No genre in the film industry is as recognizable or alluring as the gangster genre.

Becoming a gangster was the only desirable path in Tom’s troubled existence.

Frank’s lucrative empire made his journey from humble beginnings to look like a modern-day success story.

The Poster for the 1990 crime film Goodfellas starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Ray Liotta

Image via Warner Bros.

Once at the top, however, his recklessness and violent temper soon proved his downfall.

Tony had a gung-ho attitude and preferred to shoot first and ask questions later when solving his problems.

He chose to go headfirst into a fight and felt joy and excitement when committing heinous crimes.

Tom Powers looking angry while seated at a fancy party in The Public Enemy

Image via Warner Bros.

His scheming and conniving nature made him atruly intelligent villainwho always had an ace up his sleeve.

He showed no remorse for ordering the deaths of others as he rationalized these decisions as strictly business.

Don Corleone was a reasonable, subtle man who mostly preferred peace to showing the barrel of a gun.

Frank Lucas pointing a gun at someone in ‘American Gangster.'

Image via Universal Pictures

NEXT:15 Best Mobster Movies That Will Make you’re free to’t Offer you’re free to’t Refuse

Tony Camonte surrounded by men at a club in Scarface - 1932

Image via United Artists

Chazz Palminteri as Sonny in A Bronx Tale

Image via Savoy Pictures

The-Departed-frank-costello-nicholson

Image via Warner Bros.

Bill the Butcher pointing at someone off camera in Gangs of New York

Image via Miramax

man n black suit in brightly lit casino

Image via Universal Pictures

Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVito laughing at a bar in ‘Goodfellas’

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Al Pacino as Michael Corleone sitting on a chair with his legs crossed in The Godfather Part II

Image via Paramount Pictures

Marlon Brando from The Godfather (1972)

Image via Paramount

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