Movies About Organized Crime

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

The Godfather is a 1972 American crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, based on the novel of the same name by Italian American author Mario Puzo. The film stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Cazale, and Diane Keaton. It is the story of the Corleone family, a powerful mafia dynasty whose head, Don Vito Corleone (Brando) is known as the Godfather. As Vito Corleone ages, his youngest son Michael (Pacino) takes over as the family's head, leading the Corleone family in a series of violent acts in order to maintain control of their criminal empire. The film is filled with themes of family, loyalty, and power, and has become an iconic classic of American cinema.

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 produced and directed by Francis Ford Coppola from a screenplay co-written with Mario Puzo, starring Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. It is both a sequel and a prequel to the 1972 film The Godfather, continuing the saga of the Corleone crime family. The film begins with a flashback to the year 1901, when a young Vito Corleone arrives in the United States from Corleone, Sicily. The story then flashes forward to the 1950s, as Michael Corleone, Vito's son, expands and tightens his grip on the family crime syndicate. The film follows both the actions of Michael Corleone and his father, Vito, as they deal with organized crime in New York City and in Sicily. While Michael attempts to expand his business, Vito seeks vengeance for the death of his beloved wife and child. Meanwhile, Michael's brother, Fredo, struggles with his own issues of loyalty and betrayal, while Kay, Michael's wife, grapples with her own identity crisis. Ultimately, Michael must come to terms with the consequences of his actions and decide how far he is willing to go in pursuit of power and wealth.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine
Rated PG-13

The Dark Knight is a 2008 psychological superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan, based on the DC Comics character Batman. The film follows the story of Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale), a vigilante who fights crime in Gotham City and is forced to confront the corruption and chaos caused by a criminal mastermind known as The Joker (Heath Ledger). As Batman embarks on a personal journey to restore order to the city, he finds himself torn between his own moral code and his responsibility to protect the city from the chaos caused by The Joker. The film also features Michael Caine as Alfred Pennyworth, Gary Oldman as Commissioner James Gordon, Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent, and Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes. With its intense action sequences, intense performance by Ledger, and emotional depth, The Dark Knight has become one of the most beloved and influential superhero films of all time.

From Quentin Tarantino, starring John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis
Rated R

Pulp Fiction is a 1994 American black comedy crime film directed by Quentin Tarantino and written by Tarantino and Roger Avary. The film is known for its nonlinear narrative structure and its eclectic dialogue. It features an ensemble cast of John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis, Uma Thurman, Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Ving Rhames, and Christopher Walken. The story follows two hitmen, Vincent Vega (Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Jackson), as they embark on a crime spree in Los Angeles. They are hired by their boss, Marsellus Wallace (Keitel), to retrieve a briefcase stolen from him. At the same time, Wallace orders Vega to take his wife Mia (Thurman) out for dinner. Meanwhile, a struggling boxer, Butch Coolidge (Willis), is paid by Wallace to lose a fight. But Butch double-crosses Wallace, winning the fight and fleeing with his girlfriend Fabienne (Maria de Madeiros). This sets off a series of events that involve the protagonists crossing paths and encountering a variety of criminals. The film's famous dance scene, with Vincent and Mia at Jack Rabbit

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

Goodfellas is a 1990 crime drama directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, and Lorraine Bracco. It follows the rise and fall of Henry Hill, a young mobster played by Liotta, and his partners Tommy DeVito (Pesci) and Jimmy Conway (De Niro) as they climb the ranks of the Italian-American Mafia in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The story follows the three men as they become entangled in the violent world of organized crime, where loyalty and betrayal are constantly at odds. It also delves into the personal lives of the gangsters and the consequences of their actions. The film is both a darkly comedic and a tragically violent look at the life of a mobster as Hill spirals further and further out of control.

From Directors: Fernando Meirelles, Kátia Lund, starring Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino, Matheus Nachtergaele, Phellipe Haagensen
Rated R

City of God is a 2002 Brazilian crime drama film directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund. Set in the Cidade de Deus favela of Rio de Janeiro, the film tells the story of two boys growing up in the crime-ridden slum of Rio de Janeiro. The film follows the lives of two boys, Rocket and Li'l Zé, as they come of age in the dangerous and unpredictable environment of the Cidade de Deus. It examines the intricate and interwoven network of events that involve the residents of the slum, including murder, drugs, and gangs. The film is based on Paulo Lins' 1997 novel of the same name, and has been widely praised for its gritty realism and powerful storytelling. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Director for Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund, Best Cinematography, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg
Rated R

The Departed is a 2006 American crime thriller directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson and Mark Wahlberg. Set in South Boston, the film follows two men from opposite sides of the law – Billy Costigan (DiCaprio) and Colin Sullivan (Damon) – who have been assigned to infiltrate the Irish mob run by Frank Costello (Nicholson). As Costigan and Sullivan navigate their dangerous double lives, they come to suspect that the other is a police informant. With both sides trying to outwit each other, the film becomes a thrilling cat-and-mouse game filled with deceit and betrayal. In the end, the question remains: who will be left standing when the dust settles?

