10 Must-Watch Crime Films About Criminal Clans

Description: This iconic film explores the inner workings of the Corleone family, one of the most famous criminal clans in cinema. It delves into themes of family loyalty, power, and the American Dream through the eyes of Vito Corleone and his son Michael.

Fact: Marlon Brando improvised the famous line "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse." The cat in Vito's lap was a stray that wandered onto the set.

Description: Sergio Leone's epic spans decades, telling the story of David "Noodles" Aaronson and his rise through the ranks of the Jewish mob in New York, highlighting the bonds of friendship and the cost of ambition.

Fact: The film was originally over 6 hours long, but was cut down significantly for its theatrical release. Robert De Niro and James Woods did not get along off-screen, which added authenticity to their on-screen rivalry.

Description: While focusing on law enforcement, this film portrays the notorious Al Capone and his criminal empire in Chicago, highlighting the battle between the law and the mob.

Fact: The film's famous "Union Station" shootout was inspired by the Odessa Steps sequence from "Battleship Potemkin." Kevin Costner was not the first choice for the role of Eliot Ness.

Description: Martin Scorsese's masterpiece follows Henry Hill and his journey through the ranks of the Lucchese crime family, offering an unflinching look at the life of a mobster, from the highs of power to the lows of paranoia and betrayal.

Fact: The film was shot in chronological order to capture the aging of the characters. Ray Liotta's mother made a cameo as the woman in the pink dress at Henry's wedding.

Description: Robert De Niro's directorial debut focuses on a young Italian-American boy torn between his honest father and a charismatic local mobster, illustrating the allure and dangers of the criminal lifestyle.

Fact: The film is semi-autobiographical, based on Chazz Palminteri's one-man play. De Niro was so impressed by Palminteri's performance that he insisted he play the role of Sonny.

Description: Another Scorsese classic, this film examines the rise and fall of a casino manager and his ties to the Chicago Outfit, showcasing the inner workings of the mob's control over Las Vegas.

Fact: The film was shot in sequence to capture the aging of the characters. Sharon Stone's performance earned her an Oscar nomination.

Description: Set in Boston, this film pits a criminal clan against the law enforcement, with moles on both sides. It's a tense game of cat and mouse, exploring themes of identity, loyalty, and the blurred lines between right and wrong.

Fact: The film was originally set in Hong Kong, based on the movie "Infernal Affairs." Jack Nicholson improvised many of his lines, adding to the unpredictability of his character.

Description: David Cronenberg's film delves into the Russian mafia in London, focusing on a driver for the mob who gets entangled in a web of crime, loyalty, and family secrets.

Fact: Viggo Mortensen learned Russian for the role and got a real tattoo to match his character's. The film's famous bathhouse fight scene was shot in one take.

Description: Based on a book by Roberto Saviano, this Italian film offers a raw, unglamorous look at the Camorra crime syndicate in Naples, exploring the lives of various characters connected to the clan.

Fact: The film was shot in real locations used by the Camorra, adding authenticity. It was banned in some Italian cities due to its depiction of the mafia.

Description: This epic saga follows Frank Sheeran, a truck driver turned hitman, and his involvement with the Bufalino crime family, exploring themes of loyalty, regret, and the passage of time.

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.