10 Must-Watch Gangster Shows of the 2010s You Can’t Miss

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A gangster-themed production carries an unique atmosphere distinct from many other art forms. It’s laden with a weightiness and simmering anger lurking close to the surface. There’s a palpable threat of crime, danger, and a constant undercurrent that a situation could quickly spiral out of control due to a misstep or offense. The allure of the mob is undeniable, making it an appealing choice for crafting a captivating world in a film or television series.

In 1999, the world of entertainment underwent a significant shift with the debut of The Sopranos. This groundbreaking series wasn’t just popular for its crime theme, but it also infused humor and posed a thought-provoking question: were viewers secretly rooting for characters who, in reality, would be seen as villains. The emergence of anti-hero television shows that followed was uncharted territory, as audiences found themselves grappling with protagonists who were, at their core, morally ambiguous individuals.

Following the conclusion of “The Sopranos,” I found that the genre of gangster TV shows didn’t fade away, quite the contrary, it persisted and even thrived till present times. Let’s delve into some of the standouts from the 2010s.

10
‘Suburra: Blood on Rome’ (2017 – 2020)

Stream it on Netflix

If you’re a fan of mafia stories, Suburra: Blood on Rome, though not as widely known as others on the list, is definitely worth checking out. This Italian crime drama is inspired by a 2015 crime film and was initially intended to serve as a prequel, but it evolved into its own standalone series. The storyline is based on real-life investigations of the Mafia Capitale, an organization active in Rome for fifteen years.

The show “Suburra: Blood on Rome” explores the intricate ties between two powerful crime families. Throughout its three-season run and subsequent spinoff series, “Suburræterna,” it portrays a world where corruption, extortion, money laundering, and bribery are rampant within government circles.

9
‘Godfather of Harlem’ (2019 – Present)

Stream it on MGM+

Back in the swinging ’60s, I found myself stepping into the shoes of a legendary figure, Bumpy Johnson – a real-life kingpin who once ruled Harlem with an iron fist. After serving time behind bars, I was determined to reclaim my rightful place on New York’s criminal throne. That’s where the captivating series, “Godfather of Harlem,” comes in, taking us on a journey as I navigate the treacherous underworld once more. With Forest Whitaker brilliantly portraying Johnson, we follow his relentless pursuit to oust the Genovese crime family that had taken over while I was away.

In a gripping period drama, Johnson unites with Malcolm X, blending religious ideologies, politics, and underworld conflicts. The show is captivating due to its authenticity and portrayal of well-known figures like Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, and Lyndon Johnson. Originally airing on Epix, it later moved to MGM+ for its concluding two seasons. In Season 4, viewers encounter a young Frank Lucas, the actual figure behind Denzel Washington’s character in American Gangster.

8
‘Get Shorty’ (2017 – 2019)

Stream it on MGM+

The TV series “Get Shorty” shares neither storyline nor characters with the movie of the same title. The movie was adapted from the Elmore Leonard novel, but the show only borrows the title and basic plot. The show centers around Chris O’Dowd as a mob enforcer in Nevada who aspires to produce films. He has a daughter and yearns to leave his mafia life behind, setting his sights on Hollywood instead.

Unluckily, he seems to court more complications by associating with Ray Romano’s character, who creates low-budget movies but owes money to the mafia. The series maintains the humorous and slightly unrealistic tone of Leonardo’s book and the movie adaptation. The main actors deliver impressive performances in their roles, and the show has aired for three seasons on Epix. You can stream it on MGM+.

7
‘Power’ (2014 – 2020)

Stream it on Starz

In the world of “Power,” while it’s not solely focused on organized crime, it intertwines with the lives of characters like James “Ghost” St. Patrick and Ghost, portrayed by Omari Hardwick. Ghost is a shrewd drug dealer aiming to legitimize his business, yet he struggles to break free from his past as old habits persistently tug him in opposite directions. His partner, Tommy Egan, carries a history with the Italian and Serbian mobs, adding layers of complexity to this compelling series. Notable stars gracing the show include 50 Cent (a co-creator), Mary J. Blige, Larenz Tate, Method Man, among others.

Over the past years, I’ve been captivated by the success of Starz’s original series, and it has even given birth to three exciting spin-offs: “Power Book II: Ghost”, “Power Book III: Kanan”, and “Power Book IV: Force”. These shows have graced our screens on the channel. Interestingly, the Italian mob plays a significant role in “Kanan”, while the Irish mob takes center stage in “Force”.

6
‘Animal Kingdom’ (2016 – 2022)

Stream it on Netflix

As a cinephile, I must say that the captivating drama, Animal Kingdom, was originally conceived as a 2010 film by David Michôd, sharing the same name with the Australian Pettingill crime family’s true tale at its core. The movie garnered praise from critics and even earned an Academy Award nomination for the remarkable performance of Jackie Weaver, who portrayed the family matriarch.

When TNT transformed it into a scripted series, they relocated the storyline from Melbourne to sunny California. In this reinvention, Ellen Barkin stepped into the shoes of Janine “Smurf” Cody, delivering another compelling performance as the family’s matriarch.

The TV show primarily revolved around the Cody clan, a band of miscreants who mainly resorted to burglary and coercion for their financial needs. Scott Speedman portrayed Baz, Smurf’s adopted offspring responsible for managing the operations. Shawn Hatosy played Pope, Smurf’s eldest child who emerges from prison at the show’s start. The cast also included Ben Robson as the second-born Craig, Jake Weary as the youngest son Deran, and Finn Cole as J, Smurf’s grandchild who moves in with them. This crime saga unfolding along the West Coast was distinctive, earning favorable criticism throughout its six-year broadcast from 2016 to 2022.

