Rounding out the list at number thirteen is Gomorrah, a gritty and unflinching look at the Camorra, the Neapolitan crime syndicate, based on Roberto Saviano's investigative book. Unlike typical Hollywood portrayals, this film offers a starkly realistic and fragmented view of how organized crime permeates everyday life in Southern Italy. It follows multiple storylines, showing the brutal realities and pervasive influence of the Camorra on individuals at different levels of the organization. It's a powerful, sobering, and authentic depiction that feels less like a movie and more like a documentary.

Taking the twelfth spot is Sam Mendes' atmospheric crime drama, Road to Perdition. Set in 1931 during the Great Depression, the film follows a mob enforcer (Tom Hanks, playing against type in a darker role) who goes on the run with his son after a family tragedy. The film is visually stunning, thanks to the Oscar-winning cinematography by Conrad L. Hall, capturing the bleak beauty of the period landscape. It also features one of Paul Newman's final live-action film roles, for which he received an Oscar nomination. It's a somber, powerful story about fathers, sons, and violence.

At number eleven, we have the Coen Brothers' stylish neo-noir, Miller's Crossing. Set during the Prohibition era, this film features intricate plotting, sharp, distinctive dialogue, and a dark, often darkly humorous, tone. It centers on a mobster's advisor caught between rival gangs. The film is a visual treat, with stunning cinematography and period detail. While perhaps less mainstream than some other mafia films, its unique style, complex characters, and memorable moments have earned it a dedicated following among fans of the Coens' work.

Securing the tenth position is Ridley Scott's crime epic, American Gangster. While primarily focusing on the rise of drug kingpin Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), the film also delves into his interactions and conflicts with the Italian-American mafia in New York. Russell Crowe stars as the detective Richie Roberts, who is determined to bring Lucas down. The film offers a compelling look at organized crime from a different perspective, showcasing the parallel worlds of law enforcement and the criminal underworld in the 1970s. Washington and Crowe deliver commanding performances.

At number nine is A Bronx Tale, a coming-of-age story set in the Bronx during the 1960s, marking Robert De Niro's directorial debut. Based on Chazz Palminteri's acclaimed one-man show, the film follows a young man torn between the path of his hardworking bus driver father and the allure of the local mob boss, played by Palminteri himself. It's a heartfelt and authentic look at loyalty, choice, and the complexities of growing up in a neighborhood influenced by organized crime. De Niro's direction brings a personal touch to this poignant narrative.

Taking the eighth spot is Donnie Brasco, a gripping true story about an undercover FBI agent who infiltrates the Bonanno crime family in New York during the 1970s. Johnny Depp stars as the agent, Joe Pistone, and Al Pacino gives a deeply affecting performance as Lefty Ruggiero, the aging mobster who unknowingly takes Donnie under his wing. The film brilliantly explores the complex and dangerous relationship between the two men and the heavy personal toll of living a double life. It's a tense, character-driven drama anchored by two powerhouse performances.

Coming in at number seven is Brian De Palma's stylish period piece, The Untouchables. This film dramatizes Eliot Ness's efforts to bring down Al Capone during Prohibition-era Chicago. While perhaps taking some liberties with history, it's a thrilling and beautifully shot film. Sean Connery won an Oscar for his role as the seasoned beat cop Jim Malone, who mentors Kevin Costner's Ness. The film features an incredible score by Ennio Morricone and includes one of cinema's most famous and tension-filled shootouts, inspired by the Odessa Steps sequence from 'Battleship Potemkin'.

At number six, we have another Scorsese masterpiece, Casino. Reuniting him with Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, this film dives into the seedy underbelly of Las Vegas in the 1970s, detailing how the mafia controlled the casinos. Sharon Stone received an Academy Award nomination for her powerful portrayal of Ginger McKenna, the volatile wife of De Niro's character. The film is visually spectacular, with incredible costume design and a sprawling narrative based on real-life figures Frank Rosenthal and Anthony Spilotro. It's a dazzling, yet brutal, look at the intersection of organized crime and the gambling world.

Taking the fifth position is Brian De Palma's iconic Scarface, starring Al Pacino as Cuban refugee Tony Montana. While perhaps more a gangster than traditional mafia tale, it's a quintessential rise-and-fall story in the world of organized crime. Pacino's explosive performance is legendary, full of quotable lines that have permeated pop culture. The film was controversial upon release for its graphic violence and language, but it has since become a cult classic, admired for its stylish excess and Pacino's unforgettable portrayal of ruthless ambition.

Landing at number four is Martin Scorsese's Oscar-winning crime thriller, The Departed. Set in Boston, this intense cat-and-mouse game pits the state police against the Irish mob, with a mole on each side. It finally earned Scorsese his long-deserved Best Director Oscar. The film boasts an incredible ensemble cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, and Mark Wahlberg, all delivering top-tier performances. It's a high-stakes story of identity, loyalty, and deception, filled with sharp dialogue and gripping suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Sergio Leone's epic Once Upon a Time in America takes the third spot, a sprawling, melancholy look at the lives of Jewish gangsters in New York across several decades. This was Leone's passion project, a film he'd wanted to make for years, and it shows in the meticulous detail and sweeping scope. The film's non-linear structure and ambiguous ending have sparked endless debate, but the performances, especially from Robert De Niro and James Woods, are phenomenal. Ennio Morricone's haunting and beautiful score is integral to the film's emotional power, perfectly capturing the themes of lost time, regret, and broken friendships. It's a profound and visually stunning cinematic experience.

Coming in strong at number two is Martin Scorsese's adrenaline-fueled GoodFellas. This is a film that grabs you from the opening line – "As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster" – and never lets go. Based on the true story of Henry Hill, the movie is a masterclass in style, propelled by Scorsese's dynamic camera work, rapid-fire editing, and a killer soundtrack. The cast, particularly Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci (who won an Oscar for his terrifying portrayal of Tommy DeVito), delivers electrifying performances that make the rise and fall of these mobsters utterly captivating. It's a raw, exhilarating look at the gangster lifestyle, warts and all.

Ranked at the top, Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather is simply cinematic royalty. It redefined the gangster genre and left an indelible mark on popular culture. Did you know Marlon Brando famously used cotton balls in his cheeks to achieve Don Corleone's distinctive jowls? The film faced numerous production challenges, including studio doubts about Brando's casting and Coppola's vision, but the result was a masterpiece that swept the Oscars and introduced the world to the Corleone family's complex saga of power, loyalty, and betrayal. Its influence resonates through countless films and television shows to this day.