’90s gangster moviesrepresent a specific moment in Hollywood when creators and audiences alike were fascinated with the more sinister, uncomfortable, and tragically human parts of the criminal underworld and, as a result, the best of these ’90s gangster movies are also considered some of the greatest movies of all time.Gangster movies have been wildly popular since the ’30s and ‘40sand every decade brings a new take on the genre. It’s inherently compelling, with its family drama, violence, and escapist fantasies of wealth and power.
As the years have gone by, different decades have come to represent different things about gangster movies. The ’90s is in an interesting period, not least becauseThe Sopranoscame out in 1999 to close the book on the decades. In the 1990s, the term “gangster” expanded to mean different elements of organized crime, leading to Black, Asian, and English directors taking their shots at the world of the Mafia through their unique lens. Of course, the classic Italian-American gangster films still fill out the ranks of the genre, but the ’90s is a very mixed bag of movies.
King of New York
Cast
King of New York is a crime drama film directed by Abel Ferrara, featuring Christopher Walken as Frank White, a notorious drug lord who is released from prison and aims to reclaim his position in the New York underworld. The film showcases White’s efforts to redistribute power within the city’s crime syndicates while confronting both rival gangs and law enforcement.
An overlooked ’90s gangster movie that has been reappraised in recent years,King of New Yorkstars Christopher Walken as Frank White, a drug lord in a war to control New York City’s criminal underground. After his release from prison, Frank sets about reclaiming his crown and rebuilding his empire into something legitimate. It’s a much more violent and grim film than the standard gangster movies that came before it. Thanks to Walken’s performance and the film’s visual style,King of New Yorkis a gripping watch and a'90s crime movie that could use a sequel.
New Jack City
New Jack City is a crime thriller following the rise of gangster Nino Brown, who leads the Cash Money Brothers in the crack cocaine trade. As Nino’s operation flourishes, detective Scotty Appleton goes undercover, becoming a dealer to infiltrate and dismantle the notorious drug empire.
InNew Jack City, Nino Brown (Wesley Snipes) leads the Cash Money Brothers gang, who run the crack cocaine rings in their Harlem neighborhood when the drugs reach their streets. Undercover police officer, Scotty Appleton (Ice-T), eventually infiltrates Nino’s gang and works to take revenge on him for something Nino did to Appleton years ago.New Jack Cityis an alarming and engrossing crime filled with one of Snipes’ best performances. Its depiction ofthe crack epidemic is a frighteningly real illustration of the late-20th-century outrage.
Get Shorty
Get Shorty is a 1995 crime comedy film directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, based on Elmore Leonard’s novel. The story follows Chili Palmer, a loan shark played by John Travolta, as he navigates the Hollywood film industry to collect a debt. The film also features Gene Hackman, Rene Russo, and Danny DeVito, weaving a narrative that mixes the criminal underworld with the movie business.
Get Shortyfollows a Miami mobsterand loan shark, Chili Palmer (John Travolta), who travels to Hollywood after a series of bad deals and decisions lead him to pulling a job for Brooklyn mob boss, Ray “Bones” Barnoni (Dennis Farina). While in Hollywood, Chili gets the bright idea to pitch his life as a movie idea, leading to more headaches and gunfire. Featuring an impressive ensemble that includes Gene Hackman, Rene Russo, Danny DeVito, and James Gandolfini,Get Shortyholds a mirror up to some of the absurdities of mob life, creating a franchise in the process.
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels is a British crime film directed by Guy Ritchie. Released in 1998, the film follows a group of friends who become embroiled in the London underworld after a high-stakes card game goes wrong. Their attempts to repay a substantial debt lead them into intersecting criminal activities involving a variety of eccentric characters. The ensemble cast includes Jason Flemyng, Dexter Fletcher, Nick Moran, and Jason Statham.
Guy Ritchie movies often dealwith criminal elements and his feature film debut,Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, is no different. The film follows small-time London criminals, Eddie (Nick Moran), Tom (Jason Flemyng), Soap (Dexter Fletcher), and Bacon (Jason Statham), who are trying to gather enough money to pay for Eddie’s buy-in to a high-stakes card game. Faced with a vengeful crime boss, the gang has to rob another gang. Delightfully twisted and fun, this film has all the Ritchie hallmarks that have made him one of the most popular working directors.
