You’ve probably seen a few of them, but you can’t really say you’ve seen everything the genre has to offer until you’ve given all 15 of these classic mafia movies a spin.
The Godfather (1972)
This movie gives us a chance to really look into how mafia organizations go from building their empire to falling apart.
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The Godfather: Part II (1974)
The story takes us from the early beginnings of the Corleone family moving from Italy to New York and taking out their rivals in order to gain control over the drug trade.
2
Goodfellas (1990)
The film shines a spotlight on Henry Hill (played by Liotta), a half Irish and half-Italian son of an abusive and alcoholic father who grows up in Brooklyn in the 1950s.
3
Boyz N the Hood (1991)
The film is littered with symbolism and metaphors. These transform it from a generic coming-of-age story into a powerful social commentary on the state of black America.
4
The Departed (2006)
The Departed is an American crime drama directed by Martin Scorsese. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Jack Nicholson. The film takes place in Boston, where it pits two “rats” against each other.
5
American Gangster (2007)
American Gangster is one of those classic crime movies based on true stories, focusing on Frank Lucas’s rise during the 1970s.
6
Scarface (1983)
The film follows a Cuban immigrant who finds opportunity in crime selling cocaine. Tony eventually finds himself in the middle of a gang war as his past comes back to haunt him.
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