No genre has influenced the public’s perception of criminals more than Gangster Movies. For more than 80 years, the best gangster movies have fascinated and allured the minds of millions; from Prohibition-era pre-code crime to 21st Century gang life.
What better way to begin than with a film with the genre in the name? The eponymous American Gangster had a strong showing at the box office in 2007.
King of New York is a film that fits into the stylistic tone of other New York City underworld movies, Escape from New York and Good Time.
The most modern gangster film on this list, Killing Them Softly addresses the impact of organized crime on American society after the collapse of the housing market.
Anchored by an incredible cast and helmed by Brian De Palma, The Untouchables is one of the most iconic gangster films ever made.
There are heist movies and there are gangster movies, and then there’s Stanley Kubrick’s The Killing.
Pacino turns in an over-the-top performance in all the right ways. The 1983 Scarface was also significant for its style.
Menace II Society is one of the great Los Angeles gangster movies. Released just one year after the ‘92 LA riots, Menace II Society spoke sympathy to some and stoked the fire for others.
Martin Scorsese’s third directorial feature Mean Streets is one of his most influential. Scorsese said that he was attracted to the idea of making films about him and his friends.
Guy Ritchie made an explosive entrance to the world of cinema with his debut film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. But in his second film Snatch, Ritchie improves on the British Gangster formula with an all-star cast and heavy stylization.
The Departed is adapted from the Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs. Infernal Affairs is an excellent movie in its own right and I considered putting it here instead of The Departed.