Since the Golden Age of Hollywood, gangster movies have had a lasting impact on film buffs.
They’re one of the most exciting and iconic genres of filmmaking in cinema.
FromLeandro FirminoinCity of GodtoAl PacinoinThe Godfather, here are ten of the most compelling performances from gangster movies.
Image by Federico Napoli
But the biggest standout wasHoward Hawks’Scarface, starring Academy Award winnerPaul Muni.
This version of Tony is colder, ruthless, and harder to predict.
No matter how old this version gets, Tony Camote and the talented performer playing him will remain timeless.
Image via Miramax Films
The always magnificentJack Nicholson gives arguably the most riveting performanceof his career in the 21st century as Frank Costello.
Michael Corleone expands his crime empire while dealing with personal betrayal and loss.
The narrative intertwines their stories, exploring themes of power, family, and the consequences of ambition.
In the slums of Rio, two kids' paths diverge as one struggles to become a photographer and the other a kingpin.
Cody Jarrett is a truly captivating antagonist who steals the spotlight at every chance.
Cagney quickly makes the audience feel intimidated by this cold-hearted criminal.
He is technically a villain but far more reasonable and understandable than the average gangster.
However, his decision unintentionally puts the lives of his loved ones in grave danger.
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NEXT:The 10 Best R-Rated Gangster Movies, Ranked
Image via Universal Pictures
In Las Vegas, two best friends — a casino executive and a mafia enforcer — compete for a gambling empire and a fast-living, fast-loving socialite.
Image via United Artists
In 1920s Chicago, ambitious Italian immigrant Tony Camonte, known as Scarface, ascends the ranks of organized crime with ruthless determination. As he gains power and wealth, he struggles to shield his sister from the criminal underworld, leading to tensions and conflicts that threaten his empire.
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
An undercover cop and a mole in the police attempt to identify each other while infiltrating an Irish gang in South Boston.
Image via Miramax
In 1862, Amsterdam Vallon returns to the Five Points area of New York City seeking revenge against Bill the Butcher, his father’s killer.
Image via Paramount Pictures
Michael Corleone expands his crime empire while dealing with personal betrayal and loss. Simultaneously, flashbacks reveal the rise of his father, Vito Corleone, from a Sicilian immigrant to a powerful mob boss in New York. The narrative intertwines their stories, exploring themes of power, family, and the consequences of ambition.
Image via Warner Bros.
Image via Paramount Pictures
Don Vito Corleone, head of a mafia family, decides to hand over his empire to his youngest son, Michael. However, his decision unintentionally puts the lives of his loved ones in grave danger.
Image via Warner Bros.
The story of Henry Hill and his life in the mafia, covering his relationship with his wife Karen and his mob partners Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito.
Image via Paramount Pictures