Are you a fan of crime thriller movies involving mob bosses or gangsters, drugs, murders and overall, bloodshed? Then this article is a must read for you. In this article we have talked about the best gangster movies on Netflix that crime lovers would enjoy binge watching this spring break.
Since the release of the Godfather movie starring Al Pacino and Rober De Niro, gangster crime genre movies have gotten massive popularity. These mob genre movies revolve around organized crimes, drugs, outlaws, gangsters and lots of violence.
People are drawn to law breakers who can bend the will of even powerful man with their power and control regions under them. The money, glamour, power to go against the laws brings forth an escape mechanism while watching these gangster movies.
Hence why so many people love gangster or mob crime-based movies. As people are often bound by the law, these movies offer a look into the world of outlaws and criminals. To watch these thrilling gangster movies, learn which movies of these genre are available on Netflix.
Best Gangster Movies On Netflix
Whether you are new to watching gangster movies or an avid fan of gangster crime thrillers, this article puts forward only the best gangster movies on Netflix. Some of these movies are timeless classic gangster movies that opened the road for many other gangster movies in Hollywood.
The Irishman (2019)
Among the best gangster movies on Netflix is The Irishman which came out in 2019. The Irishman is an epic gangster movie directed by the Oscar winning director, Martin Scorsese. The Irishman stars celebrated actor Robert De Niro and Al Pacino.
The movie is based on Frank Sheeran played by Robert De Niro. The movie shows Frank narrating his story about how he became a gang member of the Bufalino family. He recounts his rise as a top hitman for the Bufalino crime family from being a mere truck driver.
The movie has a run-time of three hours but every second of the movie is worth it. Among all the best gangster movies on Netflix, The Irishman has its separate fan base for its plot and fabulous ending.
American Gangster (2007)
The 2007 biographical film, American Gangster based on American criminal Frank Lucas is among the best black gangster movies on Netflix. The movie was directed by Steven Zaillian, and stars Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas.
The movie stars other celebrated actors like Russel Crowe, Carla Gugino, Josh Brolin, Idris Elba, Cuba Gooding Jr., Ruby Dee and many more names from the film industry. The movie shows Frank Lucas life and his notorious drug smuggling business that created his drug empire.
Frank Lucas used soldiers’ coffins to smuggle drugs into America while the coffins were returned from Vietnam War. Russel Crowe plays the role of just detective who is given the responsibility to take down Lucas’s drug empire.
This movie has tried sticking to the original story of Frank Lucas which makes the plot even more gripping. The actors gave phenomenal performances but giving just to their own characters, making the movie one of the best gangster movies of all time.
Scarface (1983)
If you are talking about the best gangster movies on Netflix or best gangster movies of all time, then Scarface must be on the list. This 1983 hit gangster movie directed by Brian De Palma is a masterpiece on its own.
The movie stars Al Pacino as Tony Montana who rises from a penniless Cuban refugee to Miami’s one of the most influential drug lords who is ruthless in his undertaking. This movie is one of the best works of actor Al Pacino who is known to be the star of gangster genre movies.
What makes the movie standout among the rest of the gangster movies is the story of Scarface that shows the rise of the powerless. How survival makes one become the most ruthless and feared figure which makes views nothing but root for the villain. Afterall every villain has their backstory which made them the person they are.
The correct casting worked as a charm to give life to this movie through their outstanding acting.
The Departed (2006)
The Departed is a crime thriller movie directed by Academy Award winner, Martin Scorsese. The story is written by William Monahan, loosely based on the real-life story about the Baston Winter Hill Gang. The movie is also a remake of the movie, Infernal Affairs which was a Hong Kong film released in 2002.
The Departed movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Vera Farmiga, Alec Baldwin, Jack Nicholson and many more notable actors. Jack Nicholson plays the character of Frank Costello, the notorious Irish gangster.
William Costigan Jr. is an undercover cop played by Leonardo Dicaprio and sergeant, Colin Sullivan who is a mole played by Matt Damon gets caught between the police and drug cartel. Sullivan and Billy’s royalties are tested when all eyes of the enemies are on them.
