With a large selection of genres, Netflix has emerged as the preferred website for movie fans. Gangster films have always had a unique place in the hearts of moviegoers among the many other genres that are accessible. For your viewing enjoyment, Netflix has compiled a list of the best gangster movies, including both classic and contemporary works.
These top 10 gangster films on Netflix are a must-watch whether you want to dig into the seedy underside of organized crime or just enjoy the thrill of a compelling plot. So grab your popcorn and get ready for an action-packed excursion into the mafia world, where allegiances are put to the test, alliances are formed, and the distinction between right and wrong is muddled.
These Top 10 Gangster Movies on Netflix are a Must-Watch
We carefully handpicked the following best gangster movies from the vast library of Netflix that you can stream today. These movies are arranged on the basis of their IMDb ratings:
| Movie | IMDb Rating |
| Emily the Criminal (2022) | 7.2 |
| Ferry (2021) | 7.3 |
| El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019) | 7.9 |
| The Raid: Redemption (2011) | 8.1 |
| The Irishman (2019) | 8.2 |
| American Gangster (2007) | 7.9 |
| Scarface (1983) | 8.3 |
| Reservoir Dogs (1992) | 8.0 |
| Heat (1995) | 8.2 |
| The Departed (2006) | 8.5 |
Emily The Criminal (2022)
Emily the Criminal is a 2022 American crime thriller film written and directed by John Patton Ford in his feature directorial debut. Starring Aubrey Plaza as the titular character, alongside Theo Rossi, Megalyn Echikunwoke, and Gina Gershon in supporting roles. The film follows Emily Benetto, a young woman saddled with student debt and locked out of the job market due to a criminal record, who gets involved in a credit card scam that pulls her into the criminal underworld of Los Angeles.
- Director: John Patton Ford
- Writer: John Patton Ford
- Genre: Crime, Thriller
- Starring: Aubrey Plaza, Theo Rossi, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Gina Gershon
- Release Date: August 12, 2022 (United States)
- Runtime: 1 hour and 37 minutes
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Ferry (2021)
Ferry (2021) is a Dutch crime drama film directed by Cecilia Verheyden and written by Nico Moolenaar and Bart Uytdenhouwen. It is a prequel to the popular Dutch crime series Undercover, and stars Frank Lammers as Ferry Bouman, a drug lord who builds a criminal empire. The film begins with Ferry Bouman being sent to his native region of Brabant by his boss Brink to avenge an attack on their gang. While there, he meets lovely Danielle and old family feuds resurface, Brabant starts to pierce his steel armor. Ferry is a dark and gritty film that explores the themes of crime, violence, and family. It is a well-made film with strong performances from the cast, particularly Frank Lammers. The film is also a prequel to the popular series Undercover, so it is a great introduction to the world of Ferry Bouman and his criminal empire.
- Director: Cecilia Verheyden
- Writer: Nico Moolenaar, Bart Uytdenhouwen
- Genre: Crime, Drama
- Starring: Frank Lammers, Elise Schaap, Huub Stapel
- Release Date: May 14, 2021 (Netherlands)
- Runtime: 1 hour and 46 minutes
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019)
A Breaking Bad Movie is a 2019 American crime film written and directed by Vince Gilligan. It is a sequel to the AMC television series Breaking Bad, and stars Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman, a former meth cook who escapes from captivity. The film follows Jesse as he tries to outrun his past and find a new life.
- Director: Vince Gilligan
- Writer: Vince Gilligan
- Genre: Crime, Drama
- Starring: Aaron Paul, Jesse Plemons, Charles Baker, Matt Jones, Robert Forster
- Release Date: October 11, 2019 (United States)
- Runtime: 2 hours and 1 minute
The Raid: Redemption (2011)
The Raid: Redemption is a 2011 Indonesian action thriller film written and directed by Gareth Evans. It stars Iko Uwais as Rama, a rookie cop who is sent on a mission to infiltrate a high-rise apartment building run by a ruthless drug lord. The film follows Rama as he tries to survive the raid and bring down the drug lord. The Raid: Redemption is a non-stop action film that is full of intense fight scenes. The film is also praised for its realistic portrayal of violence and its gritty atmosphere. The Raid: Redemption was a critical and commercial success, and it has been credited with helping to introduce Indonesian cinema to a wider audience.
- Director: Gareth Evans
- Writer: Gareth Evans, Mathijis van Heijningen Jr., and Berandal Panji Wicaksono
- Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
- Starring: Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim, Donny Alamsyah, Yayan Ruhian, Arifin Putra
- Release Date: March 23, 2011 (Indonesia)
- Runtime: 1 hour and 41 minutes
The Irishman (2019)
The Irishman (2019) is a crime film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Steven Zaillian. It stars Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, Anna Paquin, and Bobby Cannavale. The film is based on the book I Heard You Paint Houses by Charles Brandt, and it tells the story of Frank Sheeran, a truck driver who becomes a hitman for the Bufalino crime family. The film is set in the 1950s through the 1980s, and it follows Sheeran as he rises through the ranks of the mob. He is involved in some of the most notorious crimes of the era, including the assassination of Jimmy Hoffa. The film also explores Sheeran’s relationships with his family and friends, and it shows how the violence of his life eventually takes a toll on him.
