Since the Golden Age of Hollywood, gangsters have dominated the crime genre, with films like The Untouchables and Scarface exploring the lives of notorious mob bosses and drug kingpins. For some, these films represent the pinnacle of genres like thriller, crime, and drama, typically thanks to the great alignment of cast, writer, and director. Despite their violent nature, these films appeal to people of all stripes, often reinventing cinema altogether through their success.

Gangster movies vary in scale, with modern classics like Sexy Beast and A History of Violence making great use of relatively small casts. Other movies have reeled in audiences through their assembly of some of the biggest and most talented stars of their era, often turning in career-best performances. Through these movies, fans have been shown the inner workings of some of America's most dangerous criminal organizations -- even if they play fast and loose with the facts.