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8 Best Movies Like Goodfellas (Ranked & Where to Watch)

Explore 8 essential films like Goodfellas, from mob epics to psychological crime dramas, that capture the allure & peril of the underworld.

Updated September 29, 2026

For cinephiles and casual viewers alike, the raw energy, complex characters, and unflinching look at the criminal underworld presented in Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas has set an untouchable benchmark. If you've been searching for movies like Goodfellas that capture that same intoxicating blend of kinetic storytelling, morally ambiguous protagonists, and the inevitable pull of the underworld, you're in for a treat. As a film critic, I've delved deep into the archives to curate a definitive list of films that not only stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Scorsese's masterpiece but also expand upon its thematic foundations of loyalty, betrayal, and the intoxicating allure of power. These selections explore the various facets of organized crime, from the grand, operatic family sagas to the gritty, psychological tolls of an undercover life.

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1
Casino - Ranking #1 Recommendation

Casino

⚡96% Match
Mob ControlVegas GlamourRise and FallBetrayal's Cost

Martin Scorsese’s sprawling Las Vegas epic is arguably the closest spiritual successor to Goodfellas. Re-teaming Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, alongside a magnificent Sharon Stone, Casino plunges into the opulent, violent world of mob-controlled casinos. Its dual voice-overs, kinetic editing, and unflinching depiction of excess and betrayal mirror Goodfellas’ style but on a grander, more tragic scale. The film meticulously charts the rise and brutal fall of its protagonists, showcasing how unchecked ambition and internal conflicts inevitably dismantle even the most formidable empires. It's an essential companion piece, depicting the same intoxicating allure and brutal reality of the criminal lifestyle.

2
The Irishman - Ranking #2 Recommendation

The Irishman

⚡94% Match
Aging GangsterHistorical CrimeLoyalty & RegretQuiet Desperation

Scorsese returns to the mob genre with a reflective, elegiac masterpiece. The Irishman reunites De Niro, Pacino, and Pesci for a sobering chronicle of Frank Sheeran's life, his ties to the Bufalino crime family, and his alleged involvement in Jimmy Hoffa's disappearance. Unlike the explosive energy of Goodfellas, this film is a somber meditation on aging, regret, and the ultimate loneliness of a life spent in violence. Its extended runtime allows for a deep dive into historical events and the psychological toll of a criminal existence, making it a profound, mature counterpoint to the youthful exuberance of Henry Hill’s narrative.

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3
The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980 - Ranking #3 Recommendation
Dynastic CrimeFamily LoyaltyMoral DecayEpic Saga

Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather saga is the unparalleled patriarch of mob cinema, a towering influence on every film that followed, including Goodfellas. While Scorsese's film revels in the gritty, street-level chaos, Coppola's epic offers a more operatic, almost Shakespearean, portrayal of power, family, and tradition within the Corleone dynasty. This chronological re-edit allows for an even deeper immersion into the evolution of organized crime through the 20th century. Its exploration of moral compromises, the corrupting nature of power, and the tragic cycle of violence makes it a foundational text for anyone seeking to understand the allure and ultimate cost of the criminal enterprise.

4
Once Upon a Time in America - Ranking #4 Recommendation
Memory & LossChildhood GangstersEpic ScopeMelancholic Regret

Sergio Leone’s ambitious, melancholic crime epic stands as a sprawling counterpoint to Scorsese’s kinetic energy. Following the lives of Jewish gangsters in New York City from their youth in the Prohibition era to their tragic reunion decades later, the film is a meditation on memory, lost opportunities, and the corrosive effects of time on friendships and dreams. Its non-linear structure and sweeping narrative echo Goodfellas' scope, but Leone imbues it with a profound sense of sadness and nostalgia. The film explores the rise and fall of criminal ambition with a lyrical, almost poetic, grandeur, showcasing the profound psychological cost of a life of crime.

