10 Movies & Shows Similar to Donnie Brasco (1997)

Description: Like 'Donnie Brasco', it explores the mafia's inner workings, focusing on family, loyalty, and power. Both films depict the moral complexities and personal costs of life in organized crime. The detailed character development and immersive storytelling are hallmarks of both films.

Fact: Marlon Brando won the Oscar for Best Actor but sent a Native American activist to decline the award in protest of Hollywood's portrayal of Native Americans. The famous horse head scene used a real decapitated horse head from a dog food factory. Francis Ford Coppola was almost fired multiple times during production.

Description: Both 'Scarface' and 'Donnie Brasco' depict the rise and fall of individuals within the criminal underworld. They highlight the allure and dangers of power, wealth, and betrayal. The intense character studies and gritty realism are common elements.

Fact: Al Pacino's performance as Tony Montana is considered one of the most iconic in film history. The film was initially criticized for its excessive violence but has since become a cult classic. The famous 'Say hello to my little friend' line was improvised by Pacino.

Description: Like 'Donnie Brasco', this film deals with law enforcement's efforts to infiltrate and dismantle organized crime. Both films highlight the dangers and moral complexities of undercover work. The period settings and attention to historical detail are also similar.

Fact: Sean Connery won an Oscar for his role as Jim Malone. The famous train station shootout was inspired by the Odessa Steps sequence in 'Battleship Potemkin'. Al Capone's character was based on extensive historical research.

Description: Similar to 'Donnie Brasco', this film explores the allure of the mafia and the moral dilemmas faced by those involved. Both films focus on the protagonist's internal conflict between loyalty to the mob and personal integrity.

Fact: Robert De Niro made his directorial debut with this film. The story is based on Chazz Palminteri's one-man play. The film was shot on location in the Bronx.

Description: Both films feature protagonists trying to leave their criminal pasts behind but are drawn back in. The themes of redemption, loyalty, and the inescapability of one's past are central to both stories. The gritty, realistic portrayal of the criminal underworld is another commonality.

Fact: Al Pacino and Sean Penn reunited after 'Scarface' for this film. The film is based on two novels by Edwin Torres. The famous nightclub scene was shot in a real New York club.

Description: Shares with 'Donnie Brasco' a deep dive into the organized crime world, focusing on the intricate relationships and betrayals within. Both films are based on true stories and showcase the glamour and brutality of the mafia lifestyle. The detailed portrayal of mob operations and the eventual downfall of the protagonists are key similarities.

Fact: Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci's characters are based on real-life mob figures Frank 'Lefty' Rosenthal and Tony Spilotro. Sharon Stone was nominated for an Academy Award for her role as Ginger. The film's budget was $52 million, making it one of the most expensive films of its time.

Description: Both 'Heat' and 'Donnie Brasco' feature intense character studies of individuals deeply embedded in criminal lifestyles. The films explore themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the personal costs of a life of crime. The realistic and detailed portrayal of criminal operations is a key similarity.

Fact: The famous diner scene between Al Pacino and Robert De Niro was their first on-screen meeting. The bank heist scene is considered one of the most realistic shootouts in film history. The film was inspired by a real-life criminal Neil McCauley.

Description: Like 'Donnie Brasco', 'Blow' is a biographical crime film that follows the protagonist's rise and fall in the drug trade. Both films emphasize the personal costs of criminal life and the impact on family and relationships.

Fact: Johnny Depp spent time with the real George Jung to prepare for the role. The film's soundtrack features songs from the 1960s and 1970s to reflect the era. Penélope Cruz's performance was highly praised, marking her breakthrough in Hollywood.

Description: Similar to 'Donnie Brasco' in its exploration of undercover operations and the psychological toll on the protagonist. Both films delve into themes of loyalty, betrayal, and identity within the criminal underworld. The tension between maintaining a cover and personal relationships is a central theme in both.

Fact: The film is a remake of the 2002 Hong Kong film 'Infernal Affairs'. Jack Nicholson improvised many of his lines, including the infamous 'I'm the guy who does his job' scene. Martin Scorsese won his first Oscar for Best Director for this film.

Description: Similar to 'Donnie Brasco', this film is based on a true story and explores the duality of the protagonist's life—balancing a criminal empire with personal relationships. Both films highlight the moral ambiguities and consequences of a life of crime.

Fact: Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe did not meet during filming to maintain their characters' tension. The real Frank Lucas, whom the film is based on, was a consultant on the movie. The film was shot in over 200 locations.