10 Must-Watch Mafia War Dramas

Description: This iconic film sets the standard for mafia movies, exploring the inner workings of the Corleone family and their struggle to maintain power amidst rival factions and internal strife.

Fact: Marlon Brando improvised the famous line "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse." The cat he holds in the opening scene was a stray found on the set.

Description: Sergio Leone's epic spans decades, detailing the lives of Jewish gangsters in New York, their rise to power, and the inevitable downfall.

Fact: The film was originally over 6 hours long, but was drastically cut for its theatrical release. It was later restored to its full length.

Description: Martin Scorsese's masterpiece follows the rise and fall of Henry Hill, offering an unflinching look at the allure and brutality of the mafia lifestyle.

Fact: The film was based on the book "Wiseguy" by Nicholas Pileggi, who co-wrote the screenplay with Scorsese. The famous "Funny how?" scene was improvised by Joe Pesci.

Description: Robert De Niro's directorial debut explores the life of a young Italian-American torn between his hardworking father and a charismatic local mobster.

Fact: The film is based on Chazz Palminteri's one-man play of the same name, which he also co-wrote and starred in.

Description: Based on a true story, this film follows an FBI agent who infiltrates the Bonanno crime family, blurring the lines between his undercover role and his real identity.

Fact: Johnny Depp's character was based on the real-life FBI agent Joseph D. Pistone, who used the alias Donnie Brasco.

Description: Set in Boston, this film pits an undercover cop against a mole in the police force, both working for the same Irish mob boss, leading to a deadly game of cat and mouse.

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

Description: David Cronenberg's film delves into the Russian mafia in London, focusing on a midwife who uncovers a dark secret involving the mob.

Fact: Viggo Mortensen learned Russian for his role, and his tattoos in the film are authentic symbols used by the Russian mafia.

Description: This Italian film provides a raw, unglamorous look at the Camorra, the Naples-based mafia, through five interconnected stories.

Fact: The film was inspired by Roberto Saviano's book of the same name, which led to Saviano living under police protection due to threats from the Camorra.

Description: While not strictly about the mafia, this film captures the era of organized crime with the story of John Dillinger, a notorious bank robber, and his cat-and-mouse game with the FBI.

Fact: The film was shot using digital cameras to give it a more authentic, gritty feel, reflecting the era's newsreels.

Description: Martin Scorsese reunites with Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci for this epic tale of mob hitman Frank Sheeran and his involvement in the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa.

Fact: The film uses de-aging technology to portray the characters over several decades, a first for Scorsese.