5
Donnie Brasco - Ranking #5 Recommendation

Donnie Brasco

⚡88% Match
Undercover IdentityLoyalty & DeceitPsychological StrainStreet-Level Grime

This taut, character-driven thriller offers a compellingly intimate perspective on the mob, diverging from the panoramic view of Goodfellas. Based on a true story, it follows FBI agent Joe Pistone (Johnny Depp) as he infiltrates the Bonnano crime family and develops a complex bond with aging hitman Lefty Ruggiero (Al Pacino). Donnie Brasco excels in depicting the mundane, yet dangerous, day-to-day realities of mob life and the profound psychological toll it takes on an undercover operative. It's a masterclass in tension and character, highlighting themes of loyalty, identity, and the suffocating grip of the criminal underworld from a unique, internal perspective.

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6
Carlito's Way - Ranking #6 Recommendation

Carlito's Way

⚡86% Match
Redemption QuestInevitable Downfall70s NoirStreet Poetics

Brian De Palma's stylish neo-noir thriller, starring Al Pacino as the titular Carlito Brigante, serves as a poignant exploration of the near-impossible quest for redemption within the criminal underworld. Fresh out of prison, Carlito vows to go straight and save enough money to escape to a new life, but the seductive pull of his past and the treacherous nature of his old associates relentlessly drag him back. With its vibrant 70s aesthetic, pulsing soundtrack, and Al Pacino's magnetic performance, Carlito's Way shares Goodfellas' sense of inescapable destiny, painting a tragic portrait of a man ensnared by the life he desperately wants to abandon.

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7
Gotti - Ranking #7 Recommendation

Gotti

⚡84% Match
Biographical MobMedia SpectaclePower & HubrisGambino Family

This made-for-TV film provides a direct, biographical look at John Gotti, the flamboyant "Dapper Don" who rose to become the head of the Gambino crime family. While it might lack the stylistic flair of a Scorsese epic, Gotti offers a straightforward narrative of ambition, power consolidation, and the eventual hubris that leads to a mob boss's downfall. For those drawn to Goodfellas' focus on real-life mob figures and the internal politics of organized crime, this film delves into the life of one of the most notorious figures of the late 20th-century American Mafia, showcasing the evolution of the criminal underworld and the media's fascination with its kings.

8
The Valachi Papers - Ranking #8 Recommendation

The Valachi Papers

⚡82% Match
Mob InformantGritty RealismBetrayal's PriceHistorical Mafia

A crucial, albeit often overlooked, entry in the gangster genre, The Valachi Papers offers a raw, early look at the life of a mob informant. Charles Bronson stars as Joe Valachi, whose testimony became instrumental in exposing the inner workings of the American Mafia to the public. Directed by Terence Young, this film precedes Goodfellas by nearly two decades, presenting a less glamorous, more brutal reality of mob life, focusing on the constant fear, betrayals, and the harsh consequences of breaking omertà. It’s a historical piece that highlights the themes of survival and the grim inevitability of capture or death that underpins many mob narratives, including Henry Hill's eventual turn.

⚡ At-A-Glance Comparison: Top Ranked Picks

Summary breakdown of release years, match DNA, and where to stream in the US.

RankMovie TitleYearThematic DNAWhere to Stream (US)
#1Casino1995
Mob ControlVegas Glamour
YouTube TV
#2The Irishman2019
Aging GangsterHistorical Crime
Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
#3The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-19801992
Dynastic CrimeFamily Loyalty
VOD / Digital
#4Once Upon a Time in America1984
Memory & LossChildhood Gangsters
VOD / Digital
#5Donnie Brasco1997
Undercover IdentityLoyalty & Deceit
Netflix, Philo
#6Carlito's Way1993
Redemption QuestInevitable Downfall
Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
#7Gotti1996
Biographical MobMedia Spectacle
History Vault
#8The Valachi Papers1972
Mob InformantGritty Realism
fuboTV

Frequently Asked Questions

Key answers for film lovers looking for titles like 10 Best Movies Like Goodfellas (Ranked & Where to Watch).

Films like Goodfellas typically feature an unvarnished portrayal of organized crime, often from the perspective of those within it. Key elements include charismatic but violent anti-heroes, a focus on the rise and fall of criminal enterprises, themes of loyalty and betrayal, a distinct sense of style (often with voice-over narration), and a gritty realism that exposes the dark side of the American dream.