Cody, while he is running the gang from in jail. But Cody is saved by an undercover cop, who thereby befriends him and infiltrates the gang. Finally, the stage is set for Cody’s ultimate betrayal and downfall, during a big heist at a chemical plant.
Memorable Line: Cody Jarrett: Made it, Ma! Top of the world!
9. Carlito’s Way Brian De Palma, 1993
Carlito has just gotten out of prison due to technicalities with the help of his sleazy lawyer. After a life spent trafficking heroin he decides not to pursue the life of the streets. He buys into a night club and begins saving money to move to the Bahamas, but his presence as a known player makes it inevitable that he get sucked back into his violent former life.
Memorable Line: Carlito: Who the fuck are you? I should remember you? What, you think you like me? You ain’t like me motherfucker, you a punk. I’ve been with made people, connected people. Who’ve you been with? Chain snatching, jive-ass, maricon motherfuckers. Why don’t you get out of here and go snatch a purse.
8. Scarface Brian De Palma, 1983 Amazon
An update of the 1932 film, Scarface (1983) follows gangster Tony Montana and his close friend Manny Ray from their trip on the Cuban Boat Lift for refugees to their arrival in Miami. After killing a powerful Cuban figure, Montana and company gain the ability to leave their refugee camps and roam around the U.S. After unsuccessfully trying to make it legitamately in the country, Montana and Ray resort to selling cocaine to dealers around the world. Tony’s rise is quick, but as he becomes more powerful, his enemies and his own paranoia begin to plague his empire.
Memorable Line: Tony Montana: Another Quaalude, and she’ll be mine again.
7. Once upon a time in America Sergio Leone, 1984 Amazon
Epic, episodic, tale of the lives of a small group of New York City Jewish gangsters spanning over 40 years. Told mostly in flashbacks and flash-forwards, the movie centers on small-time hood David ‘Noodles’ Aaronson and his lifelong partners in crime; Max, Cockeye and Patsy and their friends from growing up in the rough Jewish neighborhood of New York’s Lower East Side in the 1920s, to the last years of Prohibition in the early 1930s, and then to the late 1960s where an elderly Noodles returns to New York after many years in hiding to look into the past.
Memorable Line: Noodles: I like the stink of the streets. It cleans out my lungs. And it gives me a hard-on.
6. Du Rififi Chez les Hommes Jules Dassin, 1955
Tony Stephanois, just out of prison and angry at his girl Mado’s infidelity, decides to join his pals Jo and Mario in an ambitious crime. With Italian safe expert Cesar, they meticulously plan the burglary of a large jewelry establishment. Not a word is spoken as the crime is carried out. And then things begin to go wrong…
Memorable Line: Louise: You’re not the only one that had an unhappy childhood, there are millions like you, and, in my eyes, *they* are the tough ones, not you!
5. Pulp Fiction Quentin Tarantino, 1994 Amazon
Jules and Vincent work as hitmen for crime boss Marcellus Wallace. Wallace is currently dealing with Butch Collidge, a boxer who failed to throw a fight after taking Wallace’s money and is now planning to flee the city, but can’t leave his father’s watch behind. Vincent faces some problems of his own when Wallace asks him to show his wife Mia a good time while he’s away. Some of these people redeem themselves and some don’t, and all meet an end appropriate to their choices.
Memorable Line: Jimmie: I don’t need you to tell me how fucking good my coffee is, okay? I’m the one who buys it. I know how good it is. When Bonnie goes shopping she buys SHIT. Me, I buy the gourmet expensive stuff because when I drink it I want to taste it. But you know what’s on my mind right now? It AIN’T the coffee in my kitchen, it’s the dead nigger in my garage.
4. Mou gaan dou Wai Keung Lau, 2002
Shawn Yue plays a young police officer who has been sent undercover as a mole in the local mafia. Edison Chen plays a young mafia member who is infiltrating the police force. Years later, their older counterparts, Tony Leung and Andy Lau respectively, race against time to expose the mole within their midsts and destroy him. This is the film that lead to the Departed.
Memorable Line: Keung: Remember this, if you see someone doing something but at the same time watching you… then he is a cop.
3. Cidade de Deus Fernando Meirelles, 2002
Brazil, 1960’s, City of God. The Tender Trio robs motels and gas trucks. Younger kids watch and learn well…too well. 1970’s: Li’l Zé has prospered very well and owns the city. He causes violence and fear as he wipes out rival gangs without mercy. His best friend Bené is the only one to keep him on the good side of sanity. Rocket has watched these two gain power for years, and he wants no part of it. Yet he keeps getting swept up in the madness. All he wants to do is take pictures. 1980’s: Things are out of control between the last two remaining gangs…will it ever end? Welcome to the City of God.
Memorable Line: Rocket: What should have been swift revenge turned into an all out war. The City of God was divided. You couldn’t go from one section the other, not even to visit a relative. The cops considered anyone living in the slum a hoodlum. People got used to living in Vietnam, and more and more volunteers signed up to die.
2. Goodfellas Martin Scorsese, 1990 Amazon
The lowly, blue-collar side of New York’s Italian mafia is explored in this crime biopic of wiseguy Henry Hill. As he makes his way from strapping young petty criminal, to big-time thief, to middle-aged cocaine addict and dealer, the film explores in detail the rules and traditions of organized crime. Watching the rise and fall of Hill and his two counterparts, the slick jack-of-all-trades criminal Jimmy Conway and the brutish, intimidating Tommy DeVito, this true story realistically explores the core, blue-collar part of the mob.
Memorable Line: Henry Hill: [narrating] Anything I wanted was a phone call away. Free cars. The keys to a dozen hideout flats all over the city. I bet twenty, thirty grand over a weekend and then I’d either blow the winnings in a week or go to the sharks to pay back the bookies.
1. The Godfather Francis Ford Coppola, 1972 Amazon
This was the easiest choice for me – the Godfather has to be number 1 because it is unparalleled in this genre (and virtually all others). Vito Corleone is the aging don (head) of the Corleone Mafia Family. His youngest son Michael has returned from WWII just in time to see the wedding of Connie Corleone (Michael’s sister) to Carlo Rizzi. All of Michael’s family is involved with the Mafia, but Michael just wants to live a normal life. Drug dealer Virgil Sollozzo is looking for Mafia Families to offer him protection in exchange for a profit of the drug money. He approaches Don Corleone about it, but, much against the advice of the Don’s lawyer Tom Hagen, the Don is morally against the use of drugs, and turns down the offer. This does not please Sollozzo, who has the Don shot down by some of his hit men. The Don barely survives, which leads his son Michael to begin a violent mob war against Sollozzo and tears the Corleone family apart.
Memorable Line: Don Corleone: I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.
Bonus: Bugsy Malone Alan Parker, 1976 Amazon
I added this bonus movie so there was at least one for the kids. A gangster movie where all the gangsters are children. Instead of real bullets they use “splurge guns” that cover the victim in cream. The story tells of the rise of “Bugsy Malone” and the battle for power between “Fat Sam” and “Dandy Dan”.
Memorable Line: Dandy Dan: Okay fellas, this is our moment. Keep a cool head and keep those fingers pumpin’, ’cause remember, it’s history you’ll be writin’.
Notable Others: Sexy Beast, Get Carter
Sources: Wikipeda, IMDB, RottenTomatoes
September 18th, 2007 at 7:17 am
Mr Frater this list is so much better.
Well done!
September 18th, 2007 at 7:23 am
Travis: glad you think so
Thanks for the suggestions – I tried to take in to account the comments on the defunct post.
September 18th, 2007 at 9:20 am
much better. all is forgiven.
September 18th, 2007 at 9:58 am
I still don’t understand the absence of Godfather II. It’s as good as the original, and much superior imo to say… Reservoir Dogs.
September 18th, 2007 at 10:00 am
Still no Layercake or Sexy Beast? Meh. Well, I’m gonna go make my own list. Yeah, I’ll show you. And then my list and your list can duke it out. Maybe they can have a knife fight, with a dance number mixed in, and some song about a girl named Maria. Wait, hmm, suddenly I have an idea for my own gangster movie.
September 18th, 2007 at 10:36 am
rp: I left it off because I already included one of the set. I was implying with the inclusion of the Godfather that the trilogy was all brilliant.
Matt: hey – you can’t have everything in life! Oh – and btw, my list would whip your lists a**!!
September 18th, 2007 at 10:46 am
Oh, ok.
