Gangster films have captivated audiences from the earliest days of cinema with the genre producing some bonafide classics along the way. Francis Ford Coppola’s Goodfellas is not too far behind it.
The above films and many others like them are regularly referenced and talked about by movie fans, while many lesser-known, yet equally enjoyable gangster movies have flown under the radar. The below films didn’t achieve any mainstream success but are still standouts of the genre.
King of New York (1990)
A drug kingpin returns to the streets of New York after serving a long prison sentence to reclaim his throne in King of New York. The once-feared figure sees that he has his work cut out for him after realizing there are new players in the city’s drug trade.
King of New York features iconic actor Christopher Walken in another captivating role as the film’s criminal protagonist. His character is one with a conscience as he strives to do good with the proceeds of his crimes, even it means doing so in a brutal fashion.
Available on: Tubi, Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Microsoft Store, Vudu
Animal Kingdom (2010)
Animal Kingdom follows the exploits of a notorious crime family as told from the perspective of their youngest member, a teenager who has been thrust into a life of crime following the death of his mother. The family goes to war against the police department’s armed robbery squad as loyalties are tested.
This cerebral retelling of actual events based on a real Australian crime family works on multiple fronts; as a crime flick, a family drama, and a character study, making it a must-see for all gangster movie lovers. The film didn’t receive much recognition outside of Australia, however, the American TV series adaptation has garnered a huge following.
Available on: Crackle, Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Microsoft Store, Vudu
Shot Caller (2017)
A far cry from Jamie Lannister in Game of Thrones, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau plays a former white-collar businessman turned hardened gangster in the prison drama Shot Caller. After being released from prison, a respected gang-member is forced to organize a serious crime with a dangerous rival gang, much to his chagrin.
Shot Caller is a gritty take on gang-life in and out of prison and the consequences that come with the lifestyle. The film’s story has a redemptive arc, with its main character seeking a life free of crime, but ultimately, his loyalty to his crime family takes precedence, leading to a series of dramatic, violent events.
Available on: Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Microsoft Store, Vudu
Pusher (1996)
A low-level drug dealer gets in over his head after accepting a big bag of cocaine from a local crime lord and then losing it following a botched deal. The film follows the dealer’s attempts to try and recoup the lost earnings by any means necessary in Copenhagen’s seedy underworld.
Movie Nicolas Winding Refn’s debut feature film and it sets the tone for all of his future work. It’s gritty and violent and even comical at times, with sleazy characters that get up to some dastardly things, yet the audience can’t help but empathize with them.
Available on: Shudder, Amazon, Google Play, Flix Fling
Find Me Guilty (2006)
Vin Diesel plays a wise-cracking gangster-turned-lawyer in acclaimed director Sidney Lumet’s Find Me Guilty. After being served a lengthy prison sentence, Diesel’s character is promised immunity should he decide to testify against his mafia friends. He denies the offer and instead chooses to represent himself in court to fight the charges.
Find Me Guilty is a courtroom drama with a humorous twist thanks to its charismatic star. Diesel proves he can do more than just action in this dialogue-heavy role as he brings his character to life in a highly engaging way. What makes this film even more intriguing is that it's based on the true story of the longest trial in New York City’s criminal justice history.
Available on: Tubi, IMDb TV, Amazon, iTunes, Microsoft Store, Vudu
A Bittersweet Life (2005)
A gangster disobeys his boss’s orders and has a price put on his head in the South Korean action crime drama A Bittersweet Life. After escaping an attempt on his life, the gangster seeks violent retribution against those that sought to do him harm.
This stylish South Korean crime film comes to us from renowned director Jee-woon Kim and is a thrilling and violent journey through the criminal underworld. It pulls no punches in its brutal action scenes with a tried and tested engaging story.
Available on: Amazon
A Bronx Tale (1993)
One of the lesser-known films in superstar actor Robert De Niro’s repertoire is the family-themed mob drama A Bronx Tale. In it, De Niro plays a father who’s put in a precarious position after his young son is befriended by a local gangster. Protecting his son from a criminal element then becomes his top priority.
A Bronx Tale is a gangster film with a lot of heart and one that focuses heavily on the father-son relationship and family values. It’s an emotionally intense film that draws audiences in through its heartfelt story and chemistry between its performers.
Available on: AMC, fuboTV, Amazon, iTunes, Vudu
Miller's Crossing (1990)
A mob boss suspects his chief advisor may have been disloyal after finding out he has a secret connection to his arch-rival in the Coen brothers’ prohibition-era set gangster film, Miller’s Crossing. This secretive connection places the advisor in a dangerous position between two feuding mob factions.
Like many of the Coen brothers’ films, Miller’s Crossing features several interconnecting storylines that place their characters in perilous situations. The audience is kept guessing through many twists and turns as the storylines come together in a series of violent events.
Available on: Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Microsoft Store, Vudu
Ill Manors (2012)
Ill Manors is a British urban crime drama film that revolves around the lives of multiple characters, all of whom are connected to one another through their hustles on the streets. The film’s characters seek to gain respect on the streets while trying to survive the violence that awaits them at each turn.
Ill Manors is a raw and unflinching look at life on the streets for a series of young people, each of whom is trying to survive an urban, criminal lifestyle. Their stories are told through an empathetic lens, causing viewers to emotionally invest in the characters, making for an enthralling viewing experience.
Available on: Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Microsoft Store, Vudu
Sexy Beast (2000)
A former gangster living a low-key life in Spain is pulled out of retirement by an old mentor for one last job, throwing his idealistic lifestyle into chaos. Before the job can be done, however, the two former colleagues must first square off in a battle of wits, each trying to get their way.
Sexy Beast focuses on the psychological battle between its two main protagonists with haunting, and at times humorous results. Ben Kingsley plays the psychotic mentor to Ray Winstone’s retired gangster and the awkward chemistry between the two causes many suspenseful moments. It’s a rare gem in the gangster film space.
Available on: Cinemax, Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Microsoft Store, Vudu
