The Ten Best Criminal Underworld Movies

Have you been fascinated by mafia stories and the criminal underworld? This list is for you.We’ve ranked the ten best criminal underworld movies in order of IMDb rating so that you can pick your selection. 

These action packed films are a treat to watch and we can affirm that you won’t be satisfied by watching them just once. The films have stellar acting by award-winning actors and iconic dialogues that people remember till date. 

Moreover, the violent world has been depicted in an entirely glamorous manner, that one might consider becoming a mobster, though we would definitely not recommend it. 

The point is, these movies draw us in with carefully crafted storylines and equally stunning visual imagery. There have been countless films made in Hollywood and all over the world, taking subtle cues and inspiration from reclusive real-life criminals. 

If the world of organized crime is right up your alley, get ready to watch the underworld movies in order of ascending IMDb rating. Remember, “The eyes Chico, they never lie!” 

10. Killing Them Softly (2012)

IMDb Rating: 6.2/10 

Plot: A modern gangster film, this film’s plot revolves around the impact of organized crime on American society right around the time of the collapse of the housing market. Deemed as one of Brad Pitt’s finest works, the film depicts the struggle and length one could go to escape a life of poverty. 

9. King of New York (1990)

IMDb Rating: 6.9/10 

Plot: Christopher Walken starts as the enigmatic Frank White – a nefarious NYC drug lord. Christopher Walken has done absolute justice to the character in the movie and we also get to see him dance to ‘Saturday Night’. 

8. Mean Streets (1972)

IMDb Rating: 7.2/10 

Plot: Scorsese paints an alluring picture of the mafia in this 1972 release – Mean Streets. Robert De Niro’s performance as the character Johnny Boy would remain to be iconic and remarkable for decades to come. The film is set in Little Italy, New York and Scorsese draws us into the world of police corruption, mafia and more.  

7. The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973) 

IMDb Rating: 7.4/10 

Plot: An aging Boston gunrunner is wary of spending time in jail if he doesn’t cough up some vital information for an ATF agent. Filled with shocking revelations and plot twists, the film showed us another side to the dynamics of gangs and mobsters – that you don’t turn on your brothers no matter what. 

6. Eastern Promise (2007)

IMDb Rating: 7.6/10 

Plot: The story is about a British nurse who is thrown into the world of the Russian Mafia after she discovers the notebook of a young girl believed to be impregnated by a mob leader. The film is directed by David Cronenberg and written by Steven Knight. 

5. American Gangster (2007)

IMDb Rating: 7.8/10

Plot: The film revolves around the story of Frank Lucas and his rise to power in the 1970s in New York. Hot on his tail is a cop, Richie Roberts, determined to bring him down. 

4. The Untouchables (1987)

IMDb Rating: 7.9/10 

Plot: The film stars Sean Connery, Robert De Niro and Kevin Costner. De Niro stars as the legendary crime boss Al Capone, who rules over the city of Chicago. With his discreet hold on the police force by means of moles and informants, Capone is pursued by an agent of the law, Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner) who is determined to capture and bring Capone to justice. 

3. Scarface (1983)

IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

Plot: The film was a remake of the 1932 film by the same name, only it was bolder and more successful than the former. The story follows a Cuban government official, Tony Montana (Al Pacino) who stakes his claim in the drug trade in Miami. As time goes by, he becomes the biggest drug lord in the state. The Al Pacino starrer made waves when it was released and it is considered to be one of his best performances to date. 

2. Snatch (2000)

IMDb Rating: 8.3/10 

Snatch is about a gypsy prizefighter (Brad Pitt) and draws us into the British gangster world. There’s also gang commentary between the British and Irish. The film shows us the other side of London filled with pikeys and bookies.

1. The Godfather (2006)

IMDb Rating: 9.2/10 

Plot: The highest grossing movie of 1972, the film revolves around the aging leader of the Corleone crime family, who has to reluctantly pass over his power to his son Michael (Al Pacino). The film went on to win the Best Picture at the Oscars. 

Conclusion: 

It’s no secret that we all wished at some point in our life that we had stacks of money and were smoking Cuban cigars in low lit cabins. Maybe it’s the thrill of seeing your favorite actors embody the same that keeps you hooked on watching criminal underworld movies. 

Do share your thoughts about our list of ten best criminal underworld movies.

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