September 18th, 2007 at 11:12 am
A good list, but you say that you didn’t include Godfather II because Godfather covered both and still name 4 Scorsese movies. Personally I think the themes in all Scorsese’s films are all very similar (mind you I haven’t seen departed)
True Romance is an underrated Gangster movie
If you wanna see a comic strip spoof of Pulp Fiction.
Please visit http://DateStory.Net/StoryList.aspx?Story=4545580
September 19th, 2007 at 9:11 am
pretty good listthough i personally would have ordered it differently. Donnie Brasco, Road to Perdition and The Departed, in my opinion, should all be moved up. Road to Perdition is my favorite Tom Hanks movie for two reasons, it’s a role the type you never real see him play in any other movie. I think a History of Violence should get an honorable mention too. But ovewrall greatlsit
September 19th, 2007 at 9:50 am
tjgrs: Thanks
September 19th, 2007 at 10:13 pm
Cidade de Deus is the only one worth watching.
September 20th, 2007 at 8:09 am
WTF? No Usual Suspects, History of Violence or L.A. Confidential.
September 20th, 2007 at 9:04 am
Wolfe: L.A. Confidential was a gangster movie?!
September 20th, 2007 at 9:19 am
Organized crime run by the cops.
September 20th, 2007 at 9:37 am
Gee – I can only fit twenty on the list! You guys are very demanding
September 20th, 2007 at 10:52 am
It’s hard to do these types of lists. Myself and others might disagree about some of the selections, but you did a great job! Keep up the good posts!
September 20th, 2007 at 11:11 am
thanks popcornninja
Nice site btw.
September 25th, 2007 at 1:36 am
Other good ones are Long Good Friday, Sexy Beast, Face, Gangster No. 1..
September 25th, 2007 at 1:52 am
jay: thanks for the extras – well worth the mention.
September 28th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
good stuff!!!make list of alfred hitchcock as well..
September 28th, 2007 at 10:30 pm
suj: I think that is an excellent idea
October 1st, 2007 at 6:57 pm
A Bronx Tale!
October 4th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Road to Perdition doesn’t even merit 20th on the list. Usual Suspects a far better film.
October 5th, 2007 at 4:28 am
Disagree with Pulp Fiction.
It’s a movie without meaning and/or plot and the “great revelation” at the end – for anyone that hasn’t fallen asleep in the meanwhile – does not in any way justify the 1.5 hr. boring torture of the nonsensical dribble in the meantime.
October 5th, 2007 at 7:03 am
Maxine: The Usual Suspects is definitely a great film.
T20: wow – I am amazed you feel so strongly about it – I really enjoyed it and didn’t feel it needed to have a specific “revelation” – so few films do these days.
October 5th, 2007 at 9:54 am
Great list! Snatch is my favorite movie of all time, and Pulp fiction is definitely top 20. Does Heat count as a gangster movie? If it does it should be in the top 5 of this list for sure.
October 5th, 2007 at 9:58 am
Also, Get shorty and all three Ocean’s are great, though i don’t know if they make the list.
October 5th, 2007 at 10:10 am
WatAbout: I probably wouldn’t count Heat as a gangster movie – even though it has two actors I adore (Pacino and DeNiro) who are in so many films of that genre. You just can not go wrong picking out a film with either of them in it (except maybe Meet the Fockers – if you are not interested in comedy). And the Oceans are okay – sure, though I still am not sure they would be counted as gangster rather than heist movies. And Get Shorty… the less said the better
October 12th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
gosh, i just realized the films i like the most are gangster genre…
October 12th, 2007 at 11:55 pm
karlontxo: mine too.
October 14th, 2007 at 10:26 am
speaking from a caribbean point of view, i think Shottas would be good on this list
http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/shottas/index.html
October 14th, 2007 at 10:30 am
PS, i think the whole movie is on youtube
October 28th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
#4 Was Hella Fucking Good
November 9th, 2007 at 3:25 am
What….No Johnny Dangerously?
Gangster Comedy has to be hard to pull off.
Great List seen and love most of them
Cued up my net flicks with the ones I haven’t seen
November 13th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
Still think WITNESS TO THE MOB is one of the best gangster movies around well put together with some excellent acting and the story has a good deph to it
December 8th, 2007 at 10:59 am
What the fuck, what about blood in blood out or American Me, ya’ll don’t know jack shit bitches!!!
December 11th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
hell no !
1.blood in blood out
2.american me
3.why we bang
4.colors
5.scarface
dats sum white boy shit list
December 12th, 2007 at 3:43 am
what about blow?…. good list all the same
December 16th, 2007 at 8:15 am
I think, that Donnie Brasco should be in top5
December 18th, 2007 at 4:24 pm
Donnie Brasco and Goodfellas amazing movies. A bronx tale is worth a watch too. There is a smaller title movie called Deuces Wild that is great, a little different as they are against gangsters selling dope on the streets, but form a gang themselves to accopmplish this end.
December 22nd, 2007 at 5:18 am
wtfs the departed doing in there above the goodfellas, scarface and casino… the departed was fukin shit n shudnt even b on the list
December 22nd, 2007 at 5:33 am
Yep departed was crap
December 25th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
Wot about Menace ii Society and Boyz n the hood?
December 26th, 2007 at 6:32 am
1. godfather[like u gave]
2. godfellas[--do--]
3. scarface [it should be up there]
rest i think the list is wonderful
but BLOW & AMERICAN GANGSTER is missing in the list .. and to forget i think DONNIE BRASCO deserves a better rating mugghead fellas
January 1st, 2008 at 9:23 pm
im not happy with this list scarface should be up number 3 at least
January 2nd, 2008 at 8:03 pm
For a second, I was like WTF WHY IS GOODFELLAS NOT THERE?
Than, it was happily #2! =]
oh, and American Gangster sucked. No offense.
January 3rd, 2008 at 6:15 pm
I Love Your List, It’s The Best List I Have Seen So Far!! Thanks For Making Godfather # 1, And I Was Also Happy To Also See Carlito’s Way ( The Movie Is Excellent ) I Will Always Believe That All Three Godfather’s And Scarface Are The Best Gang Movies!!
January 3rd, 2008 at 8:11 pm
City of God shouldn’t be that high on the list. Scarface and Carlito’s way should be moved higher on the list.
January 3rd, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Goodfellas…. all time best gangster movie!!! hands down
January 5th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Really good list, but of course no fan of gangster movies is going to agree totally on the twenty best. I would replace Road to Perdition, Casino, The Departed, Lock Stock…, and Once Upon a Time… with Godfather II, State of Grace, King of New York, Fresh, and The Krays. (p.s. LOVE that you had Miller’s Crossing in – think it should have been in the top five).
January 7th, 2008 at 12:40 am
“Sonatine” is an excellent gangster movie about a Yakuza who goes to Okinawa thinking he’s mediating a war, but he’s being set up for a hit. Excellent film if you don’t mind reading subtitles.
January 11th, 2008 at 8:18 am
ok besides the fact that i am absolutely in love with leo dicaprio and i go out of my way to watch everything he’s ever acted in,im not being biased when i say the departed is the best gangster movie i’ve ever watched! thanx for putting it here! its an all round excellent list
January 19th, 2008 at 2:35 am
donnie brasco should be top 3 and goodfellas should be first
January 19th, 2008 at 2:36 am
and blow should be up there somewhere. i agree with the rest of the list though
January 20th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
some of these movies are not even gangster you forgot american me,blood in blood out,a bronx tale,bulevard nights,dueces wild, all of these movies are much more gangster that snatch and the departed you now nothing about gangster.
January 20th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Miller’s Crossing,Cidade de Deus,Pulp Fiction you call that gangster please im not so sure if its you that should be making this list. ive seen some comments and some of these people dont now what gangster is. the only reson some of these people give good comments is because their favorite actors are in the movie iven though the movie sucks
January 26th, 2008 at 10:08 am
jhonny,there are many different types of gangster movies to like – stylish old-time Irish/Italian gangster ones like Millers Crossing, ones that blow you away by showing you a world you didn’t even know existed, like Cidade de Deus, and more modern day raw ones like American Me (which I agree, is a really good gangster movie). Hopefully, no one commenting here does “know what gangster is” – because we’re not gangsters, or gangster wanna-bes, we just like these movies.
February 3rd, 2008 at 8:54 am
Scarface
Memorable Line, Tony Montana: If you are fuckin’ with me, than you are fuckin’ with the BEST!!
pardon me if it is not exactly the same as he shouts to Sosa’s men..
