Crime Cinema
By Yuri Rutman, Writer/Director & Producer, The Violinist (Filmdemand). Educational content only — not investment advice.
Martin Scorsese's career spans more than five decades and nearly every genre, but crime remains his signature.
The ranking
1. Goodfellas (1990)
— theatrical poster, shown for identification and commentary")
His definitive mob film — fast, funny and frightening. See is Goodfellas the greatest mafia movie?
2. Taxi Driver (1976)
— theatrical poster, shown for identification and commentary")
A disturbing portrait of urban alienation with Robert De Niro.
3. Raging Bull (1980)
— theatrical poster, shown for identification and commentary")
The story of boxer Jake LaMotta, in black and white.
4. The Departed (2006)
Best Picture and Best Director winner.
5–15
Mean Streets (1973) — His breakthrough.
Casino (1995) — Las Vegas crime epic.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) — Dark comedy about financial fraud.
The King of Comedy (1982) — A cringe-comedy masterpiece.
The Irishman (2019) — Late-career mob reflection.
Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) — The murders of Osage people in 1920s Oklahoma.
Shutter Island (2010) — Psychological thriller.
After Hours (1985) — Nightmare comedy.
Gangs of New York (2002) — Period crime epic.
Cape Fear (1991) — A menacing thriller.
The Aviator (2004) — Howard Hughes biography.
— theatrical poster, shown for identification and commentary")
What is Scorsese's greatest gangster film?
Each of his crime films reflects a different phase of his artistic maturity:
text
MEAN STREETS - GOODFELLAS - CASINO - THE DEPARTED - THE IRISHMAN
(street raw) (adrenaline) (corporate) (systemic) (eulogy)
Mean Streets (1973) — Raw, low-budget, improvised energy and the birth of his street-level Catholic-guilt themes.
Goodfellas (1990) — The seductive high of mob life at its peak.
Casino (1995) — A corporate autopsy of mob greed in Las Vegas.
Gangs of New York (2002) — The historical roots of American street gangs and political corruption.
The Departed (2006) — A sleek modern hybrid of police, politics and underworld.
The Irishman (2019) — A solemn eulogy for a life spent on violence.
Of these, Goodfellas is the one most critics rank first.
Frequently asked questions
What is Scorsese's best movie?
Goodfellas, Taxi Driver and Raging Bull are the most common answers.
Has Scorsese won an Oscar?
Yes. He won Best Director for The Departed (2006).
What is Scorsese's best gangster movie?
Goodfellas, with Casino, The Departed and The Irishman as frequent alternatives.
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