The Godfather is a 1972 American crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola and produced by Albert S. Ruddy from a screenplay by Mario Puzo and Coppola. Based on Puzo’s 1969 novel of the same name, the film stars Marlon Brando and Al Pacino as the leaders of the fictional Corleone crime family. With Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, James Caan, Richard S. Castellano, John Cazale, Talia Shire, and Abe Vigoda.
The Godfather received widespread acclaim from critics and audiences and is viewed today as one of the greatest films ever made. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1972 and won three, including Best Actor for Brando, Best Adapted Screenplay for Coppola, and Best Picture. Its seven other Oscar nominations included Pacino, Duvall, and Keaton.
The Godfather is widely regarded as one of the most influential films in the gangster genre, especially in terms of its realism. It was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 1990, being deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.
In our previous listicle, we talked about the ten best serial killer movies. Today, we are counting the ten best movies like Godfather for the fans of the great blockbuster film.
Top Ten Movies Like Godfather
If you are a fan of the mafia family crime thriller movie Godfather, you are sure to love the following ten similar movies that share similar crime stories.
1. Goodfellas | 1990 | 8.7 IMDB
Goodfellas is a 1990 American biographical crime film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Nicholas Pileggi, based on Pileggi’s 1985 non-fiction book Wiseguy. It stars Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino, and Frank Vincent. The film narrates the rise and fall of mob associate Henry Hill and his friends and family from 1955 to 1980.
Goodfellas received positive reviews from critics and was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. It won the award for Best Supporting Actor for Pesci. The film’s dialogue and music, particularly its use of pop songs, have been praised.
2. The Departed | 2006 | 8.5
The Departed is a 2006 American crime drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by William Monahan. It is a remake of the 2002 Hong Kong film Internal Affairs, which tells the story of an undercover state police officer who infiltrates the Irish mafia in Boston.
The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, and Mark Wahlberg, with Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone, Vera Farmiga, and Alec Baldwin in supporting roles. The film takes place in Boston, Massachusetts, in the early 2000s.
The Departed was a critical and commercial success and won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Scorsese. It was his first film to win Best Picture, after having been nominated for the award five times previously. The Departed also won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, making it only the second film to win both Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay (after One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest).
3. The Sopranos | 1999-2007 | 9.2 IMDB (Drama Series)
The Sopranos is an American crime drama television series created by David Chase. The story revolves around fictional New Jersey-based, Italian American mobster Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini).
The series portrays the difficulties that he faces as he tries to balance the conflicting requirements of his home life and the criminal organization he heads. These are often highlighted during his therapy sessions with psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi (Lorraine Bracco). The series features Tony’s family members, mafia colleagues, and rivals in prominent roles—most notably his wife Carmela (Edie Falco) and protégé/distant cousin Christopher Moltisanti (Michael Imperioli).
The Sopranos has been acclaimed as one of the greatest television series of all time. It has won a multitude of awards, including twenty-one Emmys and five Golden Globes. The show has been the subject of much analysis, commentary, and academic study, and has spawned books, films, and a video game. It has been referenced in other TV shows, commercials, and songs.
4. Donnie Brasco | 1972 | 7.2 IMDB
Donnie Brasco is a 1997 American crime drama film directed by Mike Newell, and starring Al Pacino and Johnny Depp. The film is based on the true story of FBI undercover agent Joseph D. Pistone, who assumed the alias Donnie Brasco in order to infiltrate the Bonanno crime family in New York City during the late 1970s.
Pistone (Depp) is an FBI agent in the 1970s who goes undercover to infiltrate the Bonanno crime family in New York City. He befriends Lefty Ruggiero (Pacino), a low-level mobster in the family, and starts to gain his trust. Ruggiero starts to introduce Pistone to other members of the family, and Pistone starts to get deeper into the criminal world.
Donnie Brasco is a gripping crime drama that tells a fascinating story of one man’s descent into the criminal underworld. Al Pacino and Johnny Depp both give great performances, and the film is directed with a sure hand by Mike Newell.
5. Casino | 1995 | 8.2 IMDB
The movie Casino was released in 1995 and was directed by Martin Scorsese. The movie is set in Las Vegas in the 1970s and follows the story of Sam “Ace” Rothstein (played by Robert De Niro), a Jewish-American gambling expert who is hired by the Italian-American Mafia to run the Tangiers Casino. T
The movie also follows the story of Ginger McKenna (played by Sharon Stone), a former prostitute who becomes Rothstein’s wife, and Nicky Santoro (played by Joe Pesci), a former Mafia enforcer who becomes Rothstein’s friend and partner in crime.