February 3rd, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Quality list. I would have the great Japanese movie “Brother”
February 3rd, 2008 at 2:06 pm
any love for “the boondock saints”?
not a true gangster movie perhaps but a crime drama with gangster elements about brothers killing crime lords
they have lines, including their ” and shephards we shall be” prayer, that rival anything tony montana says in scarface
February 11th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
The Departed sucks, the best part about it is the sound track. Boondock Saints could have 20 and The Departed should be kicked off. I liked the move about the drunk hit-man better than The Departed. Even Fargo, which isn’t exactly a gangster movie, was better than The Departed. People only like it because of Matt, Leo, and Jack.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:55 am
im surprised layer cake isnt even in the list
February 14th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
the shoottas yok burda biraz ayıp olmuyor mu ?
February 16th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Also very good…simple, small, desperate…
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie John Cassavetes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Killing_of_a_Chinese_Bookie
February 17th, 2008 at 7:58 am
revolver and american gangster shuda been added. departed was a gud movie. i think u shud add “find me guilty” also, if it can be taken into consideration as a gangster movie.
February 20th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
i dont agree with everyone sayn departed is crap. but nowhere near as good as some make it out to be.
haha and city of god that high up the list? come on. ahead of once apon a time in america? even scarface and carlitos way r better. and dont understand why the great donnie brasco only made 19th.
i would remove road to perdition and the departed to replace with : the newer Carlitos Way – Rise to Power (is newer but story is set when he was younger)
and also either Shottas or The Kray’s
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:13 am
yeah dis list is gud…hmmm but iw’d like to add one good movie…”Blow” staring johnny depp…give it a place plz…
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:02 am
Whats with all these people saying “gud” and “shud” and “dis?” You would think some people on these boards never took a damn english class in their entire lives.
“gud” = “good”
“shud” = “should”
“dis” = “this”
“plz” = “please”
Just for future reference.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:31 pm
I don’t know why ‘Lock Stock’ and ‘Snatch’ make it in to the top 20, they are not really gangster movies more comedies.
There are far better real British Gangster Movies such as:
Brighton Rock
Get Carter
The Long Good Friday
Mona Lisa
Sexy Beast
Gangster Number 1
Layer Cake
Nothing Personal
Eastern Promises
The latest release is the Bank Job, which looks promising, while Guy Ritchie releases RocknRolla later this year,
Look out in 2009 for Ray Winstone and Iam McShane teaming up again (both were excellent in Sexy Beast) in ‘44 Inch Chest’.
A good comedy Gangster film starring Colin Farrel and Ralph Fiennes in the soon to be released ‘In Bruges’.
A couple of other Classic British Gangster Movies include -
The Villian – Richard Burton
The Hit – Terence Stamp, John Hurt, Tim Roth
Performance – James Fox
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:34 pm
There is also a planned sequal to ‘Layer Cake’, according to press reports.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:47 pm
A couple more Notable Brit Gangster Films
‘Essex Boys’ (2000) – Sean Bean plays menacing psychopath Jason Locke.
‘Face’ (1997) – Ray Winstone and Robert Carlyle.
‘Croupier’ (1998) – with Clive Owen and Alex Kingston (ER)
‘The Krays’ (1990) – The film did manage to express some of the chilling aura that surrounded the twins.
February 24th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
This is definetly one of the better list’s that I have seen….but there are quite a few movie’s that definetly should have been mentioned, Blood In Blood Out & Menace II Society for starters..
February 26th, 2008 at 5:36 am
Where Is “The Warriors”?
And “Green Street Hooligans”?
There Like My Fav Movies Goshh lol
February 26th, 2008 at 5:38 am
I Dont Mind Some of These Movies But I Just Dont like Gang Movies With Guns Too Much I Prefer A Nice Fucken Punchup
I Guess Im Just Sick & Twisted…
March 2nd, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Y’all said a lot of the greats but….
“Blue Hill Avenue”…I cant believe no1 said that shit, specially if you’ve been on bluehill that shit is no joke everyday someone gets killed
“Fresh” is a good movie the young buck set everyone up
“Departed” sholudnt be up there that movie aint on that level and im born n raised in the bean
I dont see how you can have some of the movies you do but not consider “Heat” a gangster movie come on now!
Green Street Hooligans is fire but if Heat aint gangster then i cant see that bein gangster
I could go on for days but whoever said “get carter” you gave me a good laugh Sly sucks and so does that movie
March 4th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
buddy man you forgot one of the craziest gangstermovies called “heat” with robert deniro fuck man you should watch it!!!!!
March 11th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
what about colors
March 17th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
RZA – He was talking about the original ‘Get Carter’.
Another classic of a similar period is Lee Marvin’s ‘Point Blank’
“There are two kinds of people in his up-tight world: his victims and his women.”
Cool new British/Jamaican gangsta flick set on the mean streets of Brixton London: ‘Rollin with the nines’
March 25th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Scarface is way too high on the list. The most overated gangster flick in my opinion. Would love to see an American Me, or Boondock Saints on the list. Your top two reflect mine, great choice.
P.S. A Bronx Tale not being on the list is almost unforgivable
March 27th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
where the hell is Boyz N the Hood!!!
atleast top 10 r u kidding me!
March 31st, 2008 at 10:17 pm
I honestly like tha list good movies but tha order i think that scarface and like resivoir dogs should be at least top 5 like i know others have there opinion but like everybody loves scarface not 1 person i have mut to this day said bad stuuf bout it and (quintin tarintino and robert rodriguez gods in tha making seriesly)
March 31st, 2008 at 10:19 pm
ya and tc you are hella right like ther are much better movies to be places on tha list like some of tha oldies or gooders but like bout all tha others tha are 10 000 times better like boyz n tha hood but glad to see the departed made it but shouldve been top 10 or even 5 fo sho
April 2nd, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Yes some of the movies mention were alright, but in the near future Detroit Michigan will tell the real stories of true gangsters the way they lived them from the past to this very present day the motor city will forever be the number (#1)Gangster town in America starting with The Purple Gang of the past to The Underground Cartel of today.
April 7th, 2008 at 12:06 am
Before you sign off on detroit u should do some reasearch on ny’s organized crime past. Look up Charles “lucky” luciano and you’ll see how even the federal gov acknowledged his power.
P.S. there would have been no Frank Sinatra without him.
April 9th, 2008 at 2:29 am
you wanted to know so don’t get mad, you have some great titles on there, but a few great ones are missing!!
“THE GODFATHER II” should be added to this list. it’s far superior to 90 percent of the films on that list! the only follow up masterpiece in gangster film history, a recontinuation, a respawning of the elegant mafia tale that inspired half of the films on your list! (while i’m at it, the godfather III is a hollywood yolk up…and you don’t need to read the novel to know).
“Bonnie and Clyde” – one of the most memorable films i’ve ever seen… and one of the most influential films of the late 60’s, maybe you haven’t seen it but you need to… because bonnie and clyde isn’t only one of the top CRIME films of all time, but its one of the top twenty films in ANY genre…(aside from the aesthetic and historical importance) violence, comedy, romance and tragedy… and done so stylish for 60’s film.. you’ll never root for the badguys more..
“Heat” is painfully missing from this list… (this is one of the first, few films that revealed the personal lives of the criminals not only on the job, but OFF the job, one of the best character analysis’ in crime of the 90’s) great director and a great cast as well… how can you forget heat? tsk tsk tsk.
there’s five or six titles on your list that i don’t agree with but everyone’s different, i think you did a pretty good job…
(the Godfather, Goodfellas and City of God are the best crime films on your list)
when my screenplays get sold and produced.. hopefully they’ll be on your next list… lol
April 11th, 2008 at 5:45 am
CASINO – RISE OF THE FOOT-SOLDIER – AMERICAN GANGSTER should be in there
April 13th, 2008 at 9:19 am
American Gangster was garbage.
April 19th, 2008 at 6:44 am
American gangster is a savage film! luv de ewld gangster films
April 27th, 2008 at 9:16 am
rofl for number 1 if use think the godfather trilogy is the best RONG only part one is good and its not that good that its better than blood in blood out
blood in blood out is the best
and pulp fiction is stupid lol no plot at all
american me shud be there aswell
ty
May 3rd, 2008 at 12:02 am
dunno if its been mentioned but the departed was based off a hit chinese triad movie called infernal affairs
May 5th, 2008 at 7:01 am
One of the best list I’ve seen. Although to me Boondock Saints needs to be somewhere in there. And I’m not sure about City of God being that close to 1. Other honorable movie titles, Taining Day and The Warriors. Can you dig it?
May 9th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
great list..
top notch without a doubt..
