About This Quiz
Gangster movies have so many things film fans are looking for: villains turned into heroes, wild shootouts and a clear understanding of how family works. We love to see people in power, even if we don't want to associate ourselves with that kind of power. We love to see them take pity on those around them, as long as they get something in return. Some of our favorite gangster movies are ones based on real-life situations, told by those who lived in the stories themselves.Â
There is something mysterious yet inviting about a gangster movie because they provide entertainment without the danger of actually being in the dangerous situations we see.
While some may think the popularity of gangster films came along with "The Godfather" trilogy, the truth is, this genre has been around since 1912. Even in the silent era, people wanted to see the high-class gangsters shooting up the streets because they didn't get what they wanted or someone double-crossed them.Â
Although we don't expect you to know every gangster movie that was ever released, we are definitely interested in how many you might remember. Don't worry, we won't add a fugazi to throw you off ... we have respect.
In "Scarface," Al Pacino plays Tony Montana, a Cuban immigrant who heads to Miami to make money in the drug trade. He becomes very powerful and ends up going into drug-addled bouts of paranoia.
What's in the briefcase? You may never know. There is something about watching two best friends and hitmen interact with each other in a movie like "Pulp Fiction." It was definitely ahead of its time.
Some say this is the best film that has ever been made, but "The Godfather" is also one of the most memorable. It's based on the book written by Mario Puzo showing what the family structure in the mafia is really like.
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Gangster movies like to take us from beginning to end, showing all of the ups and downs of what happens with the rise of power. "Casino" goes from two guys wanting to open a casino in Las Vegas to their inevitable downfall.
"Goodfellas" is widely regarded as one of the most approachable gangster films because the voice-over of Henry Hill helps people follow along. It's a gritty look at what happens when you flip on the mob.
Based on a one-man show, "A Bronx Tale" shows what life was like in the Bronx in the 1960s. It also brings in a little bit of a love story, which is rare for gangster films — especially since it was a biracial love story.
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Although it doesn't delve into the mafia or gangsters too much, "Reservoir Dogs" is a film about a group of thieves who don't know one another, doing a job for a known mobster. However, one of them is an undercover operative. It's your job to figure out who.
"Bugsy" is a movie that documents the life, trials and tribulations of the well-known mobster Bugsy Siegel. He goes from New York City to Los Angeles and finally lands in Las Vegas where he gets into gambling.
It had been long accepted that any movie that had to do with the union also had to do with the mob. When Terry Malloy (played by Marlon Brando) ends his boxing career to work on the docks, he learns the ways of the union the hard way.
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Robert De Niro plays Al Capone in the movie that explains just how he was brought down. During Prohibition, Capone was well-loved by those around him, and nearly everyone worked for him. Elliot Ness (played by Kevin Costner) was the only one who wasn't afraid of him.
Michael Corleone finds that it's much more difficult to get your entire family out of the mafia than expected. Once you're in, you're in, but "The Godfather Part III" shows a dangerous side to being a part of the family.
Starring Al Pachino, this film made waves in 1974. It was a time when it was almost unheard of for a sequel to make any kind of money, let alone win an Oscar. It actually won six out of the 11 Oscars it was nominated for.
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Although many films focus on the Italian mafia in the 1970s, "American Gangster" shows what it was like for the rise of the gangsters in Harlem during the same time. The 2007 film was directed by Ridley Scott.
Al Pacino, Joe Pesci and Robert De Niro together in one movie creates the Scorsese trifecta of gangster movies. In "The Irishman," we see Frank Sheeran (De Niro) working for Jimmy Hoffa (Pacino) and Russell Buralino (Pesci).
Johnny Depp plays an undercover agent meant to infiltrate the mob in "Donnie Brasco." He does so by standing up to Al Pacino, telling him that a diamond is a fake. It's definitely an edge-of-your-seat movie.
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Anyone who studies criminal justice or American history knows the names of the notorious killers, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. Their relationship was so well-documented in newspapers, it was only a matter of time before someone wrote a movie about them.
Not all gangster movies have to do with the mafia. As a matter of fact, the late 1980s and early '90s showed us a different kind of gangster — and a modern-day one at that. "Boyz in the Hood" shed light on what was truly happening in our streets and what we needed to know about.