- Director: Martin Scorsese
- Writer: Steven Zaillian
- Genre: Crime, Drama
- Starring: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, Anna Paquin, Bobby Cannavale
- Release Date: November 1, 2019 (United States)
- Runtime: 209 minutes
American Gangster (2007)
American Gangster is a 2007 American biographical crime film directed by Ridley Scott and written by Steven Zaillian. It is based on the life of Frank Lucas, a Harlem drug lord who smuggled heroin into the United States from Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The film stars Denzel Washington as Lucas and Russell Crowe as Richie Roberts, a New Jersey detective who is determined to bring him down. The film was released on November 2, 2007. It received positive reviews from critics, with praise for Washington’s performance, Crowe’s supporting performance, Scott’s direction, and Zaillian’s screenplay. The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $266 million worldwide. American Gangster is a well-made and entertaining film that tells a fascinating story. It is a must-see for fans of gangster films and biopics.
- Director: Ridley Scott
- Writer: Steven Zaillian
- Genre: Crime, Biography
- Starring: Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor
- Release Date: November 2, 2007 (United States)
- Runtime: 2 hours and 38 minutes
Scarface (1983)
Scarface is a 1983 American crime film directed by Brian De Palma and written by Oliver Stone. It is based on the 1932 film of the same name, and it stars Al Pacino as Tony Montana, a Cuban refugee who becomes a powerful drug lord in Miami. The film also stars Michelle Pfeiffer, Steven Bauer, and Robert Loggia. The film was released on December 9, 1983. It received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising Pacino’s performance and De Palma’s direction, while others criticized the film’s violence and excessiveness. The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $65 million worldwide. Scarface is a controversial film, but it is also a classic. It is a stylish and violent film that tells a cautionary tale about the dangers of the American dream. The film is a must-see for fans of gangster films and Pacino.
- Director: Brian De Palma
- Writer: Oliver Stone
- Genre: Crime, Drama
- Starring: Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, Steven Bauer, Robert Loggia
- Release Date: December 9, 1983 (United States)
- Runtime: 2 hours and 49 minutes
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Reservoir Dogs is a 1992 American neo-noir crime film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino in his directorial debut. It stars Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Chris Penn, Steve Buscemi, Lawrence Tierney, Michael Madsen, and Edward Bunker as a group of criminals who plan a diamond heist. The film is notable for its stylized violence, non-linear narrative, and use of pop culture references. The film begins with a group of men assembling in a warehouse to plan a jewelry store heist. The men are given names based on colors: Mr. White (Keitel), Mr. Orange (Roth), Mr. Pink (Buscemi), Mr. Blonde (Madsen), and Mr. Brown (Tierney). The heist goes wrong, and the men are forced to go on the run. As they try to figure out who betrayed them, they begin to turn on each other.
- Director: Quentin Tarantino
- Writer: Quentin Tarantino
- Genre: Crime, Thriller
- Starring: Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Chris Penn
- Release Date: October 23, 1992 (United States)
- Runtime: 1 hour and 39 minutes
Heat (1995)
Heat is a 1995 American crime thriller film written and directed by Michael Mann. It stars Al Pacino as Lieutenant Vincent Hanna, a Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) detective who is obsessed with catching Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro), a professional thief. The film also stars Val Kilmer, Tom Sizemore, Jon Voight, Ashley Judd, and Diane Venora. The film follows the two men as they each try to outwit the other. Hanna is determined to bring McCauley down, while McCauley is determined to stay one step ahead of the police. The film is notable for its realistic portrayal of crime and violence, as well as its long, dialogue-heavy scenes.
- Director: Michael Mann
- Writer: Michael Mann
- Genre: Crime, Thriller
- Starring: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer
- Runtime: 2 hours and 50 minutes
The Departed (2006)
Martin Scorsese’s 2006 crime thriller “The Departed” is an American production. The voiceover narration for the movie’s opening credits is provided by Matt Damon’s Colin Sullivan, the lead character. Identity, duality, and deception are three major themes that are introduced in the narration and help to establish the tone of the movie. Colin Sullivan tells a childhood tale about seeing a dead seal wash ashore on the beach when he was a small lad to start off the introduction. He describes how his father once informed him that seals occasionally become disoriented when trying to go back to the sea and end up swimming upstream into rivers. As a recurring motif in the movie, this metaphor represents characters who are stuck in.
- Director: Martin Scorsese
- Writer: William Monahan
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
- Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson
- Release Date: September 26, 2006 (United States)
- Runtime: Approximately 151 minutes (2 hours and 31 minutes)
Ending Notes
The allure of gangster films ultimately resides in their capacity to fascinate viewers with their compelling stories, alluring characters, and examination of society’s darkest facets. Through them, we may examine the intricacies of human nature, the attraction of power, and the occasionally disastrous effects of a life of crime. The underlying sentiments and concepts that contribute to the genre’s lasting success in the world of cinema might be thought of while watching these movies on Netflix. Remember that movie availability on streaming services is subject to change, so it’s a good idea to check the current selection on Netflix.
