10 Highest-Grossing Gangster Movies of all Time, Ranked

These five gangster movies have not only entertained audiences with their gripping stories and exceptional performances but also made significant box office revenues. From Martin Scorsese’s “Gangs of New York” to Ridley Scott’s “American Gangster,” these films showcase the best in the genre, with iconic characters and memorable scenes that continue to captivate audiences today.

It’s a common adage that crime doesn’t bring rewards, yet this notion seems to be contested by Hollywood executives. Over the decades, an abundance of gangster films have graced our screens, many generating substantial revenues at the box office. Despite disliking criminals in everyday life, audiences appear to relish witnessing their violent confrontations and ill-gotten gains on film. Be it true stories or works of fiction, the fascination with lawlessness is a captivating theme for viewers.

In the top 10 earnings list for critically acclaimed gangster movies, many renowned titles have earned a place. Notable inclusions are “The Godfather” trilogy and Scorsese’s hits. However, there are some surprising omissions. For instance, “Scarface” and “Goodfellas,” which are deeply loved by fans of the genre, haven’t made it due to their box office collections under $100 million each. Nonetheless, viewers won’t hold grudges against the movies that surpassed them in revenue.

10 The Godfather Part II (1974)

$93 Million

Just as the saying goes, “Like father like son,” in “The Godfather Part II,” Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) demonstrates that he has inherited his father’s, Vito’s (Robert De Niro), formidable skills as a mob boss. He makes shrewd business decisions, such as expanding into the profitable Las Vegas gambling industry. Simultaneously, the movie presents two intertwined narratives: one following Michael’s rise within the Corleone family, and another delving into Vito’s past, chronicling his transformation from a Hell’s Kitchen tough to an esteemed mafia leader.

An Equally Strong Sequel

The Godfather had wowed audiences all across the globe, so a huge number of people bought tickets for the sequel, hoping it would be just as good. They weren’t disappointed. The Godfather Part II has a captivating story and the proceedings were steered by two of the greatest young actors of the time (Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro). Since Marlon Brando wasn’t returning, some movie lovers might have been reluctant to buy tickets, hence its lower box office gross ($93 million), in comparison to the first installment. Even so, the awesomeness still caught up with them. The movie would become the first sequel to win Best Picture at the Oscars.

9 The Untouchables (1987)

$106.2 Million

“The Untouchables” is a unique take on gangster movies, offering the perspective of the law enforcement officers. In this film based on Al Capone’s story, director Brian De Palma deviates from creating a typical biopic. The main character is Eliot Ness (portrayed by Kevin Costner), a Prohibition agent with the Bureau, who relentlessly pursues the Chicago mob boss. Despite failing to link him to murders and violent crimes, Ness ultimately manages to bring Capone down on tax evasion charges.

Exceeding Expectations

As a devoted fan of Brian DePalma’s work, I must admit that I wasn’t among those who anticipated the enormous success of his project that didn’t primarily revolve around Al Capone. Given the film’s unique perspective, few of us believed it would surpass the milestone of $100 million at the box office.

In an interview with The New York Times, film producer Art Linson shared an unexpected finding: nearly half of the movie’s viewership were women. This is intriguing given that the film features scenes of brutal violence at dinner tables and characters being thrown off rooftops. The picture’s appeal can be credited to its compelling narrative and impressive acting.

Stream it on AMC+ or rent it on Apple TV+

8 Casino (1995)

$116 Million

The film “Casino” is frequently referred to as an unofficial continuation of “Goodfellas” due to its focus on mob culture and similar cast. This cinematic work is adapted from Nicholas Pileggi’s nonfiction book, “Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas.” In the story, Sam “Ace” Rothstein, portrayed by Robert DeNiro, is a Jewish American gambling expert entrusted by the Chicago Outfit to manage the Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas. Despite his intelligence, Ace encounters challenges due to his excessive wife Ginger (Sharon Stone) and hot-headed enforcer Nicky.

Same Team, Better Financial Results

Just as “The Godfather Part II” drew audiences due to the acclaimed predecessor “Goodfellas,” “Casino” capitalized on the former’s success. Those who had missed “Goodfellas” in theaters didn’t want to miss this follow-up, given Scorsese and Pileggi’s collaboration on the script and the return of key cast members like DeNiro, Joe Pesci, and Frank Vincent.

Sharon Stone’s addition to the cast significantly contributed to the movie’s impressive box office revenue, given her renowned status after the success of “Basic Instinct.” According to Box Office Mojo, this gangster film raked in approximately $116 million, nearly doubling the earnings of its unofficial prequel.

7 The Godfather Part III (1990)

$136 Million

As a dedicated gamer of gangster movies, I’ve noticed that The Godfather Part III doesn’t quite get the same level of admiration as its predecessors among fans. Yet, from a critical standpoint, this film is still a solid addition to the series. Years have passed, and an aging Michael Corleone, portrayed brilliantly by Al Pacino, is attempting to legitimize his criminal empire. However, my enemies keep getting in the way of my plans for a cleaner, more respectable future.

Providing the Necessary Closure

For decades, there had been much debate about the possibility of a third film instalment. Excitement built up among fans, and once production was confirmed, many viewers who had enjoyed the first two movies saved up to watch the upcoming release.

The Daily News shares that “The Godfather Part III” set the box office record for highest earnings on Christmas Day in its initial release, a title it held until “Titanic” surpassed it. As audiences continued to flock to theaters in the ensuing weeks, “The Godfather Part III” raked in a few more million dollars before wrapping up its box office run, earning slightly more than the second installment did.

