Over the course of the century or so that cinema has become a mainstay in our lives, few films like The Godfather have attained a status as legendary. The Godfather is seen as the benchmark for excellence, but there are movies that star part of its cast that are similarly enjoyable, while others have also managed to make films that are among the best in the crime genre.
If you’re looking for movies that show the impact of crime and the ways it is dealt with like we see in The Godfather, then these 10 movies should be next-in-line on your watch list.
Scarface (1983)
A convict from Cuba arrives as a refugee to Miami and works his way to the top of the crime food chain to become a powerful drug lord. Scarface has been etched into Hollywood history chiefly due to the magnificent performance of lead star Al Pacino.
The Godfather fans no doubt know Pacino better as Michael Corleone, but Tony Montana is by no means similar to Michael in the slightest. However, something that fans will love is the violence attached to the brutal meaning behind the film regarding what happens when one goes too far in the criminal lifestyle. It’s not pretty, but it sure is beautiful to watch Tony Montana go completely nuts.
Casino (1995)
A gambler is tasked to overlook the running of a casino in Las Vegas, an establishment that has a massive influence over it by the mafia, which gives way to a bloody conflict. Overlooked in its time for being too similar to another Martin Scorcese film, Casino has aged well over the years to be a solid movie in its own right.
With a fine leading performance from Robert De Niro - the young Vito for Godfather fans - the film provides an insight over organized crime in gambling rackets. As is common with Martin Scorcese films, the violence is a treat to watch.
The Dark Knight (2008)
More of an epic crime film than a superhero movie, The Dark Knight deals with the leading figures of Gotham attempting to fight off organized crime that runs deep within the city, only for the Joker to step in and throw the system into complete chaos. It deserves to be viewed regardless of your stance on the superhero genre.
The Dark Knight places Batman as a vigilante who stands as both the symbol for good and as a figure the Joker uses the people of Gotham to pin their anger on. You’ll learn more about the dealings of organized crime from this superhero film than from most movies in the genre.
Training Day (2001)
Drugs are dirty business as Vito Corleone rightfully claimed in The Godfather, and that’s what we see unfold in Training Day, which tells the story of two cops over a 12-hour period.
Within this time, we find out just how corruption can turn even an officer of the law into the vilest person possible. The short time span of the film works wonderfully with the setting, as Denzel Washington’s character goes from someone you initially trust to the worst of people before you know it.
Sarkar (2005)
We’re looking over to Bollywood for this next film, which is heavily influenced by The Godfather. Sarkar details the story of a don who carries a strict code that he and his family abide by. When things get rough, it is Sarkar’s son who reluctantly takes up the mantle that his father carried.
If you’re looking for a similar experience to The Godfather, then look no further than this film. The themes of honor and family run deep within this feature, and a superb performance from Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan ensures you’re in for an entertaining few hours.
Once Upon A Time In America (1984)
If you’re in the mood for an elaborate, epic scale in cinema, then Once Upon a Time in America will be more than enough for you. Within the mobster genre, the film portrays all kinds of themes ranging from friendship, betrayal, family, and the inevitable loss that comes with crime.
Featuring Robert De Niro and James Woods in leading roles, the film will have you feeling a certain closeness with the characters despite their dealings in criminal activities; the enormous runtime over 200 minutes adds to this experience.
American Gangster (2007)
Denzel Washington pops up again in this list leading an all-star cast of established names including Cuba Gooding Jr, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Russell Crowe, and Josh Brolin. The film tells the real-life story of Frank Lucas, who was convicted of being in charge of a Harlem crime syndicate.
As one would expect, the story then veers into the consequences behind this kind of lifestyle and is especially bolstered by the cast. It hasn’t had its name come up as much as it should over the years, making American Gangster a hidden gem that you should check out.
Donnie Brasco (1997)
An undercover cop successfully manages to infiltrate a crime family, only to realize that his growing friendship with the mafia hitman has led to him becoming genuinely involved with the criminal dealings he was supposed to be busting.
Al Pacino once more confirms his penchant for the crime genre, as his role as an aging hitman brings out appropriate violence but also carries a sense of sympathy with it. Meanwhile, Johnny Depp is at one of his finest points during the film, and you’ll be reminded that he really was a fabulous actor back in the day. Donnie Brasco’s constant tension toward the status of the protagonist’s cover makes up for most of the intrigue in the film.
The Departed (2006)
Massachusetts Police assigns an undercover cop to infiltrate a mob crew, while the mob itself has a mole within the police force; upon figuring this out, both parties seek the identities of the infiltrators before calamity strikes.
Crime and gangster films play up the honor system for the most part, but here we’ve got the ugly side of the inner workings of these criminals. You’ll find betrayal lurking in each scene of the film. It’s a fast paced, smart movie that’ll keep you guessing as to what’s going to happen next.
Goodfellas (1990)
The collaboration of Martin Scorcese and Robert De Niro will never fail, and one of its highest points was Goodfellas, which is considered a classic in all of film. Featuring elements of comedy, drama, and obviously crime, the movie takes the viewer through a journey as the main character sees the greatest days of crime come crashing down.
Known mainly for the incredible performance of Joe Pesci and his frequent outbursts, Goodfellas doesn’t seem to have any negative points and you’ll finish your viewing experience by collecting the number of quotes that the film has made legendary.
