These crime films’ gangsters have evolved into some of the most recognisable antagonists and anti-heroes ever shown in film. When these characters emerged on screen, people were captivated by them and their ruthless, occasionally terrifying behaviours, and their interest in the movie never wavered. These are the top ten gangsters to ever appear on film, from Don Corleone in The Godfather to Tom Powers in The Public Enemy.
10. Tom Powers – ‘The Public Enemy’ (1931)
As a young, impoverished petty burglar in Chicago during the early days of prohibition, Tom Powers (James Cagney) developed into a well-liked enforcer for the Irish-American mob. He was unwilling to let anyone get in the way of his goal to become famed since he had an iron resolve and a tolerance for employing violence.
9. Frank Lucas – ‘American Gangster’ (2007)
Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) worked his way up through the criminal underworld’s ranks to take control as Harlem, New York’s main drug king. He made the decision to get his drugs straight from the manufacturer in order to increase his income and become one of the richest crooks in the nation.
8. Tony Camonte – ‘Scarface’ (1932)
After betraying his boss and inciting a gang conflict, determined and young street thug Tony Camonte (Paul Muni) rose swiftly through the criminal ranks to become the head of the Chicago mafia. Once at the top, though, his impulsivity and violent temper quickly led to his demise.
7. Sonny LoSpecchio – ‘A Bronx Tale’ (1993)
In the Bronx, New York, Sonny LoSpecchio (Chazz Palminteri) was in charge of a small neighborhood’s gang activity. After a young boy named Calogero (Lillo Brancato) protected Sonny from being arrested, Sonny developed a particular interest in the impressionable child and gradually began to take him under his wing.
6. Frank Costello – ‘The Departed’ (2006)
The South Boston neighbourhood was under the grip of Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson), who did so by using both force and cunning. He wasn’t afraid to occasionally get his hands dirty and was even willing to play both sides of the law in order to always come out on top. Throughout his reign in the Irish mob, Costello attracted many followers. One such young man was Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon), who would grow up to become Costello’s snitch in the Boston Police Department.
5. Bill ‘The Butcher’ Cutting – ‘Gangs of New York’ (2002)
The ultimate head of every street gang in New York’s Five Points neighbourhood in the early 1860s was Bill “The Butcher” Cutting (Daniel Day-Lewis). He reigned with a violent and bloodthirsty attitude, and he had the power to hurt or kill anyone who threatened his control.
4. Sam ‘Ace’ Rothstein – ‘Casino’ (1995)
Sam ‘Ace’ Rothstein, a seasoned sports bettor, was given the fantastic opportunity to run the mob-run Tangiers casino in Las Vegas by Robert De Niro. He was in charge of making sure the mob’s casino investments were profitable, but when the stresses of his personal life began to mount, he quickly found himself fighting for control of his position.
3. Tommy DeVito – ‘Goodfellas’ (1990)
Joe Pesci’s character, Tommy DeVito, was a psychotic hitman who worked as a sidekick for the Lucchese crime family. He sought to establish a ruthless reputation for himself inside the organised crime world by working with his cronies Jimmy Conway (De Niro) and Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) and harming anyone who dared to disobey him.
2. Don Michael Corleone – ‘The Godfather Part II’ (1974)
Despite his reluctance, war hero Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) followed in his father’s footsteps to succeed him as the Don of the Corleone crime family following the terrible deaths of his father and older brother.
1. Don Vito Corleone – ‘The Godfather’ (1972)
Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando), an immigrant who was abandoned and penniless, rose to prominence as one of the most powerful and feared mafia leaders in the nation. He worked hard to assure the survival of both after the other crime families in New York started to get involved in the risky drug industry because he believed that family and honour were the two things in life that mattered the most.
