10 Best Movies About Italian Mafia That You Should Watching Update 04/2024

Movies About Italian Mafia

Italian mafia films are a favorite of many filmmakers. As a matter of fact, many people will tell you how much they enjoy watching Italian mafia movies. An Italian-themed film focusing on the family business and delicious Italian food is the best way to celebrate the Italian culture.

Italian movie nights are about more than just movies, of course. Having the right food, drink, and snack pairings for your movie night will make it more enjoyable. The best Italian mafia movie, however, must also be obtained. You’ll find out more about the best mafia movies in this article.

Alternatively, you could order a pizza or microwave lasagna to get a quick dinner on the table. You can elevate your movie night experience by serving up some of Italy’s most beloved dishes. It’s a good idea to find a pasta dish to keep the Italian theme going. You can always order an Italian dish from a neighboring Italian restaurant if you don’t feel confident in your cooking abilities.

You can also serve your pasta meal with a nice bottle of wine. White and red Italian wines are particularly well-represented. Do not worry if you are not a fan of booze; there are many non-alcoholic options. Shakero and bicerin, for example, are excellent choices.

Snacks are a must-have for any movie night. You’ll have to go beyond the usual suspects like popcorn and nachos. Ameretto biscuits, ciambelle, gelato, olives, pizza al taglio, cornetti con panna, and pizza con patate are just a few of the Italian foods you can try.

What is a Mafia Movie Anyway?

A mafia film is a dramatization of an international network of organized criminals engaged in illegal operations. The mafia, as we know it today, has its roots in Sicily, where it was founded around 1860.

Sicily’s Cosa Nostra, or Sicilian Mafia as it is known, was established after Sicily’s union with Italy. As a result, their illegal operations spread around the globe after that.

Gangster movies, of which mafia films are a subgenre, deal with organized crime in general and mafia organizations in particular.

The Best Mafia Movies of All Time

Some of the best mafia films have been made in Italy. A few films, though, stood out among the crowd. The best mafia movies of all time are here for your perusal.

10. Gomorrah

Gomorrah

As a commentary on the current state of the world, Gomorrah is a fiery and smart read. It is often regarded as the greatest contemporary mafia film ever made because it removes the Godfather narrative of all pretense of romance.

Nothing is taken for granted in the film, and the mafia’s ultimate dominance is shown. If you were harboring romantic notions about the mafia before seeing this movie, those notions would have vanished like sand on a beach after a full moon tide.

9. Criminal Novel

Despite the fact that Romanzo Criminale features a stellar ensemble of Italian celebrities, the Mariana gang is based in Rome, which does not have a legitimate mafia organization. The Magliana was a criminal gang that operated in the 1970s and 1980s.

It was not a mafia group, but it was linked to ‘Ndrangeta, Camorra, and Cosa Nostra, despite the fact that they were gathered up rather simply. Aside from his work as a director, the film’s director, Police Chief Corrado Cattani, is well-known as a fierce anti-mafia activist (The Octopus). This film’s popularity was followed by a successful television series.

8. The Consequences of Love

The Consequences of Love

In Paolo Sorrentino’s second feature-length picture, this was the one that made him famous around the world. It’s widely accepted that Sorrentino is a master filmmaker. In this story, there are no shootings or denunciation of the mafia, which makes it incredibly unique.

A psychological tale with the backdrop of the Mafia and Camorra is what this film is about. An isolated protagonist dies in a very mafia-esque manner.

7. One Hundred Steps

Peppino Impastato, whose father is a Sicilian Mafioso, is the subject of this film. At a young age, Peppino rebelled against his criminal father and the mafia’s manipulations. Cultural events and a radio station are among the projects he is involved with. Peppino despises his uncle, a powerful mafia boss, and signs his death warrant in the course of opposing the mob.

Anti-mafia films were ushered in by this Italian film. The distance between Peppino’s house and Badalamenti’s residence is referred to in the title of the film.

6. From Corleone to Brooklyn

From Corleone to Brooklyn

The genre of poliziesco is highlighted in this film, making it one of the best Italian mafia movies. This is a film genre that may not be in sync with modern movie-watching habits (atrocious violence and nude women). There are countless titles that have come from it, though, including Quentin Tarantino and others of note.

Shootings in De Corleone’s Brooklyn led to the deaths of many people. The story takes place in Sicily and New York City, making it a Costa Nostra tale. Italian Island and New York City have long had a tight relationship. Maurizio Merli is well-known for several of these kinds of roles, as well as for his distinctive mustache.

5. The Godfather: Part III

The final episode of The Godfather trilogy follows Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) as he grows older. While running the Corleone crime family, he realizes that it is not getting any easier. A powerful and affluent Mafia family cannot be allowed to leave the shadows, and Eli Wallach, the mob kingpin, is not about to allow it.

Due to Vincent (Andy Garcia), Michael’s nephew, the issue becomes even more difficult to handle. Including Michael’s daughter, Mary, Vincent wants a portion of the Corleone family’s wealth and power (Sofia Coppola).

4. Casino

Casino

In the early 1970s, Robert De Niro portrays a low-level Las Vegas mobster named Sam “Ace” Rothstein. To take over of Tangiers Casino, his superiors have ensnared him. At first, he enjoys his new position, but a series of events has put his life in jeopardy.

With his enforcer Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci), ex-hustler Ginger (Sharon Stone) and her con-artist ex Lester Diamond, he begins to have difficulties. Similarly, his former wife Ginger and her con-artist ex Lester Diamond begin to have difficulties (James Woods). Along with a slew of crooked politicians, he has his share of difficulties.

The casino tells the story of Ace and Santoro’s battle for control of the gambling empire, which is marked by deceit, greed, money, and power—and even murder. A socialite (Ginger) is also up for grabs, which adds to the intrigue of the story.

3. Goodfellas

Goodfellas’ 150-minute runtime won’t even register on your radar. A lot of attention to detail and suspense are there in this picture. A mobster’s life narrative is told through the eyes of Henry Hill, who stars as the movie’s protagonist. Among the other mobsters mentioned are Tommy DeVito and Jimmy Conway, Karen Hill’s husband. An Italian-American crime gang emerges as a result of this collaboration.

In addition, its set design, costume design, and cosmetics are unequaled. Furthermore, the film’s storyline is well-defined, and the cast’s performances are exceptional. It’s one of the all-time great mobster flicks.

2. The Godfather: Part II

The Godfather Part II

Corleone’s father and son’s lives are contrasted in “The Godfather II,” a sequel to “The Godfather.” The story follows the trials and hardships of two Corleone brothers: Michael (Al Pacino) and Vito (Robert De Niro), a young immigrant. Vito is introduced to a life of crime, and Michael is forced to face many hardships.

The picture switches between the lives of the two people with ease and grace. Not including Robert Duvall, Lee Strassberg, Diane Keaton, and John Cazale as supporting actors would be an offense.

1. The Godfather

Films about the mafia, such as The Godfather, are considered classics in the genre. Based on Mario Puzo’s novel of the same name, it is a mob movie. It is also based on the life of Don Vito Corleone’s powerful Italian-American mafia family.

A reluctant Michael, the youngest son of a mafia don, becomes entangled in the mafia’s never-ending web of treachery and violence. As he becomes more involved in his family’s business, he strives to maintain a normal relationship with his wife, Kay (Diane Heaton).