Since the Golden Age of Hollywood, gangster movies have had a lasting impact on film buffs. They’re one of the most exciting and iconic genres of filmmaking in cinema. Gangster movies draw viewers into the dark, dangerous, and enticing world of organized crime, depicting memorable wise guys as they rob and murder their way to the top, only to come crashing down.
While they pack a lot of action and thrills, what draws people in more is the incredible performances that bring these iconic cinematic criminals to life.Gangster movies truly have some of the best performers who brought to life memorable mobsters and villains who’ve become legendary in pop culture.Their performances were perfect, even award-worthy, and they’ve stood the test of time for being truly unique. FromLeandro FirminoinCity of GodtoAl PacinoinThe Godfather, here are ten of the most compelling performances from gangster movies.
10Leandro Firmino as “Lil” Zé Pequeno
‘City of God’ (2004)
Hailing from Brazil,City of Godis aninternational coming-of-age crime dramadirected byFernando Meirelles. StarringAlexandre Rodriguesand Leandro Firmino, it sees the two playing as two young boys who drastically go down far different paths in life. One boy, Rocket, struggles to become a photographer, while the other, “Lil” Zé Pequeno, rises through the criminal underworld to become a ruthless drug baron.
Reportedly based onBrazilian drug traffickerJosé Eduardo Barreto Conceição, Zé Pequeno is a cold-hearted, brutal, and remorseless killer, willing to commit all sorts of heinous acts, including using child soldiers to rule over the streets of Rio de Janeiro.Leandro Firmino gives one of the most frighteningly realistic portrayals of a sadistic gangster in the form of Lil Zé. He plays the character with restraint, not going too over-the-top to accurately depict this real-life monster and many of his despicable deeds.It was an incredible feat by the young actor, especially since it was his breakout performance.
City of God
In the slums of Rio, two kids' paths diverge as one struggles to become a photographer and the other a kingpin.
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9Sharon Stone as Ginger McKenna
‘Casino’ (1995)
Proving thatthe 90s was the best decadeto be a gangster movie fan,Martin Scorsese’sCasinois a glorious crime epic starringRobert De Niro,Joe Pesci, andSharon Stone. Set during the Golden Age of Los Vegas, with the Mafia controlling behind the scenes, it follows two Mob associates as they protect their bosses' investments by managing the Tangiers Casino. However, when their personal lives started drawing too much attention, eventually, the Mafia’s hold over the city began to crumble.
In undoubtedly her most compelling performance,Sharon Stone steals the show as Ginger McKenna, an avaricious hustler who’s only out for herself. As a wedge between the two leads, Ace Rothstein (De Niro) and Nicky Santor (Pesci), her greed for wealth and luxury inevitably spells doom for all of them as she unintentionally attracts the local authorities.Stone is flawless in the role, bringing her charm and talent to brilliantly portray a loathsome con art that audiences love to hate.Her incredible work earnedCasino’s only Oscar nomination for supporting actress. In a film with huge-name acting legends, includingJames WoodsandDon Rickles, Stone became the standout and continues to bethe defining performance of her career.
In Las Vegas, two best friends — a casino executive and a mafia enforcer — compete for a gambling empire and a fast-living, fast-loving socialite.
8Paul Muni as Tony Camonte
‘Scarface’ (1932)
The early 1930s saw the dawn of the gangster/crime genre, which released many iconic classics, likeLittle Ceaser,Angels with Dirty Faces, andThe Public Enemy. But the biggest standout wasHoward Hawks’Scarface, starring Academy Award winnerPaul Muni. Set in Prohibition-era Chicago, it follows the ambitious rise of street thug Tony Camonte as he ignites a war between rival street gangs to take over the city.
Before the legendaryAl Pacinogave his iconic, but admittedly over-the-top, interpretation of this classic gangster inBrain De Palma’s ‘83 remake, Paul Muni had already perfected the character of Tony Camonte with his impeccable talents. This version of Tony is colder, ruthless, and harder to predict. His greed, lust for power, and not to mention his hot-heated temper inevitably cause his iconic downfall.Muni’s performance is a staple of the gangster genre, one of the most influential and recognizable portrayals of gangsters ever shown on screen. No matter how old this version gets, Tony Camote and the talented performer playing him will remain timeless.
