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15 Gangster Movies Like Goodfellas About The Criminal Underworld

February 21, 2023
movies like goodfellas

Goodfellas is a classic crime drama film directed by Martin Scorsese, and it is widely regarded as one of the best films in the genre and has earned several awards and nominations. If you’re a huge fan like us, then you will surely enjoy our list of 15 incredible gangster movies like Goodfellas. Have a look!
The film is based on the true story of Henry Hill, a Mafia member, and his life in the criminal underworld. The film features Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Ray Liotta in the lead roles. Goodfellas was nominated for six Academy Awards and won one for Best Supporting Actor for Joe Pesci. Goodfellas has become a popular film in the crime genre and has a huge following among fans.

List of Movies Like Goodfellas

  1. The Godfather
  2. Casino
  3. Donnie Brasco
  4. The Irishman
  5. Scarface
  6. Mean Streets
  7. American Gangster
  8. The Departed
  9. Pulp Fiction 
  10. The Untouchables
  11. Heat
  12. Once Upon A Time In America 
  13. The Wolf Of Wallstreet
  14. The Town 
  15. Reservoir Dogs

1. The Godfather (1972)

The iconic film- The Godfather has become one of the greatest films ever made. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, the film is a masterclass in filmmaking and storytelling. The film stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, and James Caan in the lead roles, and the cast’s performances are nothing short of outstanding. The film’s plot is a complex and intriguing tale of power, family, and loyalty in the Mafia world.

The cinematography, soundtrack, and attention to detail make The Godfather a visually stunning film that is a joy to watch. The film’s themes of power and family are timeless, and the film’s impact on popular culture is undeniable. If you enjoy movies like Goodfellas and haven’t seen The Godfather, you’re missing out on a true masterpiece.

2. Casino (1995)

Casino is a crime drama film directed by none other than the great Martin Scorsese. Similar to movies like Goodfellas , Casino is based on real-life events and characters and it follows the lives of criminals involved in the Mafia. Casino is set in Las Vegas and tells the story of a Mafia-run casino.

Also like Goodfellas, the film features intense and violent scenes, as well as humor, which makes it a well-rounded and entertaining story. The cinematography, soundtrack, and attention to detail are spot on. With a strong cast, including Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, who both starred in Goodfellas, Casino is a must-watch!

3. Donnie Brasco (1997)

Donnie Brasco is based on the true story of an undercover FBI agent who infiltrated the Mafia. The film stars Johnny Depp and Al Pacino and is directed by Mike Newell. Similar to films like Goodfellas, this films depicts the life of the Mafia and the dangers faced by those who infiltrate them.

Including the relationships between the Mafia members, the loyalty and trust issues, and the consequences of infiltrating the criminal underworld, there is so much for fans of Goodfellas to watch in this one, you won’t be disappointed!

Also Read: Movies like Shutter Island

4. The Irishman (2019)

The Irishman is another one of Martin Scorsese’s masterpieces, which stars Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci (All the iconics!). And yes, like Goodfellas, this film is also based on the true story of Frank Sheeran, a hitman who worked for the Mafia. The film follows Sheeran as he recounts his life and his involvement with the Mafia over several decades.

The Irishman is a stunning film that yet again showed the talents of its cast and its director. This film has everything you’d expect, stunning cinematography, attention to detail and a great take on the crime world. The Irishman is witout a doubt another must-watch for fans of films like Goodfellas. 

5. Scarface (1983)

Directed by Brian De Palma, Scarface is a crime drama film that film features Al Pacino as Tony Montana, a Cuban immigrant who rises to power as a cocaine kingpin in Miami. Scarface is very well-known for its intense violence, memorable dialogues, and larger-than-life characters, oh and Michelle Pfeiffer’s iconic blue dress!

Scarface was a critical and commercial success and has since become a cult classic, so much so that the film has influenced several other films and tv shows in the crime genre. Scarface’s soundtrack, which features popular hip-hop and rock songs, has become one of the most iconic soundtracks in film history. Scarface is a terrific film similar to Goodfellas to watch.

6. Mean Streets (1973)

If we’re looking at Scorsese’s discography then I might as well mention his classic crime film Mean Streets. The film is set in New York’s Little Italy and follows the life of Charlie, a small-time hood who is torn between his loyalty to his criminal boss and his love for a woman. Mean Streets was one of Scorsese’s earliest films and marked his entry into the world of crime dramas.

