Best Italian Mob Movies

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Diane Keaton
Rated R

The Godfather is an iconic 1972 American crime drama directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The film follows the powerful Italian-American crime family of Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando). After a rival mob family attempts to assassinate his father, his son Michael (Al Pacino) steps in to take control of the family business. As his father's health declines, Michael plans to bring the Corleone family to a level of even greater power and success. Along the way, he faces opposition from both inside and outside the family and must make tough decisions in order to protect his family and its interests. The film is considered to be one of the greatest films of all time, earning numerous awards and earning its place on the AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies list.

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton
Rated R

The Godfather Part II is a 1974 American crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola and produced by Albert S. Ruddy. It is the second installment in The Godfather trilogy, with Al Pacino reprising his role as the aging Don Michael Corleone. The film covers both the early life of Vito Corleone and the ascension of his son, Michael Corleone, to the position of the head of the family. The film follows Michael Corleone as he deals with the ramifications of his success in the criminal world, while also trying to protect his family from his enemies. Vito Corleone's story is told in a series of flashbacks, as he rises to power in the early 1900s in his hometown of Sicily, before moving to the United States and becoming a powerful crime boss. The film's cast includes Robert De Niro as Vito Corleone, Robert Duvall as Tom Hagen, Diane Keaton as Kay Adams-Corleone, Talia Shire as Connie Corleone Rizzi, and John Cazale as Fredo Corleone. The film received critical acclaim and won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapt

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco
Rated R

Goodfellas is a classic crime drama directed by Martin Scorsese and based on the non-fiction book Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi. It tells the true story of Henry Hill, a mobster in the Lucchese crime family in New York City. It follows Henry as he rises through the ranks of the criminal underworld and eventually falls from grace. It features an all-star cast including Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, Ray Liotta, Lorraine Bracco and Paul Sorvino. The film is a highly stylized and gripping exploration of the violent and often lawless world of organized crime. It follows the lives of Henry and his crew as they commit various criminal activities, including murder, drug dealing and money laundering, along the way. The film examines their relationships and the toll that their life of crime takes on them. The film was a massive critical and commercial success, earning six Oscar nominations and winning one.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, James Woods
Rated R

Casino is a 1995 American crime film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, and Joe Pesci. Set in 1970s Las Vegas, the story follows Sam "Ace" Rothstein (De Niro), a Jewish American gambler and former mob associate, as he attempts to turn the Tangiers Casino into the top casino in town while avoiding the involvement of the Chicago mafia. Along the way, he is aided by his best friend and casino manager, Nicky Santoro (Pesci), while also dealing with his wife, Ginger (Stone), and her love affairs. The film explores themes of greed, deception, money, power, and murder between different mobsters, gamblers, and casino owners as they battle for control of the Las Vegas strip.

From Brian De Palma, starring Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert De Niro, Charles Martin Smith
Rated R

The Untouchables is a 1987 American crime drama film directed by Brian De Palma and written by David Mamet, based on the book of the same name. The film tells the story of Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner), a young law enforcement agent who assembles a team of incorruptible agents to take on notorious gangster Al Capone (Robert De Niro). As Ness and his team fight a relentless battle to bring down Capone and his empire of illegal alcohol, they face a range of opposition from Capone's henchmen, the Chicago police and an increasingly hostile public opinion. Along the way, they develop a deep respect and camaraderie that will change the face of law enforcement. The film was a huge box office success and was nominated for four Academy Awards, winning the award for best supporting actor for Sean Connery.

From Robert De Niro, starring Robert De Niro, Chazz Palminteri, Lillo Brancato, Francis Capra
Rated R

A Bronx Tale is a 1993 American crime film directed by Robert De Niro and starring Chazz Palminteri. The film is based on Palminteri's semi-autobiographical play of the same name. The story follows a young Italian-American, Calogero Anello, as he grows up in the 1960s and is caught between the temptations of organized crime and the values of his hard-working father. Calogero's ambitions and allegiances are tested by both his father's strict sense of morality and the local mob boss, Sonny LoSpecchio. The film explores themes of loyalty, family, loyalty, and doing what is right no matter the cost. It is an inspirational story of tough love and ultimately making the right decisions in life.

From Mike Newell, starring Al Pacino, Johnny Depp, Michael Madsen, Bruno Kirby
Rated R

Donnie Brasco is a 1997 crime drama directed by Mike Newell. The film stars Al Pacino and Johnny Depp in the lead roles. It is based on the true story of an undercover FBI agent, Joseph D. Pistone, who infiltrated the mafia in the 1970s. The film follows Pistone, under the alias of Donnie Brasco, as he befriends a low-level mafia member, Lefty Ruggiero (Pacino), in an effort to bring down the mob from the inside. As their relationship deepens, Pistone finds himself torn between his loyalty to the FBI and his friendship with Lefty. The two men are soon forced to make a tough decision that could mean the end of their friendship and the success of the FBI mission. Donnie Brasco is a gripping and emotional film that shows the cost of undercover work and the power of friendship.

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, Andy Garcia, Talia Shire
Rated R

The Godfather Part III is the concluding chapter in Francis Ford Coppola's epic Godfather film trilogy. It follows Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) as he attempts to redeem himself and his family by entering the legitimate business world. However, the past still haunts him and he finds himself struggling to keep his family and his empire out of danger. Michael's enemies, both old and new, have different plans for him and his family and will stop at nothing to exact their revenge. Michael must confront his past, his enemies, and the future of his family in order to make amends and protect them from the threat of annihilation.

From Robert Harmon, starring Armand Assante, Anthony Quinn, William Forsythe, Richard C. Sarafian
Rated R