Internal Affairs II (2003)
Internal Affairs II is among the best Asian Gangster movies on Netflix. Internal Affair II is the prequel to Internal Affairs movie in 2002 starring Andy Lau, and Tony Leung. Internal Affairs II is directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak.
Internal Affair II stars Edison Chen as the gangster or mole in the police force, Lau Kin-ming and Anthony Wong as the young police officer, Wong Chi-shing. Cast members from Internal Affair 2002, Eric Tsang, Chapman To and Shawn Yue returns to their role with new cast members Francis Ng, Roy Cheung, Carina Lau and Hu Jun.
Internal Affairs II tells the story about Wong Chi-shing (Wong), an undercover police officer out to infiltrate the local mafia to put an end to the organized crime. While a gangster, Lau Kin-ming (Chen) infiltrates the police department working as a mole for the local mafia gang.
Years later both tries to blow each other’s cover while trying to save their own lives. Intense scenes filled with action, plot and phenomenal acting by the cast makes Internal Affair II one of the best gangster movies on Netflix that you can binge watch.
Legend (2015)
Legend is a biographical crime thriller movie based on the rise and fall of Ronald and Reginald Kray also known as the ‘Kray Twins.’ Kray Twins were London’s most notorious gangsters in the 1960s. They rose through the underworld using intimidation, terror and violence to advance their family business.
The Kray Twins terrorized London during their rise before being imprisoned in 1969 for their gruesome acts. Brian Helgeland and adapted from the book ‘The Profession of Violence: The Rise and Fall of the Kray Twins’ by John Pearson. The book follows the lives and career of the Kray Twins until their life imprisonment.
Legend stars celebrated actor Ton Hardy who played both the roles of Ronald and Reginald Kray phenomenally. Some of the other actors in the movie were Emily Browning, Paul Anderson, David Thewlis, and Christopher Eccleston. Each actor was outstanding in their roles making Legend one of the best British gangster movies on Netflix.
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Reservoir Dogs is a neo-noir crime genre movie directed by Quentin Tarantino. This movie was the directorial debut for Quentin Tarantino. The movie stars Tim Roth, Micheal Madsen, Steve Buscemi, Randy Brooks, Kirk Baltz, Lawrence Tierney, Chris Penn and Harvey Keitel.
Reservoir Dogs is a story about six criminals who unite to execute a jewelry heist which goes terribly wrong. The simple heist fails miserably with death leading to surviving criminals doubting each other questioning who among them the mole is.
Reservoir Dogs is a movie full of violent scenes and profanity but what sets apart the movie in gangster crime genre is its brilliant screenwriting. With both intense and comical scenes with the right timing, the film is one of the greatest gangster movies of all time. Even Empire listed Reservoir Dogs as the “Greatest Independent Film of all Time.”
Goodfellas (1990)
Goodfellas is a biographical gangster crime movie heavily inspired by the real-life gangster, Henry Hill who later turns into an informant. Goodfellas is based on the book, Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi. Goodfella is one of the best gangster movies on Netflix and an all time classic gangster movie to watch.
Goodfellas stars Robert De Niro as James Conway, the Irish American gangster while Ray Liotta plays Henry Hill fascinated by the Irish gangster. Goodfellas is directed by award winning director Martin Scorsese who met the man himself, Henry Hill based on whom the movie was being made.
Scorsese took valuable information from Hill about the inner workings of the criminal underworld to create a realistic picture of the Mafia world in the movie. Although some of the incidents were fictional in the movie to create greater effect, Scorsese took care of the minute details in the movie to make the movie authentic and accurate to the mob scene of the 1960s and 70s. It’s the best gangster movie of all time.
Conclusion
These are the best gangster movies On Netflix that you can enjoy watching. And if you have already watched these movies, then go watch it again as it’s equally good how many times you watch it. Let us know which of these gangster movies you have already watched?
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