May 9th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
once upon a time in america is the best gangstar movie ever made
May 10th, 2008 at 7:26 am
i think that SCARFACE shold be number one because it has action all the way throughout…honestly you guys have got this so rong
May 10th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Can’t believe Scarface, Carlito’s Way and Casino isn’t right up close with The Godfather..
May 13th, 2008 at 6:24 am
THIS LIST IS SHIT
ONCE UPON A TIME IN A AMERICA HAS TO BE NUMBER 1
May 19th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Scarface wayyy over rated. L.A CONFIDENTIAL should be top 5
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:20 am
haven’t u guys seen tha movie MOBSTERS starring jack slatter.. it is very good gangster movie..
May 28th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
One Move that is not on the list but a really Good Mafia flick is 10th & Wolf if you aint seen it get it!
May 29th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
What about crazy ass Chris Walken driving up to blast Caruso in King of New York?
May 30th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Hold on, you mean that snatch an lock stock what ever the fucck… is better than Casino?! BullSHIT!
May 30th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
what about the usual suspects? can that be consider a gangster movie? I would remove a few like the untouchables and road to perdition and maybe put usual suspects and godfather 2
cidade de deus is the shit!
June 1st, 2008 at 12:08 am
This is england.. is also a good movie within this genre.
how about green street hooligans?
June 4th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Casino & Road to Perdition should be in the top 10. Pulp fiction is way too over rated at the 5th spot..It should be below the 10th spot..Departed does not deserve to be in the list..
June 6th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
I liked the movies on this list but not the order they were placed. I also feel that while City of God is a great movie it isn’t top twenty. My list goes as follows.
1. The Godfather (Obviously, indisputable)
2. Goodfellas (Ditto)
3. Scarface
4. Casino
5. Reservoir Dogs (Mr. Blond is the MAN!)
6. Once Upon A time in America
7. Mean Streets
8. The Departed
9. Donnie Brasco
10. King of New York
11. Layer Cake (Must See)
12. Pulp Fiction
13. Carlito’s Way
14. Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrells
15. Snatch
16. Untouchables
17. Road to Perdition
18. Blow
19. State of grace
20. Mystic River (Sean Penn was gang affiliated)
Go ahead and hate on this list, but I feel this is the most reasonable. I think people want to rate movies like the Untouchables, and Carlito’s Way too high because of their cast, when in reality I think the Departed was FAR better. Overall these movies all rock and I love em all so the order is to each his own, some people get into some more than others. Some other movies worth mentioning are Green Street Hooligans, Demmes Monument Ave, Last Man Standing (Awsome action), and Eastern promises (Russian Style). Lastly I think thier are some good GANGSTA movies, but because the mob did it best I feel they reserve the rights to GANGSTER. A GANGSTA movie list should be separate.
June 6th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Oh, I think it should go without saying that The Godfather is the whole trilogy as one selection on my list. The godfather is so good that it like the Lord of the Rings can be either three or one whenever it wants. NO, Once Upon a Time in America is not better than the godfather. My top 2 are seen as indisputable by many so put it at number three, because I do agree Scarface is a little overrated, basically because rappers have his poster on cribs all the time the movie has gotten more popular than it should be.
June 12th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
Great list but I wonder why the other Godfather films (Part II and Part III)were not in the list. They are best as well.
June 20th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Well I agree with T$ on alot of his choices but I do think that Carlito’s Way was a good movie not just because it had Sean Penn and Al Pacino but its because they played the roles so well with a good storyline, a gangster gets out of prison and tries to stay out of crime but his surroundings and old instincts won’t let him out. Also blow was a great movie. it should be higher on the list. Johnny Depp made you feel for him and like him, also the fact that this a true story makes it even better. I would mean the godfather as all three instead of just the first one as its all just one long story instead of just three movies. I mean thats why they said “part” II and III instead of “number ” II and III. I dont think either list meant the godfather as all three as one. As well even though Goodfellas itself is a true story, I dont think it could beat Scarface. Scarface is just a better watch than Goodfellas, and just a little more entertaining than Goodfellas was. Goodfellas had the narraration to make you feel more than you should for Ray Liotta but Al Pacino didn’t have that and I still felt a little more for him than Ray Liotta in Goodfellas.
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:00 am
the godfather is the best movie ever no one can”t say no is real and perfect
June 28th, 2008 at 9:17 am
New Trailer for RocknRolla (Guy Richie)
http://www.empireonline.com/video/rocknrolla/
July 3rd, 2008 at 1:02 pm
what about The Business class brtish film with some wonderfull witty lines.
just like to say you missed one of the biggest films behind the godfather though…..the french connection and another class british film is gangster no1
and i know there not films but there sopranos and brotherhood on fx
July 3rd, 2008 at 2:02 pm
A late comment here.
There are two great, recommendable lists above, with several more worthy odd suggestions washing round the edges.
1) Your original list
2) Shelden’s British list.
July 9th, 2008 at 3:18 am
What about,(Not saying they are great cinematic moments,but entertaing to me nonetheless…)
Prizzi’s Honor…Great Jack Nicholson
Mobsters…Somewhat distorted view of early lives of Luciano,Lansky,Siegel,and,Costello
Hoodlum…Chronicles Bumpy Johnson’s days as king of Harlem
Knockaround Guys…Mafia Wannabees(Vin Diesel is great as Taylor!)
Suicide Kings…An Improbable kidnapping of a (supposed)retired Mafia Don
A History Of Violence…Great Vigo!
My Blue Heaven…Steve Martin as a Wiseguy in Witness Protection….Hilarious!!!
Honorable Mention:
The Freshman(Brando being Corleonesque),Married To The Mob,Analyze This,and…The Sopranos!(Seems like an ongoing movie)
just my opinion…
July 11th, 2008 at 12:54 am
scarface should be number 1!
July 11th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Scarface should be #1.
Or at the least in the top 3 with Goodfellas and The Godfather.
July 19th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Where’s Boys ‘n’ The Hood!?!?!?! i mean come on now #1!!!
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:17 am
not bad.
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:20 am
not bad.i like it.
July 24th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
it’s a pretty good list, but I think Scarface should be at least number two and if not, at least above Pulp fiction
July 29th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
blow- greatest movie ever
August 1st, 2008 at 4:03 pm
i thinck that scarface should be higher on this list be a least 2 or 3 and i tell you why i thinck so sure it’s not got the same fill to it as the godfather but the one thing that makes this movie briilant is tony montana his Personality is somting you will never see in anothe movie and in the gret line “say hello to my little friend” with a great story about money and power and the down fall of tony that you got a more then exalant movie
August 4th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
This is a good list except scarface should be on 3rd.
And if you really a big fan of gangster movies, there are also some good asian movie that depicts a mobsters life.
I suggest you try to watch Young and Dangerous part 1-8 and A Dirty Carnival.
August 7th, 2008 at 1:33 am
i think tha blow and goodfellas shud be on there they are amazing gangster films !!x
August 9th, 2008 at 4:17 am
I would have to go with boyz in the hood for #1. Only movie I have ever cried in.
August 12th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Where is ‘A Bronx Tale’ with Robert De Niro and Chazz Palminteri?!?! That was a truly great mafia movie.
August 19th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
r u serious, godfather blows major balls its good for 9th or 10th but number 1…goodfellas or casino would have been better..and where the hell is mobsters in this list…jerk
August 20th, 2008 at 6:36 am
my friends i think scarface is the sh1t but ther´s now american gangster as new stuff never die alone and much more good stuff
August 22nd, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Rise of the footsoldier – wicked British gangster flick
Casino – also wicked gangster movie
Ichi the killer – Anyone???
August 27th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Wonderful list I have been trying to own every gangster movie out but you are missing a few I thought were greats King of New York and Heat and I know this wasnt your traditional gangster movie but still what about New Jack City what did you base your list on.
August 31st, 2008 at 10:32 am
I think Gangster # 1 should be in there too, i have only seen the begginging but it is amazing
September 9th, 2008 at 8:38 am
Blow, Layer Cake, Training Day and Running Scared are missing, but no worries, it’s a good list, well done
September 10th, 2008 at 7:02 am
Cagney in WHITE HEAT
* top of the world *
September 11th, 2008 at 10:57 am
hello there.definitely add La Piovra,Its damn cool italian mafiozo movie.peace
September 17th, 2008 at 8:43 am
The Godfather Part 2 does not make the list!!!! Its only probably the greastest movie ever. Thats all.
September 17th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Why dont u all wait for the movie ” Killing Pablo ” .. it wud be my all time number one , without seeing it yet
secondly
when it comes to classy , nothing tops
Casino & Godfather all parts ..
when it comes to dirty ..