The movie is a portrayal of the seedy underside of Las Vegas and the casino industry, and it is filled with violence, sex, and profanity. It is widely considered to be one of Scorsese’s best films, and it was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
5. American Gangster | 2007 | 7.8 IMDB
Ridley Scott’s 2007 American Gangster is a crime drama set in the late 1960s and early 1970s in New York City.
The film tells the story of Frank Lucas, a real-life gangster who rose to power by selling heroin to African Americans in Harlem. Lucas is played by Denzel Washington, while Russell Crowe portrays a detective who is trying to bring him down.
The film was generally well-received by critics, who praised its direction, acting, and writing. Many also praised Scott’s decision to film in a documentary style, which helped to create a sense of authenticity. American Gangster grossed over $130 million at the box office, becoming one of Scott’s most successful films.
6. Peaky Blinders | 2013 | 8.3 IMDB (Drama Series)
Peaky Blinders is a 2013 British crime drama television series created by Steven Knight. The series is set in Birmingham, England, during the aftermath of World War I. It follows the Peaky Blinders gang, who were active in the city during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Peaky Blinders were an English street gang based in Birmingham, England, who were active in the city during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The gang was known for their distinctive style of dress, which included tailored suits and peaked flat caps. They were also known for their violence, which they often used to extort money from their victims.
7. Once Upon a Time in America | 1984 | 8.3 IMDB
Once Upon a Time in America is a 1984 epic crime drama film directed by Sergio Leone and starring Robert De Niro and James Woods. The film follows the lives of Jewish gangsters in New York City from the early 1900s to the late 1960s.
The film begins with a series of flashbacks, showing the childhoods and youths of friends Max Bercovicz (De Niro) and Noodles (Woods). In the present day, an aged Noodles is living in retirement in New York City. He is contacted by his former associate Fat Moe (Joe Pesci), who tells him that Max has died and that he should return to New York for the funeral.
Noodles reminisces about his past as he attends Max’s funeral. He recalls his first meeting with Max, as well as their shared experiences in the Jewish ghetto of New York City. He also remembers the night that Max proposed to Deborah (Elizabeth McGovern), Noodles’ childhood sweetheart.
8. Kill The Irishman | 2011 | 7 IMDB
Kill the Irishman is a 2011 American biographical crime drama film directed by Jonathan Hensleigh, and starring Ray Stevenson, Christopher Walken, Vincent D’Onofrio, Linda Cardellini, Val Kilmer, and Steven R. McQueen.
The film is based on the life of Irish-American organized crime boss Danny Greene, played by Stevenson. The film dramatizes Greene’s successful battle to wrest control of the Teamsters Union from the Mafia.
Greene’s main rival is Anthony Salerno (Walken), the head of the New York Mafia. Salerno is determined to stop Greene from expanding his power base. The two men engage in a brutal war that leaves dozens of people dead. In the end, Greene emerges victorious, but at a heavy cost. His wife and daughter have both been killed, and Greene himself is left badly scarred.
9. Scarface | 1980 | 8.3 IMDB
The movie Scarface is about a Cuban refugee named Tony Montana who comes to America in 1980 with nothing and quickly rises to become a powerful drug lord.
The movie is full of violence, drugs, and sex, and has been criticized for its glorification of criminal behavior. However, it is also considered a classic gangster film, and its story of a man who starts with nothing and becomes a powerful figure is widely appealing.
The movie was directed by Brian De Palma and starred Al Pacino in the title role. It was released to mixed reviews but has since become a cult classic. It was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards but lost to Gandhi.
10. Carlito’s Way | 1993 | 7.9 IMDB
Carlito’s Way is a 1993 American crime drama film directed by Brian De Palma, based on the novels Carlito’s Way (1975) and After Hours (1979) by Judge Edwin Torres. Al Pacino stars as former Puerto Rican criminal Carlito Brigante, who is released from prison on a technicality and attempts to avoid returning to a life of crime. Sean Penn and Penelope Ann Miller co-star as Carlito’s friend and love interest, respectively.
