Directed by Ridley Scott, 'American Gangster' tells the story of Frank Lucas, a real-life drug lord from Harlem who rose to power in the 1970s by smuggling heroin into the United States using the coffins of American soldiers killed in Vietnam. While not about the Italian-American mafia, it's a compelling crime epic featuring a commanding performance from Denzel Washington as Lucas and a strong turn from Russell Crowe as the detective pursuing him. The film explores the rise of a significant criminal empire and the cat-and-mouse game between the criminal mastermind and the lawman. Washington researched the role by spending time with the real Frank Lucas. It shares with 'The Sopranos' an interest in the personal life and business operations of a major crime figure, offering a different facet of organized crime in America.

Matteo Garrone's 'Gomorrah' offers a stark, unflinching, and deeply realistic look at the Camorra, the Neapolitan mafia, based on Roberto Saviano's investigative book. Unlike the often-glamorized portrayals of the mafia, 'Gomorrah' presents organized crime as a pervasive, destructive force affecting all levels of society, from foot soldiers to businessmen. The film follows multiple seemingly disconnected storylines, illustrating the Camorra's reach and brutality without a central protagonist. Its documentary-style approach and focus on the grim realities of crime in Southern Italy provide a different, perhaps even more grounded, perspective on the kind of world 'The Sopranos' inhabited. It won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival, a testament to its powerful and unsettling depiction of crime.

Martin Scorsese finally won his long-deserved Best Director Oscar for 'The Departed', a tense and intricate crime thriller set in Boston's Irish mob scene. While not focused on the Italian-American mafia of 'The Sopranos', it shares the theme of navigating a dangerous criminal underworld with complex, morally ambiguous characters. The film features a stellar ensemble cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, and Mark Wahlberg (who received an Oscar nomination). The plot revolves around a state trooper infiltrating the mob and a mob mole infiltrating the police, leading to a gripping game of cat and mouse. It's a remake of the acclaimed Hong Kong film 'Infernal Affairs'. The sharp dialogue, sudden violence, and exploration of loyalty and identity under pressure make it a compelling watch for anyone who enjoys the high-stakes drama of organized crime narratives.

No list of mafia-related films is complete without Francis Ford Coppola's iconic 'The Godfather'. While perhaps more operatic and mythological than the grounded, psychological realism of 'The Sopranos', it is the foundational text for depicting Italian-American crime families on screen. The story of the Corleone family's transfer of power from Vito (Marlon Brando) to Michael (Al Pacino) is a timeless exploration of family, duty, tradition, and the corrupting influence of power. Brando's performance as Don Vito Corleone is legendary, earning him an Oscar, though he famously declined it. The film's influence on 'The Sopranos' is undeniable; Tony Soprano himself often references and is measured against the figures and narratives presented here. While it has a different pace and feel, understanding 'The Godfather' is key to appreciating the lineage of the modern mob story.

Martin Scorsese reunites with his legendary cast – Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci (coming out of retirement!) – for this reflective, sprawling saga about organized crime in post-war America. 'The Irishman' is based on the story of Frank Sheeran, a hitman who claimed to have killed Jimmy Hoffa. What makes this film resonate with 'The Sopranos' is its focus on aging mobsters, the weight of their choices, and the quiet, often melancholic consequences of a life of crime. While it employs groundbreaking de-aging technology to tell its story across decades, its heart is in the performances and the poignant exploration of loyalty, betrayal, and mortality within the mafia world. Al Pacino's portrayal of Jimmy Hoffa is particularly captivating. It's a film that contemplates the end of an era and the personal cost of power, offering a mature and somber look at themes familiar to viewers of Tony Soprano's later struggles.

Another phenomenal entry from Martin Scorsese, 'Casino' feels like a spiritual successor to 'GoodFellas' but with the added glitz and underlying rot of Las Vegas in the 1970s. This epic crime drama, also based on a true story (Frank Rosenthal and Anthony Spilotro), explores how the mob systematically skimmed profits from casinos. Robert De Niro delivers a nuanced performance as Ace Rothstein, the smooth operator running the casino, contrasting sharply with Joe Pesci's terrifyingly unpredictable Nicky Santoro. Sharon Stone earned an Oscar nomination for her powerful portrayal of Ace's troubled wife, Ginger. The film meticulously details the complex operation, the immense wealth generated, and the inevitable collision of power, greed, and violence. Its sprawling narrative, compelling characters, and unflinching look at the dark side of the American Dream make it a perfect companion piece for fans of 'The Sopranos' who appreciate the blend of intricate criminal enterprise and deeply flawed individuals.

If you're looking for a movie that captures the intoxicating, violent, and ultimately destructive world of the mafia with the same raw energy and character focus as 'The Sopranos', Scorsese's masterpiece 'GoodFellas' is your absolute top pick. Based on the true story of Henry Hill, the film plunges you headfirst into the day-to-day life of mobsters, from the early allure and camaraderie to the paranoia and betrayal. The film is a masterclass in storytelling, utilizing voiceover narration and dynamic editing to create an almost documentary-like feel, punctuated by sudden bursts of brutal violence. Joe Pesci won an Oscar for his unforgettable portrayal of the volatile Tommy DeVito, a character loosely based on real-life gangster Tommy DeSimone. The chemistry between Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Pesci is electric, making their rise and fall utterly compelling. It’s less about grand schemes and more about the personalities and the lifestyle, much like the parts of 'The Sopranos' that delve into the crew's daily routines and internal dynamics. A true essential in the crime genre.