The movie set up a highly realistic portrayal of the Mafia and the criminal underworld, as well as its intense and violent scenes. Simliar to films like Goodfellas, Mean Streets  is absolutely brilliant. Hence, I recommend you watch the film that cemented Martin Scorsese’s reputation as one of the greatest directors of all time.

7. American Gangster (2007)

Ridley Scott’s American Gangster centers on the characters played by Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. This film is based on the true story of Frank Lucas, a notorious drug lord who operated in Harlem in the 1970s. The film follows Lucas’s rise to power as a drug kingpin, as well as the efforts of a dedicated police detective, Richie Roberts, to bring him down.

Similar to movies like Goodfellas, American Gangster explores themes of morality, crime, and corruption and offers a nuanced portrayal of its central characters. The film received positive reviews for its stylish direction, strong performances, and sharp script, so be sure to check it out!

8. The Departed (2006)

Martin Scorsese’s The Departed might not center around his favourite men but with Leonardo Dicaprio and Matt Damon as frontrunners, its hardly one to miss. The movie tells the story of a young cop who goes undercover to take down a powerful crime boss in Boston. The Departed is often compared to Goodfellas, due to its similar in crime and violence and its focus on the inner workings of the gritty criminal underworld.

While The Departed is a remake of the Honk Kong thriller Infernal Affairs (2002), I’ve got to say I do believe this to be the finest work of Scorsese alongside films like Goodfellas. The Departed is a stylised modern crime- sure to leave a lasting impression on you.

Also Read: Movies like The Big Short

9. Pulp Fiction (1994)

Pulp Fiction is an American crime film directed by Quentin Tarantino. The film is known for its non-linear narrative structure and its eclectic mix of pop culture references. The movie follows a series of interconnected stories about criminals and their experiences in the criminal underworld. The film’s cast includes John Travolta, Uma Thurman, and Samuel L. Jackson, all of whom gave memorable performances that have become cultural touchstones.

Pulp Fiction won the Palme d’Or at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival. The film’s memorable dialogue and iconic scenes have made it one of the most influential films of all time. Pulp Fiction remains a classic of modern cinema and will make for great choice for movies similar to Goodfellas.

10. The Untouchables (1987)

The Untouchables is based on the real-life story of Eliot Ness, a U.S. Treasury agent who took on the notorious Al Capone, the kingpin of organized crime in Chicago during the Prohibition era. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Ness assembled a team of agents known as The Untouchables and launched a relentless pursuit of Capone.

The film is a gripping and suspenseful portrayal of the battle between law and order, and the dark underworld of organized crime. It’s a classic tale of good versus evil- something that has captured the imagination of audiences for decades. The Untouchables is a timeless masterpiece to watch after films like Goodfellas.

11. Heat (1995)

Heat is a classic crime thriller directed by Michael Mann with Robert De Niro and Al Pacino as the central characters. The story follows a seasoned thief who plans a massive heist while a police detective tries to bring him down. Looking for more crime movies with Robert De Niro? then you will like this one.

Heat is a masterclass in character development, with De Niro and Pacino delivering powerful performances as the two opposing forces. The film is also well known for its gripping action scenes and tense chase sequences. Not many movies like Goodfellas live up to the expectations but Heat’s iconic shoot-out scene alone is a great reason to insist you to see it!

12. Once Upon A Time In America (1984)

Robert De Niro has been a part of many iconic crime dramas in his career, and Once Upon A Time In America by Sergio Leone is an underrated gem. The movie takes place in the early 20th century and follows a group of young friends who grow up to become notorious gangsters in the New York City underworld.

The film is a sweeping epic that spans several decades, tracing the lives of the characters from their childhoods to old age. With its intricate storyline and performance executed just well as you’d expect, Once Upon A Time In America is a true masterpiece of filmmaking similar to movies like Goodfellas.

13. The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013)

Taking a little detour from the underworld is the black comedy-crime The Wolf of Wall Street – an American biographical film by Martin Scorsese. The film is based on the life of Jordan Belfort (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) who rose to fame as a stockbroker in the late 80s and early 90s. While it is not similar to movies like Goodfellas, it holds Scorsese’s crazy brilliance.

