5 Great Gangster Films Nobody Talks About

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Gangster films have existed for over a century, and while some have become classics, many others haven’t offered anything original. There’s also a group of films that either subtly innovated the genre without getting the recognition they deserved, or simply executed familiar tropes exceptionally well, but were still overlooked. This list focuses on those lesser-known, but still worthwhile, crime movies – films that go beyond the usual suspects like Goodfellas, The Godfather, The Departed, Pulp Fiction, Scarface, Boyz n the Hood, Reservoir Dogs, and The Untouchables (which is somewhat of an exception, flipping the typical gangster story).

Have you seen any of these gangster films? And which ones sound interesting enough for you to try? Let’s see what you think!

5) Running Scared

While not a typical gangster movie, Running Scared still explores themes of the genre. Paul Walker plays Joey Gazelle, a small-time criminal ordered to get rid of guns used in a crime. The guns were connected to corrupt police officers who attempted to steal from both sides of a drug deal.

Gazelle doesn’t immediately turn in the weapons he finds; he hides them at his house. When one of those weapons is stolen by a friend of his 10-year-old son and used in another murder, Gazelle is forced to track down the boy, retrieve the gun, and finally do what he should have done initially. Running Scared is a relentlessly tense and gritty film with little in the way of lighter moments, making it a great choice for fans of that style. Plus, it features what many consider to be Walker’s best performance.

4) Miller’s Crossing

While not as iconic as Fargo, Miller’s Crossing is the quintessential gangster film about a character caught in the middle of a gang war, skillfully playing for both sides. The movie masterfully builds tension, and in this dangerous conflict, no one – not even the most sympathetic characters – is guaranteed to survive.

Okay, let me tell you, some aspects of this film are just flawless. The way they recreated the 1920s is incredible – honestly, it felt like I was actually there. And the acting? Across the board, it’s phenomenal. But John Turturro, Albert Finney, and Marcia Gay Harden? They truly blew me away. What surprised me most was how epic the story felt, even though the movie clocks in at just under two hours. The pacing is absolutely perfect – it never feels rushed or drags on. Seriously, top-notch work all around.

3) Sexy Beast

Even in less successful films like BloodRayne or A Sound of Thunder, Ben Kingsley always gives a fully committed and engaging performance. He never seems to phone it in, which makes it difficult to choose his best role. However, two performances truly stand out. His portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi in Gandhi is exceptional, and he’s equally compelling – and terrifying – as the crime boss Don Logan in Sexy Beast. He embodies the character so convincingly, you genuinely feel threatened by him.

Beyond Kingsley’s performance, this movie excels in many ways. Ray Winstone is fantastic as Don Logan, a former gangster looking for a comeback, and the film’s quirky humor works brilliantly from the start. The visuals are also consistently striking and captivating. All of this makes for an impressive first feature film from director Jonathan Glazer, who later went on to make films like Birth, Under the Skin, and The Zone of Interest.

2) Layer Cake

Before becoming famous as James Bond in Casino Royale, Daniel Craig starred in Layer Cake, a slick British crime film directed by Matthew Vaughn (who later made Kick-Ass). The movie, similar in style to Guy Ritchie’s Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, centers on a London drug dealer who wants to retire. However, his boss assigns him two difficult jobs that could trap him in the criminal world permanently. This role came between memorable performances in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Road to Perdition.

While Layer Cake has a complex plot, it’s an engaging film due to its snappy dialogue and fast pace. It’s well-known for helping launch Daniel Craig into the role of James Bond, but it also boasts a strong cast, including standout performances from Colm Meaney, Sienna Miller, Michael Gambon, Ben Whishaw (who later played Q alongside Craig’s Bond), Tom Hardy, and Sally Hawkins.

Stream Layer Cake on Philo.

1) State of Grace

The film State of Grace stars Sean Penn as Terry Noonan, an undercover police officer who returns to his old neighborhood, Hell’s Kitchen, to investigate the mob. The situation is complicated because two of his childhood friends, Frankie and Jackie Flannery, are now deeply involved in organized crime – Frankie leads a family, while Jackie acts as a tough enforcer. Adding to the difficulty, Terry is also in love with their sister, Kathleen.

While State of Grace features shootouts and suspense about a character’s potential exposure, its main focus is on creating believable characters – and it does so exceptionally well. The four main actors deliver outstanding performances. Though there are a few predictable moments, the film is mostly a captivating crime drama, particularly highlighted by Gary Oldman’s standout performance.

Stream State of Grace on fuboTV.

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2025-11-06 00:15