5
‘Narcos’ (2015 – 2017)

Stream it on Netflix

The Netflix series “Narcos” presented previously unheard details about Pablo Escobar’s life that hadn’t been covered by the media before, becoming a massive hit during its 3-season run from 2015 to 2017. Wagner Moura played Escobar, the head of the Medellín Cartel, while Boyd Holbrook and Pedro Pascal portrayed Steve Murphy and Javier Peña, DEA agents who led the operation against the cartel. As the series progressed, it focused more on the Cali cartel in later seasons.

The production was powerfully intense, featuring exceptional acting performances all around, with Moura standing out notably. He offered a captivating portrayal of a crime boss, delivering a profound and thoughtful performance that earned him acclaim. This series gained popularity not only for its gripping storyline but also for its iconic main title sequence, music, and sound design. Its success led to the creation of a spin-off titled “Narcos: Mexico“, which focused on Mexican cartels and figures such as El Chapo and El Jefe de Jefes. Chris Brancato is responsible for both “Narcos” and “Godfather of Harlem”.

4
‘Ray Donovan’ (2013 – 2020)

Stream it on Paramount+

In the television show titled “Ray Donovan“, Liev Schreiber portrays a skilled trouble-shooter residing in Los Angeles, handling high-profile client issues. He’s employed by a formidable law firm and undertakes actions to mitigate problems that could potentially distress his wealthy clients. His character’s father, skillfully played by Jon Voight, is an ex-Irish gangster who re-enters Ray’s life after being released from prison early. The Irish mafia and the Russian mafia are significant elements of the series, with Schreiber delivering a passionate performance.

Among all characters in the series, Voight’s portrayal of Mickey stands out as the most impressive. He skillfully portrays a ruthless and intimidating character who is always eager to seek retribution. This captivating show enjoyed an extended run on Showtime for seven seasons from 2013-2020, culminating in a feature-length film titled “Ray Donovan: The Movie“. Initially planned as a spin-off, the project was later transformed into the latest Tom Hardy series, now known as MobLand.

3
‘Boardwalk Empire’ (2010 – 2014)

Stream it on Max

During the Prohibition period, Boardwalk Empire marked HBO’s debut in producing mob-centric series following the conclusion of The Sopranos. The storyline was inspired by real-life events and featured Steve Buscemi portraying Nucky Thompson, a powerful Atlantic City politician who ascended during the 1920s and 1930s amidst conflicts with the mafia, corrupt officials, and ordinary citizens. Notable historical figures were part of Thompson’s storyline, including Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, and Arnold Rothstein, among others, with whom he engaged in tense encounters.

As a fan, I’ve always found the series intriguing because it set New Jersey against New York and Chicago, demonstrating that mobs from different regions seldom coexist harmoniously. The ensemble was outstanding, featuring stars like Michael K. Williams, Michael Pitt, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Michael Stuhlbarg, Stephen Graham, Dabney Coleman, Jack Huston, Bobby Cannavale, Jeffrey Wright, Gretchen Mol, and Ron Livingston. The series’ pilot was masterfully directed by Martin Scorsese, earning him an Emmy for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series.

2
‘Gomorrah’ (2014 – 2021)

Stream it on Max

The series “Gomorrah”, which first aired in 2014, is a gritty drama that explores the far-reaching impact of organized crime on communities and towns. This Italian production, primarily shot in Naples, delves into the world of the Neapolitan Camorra, a powerful crime organization within Italy. The protagonist, Ciro Di Marzio, portrayed by Marco D’Amore, aspires to climb the ranks of the Savastano Camorra faction based in Secondigliano.

At the start of this series, the primary storyline explores power struggles within an organization, as the head of the family is apprehended, causing tension. The show, inspired by real-life mobsters, presents complex characters that are difficult to support but intriguing to follow. It gained massive popularity in Italy when it was aired on Sky and can now be streamed on Max in the U.S.

1
‘Peaky Blinders’ (2013 – 2022)

Stream it on Netflix

The popularity of “Peaky Blinders” has led to the main character’s unique hairstyle gaining traction across the United States. In this gritty drama, Cillian Murphy portrays Thomas Shelby, a ruthless gang leader known as The Peaky Blinders, which is based in Birmingham, England following World War I. The gang exerts control over their territory through activities like gambling, illegal betting, and protection. One of the standout aspects of “Peaky Blinders” is its portrayal of a closely-knit gang, with many members being actual family.

In the TV series, Shelby’s siblings Joe and Arthur, his aunt Polly, and sister Ada are significant characters, all playing key roles within the family and their criminal organization. The business is deeply rooted in the Shelby family, with Thomas constantly mindful of this fact, prioritizing the welfare of his relatives. However, he’s always strategizing to advance the family and gang by choosing his associates carefully. Sam Neill delivers a captivating performance as an inspector determined to dismantle the criminal enterprise.

Much like Boardwalk Empire, Peaky Blinders boasts a star-studded cast, including talents such as Tom Hardy, Charlotte Riley, Annabelle Wallis, Anya Taylor-Joy, Helen McCrory, Tommy Flanagan, Noah Taylor, Paddy Considine, Aidan Gillen, Sam Claflin, Kingsley Ben-Adir, and Stephen Graham.

A continuation of the story is set to be released in late 2025 as a feature film.

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2025-06-07 23:36