Scarface & Goodfellas are recomanded , and if are not found of cast then
When it comes to inspiration
Blow & City of God…wud doo as they are true stories
British Moviesss are different kind of gansta movies
Layer Cake & The Business etc
You all shud also keep in mind the Nicolas Cage , Al capone movie
…
i wish Andy garcia plays some new Godfather too
laters
September 18th, 2008 at 1:39 am
Jimmy Jack & Frank White were some savages in “King Of New York.” Especially the funeral scene. White: “A, yo!” BLAM!!!
September 18th, 2008 at 9:19 am
burp! morning! niiice! so what the spludge? Gangsters are cool. and they kill people. lol. bang bang your dead! burp.
September 19th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Can’t believe you put ‘Snatch’ over ‘State of Grace’.
lol
September 20th, 2008 at 7:10 am
yo yo yo homeboi you ant never seen football factory and how can scarface not be in the top 3 ma man number 8 do u just watch gangster films to kid on to your homeboys that ur all gangster gangster dam u were prob raised in private school dam i guess u think lion kings a gangster film because of scar haha
September 28th, 2008 at 9:16 am
nice list man….though some people hav a diff opinion about the presence/absence of some of d movies …. i loveeee gangster moviez….. thnx fr d list…
ps-> for those of u who think frater missed out on something plz do add those moviez in ur comment…. that way we cold get to knw d names of more g-moviez…. thnkx…..
September 29th, 2008 at 11:58 am
B****x Godfather yes The rest of list is crap wheres godfather 2 , once upon a time in america Should be in at least top four The Business is a cult hit and should be in the list dont compile what you dont know fuck all about you fucking cunt
October 1st, 2008 at 8:50 pm
This isn’t a counter to the list at all.
But just because you seem to have a really round about knowledge of cinema, (and if you seen this movies there’s no way that it wouldn’t be on the list,it can easily replace Snatch.
What about “Gangster # 1″.
Amazing amazing movie.
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:49 am
like the list and have added a few to watch from it so thanks..
i do think a few of yours should be replaced with proper mob/gangster films though but all in all still a good list, on the subject of non-mob films for anyone who said “green streets” ( which is utter crap ) get a copy of the football factory.. enough said.
cheers
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:56 am
Oh and petee,
I believe it would be “dont compile what you dont know fack all about you facking maggy cunt” — the business, football factory.. ha
October 9th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Miller’s Crossing is waaay too low on this list
October 14th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Goodfellas shud be no. 1 surely with the godfather 2nd and i think scarface shud probably be 3rd and if not definately top 5. Also i think casino should be higher up in the list
October 14th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
the list is good but y tha hell casino is all tha way @ 13.i mean i think joe pesci n deniro are the kings of gangsta movies.casino is as good as goodfellas which is my favourite
October 20th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Bronx tale should be in therand goodfellas number 1:)top list x
October 21st, 2008 at 8:52 am
How about Heat Bonnie& Clyde(1967) Gateway (1972) Ichi the killer Sting El Mariachi Infernal Affairs Bullet in the head Hard Boiled Kiss of death(1947) Point Blank
October 22nd, 2008 at 9:22 am
hi there is movie dont remeber exactly ,chicago gangser “baby face nelson” true story ,that should be included.of all list is perfectly choosed.
October 22nd, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Where is American Gangster on this list Denzel Washington? that movie is awesome
October 25th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
there r to many movies left out how can u not have boyz n’ the hood or menace 2 society those real gansta movies but some of the movies that r on there deserve to be on there.
October 25th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Notorious better be on there when it comes out.
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:05 am
scarface is the best gangster film with godfather1,2!!!
November 5th, 2008 at 11:01 am
yea this list is pretty good, but just had to say to any1 dissing scarface ANY1 WHO HAS ANY HATE IN THEM OR WHO IS REMOTELY HARD/GANGSTA WILL NO NOTHING CAN EVER EVEN COMPARE TO THIS FILM. (as u can probly guess i would have had it as No.1)
November 7th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
we can’t forget the pope of greenwich village! Definately worth mentioning. It’s hard to limit the list to 20 titles = a list with directors who tend to excel in this genre would be great, guy ritchie, scorsese, tarantino…
November 8th, 2008 at 2:46 am
Shottas should be there !
#1 shottas#1
November 12th, 2008 at 11:21 am
it must be hard to narrow it down to 20 but boyz in the hood,menace 2 society & Blow should have been mentioned
November 14th, 2008 at 3:11 am
Much respect to the list. cidade de deus probably should be two to godfather if not at the top and snatch should be higher up on the list, but most lists dont even have cidade de deus so much respect.
November 19th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
i think god farther is in its rightful position much respect for scareface
November 20th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
this list could b cut all day there is to many top gangster films and to many types of gang types lucky number slevin face Essex boys the newton boys eastern promise it’s all gangster but for differnt ppl let’s just hope they keep cumin
December 2nd, 2008 at 7:35 pm
no gangs of New York? and the Departes should be closer to number 1.
December 2nd, 2008 at 9:28 pm
This list is awful – you have no clue – no “Public Enemy”, “Little Caesar”, “Petrified Forest”, original “Scarface”? Why? because you have no life experience whatsoever and absolutely no feel for moviemaking at all, and probably don’t even know that these movies exist in your insulated self-centered world – this list contains garbage – fitting for your generation who thinks the world began with your birth, and everything that happened before means nothing to you – stick to your lists of the world’s greatest video games, it’s more to your speed moron.
December 4th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
ur list is wakk u liftout 2 many more movies beta then sum up thier paid in full wuz gangster’ blow hood’ mobsters greater movie old skool but great and king of new york u wildin how wtf is king of new york is not up there n m2s u tripin fo7k dis gotta be a white list
December 4th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
I think the movie four brothers should be on the list somewhere
December 5th, 2008 at 1:13 am
Cant believe someones mentioned four brother..I wouldnt even put that in the top 100! But wheres Blow and Bronx Tale? How could you possibly miss either out?!
December 6th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
4 real u really slept on paid in full and whut king of new york was 1 of the best gangter flicks eva made.Whoeva didnt see kony should watch u wont b disappointed im tellin u! And whut about State of Grace wit sean penn and gary oldman. Or year of the dragon wit mickey rourke to me 1 of his best movies. Anyway pretty decent list but maybe u should have had the top 30 cuz its so many good gangster ficks its hard to choose..
December 7th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
you can’t leave Gangster N.1 out of the top 10 man!!! that movie was brilliant… And maybe Richie’e Rock’n'Rolla was’nt out when you did this but it is good too!
December 16th, 2008 at 7:39 am
BAMBI!
December 16th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
u guys got it twisted SCARFACE has to be number 1 or 2 and one i dont think ne 1 mentioned but sort of is in a different genre as well was BATMAN the THE JOKER WAS TO GANGSTER!!!!
December 19th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Good, but where’s
Godfather 2
Little Caesar
Original Scarface
December 25th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
where is TAXI DRIVER?
well i think the best should be SCARFACE !
December 28th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Ok, first of all, you had a lot of really good movies on your list. While I didn’t agree with all of them, these are the best in your opinion and I respect that. For everyone else saying that The Godfather 2 or 3 should have been included, Frater addresses that in his post: By including one he’s implying that the whole triology was amazing. With that being said, there are a few movies that I would have adjusted their ranking as well as added.
Scarface, Casino, and Donnie Brasco would have made it higher on my list. I would have added Blow, Menace II Society, Boyz N Da Hood, A Bronx Tale, Layer Cake, and Gangster Number 1.
While I love Pulp Fiction, it’s not usually a movie that I think of when I think gangster movies and I don’t think that I would have had Departed on the top 20. Just my opinion.
December 29th, 2008 at 7:36 am
Nice list, I agree with most of the choices.
Personally I would have added HEAT (not a mob movie, but definetely a gangster movie)and American Gangster.
For me, the top three would be Once upon a time in America, Goodfellas, Godfather Trilogy. Those are the three major mafia movies you must have seen. Each of them has its own style, but as movie they are complete (with complete I mean: perfect regarding storyline, cast, music (especially Once upon…)). These films are closely followed by Casino.
As for movies like Lock Stock…, Snatch, reservoir dogs, pulp fiction, they definetely deserve a place in a top 20 list, yet they are somehow not “serious” enough to become real classics. But very good movies nonetheless.
