Crime Cinema
By Yuri Rutman, Writer/Director & Producer, The Violinist (Filmdemand). Educational content only — not investment advice.
Goodfellas is defined by voice-over, speed and a seductive-then-terrifying view of mob life. The Departed adds undercover paranoia and divided loyalties. Casino, Heat and Scarface bring grand scope and larger-than-life antiheroes. Pick the quality you're craving.
If you loved Goodfellas
Closest matches
— theatrical poster, shown for identification and commentary")
Casino (1995) — Scorsese, Pileggi, De Niro and Pesci again, in Las Vegas. The single closest match.
The Irishman (2019) — A slower, more reflective Scorsese mob film.
Mean Streets (1973) — Scorsese's earlier street-level mob story.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) — The Goodfellas formula applied to finance: narration, excess, collapse.
City of God (2002) — Fast, stylish and narrated, in Rio's favelas.
True-story crime
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Donnie Brasco (1997), American Gangster (2007), Black Mass (2015), Bugsy (1991)
Blow (2001) — The rise and fall of a drug smuggler.
Other mob and crime classics
The Godfather (1972), A Bronx Tale (1993), Once Upon a Time in America (1984), Miller's Crossing (1990)
Snatch (2000) and Pulp Fiction (1994) — A similar rhythm and wit.
Sexy Beast (2000) — British crime with a menacing Ben Kingsley.
If you loved The Departed
Undercover and infiltration
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Infernal Affairs (2002) — The Hong Kong original.
Donnie Brasco (1997) — An agent inside the mob.
State of Grace (1990) — Sean Penn undercover in Hell's Kitchen.
We Own the Night (2007) — Brothers on opposite sides of a Russian mob war in Brooklyn.
Deep Cover (1992) — An undercover cop who begins to identify with his targets.
Training Day (2001) — A rookie and a corrupt detective.
Boston crime
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Mystic River (2003), Gone Baby Gone (2007), Black Mass (2015), The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973)
The Town (2010) — Ben Affleck's bank robbers in Charlestown.
Corruption and moral compromise
L.A. Confidential (1997), Prisoners (2013), Sicario (2015), Pride and Glory (2008), Narc (2002)
If you loved Casino, Heat or Scarface
Heat (1995) — The definitive professional-thief-versus-obsessive-detective showdown.
Carlito's Way (1993) — Al Pacino trying to leave his past behind.
Thief (1981) — Michael Mann's first feature.
King of New York (1990) — Christopher Walken returns to rule the underworld.
Lord of War (2005) — An arms dealer's rise.
Den of Thieves (2018) — A modern L.A. heist epic.
Frequently asked questions
What movie is most similar to Goodfellas?
Casino, made by the same creative team.
Is The Departed based on a true story?
It remakes *Infernal Affairs*, though Jack Nicholson's Frank Costello is loosely inspired by Boston gangster Whitey Bulger.
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Educational information only. Not investment, legal, or tax advice, and not an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any security. Any offering is made only to verified accredited investors through definitive offering documents. Film investing involves substantial risk, including total loss of capital. Statements about Section 168(k) reflect current law; statements about a federal 20% production credit refer to pending legislation that has not been enacted. Consult your own advisors.