The film depicts Belfort’s rise to power and eventual fall from grace as a result of his unethical business practices and involvement in financial crimes. But talking about the story won’t do it justice, the storytelling and the performance are maddening-ly good and highly entertaining. This film is both a commentary on the greed of the financial world and a wild, ride that keeps the audience engaged from start to finish.

14. The Town (2010)

The Town is a crime thriller film directed by Ben Affleck. The story is set in the rough neighborhood of Charlestown, Boston, where a group of bank robbers, led by Doug MacRay, operate with precision and success. Doug falls in love with a bank manager who is a witness to one of their crimes and becomes a liability to the group.

Similar to films like Goodfellas, this film explores themes of loyalty, love, and crime in a gritty, raw, and realistic manner. The Town is an underdog crime movie full of intensity and strong emotions.

15. Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Quentin Tarantino’s debut Reservoir Dogs is a crime movie that features an ensemble cast including Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Steve Buscemi, and Chris Penn. The story revolves around a group of criminals who plan a diamond robbery, but things go awry, and they begin to turn on each other.

Reservoir Dogs is a terrifically articulated story with unique motifs that have grown to become specific to his directing style. One thing that stands out is the storytelling format, which portrays the plot in a non-linear fashion through different accounts pertaining to the main characters. Reservoir Dogs is a good option for crime films like Goodfellas.

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few Gangster movies like goodfellas that didn’t make a list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Traffic
  2. Blow
  3. Layer Cake
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When Lost aired over a decade ago, its successful narrative created a pop culture impact and changed the landscape of television. If you are a fan and want to watch shows like Lost then you can have a look at this list we made just for you.

Lost

The hugely successful television series Lost aired in 2004. The premise, as we know, deals with a group of people surviving a commercial passenger plane crash on a remote island. The show masterfully explores supernatural and sci-fi elements on this mysterious south Pacific island. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTu8iDynwNc

The use of cliffhangers at the end of each episode of Lost kept the viewers on the edge of their seats, desperately craving for the next episode to come. Even though it's a large ensemble cast, most of the characters receive a justifiable personal arch. Lost was inspired by the movie Castaway and became one of the most expensive pilots to be shot at the time! Lost continues to be appreciated for its originality in storytelling and dynamic character arcs. 

List of TV Shows Like Lost

  1. The Leftovers
  2. Manifest
  3. Lost Room
  4. Twin Peaks
  5. The Prisoners
  6. Battlestar Galactica
  7. The New People
  8. Flight 29 Down
  9. Fringe
  10. Alcatraz
  11. Under the Dome
  12. Dark

1. The Leftovers (2014)

IMDB ratings: 8.3/10

Cast: Carrie Coon, Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman and Margaret Qualley

Creator: Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta

The director of Lost, Damon Lindel also created a supernatural drama series called The Leftovers. The show begins 3 years after an unexplainable global event called ‘Sudden Departure’  where almost 2 per cent of the population, nearly 140 million people, disappear. The Leftovers isn't about WHY people are gone, it's about how the ones who remain dealt with their loss, people often try to comfort themselves with dreams, angels, gods, or even death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLT3YUALJno&t=8s

The Leftovers will leave you with so many questions but beyond words, you have to feel it and savour its unanswered questions to find peace. The Leftovers is an incredible television series that starts incredibly well but loses its way by the series's end. I have to say though, Carrie Coon has brilliant moments in the end. The Leftovers is so weird, fragmented and nonsensical at times that it reminds me of Lost. If you are looking for shows like Lost, I recommend that you give The Leftovers a try.

2. Manifest  (2018) 

IMDB ratings: 7.1/10

Cast: Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas and J.R. Ramirez 

Creator: Jeff Rake


The Manifest is a supernatural drama show about a bunch of people who discover that they lost 5 years of their lives when they landed in New York after their aeroplane faced severe turbulence. All the people on the plane were presumed to be dead. Now, these people have to find a way to adjust themselves to a new life around their loved ones. Mild spoiler! They learn their loved ones and the rest of society is not as they left it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1hNAIzkQWY

I found that the show’s premise was very intriguing and the actors give a very convincing performance. The narrative details of the show, however, in my opinion, are a bit sloppy and inconsistent. The writers surely have room for improvement but their concept is incredibly thrilling. Every episode of Manifest keeps you on your toes. Manifest has completed 3 seasons up until now and continues to be on air. Manifest is a pretty good choice if you want to watch TV shows like Lost.

