10 Must-Watch Gang Drama Films

Description: Another Scorsese classic, this film delves into the lives of small-time hoods in Little Italy, focusing on the moral dilemmas faced by Charlie, who is torn between his loyalty to his friends and his desire to escape the life of crime.

Fact: The film was shot on location in New York's Little Italy, giving it an authentic feel.

Description: This cult classic follows a New York City street gang, the Warriors, who must make their way back to Coney Island after being framed for the murder of a rival gang leader. It's a thrilling journey through the city's underworld.

Fact: The film was based on the novel by Sol Yurick, which itself was inspired by the ancient Greek text "Anabasis" by Xenophon.

Description: Sergio Leone's epic spans several decades, chronicling the lives of Jewish gangsters in New York from childhood to old age. It's a meditation on friendship, betrayal, and the passage of time within the criminal underworld.

Fact: The film was originally over six hours long; the version released in the U.S. was significantly shorter and rearranged.

Description: Martin Scorsese's masterpiece follows the rise and fall of Henry Hill, a small-time gangster who becomes part of the Lucchese crime family. This film is a quintessential gang drama, exploring themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the American Dream gone awry.

Fact: The film was based on the book "Wiseguy" by Nicholas Pileggi, who also co-wrote the screenplay. The famous "Layla" piano coda scene was filmed in one continuous shot.

Description: John Singleton's directorial debut examines the lives of three young men growing up in South Central Los Angeles, dealing with gang violence, police brutality, and the struggle to escape their environment.

Fact: Singleton was the youngest person ever to be nominated for Best Director at the Academy Awards at age

Description: Robert De Niro's directorial debut, this film follows a young Italian-American boy torn between his honest father and a charismatic mob boss. It's a coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of gang violence and the allure of the mob life.

Fact: The film is based on a one-man show by Chazz Palminteri, who also stars in the movie.

Description: Set in the mid-19th century, this Martin Scorsese film depicts the violent underworld of New York City, focusing on the rivalry between the native-born "Natives" and the Irish immigrants. It's a sprawling epic of gang warfare, politics, and personal vendettas.

Fact: The film was originally conceived in the 1970s, but it took over 30 years to come to fruition.

Description: Set in the slums of Rio de Janeiro, this Brazilian film tells the story of two boys growing up in the 'City of God,' one becoming a photographer and the other a drug dealer. It's a raw, unflinching look at gang life, poverty, and the choices that shape destinies.

Fact: The film was shot on location in the real City of God favela, with many non-professional actors from the area.

Description: In this modern-day adaptation of the Hong Kong film "Infernal Affairs," undercover cop Billy Costigan infiltrates an Irish gang in Boston, while a mole within the police department, Colin Sullivan, rises through the ranks. The film is a thrilling exploration of identity, loyalty, and the blurred lines between good and evil.

Fact: The film won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Martin Scorsese, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Description: Denzel Washington stars as Frank Lucas, a real-life drug kingpin who smuggled heroin into the U.S. by hiding it in the coffins of American soldiers. This film explores the rise of a criminal empire and the cop determined to bring it down.

Fact: The film was inspired by a New York Magazine article titled "The Return of Superfly."