Gangster movies have long captured the imagination of audiences with their mix of danger, intrigue, and moral complexity.But while classics likeThe GodfatherandGoodfellasdominate the conversation, plenty of otheroutstanding gangster filmsalso deserve recognition. These movies explore the same themes but with unique perspectives that set them apart from the mainstream.
With this in mind,this list looks at some solid gangster flicks that might have slipped under the radarfor many viewers. Some gained critical acclaim upon release but have since faded from the spotlight, while others were ignored when they first came out, while others became cult favorites. However, each film offers something unique, whether it’s rich character studies or engaging plots, incredible performances or atmospheric direction.
10’The Drop' (2014)
Directed by Michaël R. Roskam
“No one ever sees you coming, do they, Bob?” Thisbrooding, character-driven crime dramafeatures the formidable pairing ofTom Hardyand the lateJames Gandolfini. The former plays Bob Saginowski, a soft-spoken bartender working at a neighborhood bar used as a “drop” for laundering mob money. His life takes a sharp turn when he rescues a pit bull puppy and becomes embroiled in a robbery gone wrong, attracting the attention of local thugs and law enforcement.
The Dropunfolds at a gritty, slow burn, emphasizing emotion, realism, and psychological depth over action. While the premise isn’t anything special, the rich, smart script and strong performances elevate it above most of its competitors. Gandolfini, in particular, is great as Cousin Marv, a once-powerful man now browbeaten by local gangsters. He plays the part with moving bitterness and desperation. Sadly, this was the actor’s final role, but it’s a poignant swan song, playing nicely on his legendary status within this genre.
9’Killing Them Softly' (2012)
Directed by Andrew Dominik
“In America, you’re on your own. My friend, it’s just money.“Brad Pittleads the cast of this one as hitman Jackie Cogan, tasked with restoring order after a mob-protected card game is robbed by two small-time criminals. As Jackie hunts down those responsible,the film paints a bleak pictureof a world where money and power are the ultimate arbiters of justice. Pitt is joined in the supporting cast byScoot McNairy,Ben Mendelsohn, and James Gandolfini.
The finished product is a stylish, cynical thrilleranchored by Pitt’s coldly calculated performance and shot through with dark humor.Killing Them Softlyalso goes beyond a similar gangster tale in that it uses these tropes to critique society as a whole. DirectorAndrew Dominiktells the story in a stylized manner, paying homage to classic noir with the shadowy interiors, rain-soaked streets, and stark contrasts. Some viewers may find it too unrelentingly dreary, but others will appreciate this grimness.
Killing Me Softly
8’Eastern Promises' (2007)
Directed by David Cronenberg
“Stay away from people like me.“Viggo Mortensendelivers one of his best performancesin this chilling film byDavid Cronenberg. He is Nikolai, a driver and enforcer for the Russian mob in London. His fate intersects with that of a midwife named Anna (Naomi Watts), who becomes entangled in the criminal underworld after discovering a diary belonging to a deceased young woman. While Cronenberg is most well known for his body horror,Eastern Promisesis a brilliant drama and crime movie.
In this regard,Eastern Promisesfeels like a companion piece to 2005’sA History of Violence, another collaboration between Cronenberg and Mortensen. Both movies delve deep into identity, morality, and the nature of violence. The director’s visual prowess is also very much on display, most noticeably in the memorable fight scene where Mortensen brawls naked in a bathhouse. Finally,Eastern Promisesexcels in its world-building, immersing viewers in the insular and ritualistic culture of the Russian mafia, making itan essential 21st-century gangster flick.
Eastern Promises
7’A Prophet' (2009)
Directed by Jacques Audiard
“I’m the king now.” French filmmakerJacques Audiardis currently up for an Oscar for the controversialEmilia Pérez, but his best project is probablyA Prophet, a visceral film about Malik El Djebena (Tahar Rahim), a young Arab man sentenced to six years in a French prison. Initially naïve and out of his depth, Malik quickly learns the brutal rules of survival within the system. Through cunning and determination, he rises through the ranks, gaining the trust of a Corsican mob boss while secretly building his criminal empire.
The movie isbrutally effective at immersing the viewer in the prison environment, a place where power and violence rule. The movie is realistic, gritty, and graphic, featuring intense scenes like Malik’s first kill, which involves a razor blade concealed in his mouth. This was a challenging role, but Rahim does a terrific job making Malik fully believable. His dramatic transformation feels authentic, which is key to the movie’s success.
A Prophet (2009)
6’Layer Cake' (2004)
Directed by Matthew Vaughn
“When you’re in, you’re in. There’s no way out.“Layer CakemarkeddirectorMatthew Vaughn’s feature debut, and it’s an impressive one, practically dripping with menace. This sleek gangster flick wasDaniel Craig’s breakout movie, playing a pivotal role in landing him the James Bond gig. Here, he plays a nameless drug dealer who is ready to retire after one last job. However, his plans unravel as he becomes entangled in a web of deceit, betrayal, and unexpected violence.
Layer Cakeis intricate and dynamic, boasting a smart script and inventive cinematography. Memorable shots include a conversation viewed from beneath a glass coffee table and an unforgettable POV sequence in which a brutal beating is experienced from the victim’s perspective. But the highlight is Craig’s central character, who is intriguing precisely because he’s so unlike most over-the-top gangsters in crime movies. Rather than being an exaggerated villain, he’s simply a businessman unconstrained by the law.
