If you loved the gripping historical drama 'Prohibition' (2011) by Ken Burns, you're in for a treat. This article explores 10 similar movies and shows that delve into the era of bootleggers, speakeasies, and the fight for temperance. Whether you're fascinated by the Roaring Twenties or the social upheaval of the time, these picks will keep you hooked.

The Godfather (1972)
Description: A seminal crime drama that delves into the inner workings of a powerful mafia family, exploring themes of loyalty, power, and the consequences of a life of crime.
Fact: The iconic horse head scene used a real decapitated horse head from a dog food factory, as no animal was harmed specifically for the film.


Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
Description: A sprawling epic that follows the lives of Jewish gangsters in New York, spanning several decades and exploring themes of friendship, betrayal, and the passage of time.
Fact: The original cut of the film was over 10 hours long, but it was drastically shortened for its initial U.S. release, which received poor reviews.


The Untouchables (1987)
Description: Centers on the efforts of law enforcement to bring down a powerful crime syndicate during Prohibition, highlighting the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by those fighting organized crime.
Fact: The film's famous train station shootout scene was inspired by the Odessa Steps sequence in Battleship Potemkin.


Casino (1995)
Description: Examines the connections between organized crime and the casino industry in Las Vegas, portraying the greed, violence, and eventual downfall of those involved.
Fact: The film's depiction of the Tangiers Casino is based on the real-life Stardust Casino, which was controlled by the Chicago Outfit in the 1970s.


The Sopranos (1999)
Description: A modern-day crime drama that explores the complexities of mob life, blending family dynamics with the brutal realities of organized crime.
Fact: The series was originally pitched as a movie about a mobster in therapy, but it was expanded into a television series to explore the character's life more deeply.


Gangs of New York (2002)
Description: Set in mid-19th century New York, it portrays the violent clashes between rival gangs and the corrupt political machine, offering a historical perspective on organized crime.
Fact: The film's massive set of 19th-century New York was built in Rome's Cinecittà Studios and was one of the largest sets ever constructed at the time.


Boardwalk Empire (2010)
Description: Set during the Prohibition era, it explores the rise of organized crime, political corruption, and the bootlegging business, with a strong focus on the interplay between law enforcement and criminal enterprises.
Fact: The series was created by Terence Winter, who also wrote for The Sopranos, and it won multiple Emmy Awards for its detailed period setting and storytelling.


Public Enemies (2009)
Description: Chronicles the exploits of notorious criminals and the law enforcement agents pursuing them, set against the backdrop of the Great Depression and the end of Prohibition.
Fact: The film uses many real-life locations where the events took place, including the Little Bohemia Lodge in Wisconsin.


Lawless (2012)
Description: Depicts the violent struggles of bootleggers in rural America, emphasizing the lawlessness and brutality of the era, with a focus on family-run criminal operations.
Fact: The film is based on the true story of the Bondurant brothers, who were notorious bootleggers in Franklin County, Virginia.


Peaky Blinders (2013)
Description: Follows a criminal gang in post-WWI Birmingham, blending historical events with fictionalized crime drama, showcasing the expansion of organized crime beyond the Prohibition era.
Fact: The show's title refers to the gang's practice of sewing razor blades into the peaks of their caps, which they used as weapons.