3. Lost Room (2006)

IMDB ratings: 8.1/10

Cast: Peter Krause, Julianna Margulies and Peter Jacobson

Creator: Christopher Leone, Laura Harkcom

This lesser-known show The Lost Room is an American Sci-fi television miniseries which only had 3 episodes of 90 mins each and no follow-up seasons. The show was based on a very unique idea where the room in question (known as the ‘Lost Room’) and the objects in the said room had supernatural powers. This strange room is set in a 1960s motel along the iconic U.S. Route 66. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfWrECLnFYU

One day the protagonist (Peter Krause) Joe Miller’s daughter disappears inside the room. Joe, with the help of objects present in the room, tries to find his daughter Anna (Elle Fanning). The story of Lost Room was intensely engaging. I found the direction and the actor’s performances to be absolutely brilliant. It baffles me that the creators did not return to make another short season within the same concept. If you have been searching for TV series like Lost then I can assure you that Lost Room will be worth a watch.

4. Twins Peaks (1990) 

IMDB ratings: 8.8/10

Cast: Kyle MacLachlan, Mädchen Amick, Sherilyn Fenn and David Lynch

Creator: David Lynch

David Lynch, the well-known director of weird and captivating films such as Eraserhead and Blue Velvet created an iconic show called Twin Peaks. It is a hauntingly eccentric show about the investigation of the mysterious murder of a small-town homecoming queen named Laura Palmer. Believe me, as odd as the show may seem at first, you will grow to love it, after all, it is considered to be one of the best mystery shows ever created. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwn9ou_nf-I

With the mysteries, the supernatural elements and the list of bizarre characters, Twin Peaks has it all. In my opinion, the cinematography of the show was truly ahead of its time. Kyle’s Dale Cooper was especially entertaining. Twin Peaks’ experimental formula of the satirical soap opera is extremely unsettling yet rewarding to watch, I must warn you, it’s not for the faint-hearted!  If you are in search of TV shows like Lost then Twin Peaks won’t disappoint you.

The Prisoners (1967)

IMDB ratings: 8.5/10

Cast: Patrick McGoohan, Angelo Muscat and Geroge Markstien

Creator: Patrick McGoohan


The Prisoner centres around an unnamed British agent (Patrick McGoohan) who tries to flee his country after abruptly quitting his high-ranking government job. He is abducted and held captive in a strange ‘sea-side’ village that is isolated from the rest of the world. This village is a highly secure and monitored place filled with weird technology. There are only 17 episodes to this late 60s show but it manages to bring up such surreal surprises, it's sure to leave a great impact on the viewer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JrNr85fPms

The Prisoner’s unique concept influenced many popular shows including Lost. The creators of Lost even cited the show. I was very impressed by how ahead of its time The Prisoners proves to be. If you want to watch more shows similar to Lost the Prisoners should definitely be on your list.

6. Battlestar Galactica (2004)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Katee Sackhoff, Edward James Olmos and Tricia Helfer 

Creator: Glen A. Larson

The 2004 Battlestar Galactica is a reboot of the original 1978 miniseries of the same name. Do not be mistaken by the title, the show is not related to Star Trek.  Battlestar Galactica is set in the 7th millennium AD and follows Cylons, the robot enemy of humanity that resurfaces to destroy the 12 colonies of Mankind. Only a few survive and are able to escape on ships led by a powerful warship called Battlestar Galactica. Mankind struggles to fight the Cylons and work their own political agendas and disputes while finding their long-lost 13th colony Earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnYsf2Yv8i8

The show is a dark, intense and gritty socio-political commentary with EPIC cinematic value. The script is especially clever and as a huge fan of sci-fi shows, this show ticks the boxes in all the right categories. When the show was released, it blew the viewers and critics away. As far as an obsessive and gripping story goes, Battlestar Galactica is one of the most similar to shows like Lost. 

7. The New People (1969)

IMDB ratings: 7.3/10

Cast: David Moses, Zooey hall and Tiffany Boiling

Creator: Larry Gordon Aaron Spelling

The New People is an American Tv series that aired only for 1 season and is focused on a couple of college students who survive a plane crash. The incident takes place while they were returning from a trip to Southeast Asia, their plane crashes on an island in the south of the Pacific ocean. 