Furthermore I am glad so many people mentionned their favorites, that way I learned to know a lot more movies
One of the gangster movies that not has been mentionned yet:
Gomorra (released in 2008)
It is about the Camorra (Mafia organisation in the region of Campania and the city of Naples in Italy). Very cool and raw movie too. Check it out if you can
January 2nd, 2009 at 7:23 pm
i think you mixed up The Godfather With Goodfellas
just saying i mean goodfellas is the shit
January 3rd, 2009 at 5:40 pm
blood in blood out;american me
January 3rd, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Amatuer. You are missing “On the Waterfront”
January 5th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
you forgot one great movie you got them all except for bugsy played by warren beaty thats one of the classics
January 5th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
hoodlum is another good one too
January 6th, 2009 at 1:10 am
the untouchables shouldnt be on any top list it sucks.thank god u didnt rate american gangsta frank lucas is an american pranksta an a wankster.. goodfellas no.1 for me
check out ‘a bronx tale’ chazz palmenteri a worthy wiseguy
how bout a top gangsta actor list?
January 6th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
“Ma And Pa Kettle Go To The Fair”
January 7th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
I`m very surprised that nobody mentioned “Excellent Cadavers”
(or Falcone),i think it`s one of the most signifficant moments in gangsta history,and it`s really a great movie…
With Chazz Palminteri and F. Murray Abraham
January 8th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
MeNaCe To SoCiEtY
BoYz In ThE hOoD
StAtE pRoPeRtY
IrReVeSaBlE
January 8th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
godfather sucks, as well as scarface and the departed. boyz n the hood is better then most of these films, but i wouldn’t call it a gangster movie. goodfellas or gomorra should be #1 in my opinion.
January 10th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
the sopranos(series)
the black donnellys (series)
10th and the wolf
the business
shoot them up
crank
January 10th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
check this list out fellas, u should av an idea
http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Genres/Crime/average-vote
January 14th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
crank 2 is comin out
January 18th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Great list, thanks jfrater. I’ve seen most of these and they’re good , but City of God stands out because, well I’m a bit biased, – I love foreign movies.
Different scenery, different directing styles, often unexpected outcomes, acting seems more “down to earth” so to speak.
However,that’s only a personal opion.
January 18th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
“opinion”
January 19th, 2009 at 7:30 am
very good list mate. ignore the idiots who say it sucks.everyone has their differing orders but i do think you got most of the great gangster flicks. also to the idiots who said godfather sucks…HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH. That is all
January 20th, 2009 at 1:10 am
What about Angels with dirty faces or petrified forest or Cotton Club or Hoffa Or Inside Man Or The Big Sleep or Public Enemy…
They left out a bunch of films Good Gangster films & put in
a bunch of crap.
January 21st, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Paid In Full.
January 21st, 2009 at 6:20 pm
hey what about new jack city lol or training day arnt they gangster movies
January 22nd, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Great list. I would like to mention A Bronx Tale, Ghost Dog , and Roger Cormans St. Valentines Day Massacre.
January 23rd, 2009 at 8:15 am
I think the new film ‘Gommorah’ should be up there. since it doesn’t just glamorise gangsters. Read the story behind the author of the book who is now protected by 5 police guards everyday because of it.
January 25th, 2009 at 1:33 am
I think it was a good list. You had some of my favs, but some I had never heard of. I’ll see some, because I’m not into subtitles or other languages besides english, mexican, & texican. Some of my favs are Godfather, Scarface, Casino, King of New York, Boondock Saints, Boyz n da Hood, Menace II Society, South Central, A Bronx Tale, Blood in Blood out, American Me, The Last Don, We own the night, Carlito’s Way (not “Rise to Power”, stories don’t match), Oscar ( a comedy starring Sylvester Stalone).
January 25th, 2009 at 1:38 am
Does anyone know the scoop on a new movie about a black american gangster by the name of Nicky Barnes that i had heard was in production.
January 25th, 2009 at 1:54 am
jfrater – I,m not racist, but people have different opinions depending on race. You should make top ten lists according to target audience. Blood in Blood out & American Me were mostly intended for a hispanic/mexican audience. Boyz n da Hood & Menace II Society were mostly intended for a black audience. A movie I failed to mention earlier ‘American History X’ was intended for a white audience. Now all movies are enjoyable for all races, however, as I mentioned before opinions may change according to race.
January 25th, 2009 at 2:12 am
The Departed – never seen it – Does it really suck as much as the majority of these comments claim or does everyone hate Leonardo DiCaprio that much.
January 26th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Got to say Usual Suspects should be up there. I understand your point not including Heat, it’s tough to know where the line is on this genre.
Fully agree with everyones comments on Departed. Was not impressed by that movie, thought Mou Gan Doo was the shit aswel.
Fresh is an amazing movie with a number of themes all that come over really well. So much more than just a gangster flick.
Love Carlitos Way, possibly my favourite movie ever, and im really happy to see Millers Crossing. Everyones bangin on about no Country just now but for me Millers is THE Coen Classic.
January 26th, 2009 at 10:38 am
Its not a gangster movie but thinkin about heat reminded me of it- 36 Quai des Orfèvres. Great pic.
January 28th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
i signed up just to say that Scarface should be waaaay up there on the list at least in the top 3
and out of all the lines he says in that movie you pick that one as a memorable quote come on now….also blood in and blood out and american me and better than alot of those up there!!
January 31st, 2009 at 9:28 am
Its quite clear that not one African American movie made the list. What about
New Jack City should be in the top with Scarface, Casino, and Goodfather and what about Heat?
Belly
Juice
Hoodlum
South Central
Boyz N The Hood
Meance II Society
January 31st, 2009 at 9:36 am
Paid In Full and Training Day were good movies also. I agree separate list should be made.
January 31st, 2009 at 9:38 am
The list goes on what about Harlem Nights I bet most of you guys haven’t seen that.
January 31st, 2009 at 9:40 am
Dang Clockers Spike Lee Joint was a good one.
January 31st, 2009 at 1:14 pm
what about American Gangster with Dezel Washington.
February 1st, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Clockers n New Jack should be. Menace II is good but not really a gangster film is it?
U should check out Fresh Felicity. That shit be in my top 5 fave gangster movies.
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:40 pm
gambit.
a good movie is a good movie. regardless of race.
c’mon…
February 7th, 2009 at 10:57 am
thats good list but there are some i would of put in a different order
February 8th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
American Gangster # 1
February 8th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Blow, Bronx tale, and Juice should of all benn on there
February 9th, 2009 at 3:15 am
Juice isn’t organised crime???
It’s violent, it’s street, but it’s not O.C.
February 12th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
The list is not top 20 organized crime movies it is top 20 gangster movies and Juice is definitly a gangster movie.
February 12th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Don’t agree with that at all. To be a gangster you have to be involved with some kind of racket; drugs, numbers, bootlegging. Bishop is a wanbee gangster yes. But is he an actual gangster? No. Just a misguided kid who wanted to earn some respect.
February 12th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
great list! i own almost all these movies, my husband is obsessed with gangster movies..
February 12th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
goodfellas is way better than any of the godfathers in my opinion, and casino should be in the top ten at least! road to perdition shouldnt be on their its a good movie just not top 20 though their is better gangster movies than that like i said before new jack city and training day should be on their somewhere and boyz n the hood should be on their somewhere to. (godfather part 3 SUCKED!!!)
February 14th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Great list for a great genre. I’ll have to watch the few I havent seen. Goodfellas should have been number one!
February 14th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Oh and Wesley, Training Day is not a gangster movie.
February 15th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
thanx for clearing that up for me NewYorkParisPeckham i guess that would be more considered a detective movie just like the departed i would consider that a detective movie also or a spy movie because thats what it was about. but also i would like to say martin scorsese never won any awrds for goodfellas,casino,or mean streets but won some for the departed. robert deniro joe pesci ray liotta and sharon stone all won awards for the roles they played in his movies.
February 16th, 2009 at 4:18 am
SHOTTAS def needs to be up there… if u havent seen it, WATCH IT !!! also the GODFATHER pt 2.. n to everyone else, sum of the movies u say are missing ARE NOT “GANGSTER MOVIES”… yes i agree , they are GREAT movies , n r better then sum of the movies listed, but they ARE NOT GANGSTER MOVIES !!!
February 16th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
I agree, dont know why there isnt anything from south central like Boyz n the Hood
February 21st, 2009 at 4:33 am
What a kick-ass list! The movies truly expose the secrets of organized crimes and the forces.
February 27th, 2009 at 7:35 am
Very good list. Also, this is “HIS LIST” not anyone elses. You think its wrong? Then make your own.
March 4th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
No love for Angels With Dirty Faces or the original Scareface?