From Luc Besson, starring Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Danny Aiello
Rated R

Léon: The Professional is a 1994 action-thriller directed by Luc Besson. The film follows a young girl, Mathilda, who is orphaned after her family is brutally murdered. In a chance encounter, she meets Léon, a professional hitman, who takes her in and teaches her the skills of his trade. With Léon's help, Mathilda sets out to avenge her family's death and take down the drug lord responsible. Along the way, the two develop a unique friendship, as they face the obstacles of a dangerous underworld.

From Bryan Singer, starring Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri, Stephen Baldwin
Rated R

The Usual Suspects is a 1995 crime-mystery thriller film directed by Bryan Singer and written by Christopher McQuarrie. The film follows the interrogation of Roger "Verbal" Kint, a small-time con artist, who is one of only two survivors of a massacre and fire on a ship docked at the Port of Los Angeles. Kint attempts to convince the customs agent that a mythical crime lord, Keyser Söze, was responsible for the massacre. As the story unfolds, the lives of five criminals, who had been brought together by a criminal mastermind, intersect and the viewer is left to figure out whom the real Keyser Söze really is. Through Kint's flashbacks, the viewer is taken through the events leading up to the massacre, as the mystery of Söze's identity is slowly revealed. The film is filled with twist and turns as its characters face off against each other in a deadly game of cat and mouse. In the end, the true identity of Keyser Söze is revealed to be none other than Verbal Kint himself.

From Tony Kaye, starring Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Beverly D'Angelo, Jennifer Lien
Rated R

American History X is a 1998 drama film directed by Tony Kaye and written by David McKenna. The film follows Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton), a former neo-Nazi skinhead trying to prevent his younger brother, Danny (Edward Furlong), from going down the same path of racism and hate that he did. Derek had served three years in prison for involuntary manslaughter after killing two black youths who were attempting to steal his car. Upon his release, Derek is determined to prevent Danny from following in his footsteps and takes it upon himself to try to change his brother’s views about white supremacy. He is challenged throughout the film by many of his old friends, who are still deeply entrenched in the neo-Nazi ideology, as well as by Danny’s teacher, Dr. Bob Sweeney (Avery Brooks). In the end, Derek and Danny realize the consequences of hatred, and Derek decides to make a stand against the neo-Nazi movement.

From Brian De Palma, starring Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, Steven Bauer, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
Rated R

Scarface is a 1983 crime film directed by Brian De Palma and written by Oliver Stone. It stars Al Pacino as Tony Montana, a Cuban refugee who arrives in 1980s Miami with nothing but his ambition. He quickly rises to the top of the criminal underworld and becomes embroiled in a turf war with a powerful Colombian drug cartel. As his wealth and power increase, so does his arrogance and recklessness, leading to bloody consequences. With a potent combination of action, violence, and black comedy, Scarface is a classic gangster film and one of the great cult films of all time.

From Sergio Leone, starring Robert De Niro, James Woods, Elizabeth McGovern, Treat Williams
Rated R

"Once Upon a Time in America" (1984) tells the epic saga of a group of Jewish gangsters in New York City throughout the 20th century, from the 1920s to the 1960s. Directed by Sergio Leone, the film follows the rise, fall, and redemption of Noodles (Robert De Niro) and his lifelong friends, Max (James Woods) and Patsy (Joe Pesci). The story covers their involvement in the mob, their friendships, and the power struggles that come with a life of crime. Along the way, the film touches on themes of loyalty, betrayal, revenge, and the ultimate power of friendship. The film has been hailed for its stunning cinematography and Leone's masterful direction, making it one of the most acclaimed films of its time.

