10 Must-Watch Organized Crime Dramas

Description: This iconic film explores the inner workings of the Corleone family, a powerful Italian-American mafia clan. It's a tale of family, loyalty, and the brutal business of organized crime, making it a cornerstone of the genre.

Fact: Marlon Brando improvised the famous line "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse." The film was initially met with resistance from the Italian-American Civil Rights League for its portrayal of Italians.

Description: Sergio Leone's epic spans several decades, chronicling the lives of Jewish gangsters in New York City. It's a melancholic reflection on friendship, betrayal, and the passage of time within the criminal world.

Fact: The film was initially released in a heavily edited version, but the director's cut restored Leone's original vision. Robert De Niro learned to play the violin for his role.

Description: Martin Scorsese's masterpiece follows the rise and fall of Henry Hill, a small-time crook who becomes part of the Lucchese crime family. It's a raw, unflinching look at the life of mobsters, from the glamour to the grim reality.

Fact: The film was shot in sequence to capture the aging of the characters. Ray Liotta's mother made a cameo as a woman in the neighborhood.

Description: Robert De Niro's directorial debut, this film tells the story of a young boy torn between his honest father and a charismatic mob boss. It's a coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of organized crime.

Fact: The film is based on Chazz Palminteri's one-man play of the same name. De Niro was so impressed by the play that he bought the rights to turn it into a movie.

Description: Another Scorsese classic, this film explores the mob's control of Las Vegas casinos through the eyes of Sam "Ace" Rothstein, a meticulous gambling expert. It's a tale of greed, betrayal, and the American Dream gone awry.

Fact: The film was based on the book "Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas" by Nicholas Pileggi. Sharon Stone's performance earned her an Oscar nomination.

Description: Based on a true story, this film follows an FBI agent who infiltrates the Bonanno crime family. It's a study in identity, loyalty, and the blurred lines between right and wrong.

Fact: The real Donnie Brasco, Joseph D. Pistone, served as a consultant on the film. Al Pacino improvised the line "Forget about it."

Description: Set in Boston, this film pits an undercover cop against a mole in the police department, both working for the same Irish mob boss. It's a tense, thrilling cat-and-mouse game with layers of deception.

Fact: The film is a remake of the Hong Kong thriller "Infernal Affairs." It was Martin Scorsese's first Best Director Oscar win.

Description: This film charts the rise of Frank Lucas, a real-life drug kingpin who smuggled heroin into the U.S. inside the coffins of American soldiers. It's a gritty portrayal of the drug trade and the law enforcement efforts to dismantle it.

Fact: Denzel Washington met with the real Frank Lucas to prepare for his role. The film was shot on location in Harlem, where much of the story took place.

Description: David Cronenberg's film delves into the Russian mafia in London, focusing on a midwife who uncovers a dark secret involving the organization. It's a chilling exploration of crime, family, and redemption.

Fact: Viggo Mortensen learned Russian for his role and got a tattoo of the three stars, which in Russian prison culture signifies a thief-in-law.

Description: Martin Scorsese reunites with Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci to tell the story of Frank Sheeran, a hitman involved with the Bufalino crime family and the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa.

Fact: The film uses de-aging technology to portray the characters at different ages. It was one of the most expensive films ever made for Netflix.