In 1920s Chicago, ambitious Italian immigrant Tony Camonte, known as Scarface, ascends the ranks of organized crime with ruthless determination. As he gains power and wealth, he struggles to shield his sister from the criminal underworld, leading to tensions and conflicts that threaten his empire.
7Jack Nicholson as Frank Costello
‘The Departed’ (2006)
Martin Scorsese delivers action and thrillswith his 2006 Best Picture-winning crime epicThe Departed. Starring his frequent collaboratorLeonardo DiCaprio, it sees him play rookie undercover police officer Billy Costigan Jr. as he infiltrates the gang of notorious Irish American crime Boss Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). Soon, he fights to keep his identity a secret while also trying to snuff out who Frank’s mole is within his own department.
The always magnificentJack Nicholson gives arguably the most riveting performanceof his career in the 21st century as Frank Costello. Cold-blooded, sadistic, and incredibly cunning, Costello is a masterful criminal mastermind whose brilliance is only matched by his cruelty. Nicholson’s portrayal is genuinely menacing, and each scene leaves a lingering feeling of fear as to what terrible thing he might do next. Like many of his thrilling roles,Nicholson sprinkles in bits of dark comedy and crude humor to add an extra layer of intrigue to his performance. As a result, Frank Costello became a highlight of his later careerand continues to stand out in the crime genre.
The Departed
An undercover cop and a mole in the police attempt to identify each other while infiltrating an Irish gang in South Boston.
6Daniel Day-Lewis as Bill ‘The Butcher’ Cutting
‘Gangs of New York’ (2002)
Gangs of New Yorkis a 2002 Scorsese period crime drama that started with his first collaboration with Leonardo DiCaprio and his only time working with the legendary, three-time Academy Award-winning actorSir Daniel Day-Lewis. Set in the early 1860s, it follows a young Irish-American immigrant as he returns to the Five Points of New York to avenge his father’s death by taking out the vicious crime lord Bill “The Butcher” Cutting.
Scorsese has an act for craftingsome of the most terrifying villains, and The Butcher is undoubtedly one of his best. Bill is a ruthless, bloodthirsty tyrant who rules over the streets of New York.It’s all thanks to Daniel Day-Lewis and his reputation for going above and beyond when it comes to playing his characters that’s made this remarkable performance so fantastic. He went as far as to learn how to tap his character’s prosthetic fake eye without flinching and even took butchery lessons to fully immerse in the character.It’s undeniably one of Day-Lewis’ most shining examples of his acting talents, a role only he could bring to the screen.
Gangs of New York
In 1862, Amsterdam Vallon returns to the Five Points area of New York City seeking revenge against Bill the Butcher, his father’s killer.
5Robert De Niro as Vito Corleone
‘The Godfather Part II’ (1974)
A follow-up to what’s wildly regarded as a masterpiece is no easy task,butThe Godfather Part IIisn’t like most sequels. Continuing the epic tale of the Corleone family, it follows the new Don Michael (Al Pacino) as he struggles to move his family away from organized crime. Scattered throughout several points in the story, it travels back to the early years of the young Godfather Vito Corleone (Robert De Niro), from his tragic upbringing in Italy to his rise to prominence in America.
Given the daunting task of believably playing a younger version of a massively beloved character, the great Robert De Niro knocks out of the park with this Oscar-winning performance. Audiences follow young Vito as he learns and makes the crucial decisions that eventually turn him into the respected crime lord he becomes.De Niro flawlessly adopts the main traits his predecessor, Marlon Brando, brought to the role, including his gestures and behavior.He spent several months in Sicily to perfect his accent and accurately portray a fresh-of-the-boat Italian immigrant.All these unique qualities culminated in a marvelous performance, earning De Niro his well-deserved Best Supporting Actor Award.
The Godfather: Part II
Michael Corleone expands his crime empire while dealing with personal betrayal and loss. Simultaneously, flashbacks reveal the rise of his father, Vito Corleone, from a Sicilian immigrant to a powerful mob boss in New York. The narrative intertwines their stories, exploring themes of power, family, and the consequences of ambition.
4James Cagney as Cody Jarrett
‘White Heat’ (1949)
The superbJames Cagneyhad an act for playing iconic gangsters. During the Golden Age, his talents for going all out with his performances shined, especially when portraying ambitious criminals like Tom Powers fromThe Public Enemyor Eddie Bartlett inThe Roaring Twenties. However, undoubtedly, his most compelling, vicious gangster role was as the sadistic Arthur “Cody” Jarret inRauol Walsh’sWhite Heat.