The film received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its direction and performances, while others finding it overly long and violent. However, Carlito’s Way has since been reappraised as one of De Palma’s strongest films, and Pacino’s performance was singled out for particular praise.
The film was nominated for two Academy Awards, Best Supporting Actor (Penn) and Best Cinematography (Emmanuel Lubezki).
11. Black Mass | 2015 | 6.9 IMDB
The movie Black Mass is based on the true story of Whitey Bulger, the most notorious criminal in Boston history. Bulger was an Irish-American gangster who ran the Winter Hill Gang, a powerful crime syndicate that controlled much of the city’s organized crime. Bulger was also an FBI informant, providing information on the Italian Mafia in exchange for protection from prosecution. However, his relationship with the FBI ultimately led to his downfall.
The movie chronicles Bulger’s rise to power in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as his eventual capture in 2011. It stars Johnny Depp as Bulger and also features an all-star cast including Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kevin Bacon, and Dakota Johnson.
Black Mass is a gripping crime drama that tells the true story of one of America’s most notorious criminals. Depp gives a chilling performance as Bulger, and the film is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
12. Bella Mafia | 1997 | 6.8 IMDB
Bella Mafia is a 1997 American made-for-television crime drama film directed by Irwin Winkler. The film stars Jennifer Tilly, Lorraine Bracco, Dennis Farina, and Angela Bassett. Bella Mafia follows the lives of five powerful women in the Corleone crime family. The film was originally broadcast on CBS on October 26, 1997.
The film opens with a funeral for Mafia don Vittorio Corelli (Dennis Farina). Corelli’s daughter, Rosa (Jennifer Tilly), is married to his second-in-command, Luca Brasi (Lorraine Bracco). Rosa is the mother of three young children, and she is also pregnant with her fourth child.
Rosa is reluctant to take over the family business, but she is eventually convinced by her husband and mother-in-law. As the new don, Rosa must deal with the other families in the Mafia, as well as the FBI. She is also faced with the task of keeping her family together in the face of danger and betrayal.
Bella Mafia is a powerful and gripping film that explores the complexities of the Mafia lifestyle. The film is well-acted and directed, and it offers a fascinating look at the inner workings of the Mafia.
13. Infernal Affairs | 2002 | 8 IMDB
Infernal Affairs is a crime thriller from 2002 directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak. The movie tells the story of an undercover police officer who infiltrates a Triad organization, and a Triad mole in the police department.
The two men are pitted against each other in a race to uncover the other’s identity, and the stakes are raised when both men fall in love with the same woman.
The movie was a huge critical and commercial success and spawned a Hollywood remake starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon. The movie is a great watch for anyone who loved watching the blockbuster movie Godfather.
14. Gomorrah | 2014 | 8.7 IMDB
Gomorrah is a 2008 Italian crime drama film directed by Matteo Garrone, based on the book by Roberto Saviano, who also collaborated on the screenplay. It depicts the Camorra, a crime syndicate in the province of Naples, Italy. The film features an ensemble cast, with Salvatore Esposito, Marco D’Amore, Fortunato Carlino, and Toni Servillo in the lead roles.
Gomorrah is set in the Caserta province of Italy and follows the stories of several individuals who are involved with the Camorra, a powerful and ruthless crime syndicate in the area. The film focuses on the struggles of Ciro Di Marzo, a young man who is trying to make a name for himself in the Camorra, and Don Ciro Lorusso, a middleman who is caught between the warring factions of the Camorra.
The crime thriller is a gritty and realistic portrayal of the crime syndicate that has a grip on the city of Naples. The film does not glamorize the Camorra, but rather shows the brutal reality of life under their rule. The film was praised for its realistic portrayal of the crime syndicate and its effects on the people of Naples.
15. King of Newyork | 1990 | 6.9 IMDB
The King of New York is a 1990 American crime drama film directed by Abel Ferrara and starring Christopher Walken, Wesley Snipes, and David Caruso. The film follows Frank White (Walken), a ruthless gangster who is released from prison and looks to take over the city’s drug trade.
The film was Ferrara’s follow-up to his successful film Bad Lieutenant and was written by Nicholas St. John. It was generally well-received by critics, with Walken’s performance being singled out for praise.
The King of New York was a modest box office success, grossing $16 million against a $6 million budget.
So, these were our top movies like Godfather. Which movies on the list did you like the most? Do you have any other similar films on your mind? We would love to know.