From Quentin Tarantino, starring Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn
Rated R

Reservoir Dogs is an American crime film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It tells the story of six strangers who are brought together to carry out a diamond heist. After the robbery goes wrong, the surviving gang members must figure out what went wrong and who double-crossed them. As the mystery unravels, the group's dynamic changes and tensions between members rise. The film features a star-studded cast, including Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Steve Buscemi, and Michael Madsen, and features an iconic soundtrack.

From Michael Mann, starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, Jon Voight
Rated R

Heat is a 1995 American crime drama film written and directed by Michael Mann. The film stars Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, Tom Sizemore, and Ashley Judd. The film follows Lt. Vincent Hanna (Pacino), a veteran Los Angeles Police Department robbery-homicide detective tracking a group of professional bank robbers led by Neil McCauley (De Niro). The robbers are planning a major heist, and Hanna attempts to stop them before they can carry out their plans. The film focuses on the clash that ensues between the professional criminals and the detective and their respective codes of ethics. The film is noted for the intense and meticulously researched portrayal of both the police and criminal underworlds, as well as for its use of real locations in Los Angeles. The film was a commercial and critical success, grossing over $187 million worldwide. It was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Actor (Pacino) and Best Supporting Actor (De Niro).

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. It is based on the non-fiction book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas by Nicholas Pileggi, who also co-wrote the screenplay for the film with Scorsese. The film follows the rise and fall of Sam "Ace" Rothstein (De Niro), a mob-connected casino operator in Las Vegas, as he struggles to survive in a corrupt and violent landscape. He is backed by the mob, who are looking to use his business acumen to make their casino, the Tangiers, a huge success. However, Ace's success is threatened by his volatile enforcer, Nicky Santoro (Pesci), and a power-hungry rival, Ginger McKenna (Stone). The film is a powerful portrayal of the dark and dangerous world of organized crime and its effects on individuals and families, as well as a commentary on the changing culture of Las Vegas. It is a classic of the crime genre, and was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

From Curtis Hanson, starring Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger
Rated R

L.A. Confidential (1997) is a neo-noir crime film directed by Curtis Hanson and based on James Ellroy’s novel of the same name. The story takes place in 1950s Los Angeles and follows the efforts of three LAPD detectives to solve a series of unsolved murders. The detectives, Edmund Exley (Guy Pearce), Bud White (Russell Crowe) and Jack Vincennes (Kevin Spacey), each arrive at their own version of the truth, only to discover that corruption and conspiracy lurk beneath the surface. The film examines power, corruption, and redemption as they explore a dangerous criminal underworld and a corrupt justice system. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning 9 Academy Award nominations and winning 2, including Best Adapted Screenplay.

From Quentin Tarantino, starring Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Daryl Hannah, Michael Madsen
Rated R

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 is a 2003 martial arts action film directed by Quentin Tarantino. The film follows a former assassin, known as The Bride, who is on a quest for revenge against her former employer and fellow assassins who betrayed her and left her for dead. After awakening from a four-year coma, The Bride sets out to exact revenge on the team of assassins who betrayed her and to ultimately meet with her former boss, Bill, who ordered the attack. Through her journey, she faces many adversaries and must endure grueling physical and psychological challenges. With the help of a former ally, she is able to accomplish her mission and ultimately seek justice.

From Guy Ritchie, starring Jason Flemyng, Dexter Fletcher, Nick Moran, Jason Statham
Rated R

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels is a British crime comedy film directed by Guy Ritchie. The film follows the story of four London working class friends who are involved in a card game with a crime lord. They lose the game and must now find the money to pay off their debt or suffer dire consequences. To do this they plan a series of daring heists, but soon find themselves in the middle of a crazy criminal underworld filled with backstabbing, double-crossing and general mayhem. Along the way, they must also deal with a pair of antique shotguns and a volatile drug dealer in order to survive.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey
Rated R

The Wolf of Wall Street is a 2013 American biographical comedy-drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and based on the memoir of the same name by Jordan Belfort. The film follows Belfort’s career as a stockbroker and his involvement in corporate fraud and corruption in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The cast includes Leonardo DiCaprio as Belfort, Jonah Hill as his business partner and right-hand man Donnie Azoff, Margot Robbie as his second wife Naomi Lapaglia and Matthew McConaughey as his mentor Mark Hanna. The film chronicles Belfort's rise to power and subsequent downfall, as his greed and ambition take him into a series of illegal activities, including securities fraud, money laundering, and stock manipulation. Despite his lavish lifestyle and criminal activities, Belfort eventually comes to realize the repercussions of his actions, and is sentenced to jail. The film serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of unchecked materialism and wealth.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, Christopher Carley, Ahney Her
Rated R

Gran Torino is a 2008 American drama film directed and produced by Clint Eastwood, who also starred in the film. The story centers around Walt Kowalski, a recently widowed Korean War veteran, living in a rapidly changing neighborhood in Detroit. Despite his curmudgeonly attitude, Walt befriends his Hmong neighbors, the Vang Lor family, when the teenage son Thao attempts to steal Walt's 1972 Gran Torino. As Walt and the Vang Lor family bond, he finds himself increasingly involved in their lives, helping them to protect themselves from the local gang and ultimately learning to move past his own prejudices.