Cody Jarrett is a truly captivating antagonist who steals the spotlight at every chance. Cagney quickly makes the audience feel intimidated by this cold-hearted criminal. He doesn’t show restraint in some of Jarrett’s most brutal moments, and he easily slips into the role of a violent, despicable monster with hardly any redeeming qualities.It is an iconic and quite unsettling portrayal that’s not only one of the best of Cagney’s career but widely seen as one of cinema’sgreatest gangster villains of all time.
White Heat
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3Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone
‘The Godfather’ (1973)
Francis Ford Coppola’sThe Godfathertakes its place in the annals of cinema as one of the most significant masterpieces ever made. Featuring an iconic ensemble at the top of their game, it sees the legendary Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone, the head of the most powerful crime family in New York. After refusing to join the dangerous drug business with the other families, a violent war ensues, leading Vito to adapt to this new violent world while also having to reluctantly make his youngest son, Michael (Pacino), his future successor.
Hailed as one of themost flawless gangster performances in cinema,Brando’s role as Don Corleone has become a staple of pop culture. His delivery is spot-on, his gestures and mannerisms are iconic, and he delivers some truly memorable lines.He expertly comes across as a genuinely sympathetic but complex character. He is technically a villain but far more reasonable and understandable than the average gangster. This is a cherished role and one that has cemented Marlon Brando’s legacy as one of Hollywood’s greatest performers.
The Godfather
Don Vito Corleone, head of a mafia family, decides to hand over his empire to his youngest son, Michael. However, his decision unintentionally puts the lives of his loved ones in grave danger.
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2Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVito
‘Goodfellas’ (1990)
Finally, on to Martin Scorsese’s masterpiece,Goodfellas. The iconic filmmaker’s most beloved film,it’s a highly quotable, darkly funny, hyper-violent crime classic that’s never dwindled in popularity. The late greatRay Liottastars and narrates as Henry Hill, the real-life mob associate who rose along with his friends to become top earners within the Lucchese crime family. But when his glamorous life in organized crime slowly begins to crumble, he’s forced to become an informant against his former allies.
In a thrilling gangster classic with some of the best acting performances in the genre,many would agree the biggest standout was the one and only Joe Pesci in his Oscar-winning role as the unhinged hitman Tommy DeVito.Played to perfection with so much intensity and unpredictability, Pesci delivers one of the most terrifying portrayals of a gangster ever shown on film. He could confidently able to switch from different sides of Tommy’s personality, going from a wise-cracking tough guy to a deranged, remorseless killer all within a few seconds.The real Henry Hill praised Pesci’s attempt for authenticity, even claiming he was “90-99% accurate” to the real mobster Tommy was based on, Thomas DeSimone.
Goodfellas
The story of Henry Hill and his life in the mafia, covering his relationship with his wife Karen and his mob partners Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito.
1Al Pacino as Don Michael Corleone
‘The Godfather Parts I, II, & III’ (1972-1990)
Coming in at number one is the performance that shaped Al Pacino’s entire career.Don Michael Corleone fromThe Godfathertrilogy is one of cinema’s most fascinating and complex characters. Appearing at the beginning of the first film as an upstanding war hero who wanted nothing to do with the Corleone business, he soon reluctantly had to ascend to the role of Godfather to protect the family after losing his father Vito and older brother, Sonny (James Caan). But as his power grew, his motives to protect the ones he loved became overshadowed by his need for control, turning him into a cold and cynical crime lord.
It’s a heartbreaking depiction of a good man straying too far down the path of villainy.Whether audiences see him as a tragic anti-hero or a cold-blooded monster is left up to interpretation, making the performance all the more compelling.It’s all thanks to Pacino’s flawless acting skills and ability to convey so much emotion and thought through his intense gestures and stares. It’s no secret to fans that Pacinowas criminally robbed of an Oscarfor either the first or second installment.Still, even without a golden statue, this role cemented Al Pacino’s legacy as one of the greatest actors of the 20th century.
The Godfather Part III
Follows Michael Corleone, now in his 60s, as he seeks to free his family from crime and find a suitable successor to his empire.