March 5th, 2009 at 12:35 am
the god father part 1 and 2 should be classed as one film as both are taken from the same book so so the god father part 2 should be up there with part 1 , good list
March 5th, 2009 at 3:22 am
They maybe should be classed as 1 film however none of the Michael Corleone story of Godfather II is in the book. The book takes you to as far as the assasination of the 5 families and Michael being annointed the true don symbolically with Clemenza and his men kissing his hand on bended knee
March 21st, 2009 at 7:00 am
and Takeshi Kitano?….where’s Takeshi kitano???
March 22nd, 2009 at 10:51 am
Yea iv seen Brother by him thats a good one and i seen a bit of one when he kicked the shit out of a dog in a very comical way. U know what that ones called by any chance?
March 24th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Gangster No.1
The General
Belly
Chopper (If you aint seen it go get it now)
March 24th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
awesome list, jFrater. you have great taste in movies, imo.
March 26th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
BOYZ N DA HOOD SHOULDA BEEN UP THERE FOR SURE!
March 27th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Okay, I am just finding this list and I loved it. Majority of the films I have seen but Boyz in da hood is not a gangster film in my opinion. But I do agree that Fresh was a really good film also liked Sexy Beast, but Miller’s Crossing was kinda boring to me. How about Eastern Promises, Shanghai Triade, and Paid in Full? Oh yeah, and maybe could Momento be squeezed in…but that is more of a detective film not gangster..I will concede that one..But thanks for the list..I am passing it on as recommendations for those “gangsta” film buff friends I know…
March 28th, 2009 at 5:58 am
PattyK I couldn’t agree more. At last someone who knows the difference between a gangster film, detective movie, gang flic. Sexy Beast is a fantastic gangster movie that explores the mindset of a gangster in a very clever way. Personally Millers Crossing is one of my favourites as it’s not tryin to show how the real life is in that world but the Coens try to include every gangster film cliche known to the genre. Very tongue in cheek.
Will definitely look up Shanghai n paid. Seen Fresh and it would definitely be on my list too.
April 3rd, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Donnie Brasco – Great film. But hardly THE true story. It’s like someone read the book, was inspired to make a movie about an undercover cop infiltrating the mob, then ‘borrowed’ from the real story.
Half the things in the movie didnt happen, and the other half didnt happen the way they showed it.
So glad to see Casino and Carlito’s Way in the list.
Both movies were buried by their predecessors (Goodfellas and Scarface) and were overlooked.
Casino is as much a classic as Goodfellas
Carlitos Way is a better movie than Scarface
EXCELLENT LIST!
April 5th, 2009 at 4:33 am
This list can’t be accurate. Blood in Blood out was one of the all time greats and it’s not even on this list…?????????
April 5th, 2009 at 7:10 am
Boys in the Hood was good, but seriously unrealistic. Over Hyped Propaganda.
April 5th, 2009 at 7:12 am
i’ve never heard of blood in blood out.
April 8th, 2009 at 2:52 am
Carlito’s Way is my favourite so happy some1 likes it better than scarface. It s miles ahead of it
April 9th, 2009 at 11:37 am
I have a slightly different take on this. Going a little more towards the movies ‘the ‘hood’ loves the most. of course, there is a gangster film or two in there. Enjoy.
http://thefilmnest.com/2009/04/10-movies-the-hood-loves-the-most/
The Rake
April 11th, 2009 at 11:23 am
No one mentioned Sean Penn’s Bad Boys and At Close Range?
Bad Boys
At Close Range
Menace II Society
Boyz In The Hood
On and on. This page is all out excellent. Has turned me onto some great films I would have missed.
I love the review Siskel and Ebert gave Menace. Its one of the best modern gangster films…
1
April 11th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
lets get it right – the godfather trilogy can not be lumped in one score… case in point: godfather III is such a falloff and disappointment compared to I and II that it should have never been made… here is the order of the best gangstas of all time:
1&2 (tie) godfather I and II (they also happen to be the best movies of all time – the mona lisa of cinematography)
3. goodfellas
4. menace II society
5. gangs of new york
6. city of god
7. state property
8. scarface
9. state of grace
10 king of new york
honorable mentions: american me, blow, once upon a time in america, casino, prizzi’s honor (great ending)
highly overrated: carlito’s way, pulp fiction, donnie brasco, reservoir dogs, snatch, lock stock n two smokin barrels
April 12th, 2009 at 7:06 am
Dude, iv got my top ten but I dont shit all over this guys top ten.
1.Ur list is a good one but Menace isnt even a gangster film. Gangsters are people who control rackets. Those guys are just crazy mofos involved in street gangbangin so erase that for start.
2.Copy n paste gangs of new york into ur highly overrated list, the books very informative in showing the evolution of the irish gangs but the film (apart from Lewis’s performance obviously) is a load of pap.
3.I see scarface has made an appearance at number 8. Do u like gangster films or just violent films cos Carlito is languishin in highly overrated? Scarface is a quality gangster film in my opinion but dont hold a candle to Carlito dude. Ever heard of irony or layered themes? Carlito is a classic.
Sorry if I seem critical but i thought ud be open to criticism considerin the way u regarded Fraters list.
P.S.Pulp fiction is overrated? Wow. Are we talkin best gangsters or best gangster movies?
April 12th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
first of all, if you dont think the characters in menace are gangsters then let me take you on a road trip thru cpt… smoking cigars and wearing brim hats and suits does not make a gangster… as Siskel and Ebert so aptly pointed out – menace is THE best MODERN DAY gangster movie
as far as gangs of ny, lewis’ performance alone should get that movie in anyone’s top ten, let alone the movie itself being extremely entertaining
carlito’s way is nothing more than a good film – nothing exceptional about it to make it in a category of best ever
i have no problem with criticism as long as there is substance behind the criticism… pulp fiction is the most overrated film ever – in any category
April 12th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
I don’t mean to go too deep here, but check this out. When we talk “gangster” movies, do we mean movies about gangs in general and the crime that they do or are we talking about the typical mafia/mob, organized crime movies..? To me there is a very distinct difference between GANGSTER movies and MOBSTER movies. To those that would argue that they are very different, then we have to compile two different lists. If you would argue that the two are one in the same, then I think we are missing a few and we would have to add “Hoodlum” and “Warriors” to this list as well. Well, we don’t have to, as this is Mr. Frater’s list and he can add whatever he likes. In other words, how we define “gangster” will ultimately determine how much I personally agree with this list. And then, what about “New Jack City” or “Colors”, both of which are centered around gang life and organized crime to some extent.
In addition, it’s fair to note that typically, mobster movies are Italian in makeup vs. gangster movies usually have a black “bad guy” as the antagonist. This again draws some sort of line in the sand and further separates what qualifies as a gangster movies vs. what qualifies as a mobster movie.
Otherwise, a very dope list, Mr. Frater! Some of these I haven’t seen so when I peep em, I’ll come back and see if I still agree with the order! OH, and very nice touch with the synopsis and the trailer!
PEACE
April 13th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Man cmon american gangster shud b up ther in da top 10 Denzel is great as Frank lucas i watchd dat film lyk 5 tyms already nd i thot that the departed woz a pretty well made film and leo dicaprio played da whole gangster charecter with panic attacks evri coupla seconds pretty good. o yh Deniro rejected playing frank castello in the departed jus to let u knw i tink da film wudve been evn better wiv him init.
April 14th, 2009 at 10:24 am
Dont agree with Siskel & Ebert on that one, I think they use the term gangster too easily. However I do see that this is subject to opinion and that if you consider O-dog n Cain gangsters then ur entitled to consider Menace a gangster film. I stand by what I say and its not a cultural thing involving cigar chomping fedora donners. New Jack City is a gangster film g money lol. Boyz in the Hood most definitely is not. After considering your points about Menace I think its at least debatable. Like I say it depends on what u consider a gangster. Where I come from ppl like that are called nutters not gangsters.
I think rhapvee has probably has probably pointed out what I consider gangster. I admit I dont see any difference between a gangster and a mobster unless by mobster your talkin only about certain ethnicities of gangster. To me gangsters are organised which is why Menace wouldnt make my list- As for ‘gangs of…’ the film is a load of tripe that wasnt salvaged from 1 quality performance from Lewis im afraid, and if you dont know whats good about Carlito’s Way you surely dont merit movies on whats credible and whats not. The way Carlitos Way story comes across, every character is totally beleivable and the way De Palma depicts the italians is not short of perfect. That is the realest gangster film Ive ever seen, great plot that didnt have to get absurd to try and do something special.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:46 am
i think those movies r oight…
187 is a gangster movie..