From Directors: Andrew Lau, Alan Mak, starring Andy Lau, Tony Chiu-Wai Leung, Anthony Chau-Sang Wong, Eric Tsang
Rated R

Infernal Affairs is a Hong Kong crime thriller directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak in 2002. The story follows two men, Ming (played by Tony Leung) and Yan (played by Andy Lau), both of whom are undercover agents. Ming has infiltrated the Hong Kong mafia, while Yan has infiltrated the police department. The two sides are on a collision course and both men must find a way to outsmart each other. The film is full of twists and turns, and the two men must ultimately make a decision about which side they are truly loyal to. In the end, the truth is revealed and both sides are held accountable for their actions. The film was an instant success, both in Hong Kong and abroad, and it spawned two sequels.

From José Padilha, starring Wagner Moura, André Ramiro, Caio Junqueira, Milhem Cortaz
Rated R

Elite Squad is a 2007 Brazilian crime action film directed by José Padilha and starring Wagner Moura. The story follows Captain Nascimento, a captain in the fictional Elite Police Squad of Rio de Janeiro. Nascimento is faced with the daunting task of taking down a powerful drug gang that is terrorizing the city. He must also contend with the lack of support from his superiors, who are more concerned with politics and public opinion than with stopping the criminals. With the help of his loyal team, Nascimento is able to infiltrate the drug gang and bring them to justice. The film is noted for its unflinching portrayal of the harsh realities of life in the slums of Rio de Janeiro and its commentary on police corruption and institutional racism.

From Brian De Palma, starring Al Pacino, Sean Penn, Penelope Ann Miller, John Leguizamo
Rated R

Carlito's Way is a 1993 crime drama directed by Brian De Palma. The film follows Puerto Rican ex-convict Carlito Brigante (Al Pacino), who is determined to go straight and break away from his criminal past. Upon being released from prison, Carlito decides to invest his savings in a nightclub, but his attempt at a new start is complicated by his old friends, who draw him back into his former life of crime and violence. The film follows Carlito as he struggles to outrun his past, as well as a relentless police force and a powerful drug lord. He finds himself in a desperate fight for survival, and is forced to make difficult moral decisions in order to survive. With the help of his lawyer, Kleinfeld (Sean Penn), Carlito manages to stay one step ahead of his enemies, but ultimately has to confront his own inner demons in order to find salvation.

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

The Untouchables is a 1987 crime drama directed by Brian De Palma and starring Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert De Niro, and Andy Garcia. Set in Chicago during the Prohibition Era, the film follows Treasury agents Eliot Ness (Costner) and his partner George Stone (Garcia) as they try to bring down the notorious gangster Al Capone (De Niro). With the help of Irish-American cop Jimmy Malone (Connery), Ness and his team seek to bring justice to the streets of Chicago and end Capone's reign of terror. Along the way, they must grapple with bribery, corruption, and the limits of the law. The Untouchables is an action-packed movie with an iconic performance by De Niro and a thrilling climax.

From Tony Scott, starring Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hopper, Val Kilmer
Rated R

True Romance is a 1993 romantic thriller film written by Quentin Tarantino and directed by Tony Scott. The film follows the whirlwind romance between Clarence Worley (Christian Slater) and Alabama Whitman (Patricia Arquette). After meeting in a movie theater, Clarence and Alabama fall in love and get married. When Clarence discovers that Alabama is a call girl, he decides to rescue her from her dangerous pimp, Drexl (Gary Oldman). With the help of his friend, Dick Ritchie (Dennis Hopper), Clarence and Alabama manage to escape with a suitcase full of cocaine. In order to sell the drugs, they enlist the help of a veteran Hollywood producer (Saul Rubinek). As they attempt to outwit the mobsters, Clarence and Alabama find themselves in a life-and-death struggle in which their love for each other is their only hope.