Dive into the gritty underworld of crime and power with the 15 best mafia movies on HBO Max in 2023. This curated collection on HBO Max offers a thrilling cinematic journey through the lives of mobsters, kingpins, and those entangled in the dangerous allure of the criminal world. From timeless classics to modern masterpieces, these films showcase the complexities of organized crime, featuring stellar performances, intricate plots, and a gripping portrayal of the underworld’s dark allure. Get ready for a cinematic experience that explores the shades of morality, loyalty, and betrayal in the fascinating realm of mafia cinema.
List of 15 best mafia movies on HBO Max in 2023:
The Godfather
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Release Date: March 24, 1972
IMDB Score: 9.2
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan
Platform: HBO Max
Plot: The patriarch of a powerful mafia family transfers control to his reluctant son, leading to a gripping tale of power, loyalty, and crime.
Goodfellas
Director: Martin Scorsese
Release Date: September 19, 1990
IMDB Score: 8.7
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
Starring: Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci
Platform: HBO Max
Plot: Based on a true story, this film chronicles the rise and fall of a young man involved in the mob, showcasing the allure and dangers of the criminal lifestyle.
Scarface
Director: Brian De Palma
Release Date: December 9, 1983
IMDB Score: 8.3
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 82%
Starring: Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer
Platform: HBO Max
Plot: Tony Montana rises from a Cuban refugee to a powerful drug lord in Miami, exploring themes of greed, power, and the consequences of a criminal empire.
The Departed
Director: Martin Scorsese
Release Date: October 6, 2006
IMDB Score: 8.5
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson
Platform: HBO Max
Plot: In this crime thriller, an undercover cop and a mole in the police force try to identify each other while infiltrating an Irish gang in Boston.
The Irishman
Director: Martin Scorsese
Release Date: November 27, 2019
IMDB Score: 7.8
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
Starring: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci
Platform: HBO Max
Plot: A mob hitman reflects on his involvement with the Bufalino crime family, including his role in the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa.
Casino
Director: Martin Scorsese
Release Date: November 22, 1995
IMDB Score: 8.2
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%
Starring: Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci
Platform: HBO Max
Plot: Set in the glamorous world of Las Vegas, this film depicts the rise and fall of a casino owner and the complications that arise in the criminal underworld.
A Bronx Tale
Director: Robert De Niro
Release Date: September 29, 1993
IMDB Score: 7.8
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
Starring: Robert De Niro, Chazz Palminteri
Platform: HBO Max
Plot: A coming-of-age story set in the Bronx during the 1960s, focusing on the relationship between a young man and a local mobster.
Donnie Brasco
Director: Mike Newell
Release Date: February 28, 1997
IMDB Score: 7.7
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%
Starring: Johnny Depp, Al Pacino
Platform: HBO Max
Plot: Based on a true story, an FBI agent infiltrates the mafia, forming a close bond with a mobster while risking his own identity.
American Gangster
Director: Ridley Scott
Release Date: November 2, 2007
IMDB Score: 7.8
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 81%
Starring: Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe
Platform: HBO Max
Plot: Inspired by a true story, a detective and a drug lord collide in 1970s Harlem, exploring the dynamics of crime, power, and justice.
Heat
Director: Michael Mann
Release Date: December 15, 1995
IMDB Score: 8.2
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%
Starring: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer
Platform: HBO Max
Plot: A master thief and a dedicated detective engage in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, blurring the lines between law and crime.
Road to Perdition
Director: Sam Mendes
Release Date: July 12, 2002
IMDB Score: 7.7
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 81%
Starring: Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Daniel Craig
Platform: HBO Max
Plot: A father and son on the run navigate the dangerous world of organized crime in this visually stunning and emotionally charged film.
Miller’s Crossing
Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen (uncredited)
Release Date: September 21, 1990
IMDB Score: 7.7
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Starring: Gabriel Byrne, Marcia Gay Harden, John Turturro
Platform: HBO Max
Plot: Set in the Prohibition era, this film follows a complex tale of loyalty and betrayal among rival mafia in a fictional city.
Eastern Promises
Director: David Cronenberg
Release Date: September 8, 2007
IMDB Score: 7.6
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%
Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts
Platform: HBO Max
Plot: A nurse delves into the dangerous world of the Russian mafia in London after discovering a young woman’s diary.
Black Mass
Director: Scott Cooper
Release Date: September 18, 2015
IMDB Score: 6.9
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 73%
Starring: Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch
Platform: HBO Max
Plot: Based on a true story, this film explores the criminal empire of the notorious mafia Whitey Bulger and his unholy alliance with the FBI.
The Untouchables
Director: Brian De Palma
Release Date: June 3, 1987
IMDB Score: 7.9
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%
Starring: Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert De Niro
Platform: HBO Max
Plot: A federal agent assembles a team to bring down Al Capone during the Prohibition era, navigating corruption and danger in the process.
Conclusion
These exceptional mafia movies on HBO Max in 2023 promise to deliver a compelling blend of drama, suspense, and underworld intrigue, providing a captivating glimpse into the darker side of human nature and society.
