A noir subgenre of crime films, mafia films center on crimes involving the organized criminal underworld, typically including gangs, syndicates, and Mafia organizations. Even though the first mafia film was supposedly from 1906, the genre vanished after ten years.
The greatest Mafia films that are currently streaming on Netflix are listed here in a list that we have personally selected.
1. The Godfather Part II (1974)
The Godfather Part II is a 1974 crime-drama film starring Robert De Niro, Robert Pacino, and Robert Duvall in the key roles. The film features a skilled group of crew members, including Gordon Willis, who handles cinematography, Mario Puzo, Francis Ford Coppola, and others.
Simple-minded Vito Corleone, a child from Sicily, grows up to become one of the most renowned mafia dons in New York City. His son Michael, who is battling with his issues and a troubled conscience, attempts to carry on his father’s legacy by taking their crime syndicate to Florida, Cuba, and Las Vegas.
2. Goodfellas (1990)
1990 saw the release of the biographical crime film Goodfellas, directed by Martin Scorsese. Among the others who work on it are Michael Ballhaus, who handles cinematography, Nicholas Pileggi, Martin Scorsese, and Richard Bruno, who handles costumes. The full-length film took home over $47,036,784 in box office revenue and was recognized with awards from the Boston Society of Film Critics, USA, Bodil, and Academy.
A genuine account of three gangsters—purebred Tommy DeVito, small-time rookie Henry Hill, and another purebred named Jimmy Conway—who are teamed up to carry out some of the largest and most vicious burglaries ever witnessed in New York.
Hill becomes enmeshed in the mayhem of DeVito and Conway’s organized crime organization, where they progress from petty crimes to horrific murders and more. When survival gets tough in the underworld, how will Henry handle his ascent and eventual fall?
3. The Dark Knight (2008)
There is no need to search any further than The Dark Knight if you’re seeking a movie to help you forget about everything. The well-received drama was executed with the help of Christopher Nolan, Jonathan Nolan, Christopher Nolan (screenplay), Wally Pfister (Cinematographer), and star actors Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, and Aaron Eckhart.
2008 saw the release of some excellent action-crime films, including The Dark Knight. It made about $1,029,266,147 at the box office and received a score of 9 on IMDb.
Up until the appearance of the cunning and vicious supervillain known as “The Joker,” who unleashes a fresh wave of chaos and anarchy, Lieutenant James Gordon and Harvey Dent, the city’s new district attorney, manage to apprehend every criminal who threatens Gotham City.
Along with thwarting The Joker’s schemes, Batman needs Gordon and Dent’s assistance to blur the distinction between vigilante and hero. With so much at stake, Batman is sure to win some and lose some. Which will it be?
4. The Irishman (2019)
The Irishman has outstanding performances from actors Joe Pesci, Al Pacino, and Robert De Niro. They made the feature film eligible for multiple nominations and awards, such as the Chicago Film Critics Association, Critics Choice, and Boston Society of Film Critics Awards.
Elderly Irish-American World War II veteran Frank Sheeran recalls his days working as a hitman for the Mafia in his own country. His affiliation with the notorious Bufalino criminal family comes to mind, along with his involvement in Jimmy Hoffa’s murder, for which he appears to have little to no regret.
5. The Departed (2006)
Under the direction of Martin Scorsese, the film The Departed turned into a box office hit, earning $132,399,394 in the US and Canada. Against a $90,000,000 production budget, the global total came to $291,480,452.
Billy Costigan is tasked as an undercover police officer to infiltrate Frank Costello’s criminal syndicate, which he successfully does in short order. Colin Sullivan, meantime, works as an informant for the mafia and penetrates the state police force to join the Special Investigation Unit.
As they become increasingly engrossed in and impacted by their two lives, the police and the mob quickly discover that one of them is a snitch. They need to identify the other man if they want to rescue themselves.
6. Eastern Promises (2007)
One of the best crime-drama films ever made is Eastern Promises. You’ll be enthralled by the amazing acting performances of Armin Mueller-Stahl, Viggo Mortensen, and Naomi Watts. This film, which was written and directed by David Cronenberg, is a superb piece of art. It became a cult classic after being released in 2007 to great critical and popular appreciation.
Teenage mother Tatiana perishes in delivery, leaving behind a Russian-language notebook that contains a contact list for Russian mafia boss Semyon. Determined to assist the infant find a permanent home, Anna Khitrova sets out to locate Tatiana’s family.
When they meet, Semyon offers to help. After translating the diary, Anna’s uncle Stepan learns that Tatiana was raped by Semyon. Semyon already knows that Anna understands the truth, which exacerbates the situation.
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7. Once Upon A Time In America (1984)
Do you want to watch a movie? Once Upon A Time In America would be a wise choice. Starring Robert De Niro, James Woods, and Elizabeth McGovern, it was directed by Sergio Leone and ran for three hours and forty-nine minutes when it was first released in 1984.
From Manhattan’s Lower East Side, David “Noodles” Aaronson and his companions are impoverished street youths who perform small-time crimes for local mobster Bugsy. Noodles’s plan to conceal bootleg alcohol helps the gang expand.
But, when Prohibition is lifted, the gang’s prosperity evaporates, and eventually, Noodles settles by himself using a false identity. After years away, Noodles returns to Manhattan and must confront the issues he has been avoiding.
8. Casino(1995)
Casino, a 1995 crime-drama directed by Martin Scorsese and supported by Universal Pictures, is a film. To manage the Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas, the Chicago mafia sends Sam “Ace” Rothstein. Through quick thinking, he doubles the casino’s earnings by stealing money straight out of the count room and sending it to the bosses of the Midwest mafia.
Ace’s childhood buddy Nicky, who is supposed to maintain order, ends up attracting attention from the media and the law due to his illegal activities, jeopardizing all of Ace’s hard work.
9. American Gangster (2007)
The movie American Gangster debuted in theaters in 2007. Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, and Chiwetel Ejiofor are the main actors in this Ridley Scott-directed film. This is a title to try if you have a preference for biography-crime films.
Frank Lucas is the right-hand guy of Harlem leader Ellsworth ‘Bumpy’ Johnson. Following Bumpy’s unexpected death, Frank starts a heroine trade, purchasing the product in Thailand and smuggling it into the United States through soldiers coming back from Vietnam.
Because of its purity and cost, his heroin becomes widely used, driving out the majority of his rivals. In the meantime, Richie Robert, a detective in Newark, decides to track down and apprehend the person who is selling the “Blue Magic” heroine.
10. Donnie Brasco (1997)
Mike Newell directed the biographical crime film Donnie Brasco, which debuted in theaters in 1997. Among the others who worked on it are Paul Attanasio (screenplay), Aude Bronson-Howard, Peter Sova (cinematography), and David C. Robinson (costume). In addition to earning the Boston Society of Film Critics Awards, the full-length film managed to gross over $124,909,762 at the box office.
Agent Joe Pistone of the FBI chooses to go undercover to join the New York City mafia. Under the pseudonym Donnie Brasco, he befriends Lefty Ruggiero, an enforcer in the Bonanno crime family.
Before long, Lefty brings him up to speed on his group and includes him in their citywide abductions and extortions. But Joe starts to lose his mental equilibrium due to the mob life, and his personal life falls apart as a result.