16 Gangster Movies with a Heart: Surprising Picks for the Whole Family

1. The Godfather 1972，IMDB Rating: 9.2, IMDB Votes: 2036858, ID: 0068646
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The Godfather is a cinematic masterpiece that delves into the intricate dynamics of the Corleone family. Focusing on Vito Corleone and his son Michael. Vito is a powerful gang leader in New York who leads the family business and is highly respected. As the story progresses, Vito is seriously injured in an attack and the family business and responsibilities begin to shift to his son Michael.
2. The Godfather Part II 1974，IMDB Rating: 9.0, IMDB Votes: 1378250, ID: 0071562
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The Godfather Part II is a rare sequel that surpasses even its predecessor. The film unfolds in parallel through two narrative threads, one telling the story of Michael Corleone’s gradual path to becoming a ruthless gang leader, and the other harking back to how a young Vito Corleone rises from poverty to become the leader of the gang.
3. Goodfellas 1990，IMDB Rating: 8.7, IMDB Votes: 1271935, ID: 0099685
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Goodfellas opens from the point of view of Henry Hill and follows him from his youthful fascination with the gangs to his gradual emergence as a full-fledged member. The film shows the appeal of gang life through Henry’s interactions with his mates, yet as he delves deeper into it, power struggles, betrayal and violence continue to eat away at his life.
4. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels 1998，IMDB Rating: 8.1, IMDB Votes: 620611, ID: 0120735
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‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ is about a group of not-so-lucky London punks who run up a huge debt in an underground gambling game, and in order to pay it off, they become involved in a series of complicated and danger-filled events. The story has an intricate plot and strong characters, each with a strong sense of character and a unique sense of humour.
5. Analyze This 1999，IMDB Rating: 6.7, IMDB Votes: 162582, ID: 0122933
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It is about the gang leader Paul Vitti, who faces enormous pressures in his career and family life, causing him to begin to suffer from psychological problems and eventually decides to seek psychotherapy. During the treatment, Paul forms an unexpected relationship with psychiatrist Ben Salford.
6. Carlito’s Way 1993，IMDB Rating: 7.9, IMDB Votes: 234305, ID: 0106519
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Carlito’s Way is about a man seeking redemption and trying to escape his past. Carlito Brigante is a former drug dealer trying to get back on the straight and narrow. The film shows deep emotional layers and complex character relationships through the challenges that Carlito faces as he tries to break away from the gangster world.
7. Casino 1995，IMDB Rating: 8.2, IMDB Votes: 570132, ID: 0112641
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Casino is about the complex relationship between the management of Las Vegas casinos and the power of the mob in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Sam ‘Ace’ Rosenthal is a casino manager who takes control of the casino’s operations by working with the mob. However, as the casinos grew in profit and power, Ace’s life began to become more and more complicated.
8. Snatch 2000，IMDB Rating: 8.2, IMDB Votes: 918539, ID: 0208092
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The story revolves around an illegal boxing match. Jason Statham plays Yusef ‘Potato’ Wintle, a thief who, in a careless act of theft, gets involved in a messy situation about a boxer competing with outlaws for a bet.
9. The Untouchables 1987，IMDB Rating: 7.8, IMDB Votes: 333694, ID: 0094226
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The Untouchables is a classic gangster film that combines historical drama with thrilling action. In 1930s Chicago, Elliot Ness is a U.S. Treasury agent tasked with combating Al Capone’s criminal empire. Through careful planning and daring actions, they gradually approach Capone in an attempt to bring him to justice.
10. Scarface 1983，IMDB Rating: 8.3, IMDB Votes: 927056, ID: 0086250
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In 1980s Miami, Tony Montana is a young man who immigrates to the United States from Cuba and fights to survive in the world of Miami’s gangsters. Rising to prominence in the drug trade, he quickly amasses wealth and power. But Tony becomes increasingly violent and egotistical, and he gradually comes into conflict with his friends, his family, and his own inner circle.
11. The Departed 2006，IMDB Rating: 8.5, IMDB Votes: 1436433, ID: 0407887
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It tells the story of two undercover agents: one is Billy Costin, a police department rookie who secretly infiltrates the mob, and the other is Frank Costello, a member of the mob who has planted an undercover agent within the police force. Both men try to find out who the other is, and the film unfolds into an intense psychological battle and life-and-death contest.
12. Pulp Fiction 1994，IMDB Rating: 8.9, IMDB Votes: 2245374, ID: 0110912
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It revolves around the lives of Los Angeles gangsters. Through a non-linear narrative, the film shows the relationships between gang members, the violence and their human conflicts. The story involves Vincent and Jules on a mission, Vincent and Mia’s dinner night, the betrayal of Butch the boxer, and a couple of robberies.
13. Donnie Brasco 1997，IMDB Rating: 7.7, IMDB Votes: 335373, ID: 0119008
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The film tells the story of FBI agent Joe Donovan, who goes deep into the gangster organisation Gangster’s House, disguising himself as a criminal named Donnie Brasco, to obtain information. The film’s focus on the emotional toll of a double life adds a layer of complexity to the gangster genre.
14. A Bronx Tale 1993，IMDB Rating: 7.8, IMDB Votes: 164224, ID: 0106489
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It follows a young boy, Carlo, as he grows up. Carlo grows up in a working-class family of Italian descent, where his father tries to teach him to be a decent human being. However, Carlo finds an attraction with the street gangster ‘Sonny’ and is gradually introduced to the world of gangsters.
15. The Irishman 2019，IMDB Rating: 7.8, IMDB Votes: 436048, ID: 1302006
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A story about the life of Frank Sheeran. Frank, a retired mob hitman, looks back on his relationship with mobster Jimmy Hoffa and the decisions he made during his decades of crime.
16. American Gangster 2007，IMDB Rating: 7.8, IMDB Votes: 456905, ID: 0765429
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The story of the rise and fall of Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas. The film revolves around how Lucas went from being an ordinary man to becoming one of the biggest drug dealers in the United States, revealing how he used legal business tactics to cover up his illegal business. Meanwhile, police detective Richie Roberts is determined to hunt Lucas down, and the confrontation between the two becomes the heart of the film.