Layer Cake
5’The Town' (2010)
Directed by Ben Affleck
“Your mother’s not coming back.” One ofBen Affleck’s strongest directorial efforts,The Townisa gripping heist thriller with a distinctly Boston flavor. Affleck leads the cast as Doug MacRay, a career criminal who begins to question his choices after falling for Claire (Rebecca Hall), a woman taken hostage during one of his bank robberies. Torn between his loyalty to his gang and his desire for a better life, Doug must make a choice that could change everything.
The movie ably blends action, character-driven drama, and Boston’s rich, gritty atmosphere into a compelling neo-noir package. The characters are three-dimensional and the performances are great across the board, particularly fromJeremy Renner(he received an Oscar nod) and the latePete Postlethwaite. Affleck’s confident direction holds it all together, serving up fantastic practical effects and crafting several realistic shootouts. WhileThe Towndoesn’t reinvent the heist flick, it contributes a polished and engaging entry to the subgenre.
4’Miller’s Crossing' (1990)
Directed by Joel Coen
“Nobody knows anybody. Not that well.“Miller’s Crossingis an early work by theCoen brothers, weaving a tale of loyalty and betrayal in the Prohibition era. It featuresGabriel Byrneas Tom Reagan, the right-hand man to mob boss Leo (Albert Finney). As tensions rise between rival gangs, Tom’s duplicity and moral ambiguity place him at the center of a dangerous power struggle. The movie fleshes out this premise with a rich, layered narrative, complex characters, and razor-sharp dialogue.
In addition,Miller’s Crossingrevels in its genre influences, with echoes of classic gangster films and hard-boiled novels. The violence is stylized, and many of the plot developments are ripped straight out of pulp fiction. However, the understated lead performance by Byrne keeps everything grounded. Without him, the project could easily have crashed and burned. The final touch is the gorgeous cinematography byRoger Deakins, bathing the film in rich, autumnal colors, giving it a painterly, almost dreamlike quality.
Miller’s Crossing
3’Blood In, Blood Out' (1993)
Directed by Taylor Hackford
“Every man has to find his own destiny.” This epic crime drama chronicles the lives of three Mexican-American cousins in East Los Angeles over several decades. They are Miklo (Damian Chapa), Paco (Benjamin Bratt), and Cruz (Jesse Borrego), a trio whose lives diverge into crime, law enforcement, and art, respectively. The movie uses their intertwined fates to explore themes of loyalty, identity, belonging, and redemption.The film thrives on deep character development, making the eventual conflicts all the more poignant.
Not every scene works, and the three-hour runtime could have used some trimming, but overall,Blood In, Blood Out(AKABound by Honor) is a moving and ambitious project. Despite the length,Taylor Hackford’s direction ensures that the film mostly maintains its momentum. The highlight of the film is Chapa’s performance as the tragic Miklo, a young man with one foot in two worlds, torn between competing allegiances. As withA Prophet, his transformation is compelling and intense.
Blood In Blood Out
2’Gomorrah' (2008)
Directed by Matteo Garrone
“Power is only important if you know how to use it.“Gomorrahoffers a harrowing look at the Neapolitan Mafia, known as the Camorra. Unlike traditional gangster films, this Italian masterpiece eschews romanticism, presenting an unflinching portrayal of crime’s impact on everyday lives. It focuses on the people caught in the Camorra’s web, from a young boy aspiring to join the gang to a tailor struggling to break free.
Unlike traditional gangster films, this Italian masterpiece eschews romanticism, presenting an unflinching portrayal of crime’s impact on everyday lives.
It’s refreshing to see a movie thatstrips away the grandeur and operatic nature of most gangster epics, going for a more mundane and systemic picture of crime and dysfunction.The realistic style and non-linear storytelling are effective, making the drama and violence hit all the harder. The movie occasionally feels a little didactic or unambiguous, but there’s more than enough food for thought and rich scenes to compensate. That said, some find its bleakness a little tiring.Martin Scorsese, however, appreciated this aboutGomorrah, praising the film’s “despair” and “frankness.”
1’King of New York' (1990)
Directed by Abel Ferrara
“From now on, nothing goes down unless I’m involved.“King of New Yorkis a gem by directorAbel Ferrara, the twisted mind behind films likeMs. 45andBad Lieutenant. Oscar-winnerChristopher Walkendelivers a magnetic performanceas Frank White, a recently released drug lord who seeks to rebuild his empire while funding charitable causes for his community. His moral ambiguity and ruthless ambition make him one of the most fascinating gangster characters in cinema.
Walken fully inhabits this villainous yet strangely compelling character, assisted by a stellar supporting cast includingDavid Caruso,Laurence Fishburne,Wesley Snipes, andVictor Argo. Ferrara brings out the best in them. He knows how to shoot them, too, conjuring up a chaotic but darkly beautiful cityscape for them to inhabit, showing off an impressive command of mood.King of New Yorkbombed on release but has aged well and is certainly worth checking out for fans of gangster films.
King of New York
This crime thriller follows Frank White, a recently released drug lord, as he attempts to regain control of New York’s underworld. Seeking to use his criminal empire to fund social projects, White’s violent methods put him at odds with the law and rival gangs, leading to a bloody power struggle.
