10 Movies and TV Shows Similar to Billy Bathgate (1991)

Description: Like 'Billy Bathgate', 'The Godfather' is a seminal crime drama that explores family, power, and loyalty within the mob. Both films feature young protagonists who are drawn into the criminal underworld and must navigate its dangers. The rich character development and period detail are hallmarks of both.

Fact: Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, the film is based on Mario Puzo's novel. Marlon Brando won an Oscar for his iconic performance as Vito Corleone. The film's success revitalized the gangster genre and influenced countless other films.

Description: Both 'The Sting' and 'Billy Bathgate' are set in the early 20th century and involve elaborate cons and heists. The films share a playful yet tense tone, with intricate plots and charismatic leads. The period costumes and settings are meticulously recreated in both.

Fact: The film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Paul Newman and Robert Redford reunited after their success in 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid'. The ragtime score by Marvin Hamlisch became hugely popular.

Description: This sequel, like 'Billy Bathgate', delves deeper into the complexities of organized crime and the personal costs of power. Both films use parallel narratives to explore the past and present of their characters. The themes of legacy and corruption are central to both.

Fact: The film is the first sequel to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. Robert De Niro won an Oscar for his portrayal of the young Vito Corleone. The film's dual narrative structure is considered groundbreaking.

Description: This epic crime drama, like 'Billy Bathgate', spans several decades and explores the rise and fall of gangsters. Both films examine the psychological and emotional toll of a life of crime, with a focus on nostalgia and the passage of time. The lush cinematography and period detail are also shared elements.

Fact: Directed by Sergio Leone, the film was originally over four hours long in its uncut version. Robert De Niro and James Woods underwent extensive makeup to portray their characters at different ages. The score by Ennio Morricone is one of the most celebrated in film history.

Description: Similar to 'Billy Bathgate' in its depiction of organized crime during the Prohibition era, 'The Untouchables' explores the moral ambiguities and violent realities of the underworld. Both films feature young protagonists navigating treacherous alliances and the allure of power. The period setting and the tension between law enforcement and criminals are central themes in both.

Fact: Directed by Brian De Palma, the film is loosely based on the real-life exploits of Eliot Ness and his team of law enforcement agents. The famous train station shootout scene was inspired by the Odessa Steps sequence in 'Battleship Potemkin'. Sean Connery won an Academy Award for his role as Jim Malone.

Description: Both 'Miller's Crossing' and 'Billy Bathgate' delve into the complexities of loyalty and power within organized crime. The Coen brothers' film shares a similar noirish tone and period setting, with intricate plots and morally ambiguous characters. The storytelling style in both films is rich with dialogue and character development.

Fact: The film is heavily influenced by the works of Dashiell Hammett, particularly 'The Glass Key'. The hat blowing through the woods is one of the most iconic images in the film. Gabriel Byrne's performance as Tom Reagan is considered one of his best.

Description: 'Bugsy' and 'Billy Bathgate' both explore the glamour and violence of the gangster lifestyle. The films are set in roughly the same time period and feature charismatic but flawed protagonists. The themes of ambition and betrayal are central to both stories.

Fact: Warren Beatty stars as Bugsy Siegel, the gangster who helped develop Las Vegas. The film was nominated for ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Annette Bening, who plays Virginia Hill, began a relationship with Beatty during filming.

Description: 'Hoodlum' shares with 'Billy Bathgate' a focus on the Prohibition era and the power struggles within organized crime. Both films feature young protagonists who must navigate a dangerous world of gangsters and corrupt officials. The historical setting and the blend of fact and fiction are key similarities.

Fact: The film stars Laurence Fishburne as Ellsworth 'Bumpy' Johnson, a real-life Harlem gangster. Andy Garcia plays Lucky Luciano, one of the most infamous mobsters in history. The film was shot on location in Chicago and New York.

Description: Like 'Billy Bathgate', 'Road to Perdition' is a coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of organized crime. Both films focus on a young boy's relationship with a father figure involved in the mob, exploring themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the loss of innocence. The visual aesthetics of both films are moody and atmospheric, capturing the grim realities of their respective eras.

Fact: Directed by Sam Mendes, the film is based on a graphic novel of the same name. This was Paul Newman's final live-action film role. The cinematography by Conrad L. Hall, who posthumously won an Academy Award for his work.

Description: Like 'Billy Bathgate', 'Public Enemies' is set during the Great Depression and explores the lives of notorious criminals. Both films blend historical events with fictionalized drama, focusing on the allure and consequences of a life of crime. The period detail and action sequences are highlights in both.

Fact: Directed by Michael Mann, the film stars Johnny Depp as John Dillinger. The film used digital cameras to achieve a more immersive and realistic look. Many scenes were shot at actual locations where Dillinger's exploits took place.