Gangster movies are usually associated with American-produced masterpieces likeThe Godfather,Goodfellas,The Untouchables, andCasino. Emerging during the 1930s with masterpieces likeScarfaceandThe Public Enemy, gangster movies brought on screen anti-heroes, climaxing violence, and a dark depiction of society. As the genre evolved, so did the focus of the filmmaker and the themes depicted.
This list presents you the greatest gangster movies made outside the US, in order to showcase the fortune and diversity of the ever-expanding genre. From classics likeLa HaineandA Better Tomorrowto less-known gems likeElectionandSuburra, these movies bring you on the gloomy and dirty streets of Paris, Rome or Hong Kong, and Mumbai and show you that no matter where you are, there will always be a gang or a loner criminal living outside the boundaries of the law.
Updated on August 19th, 2023 byGaurav Krishnan:This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
18Once Upon A Time In Mumbai (2010)
On the surfaceOnce Upon A Time in Mumbaimight seem like a tacky Bollywood film, but it serves up plenty of narratives that make it interesting enough. The film is a fictionalized account based loosely on the lives of prominent Mumbai gangsters Haji Mastan and Dawood Ibrahim, but it plays out as a rather archetypal Bollywood story focused on the classic mob boss and the ambitious protégé looking to overthrow his superior plot line. The movie follows the lead characters Sultan Mirza (Ajay Devgan) and Shoaib Khan (Emraan Hashmi)’s rise from humble beginnings to notoriety and riches, becoming the linchpins of the Mumbai underworld, along with their intertwining stories and the struggle for power and supremacy.
The plot immerses audiences in both protagonists' backstory, and their pursuit and romancing of their respective love interests and giving back to society calls for a certain empathy from viewers despite the pair being criminals. Although it spills over as a completely mainstream Bollywood take, the kind that in that echoes the need to please Indian masses, in the end it still has some substance and a certain swagger that manages to keep audiences engrossed despite its clichés and shortcomings; it’s as intriguing as mainstream Indian cinema gets.
17Legend (2015)
2015’sLegendstarring Tom Hardy playing a double role as the Kray twin brothers Reggie and Ronnie Kray is a British gangster film based on John Pearson’s bookThe Profession of Violence: The Rise and Fall of the Kray Twins. Set in 1960s London, the plot follows the Kray brothers’ rise to power as their criminal organization contrives to orchestrate several heists, thefts, and murders while they unwind in the nightclubs and pubs they own indulging in their vices and sexual pursuits.
The film depicts its violent and bloody sequences well enough but may seem pretty listless and a mindless drag at times. Most of the shots echo the sleaze and drunkenness of UK pub culture, almost like an over-the-top, glorified barroom depiction of gangsters and crime in London during the 60s. However, Tom Hardy puts in a memorable performance that drives the entire film, showcasing his versatility, range, and acting nous. Leave the monotony aside and just watch this for Hardy’s exceptional acting.
16Suburra (2015)
Directed by Stefano Sollima and based on the homonymous novel by Carlo Bonini and Giancarlo De Cataldo,Suburrabrings you to the murky waters of Italian politics. Filippo Malgradi (Pierfranceso Favino) is a corrupted MP connected to aRoman crime bossnicknamed Samurai (Claudio Amendola), who was a neo-fascist militant in the 1970s. Malgradi has to help pass a construction bill that favors Samurai, but troubles and violence will soon complicate the plan.
Loosely inspired by real events,Suburrais a gangster movie that features neo-noir elements. This Italian movie is characterized by Sollima’s stylish and robust directing, perfect in tense moment as well as in the burst of action that sometimes invades the screen. The cast is tremendous in delivering the different characters and their social belonging, while the soundtrack and the cinematography bring it all together perfectly. A must-see.
15Sonatine (1993)
Written, edited, and directed by Takeshi Kitano,Sonatinesees Kitano portraying an aging yakuza named Murakawa who wants to leave the gangster life. He is sent to Okinawa by his superior to end a dispute between allied gangs, but while he’s staying on the island, his gang is ambushed and his headquarters is bombed.Sonatineamazingly mixes peaceful and calm moments with explosive violent sequences.
Sonatineis of the peaks of Kitano’s filmography and a unique yakuza movie. The ultra-violent esthetic of the Japanese director is matched with a dream-like scenario and hints of comedy, which balances perfectly the nihilistic nature of Murakawa. At the same time, Kitano shows his strength behind the camera delivering a movie that makes every frame appear like a painting.Sonatineleaves aside the bombastic and actiony evolution of the gangster genre and decompress it with a poetic touch.
14RocknRolla (2008)
Guy Ritchie stamps his trademark imprint on 2010’sRocknRollawhich is a UK gangster/crime film that portrays the London underworld that goes into a frenzy as a Russian billionaire executes a fixed land deal with several mobs wanting in on the action. The film also has a parallel storyline of a troubled musician who is involved in the scheme of things, hence the frequent usage of the film’s title - ‘RocknRolla’.