Despite the reality television show about his family, John Gotti was the kind of mobster who enhanced the drug trade, and not in a pretty way. In the film "Gotti," John Travolta plays the mob boss.
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After just being released from prison, Carlito Brigante (played by Al Pacino) wants nothing more than to go straight. However, there are always circumstances that pull him back in. If only he wasn't so good.
Tom Hanks is the kind of actor who can do anything, so it was only a matter of time before he was placed in the role of a Depression-era hitman in the Midwest. If you're looking for a film where Forrest Gump becomes an "enforcer," check out this one.
Dean Keaton wants to give up the gangster life for good. He fakes his death but an anonymous phone call leads the police to him. He finds himself in a cell with four other cons and they concoct a plan to score big.
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Following the success of "The Godfather," it was clear that Americans loved gangster movies. Therefore, it only made sense to have Martin Scorsese create a thrilling drama about small-time gangsters in "Mean Streets."
You'll find Johnny Depp in a lot of gangster movies, mostly because he has the look and voice for it. In "Public Enemies," he plays John Dillinger, one of the most sought-after criminals of his time.
When people go to see gangster movies, they like to see what it was like in the old days. "Once Upon a Time in America" shows all of this, giving us insight into the life of a man named "Noodles" who was a career criminal in the '20s and '30s.
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Revenge plots are commonplace in gangster movies. In "The Sting," we see some of the biggest stars of the day (Paul Newman and Robert Redford) take on Doyle Lonnegan (played by Robert Shaw) to avenge the death of their friend.
Although there have been numerous movies and television shows about the Medellin Cartel from Columbia, this one goes into the connection between the drug delivery and the upper-class clientele it attracted.
In "The Departed," Leonardo DiCaprio plays Billy Costigan, a police officer who goes undercover to take down one of the biggest names in the city: Frank Costello (played by Jack Nicholson).
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The Cash Money Brothers have taken over New York City's drug trade. Headed by Nino Brown (played by Wesley Snipes), the operation becomes seemingly unstoppable until Ice-T and Judd Nelson bring them down.
"Lucky Number Slevin" is full of twists and turns in an interesting "who done it" and "who's doing it" plot that keeps the audience guessing. The movie stars Bruce Willis and Josh Hartnett.
In true Coen brothers fashion, "Miller's Crossing" shows us there can be poetry as well as artistic direction in gangster films. They don't necessarily have to be all about bloodshed, although the movie has that as well.
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The 1956 classic, "The Killing," is a gangster film starring Sterling Hayden and Timothy Carey. It's a tale told again and again about a criminal's last hoorah before he quits the life for good.
It's going to take a lot to take down Mickey Cohen in Los Angeles, especially after he takes control of pretty much everything and everyone in the city. No wonder they need Josh Brolin and Ryan Gosling to form a secret squad to stop him.
When an Irish mafia goon comes back after being gone for ten years, he is welcomed back with open arms. However, what his bosses don't know is that he is now undercover and trying to take them down.
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If you love movies with 25 characters that you have to pay attention to and loads of storylines, then "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" is perfect for you. This movie has it all: drugs, gambling and Jason Statham.
James Cagney and Virginia Mayo star in the 1949 drama "White Heat." This is the story of Cody Jarrett (Cagney) who suffers from horrible headaches, but that doesn't stop him from planning heists and doing dirty deeds. That is until something goes wrong during a robbery.
"Broken City" is about a former police officer named Billy Taggart (played by Mark Wahlberg) who is seeking justice for being wronged by the mayor of New York City. The tension in this movie can be cut with a knife, as we learn about a scandal that would rock the city.
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During the drug war of 1988 in New York City, police officers didn't care who the victims were, as long as the drugs stopped hitting the streets. This led to controversy ... as well as the movie "We Own the Night."
If the government thinks outlawing alcohol will stop people from drinking, they don't know the gangsters of the time. Ben Affleck stars in this movie about just how roaring the Roaring Twenties were.
"In Bruges" tells the tale of two hitmen who need a place to hide out after a job goes rough. They end up in Belgium where they have to wait for further instructions ... for two weeks. Things get a little sticky when they get stir crazy.
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Sometimes, you have to do whatever it takes to survive, even if that means working for the mob in your town. South Boston is well known for its gang activity, and friends Brian and Paulie are deep in it.