By now this show must already be sounding a lot like Lost to you, and it surely is. The remaining group of people discover an unusual truth about the island: there’s an above-ground unused nuclear test site filled with supplies for the survivors. If you want to see more plane survival stories like Lost then The New People should definitely be on your list.

8. Flight 29 Down (2005)

IMDB ratings: 7.2/10

Cast: Allen Alvarado, Halle Hirsh and Corbin Bleu

Creator:  Stan Rowgow D. J. MacHale

The show Flight 29 Down is a drama series about a group of pre-teens/teens who are stranded on a South Pacific island after their plane crashes in a tropical storm while they were flying from an eco-adventure camping trip in Palau. The show is in many ways a younger version of the Adult-centred show Lost but sans the supernatural elements. I’d say that the show draws inspiration from the show The New People.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLeG0w3kL8k

Flight 29 Down uses the technique of a video diary as a plot device for the viewers to keep up with the story of these children. It was very engaging to watch young intelligent characters finding their way on the island. The first two seasons of the show are quite engaging but I seemed to lose interest in its 3rd and final season. Regardless, Flight 29 Down is a really good series to watch if you want to see TV shows like Lost.

9. Fringe (2008)

IMDB ratings: 8.4/10

Cast: Anna Torv, John Noble and Joshua Jackson

Creator: J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci

Fringe is a popular Sci-fi crime drama television series. It may seem like a standard procedural drama at first, but the show actually explores the parallel universe, alternate versions of people filled with crazy scientific experiments. I personally had a great time watching this show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29bSzbqZ3xE

Fringe is actually inspired by shows like Lost, The X-files and The Twilight Zone. The 3 main characters of the show work with a special division called Fringe. There are so many brilliant twists and turns in Fringe that in my opinion, the show is at the top of its category. If you are searching for TV series like Lost, I strongly recommend you watch Fringe. 

10. Alcatraz (2012)

IMDB ratings: 6.9/10

Cast: Sarah Jones, George Garcia and Jonny Coyne 

Creator: Elizabeth Sarnoff, Steven Lilien, Bryan Wynbrandt

This American fiction show is based on the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary built on Alcatraz island in San Francisco Bay. The prison is now closed but once kept some of the most dangerous criminals of America. The show takes the liberty to make a show around the conspiracies of the place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V514ACIGp_k

In the interesting premise we see that under unknown circumstances, 256 inmates and 46 guards of the prison disappear without a trace. Later the disappeared ones start to appear one by one without ageing a day and resume their criminal activities with no realisation of disappearance. A special government unit is dedicated to finding and putting those criminals back in prison. If you are looking for mystery shows similar to Lost, try watching Alcatraz. 

11. Under the Dome (2013)

IMDB ratings: 6.5/10

Cast: Alexander Koch and Rachelle Lefevre

Creator: Stephen King

Based on a novel written by the sci-fi legend Stephen King, Under the Dome tells the story of the residents of the fictional small town called Chester's Mill, when a huge, transparent and indestructible dome suddenly cuts them off from the rest of the world. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Y5YeYrqUk

Now the trapped residents try to find a way to discover the truth, origin and purpose of these domes. This journey forces them into situations where they learn more about each other than they ever knew. Under the Dome may not be on the top of this list but it’s quite a decent watch if you’re looking for mystery shows similar to Lost. 

12. Dark (2017)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Louis Hofmann, Lisa Vicari and Gina Stiebitz

Creator: Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese

The German-language Netflix series Dark is an interesting blend of Science fiction and Mystery. Truly a compelling and mind-bending story to watch. At the beginning of Dark, many children suspiciously start disappearing in the German town of Winden. The dark past of generational mysteries of 4 families living in the town namely, Kahnwald, Nielsen, Doppler, and Tiedemann is brought to light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrwycJ08PSA

After the discovery of a wormhole, the lives of the families intertwine more than one can imagine. I believe every element of the show is top-notch, especially Dark’s cinematography, which is a TRUE masterpiece. If you are looking for TV series similar to Lost then the intense and gripping story of Dark is sure to keep you engrossed.

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few TV shows like Lost that didn’t make the list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Carnivale
  2. Yellowjackets
  3. Game of Thrones
  4. Black Mirror
  5. Flashforward
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