Stream it on Paramount+

6 Road to Perdition (2002)

$183 Million

In the criminal underworld, gaining the boss’ approval is crucial, and in the film “Road to Perdition,” Michael Sullivan (Tom Hanks) manages to win it effortlessly. However, Connor (Daniel Craig), his father’s favorite, grows envious and takes drastic measures. He murders Mike’s wife and child, intending to instigate a conflict between them. With his son as his only companion left, Mike doesn’t retreat out of cowardice but rather devises a plan, aiming to exact revenge on Connor.

Trumping Better Films

The $183 million box office earnings of “Road to Perdition” are impressive given its competition against films such as “Halloween: Resurrection,” “Men in Black II,” and “Stuart Little 2.” Despite the absence of a big-name cast, this film excels thanks to Sam Mendes’ skilled direction and the thoughtful examination of significant themes, particularly fatherhood.

5 Gangs of New York (2002)

$193 Million

Martin Scorsese’s film “Gangs of New York” transports viewers back to 1846 in Five Points, New York, where two opposing criminal gangs clash. The intriguing twist: one is the Anglo-Protestant Gang of American Natives, spearheaded by Bill the Butcher (Daniel Day-Lewis), while the other is the Irish Catholic Dead Rabbits, under the leadership of Vallon.

It’s no shock that the group headed by Daniel Day-Lewis emerges victorious. Amsterdam (played by Leonardo DiCaprio), Vallon’s son, is compelled to grow up in an orphanage following his father’s death at Bill’s hands. However, once he reaches adulthood, Amsterdam sets out to take revenge.

One of the Most Visually Pleasing Period Films

The intricately detailed set design in Gangs of New York effectively transports viewers to 19th-century New York City, making this film a must-see recommendation. Furthermore, Daniel Day-Lewis delivers an exceptional performance that leaves genre enthusiasts yearning for repeat viewings. Overall, Scorsese’s enthralling direction ensures that this film is on par with his other works and raked in $193 million at the box office according to Box Office Mojo. However, despite its commercial success, it managed to accumulate a $6 million loss due to its excessive production costs.

4 Public Enemies (2009)

$214 Million

The film “Public Enemies” recounts the exploits of notorious Depression-era bandit John Dillinger, portrayed by Johnny Depp. His daring robberies, magnetic personality, and distinctive flair endear him to the general public. Subsequently, infamous FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover (Billy Crudup) designates him as Public Enemy Number One. In response, Hoover’s top agent, Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale), is assigned the mission of capturing or eliminating Dillinger.

Johnny Depp’s Magic

In the early 2000s, Johnny Depp reigned supreme with midas-like touch, transforming anything he engaged into gold-tier successes. This trend continued with “Public Enemies,” raking in an impressive box office revenue of $214 million. The production gained substantial boosts from Depp’s magnetic screen presence and the inclusion of Christian Bale as a lead actor.

In the release of the gangster film, Michael Mann’s production, Bale had already established himself as a top-tier Hollywood actor through his acting in “The Dark Knight” and “American Psycho.” Notably, this movie is renowned for its excellent dialogue and action scenes.

3 The Godfather (1972)

$250 Million

Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpiece, “The Godfather” – derived from Mario Puzo’s eponymous novel – is celebrated as the best gangster film ever made. In this production, the rational mafia head Don Vito Corleone, portrayed by Marlon Brando, manages every predicament with poise and prudence. However, he finds himself embroiled in a conflict with drug dealer Virgil “The Turk” Solozzo. When an assassination attempt targets Vito, his son Michael, who had sworn off the family enterprise, feels compelled to avenge his father.

The Best in the Genre

The Godfather’s high box office gross is all down to its overall quality. The crime drama hardly has any flaw worth pointing out. There’s excellent dialogue, picturesque cinematography, memorable characters, and a smooth-flowing plot. Additionally, Marlon Brando gives the best performance of his career, defined by his mumbling speech. To date, the Copolla project is still the yardstick from which every other mob movie is measured, and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.

2 American Gangster (2007)

$266 Million

Frank Lucas, a notorious crime figure from Harlem, may not receive the same level of acclaim as other criminals, but his creative genius in the underworld is undeniable. At the pinnacle of his power, Lucas earned significant profits by importing unadulterated opium directly from Asia using the coffins of deceased Vietnam War soldiers as disguise. Denzel Washington brilliantly brought this complex character to life on the silver screen in “American Gangster.”

An Engrossing Tale About an Underrated Mob Figure

Frank Lucas’ captivating tale was certain to draw a large audience, making “American Gangster” a film primed for success. The visual and intellectual allure was further enhanced by Ridley Scott’s flair for cinematography. Additionally, the director’s impressive casting choices were icing on the cake. Denzel Washington perfectly embodied Frank Lucas, while Russell Crowe delivered an unforgettable performance as the lawman pursuing him.

1 The Departed (2006)

$291 Million

In the film “The Departed,” the central theme revolves around the question: “Which mole is more effective?” This crime thriller, directed by Martin Scorsese and inspired by the Hong Kong movie “Internal Affairs,” introduces Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio), a South Boston cop who goes undercover in the criminal organization led by Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). Unbeknownst to the law enforcement, Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon), a gangster planted as an informant within their ranks, is also working undercover. The tension between these two moles eventually escalates into chaos.

As Star-Studded As Gangster Movies Get

As a passionate gamer, I’d put it this way: In “The Department,” Scorsese masterfully combined Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, and Alec Baldwin – an all-star cast – into the pot. The result? A delicious cinematic feast that left audiences craving for more.

In the past, the initial film had achieved moderate success even in ancient markets. Therefore, Scorsese decided to play it safe by creating a remake based on this proven success. Apart from the exceptional acting, the movie’s unexpected twists and profound symbolism captivated audiences. As a result, word of mouth advertising led to impressive box office earnings totaling millions.

2024-07-14 01:32