The film has Ritchie’s classic plot twists that emerge as the film progresses along with his dark humor and stirring action sequences.Rocknrollamakes for an intriguing spectacle and is slightly more high-octane as compared to his other work that keeps you hooked and guessing as it unravels. In all, the film is a ride that’s compelling and exciting from start to finish that showcases Brit gangster cinema at its finest.
Related:These Are the Best Movies About the Yakuza
13Company (2002)
Based loosely on Indian director Ram Gopal Varma’s conversations about the fallout between notorious Mumbai mobsters Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Rajan as told by an imprisoned man named Haneef who Varma met in jail, who incidentally worked for Ibrahim’s D-Company, the 2002 action/crime drama filmCompanyis a staggering and revelatory classic Hindi gangster film, perhaps even one of Indian cinema’s finest of its era. Shot in several locations ranging from Mumbai to Kenya and Hong Kong, the story follows Malik (Ajay Devgan) and Chandu (Vivek Oberoi), whose characters are based on the aforementioned gangsters, and their story from being allies and accomplices as part of the Mumbai underworld to their bloody feud that ignites the city.
Throw in the head of the Mumbai police in Veerappalli Srinivasan (Mohanlal) and several politicians in the mix and the movie culminates in a revolving door of drama and action that shifts back and forth unraveling just how much the battle for power pushes people who are on the quest for it to the brink. It’s a boiling pot of the intersection of crime, law and order, politics and greed that results in a gripping fictionalized retelling that is sure to serve some thrills keeping viewers engrossed.
12Milano Calibro 9 (1972)
Written and directed by Fernando Di Leo,Milano Calibro 9is the quintessential poliziottesco movie, an Italian crime subgenre that features mobsters, gritty violence, and a window into the turbulent 1970s. After being released from prison, the petty gangster Ugo Piazza (Gastone Moschin) is stalked by his former accomplices, who suppose that Piazza has stolen a large amount of money before his arrest. No one believes him, including the police and his girlfriend Nelly Bordon (Barbara Bouchet).
Di Leo is by far the greatest exponent of the poliziottesco genre and an impressive director. His trademark slow-paced rhythm fully matches the suspenseful plot and helps the audience’s immersion into the dirty streets of Milan; at the same time, the progressive and funky soundtrack performed by the Italian cult band Osanna is flawless. The cherry on top is the performance of Moschin, impeccable in his portrayal of the loner gangster.
11Le Cercle Rouge (1970)
Written and directed by Jean-Pierre Melville,Le Cercle Rougestars Alain Delon as Corey, a gangster who is released early from prison. Before coming back to freedom, a prison guard tips Corey off about a possible hit at a Parisian jewelry shop he could perform. Together with escaped murdered Vogel (Gian Maria Volonté) and heavy drinker ex-cop Jansen (Yves Montand), Corey plans the hit.
Jean-Pierre Melville isnoir’s undisputed masterand an amazing narrator of gangster stories.Le Cercle Rougeis an astonishing movie characterized by the trademark style of the French director: slick and stylish cinematography, costume design full of waterproof mackintoshes and classy suits, and an atmosphere that lures you in. Delon and Volontè shine as always and the same can be said for Montand.Le Cercle Rougeis one of the best introductions in the cinematic universe of Jean-Pierre Melville and a gangster masterpiece.
10Infernal Affairs (2002)
Directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak,Infernal Affairsis a tense and visually stunning movie that tells the story of Lau Kin-ming (Andy Lau) a gangster who is sent by his boss to the Hong Kong police academy, in order to infiltrate the force. On the other hand, the police superintendent Wong Chi-shing (Anthony Wong) secretly chooses Chan Wing-yan (Tony Leung) to be an undercover cop in Lau Kin-ming’s gang. In 2006, four years after its release, Scorsese remade it asThe Departed.
Infernal Affairsmay not be as famous asThe Departed, but it is superior. The cinematography is flashy, captivating, and extremely expressive, especially in the night scenes; furthermore, words cannot do justice to the Lau-Mak duo’s directing. At the same time, Andy Lau andTony Leung do not miss a bitand perfectly convey the tense and emotional screenplay. Pure cinema.
9A Prophet (2009)
Co-written and directed by Jacques Audiard,A Prophetstars Tahar Rahim as Malik El-Djebena, a young man who is sentenced to prison for attacking police officers. Inside, he is taken under the wing of the Corsican mafia led by César Luciani (Niels Arestrup), who enforces his power with utmost violence. At first mistreated by the mobsters, he will progressively win their confidence. Gritty and ultra-detailed in its depiction of the criminal life,A Prophetis one of the best modern gangster movies to date.
The movie shines for its realistic portrayal of the prison life and for the sapient directing of Audiard, fundamental in keeping the audience glued to the screen despite the long running time. At the same, Tahar Rahim is impressive in his portrayal of Malik and in conveying the character’s emotional depth. A Prophet gets better and better with time and will be regarded as a masterpiece.
