The dark underworld poses as the paradise of all crimes around the world. The gangsters dominate the entire empire of this criminal world. The line between the protagonist and the antagonist is always blurred here. Because the main rhythm here lies between power and money. The best Hollywood gangster movies have brought this world, which is just outside of the traditional way of life, to the silver screen in a wonderful way. Today’s feature assembles some of the best gangster movies of Hollywood.
Top 10 Gangster Films Ever Made in The History Of Hollywood
The Godfather | 1972
IMDb: 9.2 | RottenTomatoes: 97%| 3 Oscars
The story of this American epic crime film, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, is based on Mario Puzo’s best-selling novel of the same name, published in 1969. The film stars Marlon Brando, James Cane, Al Pacino, Richard Castellano, Sterling Hayden, Robert Duval, John Marley, Diane Keaton, and Richard Conte. This is the first of three installments of the Godfather movie series.
The story of the film centered on the Corleone Mafia gang formed by Vito Corleone after World War II. Despite not being involved in the gang’s activities, Vito’s youngest son, Michael Corleone, is transformed into a formidable mafia.
Goodfellas | 1990
IMDb: 8.7 | RottenTomatoes: 96%| 1 Oscar
This American biographical film is directed by Martin Scorsese, an Oscar-winning thriller movie maker. The screenplay is based on the 1985 non-fiction book Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi. Scorsese himself co-wrote the screenplay with Pileggi to transform the non-fiction into the movie.
The film, starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pacey, Ray Leota, Paul Sorvino, and Lauren Braco, is produced by Irwin Winkler. This crime film is an ultimate depiction of the rise and fall of Henry Hill, an American mobster from 1955 to 1960.
The Departed | 2006
IMDb: 8.5 | RottenTomatoes: 90% | 4 Oscars
This epic crime thriller film is another wonderful creation of renowned moviemaker Martin Scorsese. It is, in fact, a Hollywood version of the famous Hong Kong movie Infernal Affairs(2002). William Monahan wrote the screenplay for The Departed Movie, which focuses on the real-life of the Boston Winter Hill Gang.
While working as a spy for an Irish gang in South Boston, the two secret police officers get busy identifying each other. Along with the dashing actor Leonardo DiCaprio, this blockbuster cast includes Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, Vera Farmiga, Alec Baldwin, Martin Sheen, and Ray Winston.
Boyz n the Hood | 1991
IMDb: 7.8 | RottenTomatoes: 96%| 2 Oscar Nominations
John Singleton started directing movies for the first time with this coming-of-age film. Singleton’s screenplay revolves around the central character named Tre Styles. He is sent to live with his father in a place surrounded by growing gang culture.
Once Upon a Time in America | 1984
IMDb: 8.4 | RottenTomatoes: 87%| 2 BAFTA Film Awards
This best Hollywood gangster movie of the ’80s was directed by Italian filmmaker Sergio Leone. Based on Harry Gray’s novel- The Hoods, this epic film depicts the friendship between two Jews. Aronson and Maximilian Barcovis became known in the underworld of New York City as notorious Jewish gangsters.
This crime film is a complete package of love, greed, betrayal, loss, and the rise of mobsters in American society. The multilingual movie, distributed by Warner Bros., stars Robert De Niro and James Woods.
Bugsy | 1991
IMDb: 6.8 | RottenTomatoes: 84%| 2 Oscars
This is another biographical feature film that tells the story of Benjamin Bugsy Siegel becoming a gangster. Siegel’s mobster life, as well as his relationship with Virginia Hill, was predominant here. Directed by Barry Levinson and scripted by James Toback, the movie was well-received by critics.
The movie stars Warren Beatty as Bugsy and Annette Benning as Virginia. The supporting cast included Harvey Keitel, Elliott Gold, Ben Kingsley, Joe Mantegna, and Bebe Neuwirth.
The Irishman | 2019
IMDb: 7.8 | RottenTomatoes: 95%| 10 Oscar Nominations
This is the ninth time that director Martin Scorsese and actor Robert De Niro have worked together on this film. Steven Jillian scripted the movie based on the 2004 nonfiction book I Heard You Paint Houses by Charles Brandt. In addition to Robert De Niro, the film also stars Al Pacino, Joe Pacey, Bobby Cannavale, Ray Romano, Stephen Graham, Anna Paquin, and Harvey Keitel.
The story of the film is about a hitman named Frank Sheeran, who has a secret past involved with mobster Russell Buffalino and his gang.
Road to Perdition | 2002
IMDb: 7.7 | RottenTomatoes: 81%| 1 Oscar
This Neo-Noir crime film was made in the context of the Great Depression of 1931. A mobster and his young son are on a mission to avenge the murder of their family. The story originated from a graphic novel of the same name by Max Alan Collins. The comic book was illustrated by Richard Pierce Rainer. And the script for the movie is written by David Self.
This Period Drama, directed by Sam Mendes, stars Tom Hanks, Daniel Craig, Paul Newman, and Jude Law.
Casino | 1995
IMDb: 8.2 | RottenTomatoes: 78%| 1 Oscar Nomination
This Barbara-De-Fina production was directed by renowned gangster movie maker Martin Scorsese. Nicolas Pileggi and Scorsese worked together also in this film. Nicolas Pileggi’s 1995 nonfiction book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas was presented on the full screen. The screenplay of the film also had a touch of Scorsese.
It is basically a story that focuses on the competition between two friends in maintaining a luxurious lifestyle in the crime world.
Robert De Niro has played the lead role in this movie of Scorsese as always. The cast also includes Sharon Stone, Don Rickles, Joe Pacey, James Woods, and Kevin Pollock.
The Untouchables | 1987
IMDb: 7.9 | RottenTomatoes: 83%| 1 Oscar
The Untouchables by Eliot Ness and Oscar Fraley was published in 1957. The book was made into a film in 1987 under the banner of Paramount Pictures. Produced by Art Linson, the crime film is directed by Brian de Palma.
The film, scripted by David Mamet, shows federal agent Elliott Ness forming a small team to bring Chicago’s notorious gangster Al Capone to justice. The film stars Charles Martin Smith, Kevin Costner, Robert De Niro, Andy Garcia, and Shawn Connery.
Bottom Line
Apart from crime, the top-rated Hollywood gangster movies have talked about the misery of the people who are going through this life all the time. Unspoken romance has ever shone in the picture of atrocities. In addition to the interactions among gangs, the rushes of personal relationships have been presented in the mainstream. Moreover, gangster movies are one of the most popular movie genres in Hollywood.
Source: United News of Bangladesh