April 22nd, 2009 at 1:24 am
ill agree to disagree with you regarding carlito’s way… im a huge movie buff, as im sure you are, and i look at many qualities of a film and watch a good flick multiple times before i give it a mental grade…
my retort to your comment about “organized crime” is this: i think you’re over analyzing just what the term means when it means just what it says – crime thats committed in an organized fashion… any two or more people who plan a crime is a participant in organized crime
April 22nd, 2009 at 3:07 am
Well by your definition of organised crime the two fellas who were slayin people in Scream were participants in organised crime yeah?
“any two or more people who plan a crime is a participant in organized crime”
Its not as simple as if its planned n organised its organised crime. In Heat DeNiro and his guys r well organised but thats not organised crime.
Organised crime is when a group has a SYSTEMATIC operation that makes money illegally. The closest Menace II comes to that is when Cain is selling crack but since hes doing that alone and isnt organising a group that wouldnt be organised crime in my book, therefore shouldnt make this list in my book.
However we all have our own way of seein it, ur list is a good one despite some of our disagreements. Love King of NY and State of Grace and Ill look up State Property to check it out.
April 22nd, 2009 at 7:06 pm
y u ll arguin over films ur all pathetic
April 23rd, 2009 at 7:01 pm
once u learn the difference between arguing and discussing ur opinions may be worth posting
April 25th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Absolutly Bronx Tale and Brother (amazing yakuza movie)
April 25th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Dude, my last post wasnt arguin with u?! Think u should read it again mate.
April 27th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
American Gangster?
May 2nd, 2009 at 7:53 am
I hated the godfather. Too long, boring, and it *insisted* upon itself.
May 12th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
ye good list america history x do maybe gang flick sort of the warroros but great list thanks
May 15th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
The Godfather II should also be in the list without doubt and I would say Scarface should be closer to the top.
Great list do
May 23rd, 2009 at 6:48 am
Guys, what about Gotti (1996)??? Have you all even seen that? Gangsta movies based on true stories are much better to me. What about Knock Around Guys???
Now go home and get your fuckin shine box!
May 25th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
tht shit missn bluehill avenue
June 1st, 2009 at 6:56 am
What about:
New Jack City
A Bronx Tale
American History x
Once Upon a Time in America
Paid In Full
Training Day and Street Kings (Not Exactly Gansta but both R must see films about corrupt cops.
June 2nd, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Nice list but for me real gangsta movie is like The Godfather, Goodfellas, Casino, The Untouchables etc. where you have ‘gangsta’ actors (de niro, al pacino, joe pesci…) !!!!!!!!!
So movies like Snatch and Pulp Fiction wouldn’t be on my list (although I like those movies very much)…
For example analyze this & that has some of gangsta crew and is a good movie but is not a real gangsta movie…
June 3rd, 2009 at 6:51 pm
what about american me,blvd nights,the real black and white movie of scarface,colors and the list goes on i gotta agree with raphvee mang
June 6th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
should defo have ;get rich or die tryn; on that list an four brothers an amerian ganster.The second carlito,s way is beta dan the first
June 6th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
And were the fuck is
new jersy drive
an
training day
June 8th, 2009 at 3:03 am
ok well i think this list should some it up for all u mob fans.
cocane cowboys MUST SEE
Leon – The Professional
Scarface
Heat
Analyze This
The Untouchables
Casino
Gotti
goodFellas
BROX TALE
BOYZ N DA HOOD
MENACE II SOCIETY
SOUTH CENTRAL (8/10)
187 (8/10)
GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN
Donnie Brasco
Road to Perdition
Miller’s Crossing
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
Mean Streets
Snatch
Reservoir Dogs
White Heat
Pulp Fiction
Cidade de Deus
Bugsy Malone
King of New York
Mystic River
State of grace
Blow
Layer Cake
King of New York
New Jack City
A Bronx Tale
American History x
training day
new jersy drive
My Blue Heaven
A History Of Violence
Suicide Kings
Knockaround Guys
Hoodlum
Mobsters
Prizzi’s Honor
Belly
June 9th, 2009 at 2:56 am
surely american history X should be on the list if not top of it!!!
June 13th, 2009 at 6:38 am
Come on people wake up!!!!!
THE GREATEST GANGSTER FILM OF ALL TIME IS…..SCARFACE
why? because it teaches you the way of life!!!
Greed is the worst of the 7 sins. It kills,
When tony is working in the restaurant, he looks across at the man getting in the limo outside the nightclub with girls round his arms and asks what has he got that i anit got? his mate says, money power good image = girls, quote = “In this country, you gotta make the money first. Then when you get the money, you get the power. Then when you get the power, then you get the women” In this world you need to make some moves to get where you want to get in life. There is so much a man can learn from this film, take the points and adapt it to your life, like…. “The world is yours” meaning you can do anything you want in life if you put your mind to it!!!! goodfellas & the godfather are good films dont get me wrong i love it, but scarface is in another LEAGUE!!!!!
I have been watching gangster films since i was 4. I was brought up in crime my whole life In and out of prison many times. My life has changed for the better, Iam in college learning film directing, Iam living my dreams and guess what, it all because of this film> the ambition of tony montana to acheive his goals in life is the same as me. no other gangster film has that to his calibre.he acheived his goals so can you.Ok he gets shot at the end, but you got to look past that and see how far he got, he started with nothing and ended up with an empire. THE WORLD IS YOURS, you only live once!!! SO LIVE IT UP
June 13th, 2009 at 7:33 am
oh by the way my list would be like this
scarface
the godfather trilogy
goodfellas
the long good friday
casino
carlitos way
donnie brasco
the krays
the usual suspects
angels with dirty faces
sexy beast
reservior dogs
a bronx tale
plup fiction
city of god
snatch
taxi driver
the untouchables
sonatine
once upon a time in america
hard boiled
lock stock & 2 smoking barrels
king of new york
get carter (michael caine)
menace to society
boyz in the hood
white heat
eastern promises
mean streets
some of you might disagree with the order, but in my eyes everybody has diffrent tastes, diffrent films moves people in diffrent ways, but to me these are the best of the best if you dont agree with these THEN GO FUCK YOURSELF BITCH!!!
June 19th, 2009 at 9:58 am
HAS NO ONE SEEN HOODLUM!! Layercake was a good one also. Besides not having seen the black and white movies, great list. You gotta have a spot for HOODLUM (Fishburn, Roth, Garcia) it was a great movie. True story (Elsworth Johnson)
June 20th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
LOVE HONOUR AND OBEY!!…. The best British gangsta moovie eva if you havent got it on your list ..you just havent seen it yet
June 21st, 2009 at 1:07 am
once upon a time was very confusing, make sure you have a drink and food with you for this 4 hour journey. donnie brasco 19? you gotta be kidding me, carlitos way shouldnt be in top 10 more like 15-20 casino should be, top 5 is ok but i think casino should switch places with pulp fiction, i have to check out number 4, sounds interesting,
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:08 am
American Gangster should be in the top 10!
Denzel washington is great in that movie!
June 23rd, 2009 at 2:10 am
#6 is so good dont let the age stop u from watchin it
July 1st, 2009 at 12:32 am
there are some great, wonderful movies made about the mob, baby. PUblic Enemies coming out tomorro, heres hoping!
July 1st, 2009 at 9:58 pm
The Departed was one of the worst movies Scorcese ever made. Lazy, stupid and self indulgent with comically bad performances throughout. I was grateful when Marty finally decided, “Ah, let’s just shoot everybody in the face and wrap this thing!”
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:49 am
How about a new list? “10 of the most boring movies ever”, which most of these would qualify for. Road to Perdition, is the most boring of all. City of God,the best. The new Dillinger film looks like it will be a good one.
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:17 pm
American history x is not a ganster movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:03 pm
I’m glad to see some love for Snatch! Not as well known a movie, but one of the most quote-able and witty, with a deep story line as well.
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Public Enemies.
July 3rd, 2009 at 7:29 am
Yay, glad to see Snatch on the list. One of my all time favourite British movie and comedy. Kudos!!
July 5th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
The godfather was great but, when Michael Corleone rose to power he should have been like Tony Montana (Al Pacino) in Scarface, more vicious with the i don’t give a freak attitude.
So in my opinion Scarface is the realest gangster. AL PACINO’S THE S#IT
#1) SCARFACE (AL PACINO)
#2) CASINO (JOE PESCI)
#3) THE GODFATHER SERIES (AL PACINO)
July 8th, 2009 at 10:47 am
good list
but one film blew my mind that it’s not even famous..
STATE OF GRACE ! oldman is rockin’ n rollin’ in that epic movie ..but my all time favorite is goodfellas i think