Donnie Brasco
Donnie Brasco is a crime drama film directed by Mike Newell, featuring Johnny Depp as an undercover FBI agent who infiltrates the mafia. Al Pacino co-stars as a seasoned mobster who mentors him. Based on true events, the movie explores the agent’s struggle to balance his professional duties and personal identity.
Donnie Brascostars Johnny Depp as Joseph D. Piston, an undercover FBI agent who poses as a thief named Donnie Brasco. Donnie infiltrates the Bonanno crime family after befriending the aging mobster, Lefty Ruggiero (Al Pacino). Lefty shows Donnie the ins and outs of life in the Mafia and the pair grow a father-son-like friendship.Donnie Brascoforgoes most gangster movie clichés for an honest and heartbreaking look at lonelinessin a criminal organization. With two fantastic performances at the center,Donnie Brascois a grounded and clever thriller.
Takeshi Kitano, known for hosting the belovedTakeshi’s Castle, wrote, edited, directed, and stars inSonatine, a gangster film set in Tokyo. The film follows Murakawa (Kitano), an aging enforcer for the yakuza who has grown bored and tired of his life of crime. A mission gone awry introduces him to a young woman, Miyuki (Aya Kokumai), who he becomes determined to protect.Sonatineis a contemplative work that is frequently punctuated with moments of intense violence.Humor, bloodshed, and romance combineto form a singular version of the gangster movie.
Carlito’s Way
Carlito’s Way follows a Puerto Rican ex-con, played by Al Pacino, who, after being released from prison, vows to avoid the pitfalls of drugs and violence. Set in 1970s New York City, the film explores his struggle to lead a law-abiding life amidst challenging circumstances.
InCarlito’s Way, Al Pacino plays Carlito Brigante, a former criminal who is released from prison on a technicality. Considering this a chance at redemption, Carlito swears off crime, but slowly, he is dragged back into the same criminal elements that sent him to jail in the first place. One ofBrian De Palma’s greatest works,Carlito’s Wayis an epic and tragic tale of how crime finds a way of bringing down those who attempt to escape it. The film may retread familiar ground storywise, but Pacino’s fierce acting and De Palma’s eye make it something special.
Boyz n the Hood
Boyz n the Hood is a drama set in South Central Los Angeles, focusing on Tre Styles as he navigates societal challenges under his father’s guidance. Amid a backdrop of crime and violence, the film explores the struggles and choices faced by Tre and his friends, illuminating their impact on the community.
Boyz n the Hoodcombines gangster movie elements, coming-of-age drama, and a rarely seen at the time Black-specific viewpoint for something completely unique. Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Ice Cube star as Tre Styles III and Doughboy Baker, respectively, two childhood best friends who grew apart when Tre moved to another town with his mother. Taking place over several years,Boyz n the Hoodexamines the pipeline that transforms kids into hardened gangsters. It’s a damning portrait but one that is compassionate and incredibly well-handled in its storytelling.
Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai
An African-American Mafia hit man who models himself after the samurai of ancient Japan finds himself targeted for death by the mob.
Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samuraiis a completely unique gangster film that combines gangster, hood, and samurai movie storytelling styles. Starring Forest Whitaker as the eponymous Ghost Dog,The Way of the Samuraifollows the Mafia hitman who lives by the ancient code of the samurai. Director Jim Jarmusch seamlessly blends two very different styles of film and reveals just how closely samurai and gangster movies are at their core. It’s a profoundly sad performance from Whitaker, whose character never seems sure why he continues to follow his violent codes.
Bugsy
Bugsy chronicles the tumultuous life of notorious gangster Bugsy Siegel and his role in the establishment of modern Las Vegas. Directed by Barry Levinson and featuring Warren Beatty in the titular role, the film explores Siegel’s ambition, turbulent relationships, and enduring impact on the American criminal underworld.
Based on the life of real American mobster Bugsy Seigel,Bugsystars Warren Beatty as the eponymous gangster, closely following his affair with Hollywood starlet, Virginia Hill (Annette Bening). Half crime film and half romance,Bugsyis a true American epic with some incredible performances at the center. The violence at setpieces is shocking and riveting, but it’s the chemistry between Bening and Beatty that makes the movie. WhileBugsymay not be themost historically accurate gangster movie ever, its setting and the feelings it elicits are as real as anything.
