Gangsters and organized crime continue to be a favorite among movie and television fans thanks to iconic series such as The Sopranos and Peaky Blinders. Whether it's a gang of loyal vigilante bikers like in Sons of Anarchy or the rise and fall of notorious drug kingpin, Pablo Escobar from Narcos, the gangster genre has evolved and expanded into various new territories with both fictional and historical tales of real-life mobsters that seem to have something for every television fan.
When it comes to television series, most audiences have a certain taste. Even though some may like traditional mafia shows over a rare niche of organized crime, some series are simply a must-see for anyone who claims to be a serious fan of the genre. With lesser-known shows such as Magic City and Gomorrah to memorable gems like Boardwalk Empire and Godfather of Harlem, these are the 10 best television shows about gangsters, ranked.
10 'Tulsa King' (2022 - )
Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Jay Will, and Dana Delaney
Sylvester Stallone stars in the latest gangster series, Tulsa King, as mobster, Dwight "The General" Manfredi who, after being released from serving twenty-plus years behind bars, is exiled by his boss to Tulsa, Oklahoma to establish their operation. Like a fish out of water, Manfredi tries to adapt to his new environment and when he starts to realize he might be outgrowing his current family, he begins to recruit his own.
Tulsa King is a surprisingly modern and humorous gangster series starring Stallone, who is best known for his tough guy, no-nonsense roles, and fits the part of Manfredi like a glove. The series goes to extensive lengths to expand the traditional gangster genre into more modern avenues, like the cannabis industry and the unlikely location of Tulsa, but Stallone's character still rings true to the classic mafioso, creating an interesting blend of worlds that draws audiences in. With season 2 currently underway, Tulsa King is one of the best gangster series that is sure to go fairly far.
Tulsa King
Crime 10Release Date November 13, 2022 Cast Sylvester Stallone , Andrea Savage , Martin Starr , Max Casella , Domenick Lombardozzi , Vincent Piazza Main Genre Drama Seasons 2Tulsa King can be streamed on Paramount+ in the U.S.
9 'Magic City' (2012 - 2013)
Cast: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Olga Kurylenko, and Steven Strait
CloseSet in the late 1950s, a former cabana boy turned hotel mogul, Ike Evans (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) owns the luxurious Miramar Playa hotel in Miami Beach, and as Fidel Castro takes control of Cuba, his hotel becomes a hotspot for the wealthy, high-class guests as well as gangsters and CIA officials. As Evans tries to keep the Miramar Playa on top, he struggles with his past involvement with mob boss, Ben "the Butcher" Diamond (Danny Huston) who financed his dream hotel and isn't too keen on Evans wanting to end their partnership.
The Walking Dead star, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, shines in the two-season series, Magic City, which explores the rise of Miami Beach and its status as a vital location during the 1950s for both the rich and powerful. Morgan's character has one foot in the legitimate world while trying to free the other from the underworld, which essentially puts him on top, creating an interesting power struggle that affects a series of people in Ike Evans' life. While the gangster aspect is key to the series, Magic City also dazzles with exceptional costuming and authentic set design that effortlessly immerses audiences into its designated period. Even though it wasn't a long-running series, Magic City is still a thrilling gangster series that sheds light on a lesser-known time in mobster history paired with excellent performances.
Magic City
Genre Drama Language English Number of Seasons 2 Debut Date March 30, 2012 Studio StarzMagic City can be streamed on Peacock in the U.S.
8 'Lilyhammer' (2012 - 2014)
Cast: Steven Van Zandt, Trond Fausa Aurvåg, and Marian Saastad Ottensen
CloseWhen a New York gangster, Frank "The Fixer" Tagliano (Steven Van Zandt) testifies against his former associates, he asks to be sent to Lillehammer, Norway, which is a town he has always admired, after watching the 1994 Winter Olympic Games. Upon his arrival, Tagliano tries to adjust to his new surroundings, but when he's unable to leave his criminal ways and lifestyle behind him, he begins to set up his own operation while maintaining a low profile.
Known for his role as Silvio Dante in The Sopranos, Van Zandt puts a comedic twist on organized crime in the gangster comedy series, Lilyhammer. Tagliano is out of his element as the classic mafioso attempts to blend in with the humble Norweigian town which has little to no crime and is populated by simple, innocent folks. As he begins to exploit the town with certain aspects of his former life, it results in a series of comedic as well as dramatic scenarios that take the concept of a gangster show to another level. While Van Zandt's character has similar traits to Silvio Dante, the characters are not meant to be the same, but there is a fan theory that Lillyhammer is Dante's dream while he's in a coma, which is the state he was left in when The Sopranos ended. With an unusual twist on the gangster genre and the showstopping Van Zandt, who continues to surpass his talent, and notable guest stars including Tony Sirico and Maureen Van Zandt, Lilyhammer is hands down one of the top series about gangsters.
Lilyhammer
Genre Comedy-Drama Language English, Norwegian Number of Seasons 3 Debut Date January 25, 2012 Studio Rubicon TVLilyhammer can be streamed on Netflix in the U.S.
7 'Gomorrah' (2014 - 2021)
Cast: Salvatore Esposito, Marco D'Amore, and Ivana Lotito
In Naples, Italy, the Camorra reigns as one of the most powerful criminal organizations in the country and is led by a relentless mobster, Pietro Savanstano (Fortunato Cerlino). When Savanstano's right-hand man, Circo Di Marzio (Marco D'Amore), witnesses how far his boss is willing to go to remain in power, he questions his motives, but despite his feelings, he still feels a sense of loyalty to Savanstano and does his best to protect his boss' son (Salvatore Esposito), who is expected to take over the family business.
The Italian gangster drama, Gomorrah, is a hidden gem of a series that takes audiences to the homeland of the mafia with a modern backdrop. While the series is in Italian with English subtitles, Gomorrah is still highly recommended, especially for those who are diehard gangster fans. Unlike most other gangster series, Gomorrah depicts the non-Americanized vision of organized crime and, even though there are many similarities between the two, it provides a rare view into the underworld and its local roots. Some might be put off by the subtitles, but considering the captivating performances and rare perspective into the origins and modern mafia, Gomorrah ranks as one of the best shows about gangsters.
Gomorrah
Genre Crime Drama Language Italian Number of Seasons 5 Debut Date May 6, 2014 Studio FandangoGomorrah can be streamed on Max in the U.S.
6 'Godfather of Harlem' (2019 - )
Cast: Forest Whitaker, Vincent D'Onofrio, and Giancarlo Esposito
CloseOscar-winning actor, Forest Whitaker, stars in Godfather of Harlem as real-life drug kingpin, Bumpy Johnson, who tries to regain control of his stomping grounds from the Italian mafia. After spending a decade in prison, Johnson returns to his home of Harlem and is instantly thrown into a power struggle with the Italians, who have a strong hold on the city's territory and operations. Through strategic planning and forming unlikely alliances, Johnson goes to extreme measures to take back Harlem, even if it costs him his life.
Godfather of Harlem is an intriguing gangster series that sheds light on Johnson's career as well as the social injustices and discrimination that were prominent during the 1960s. The series brilliantly correlates a balance of both worlds: the Civil Rights Movement and the reign of organized crime during one of the most crucial times in American history. Whitaker is sublime as Johnson and is constantly pitted against his profession and the obligation he has to the African American population in his city, which ironically, is plagued by the poison Johnson makes a living off of selling. Johnson's constant internal struggle paired with the social and professional issues that find their way to his doorstep is what makes Godfather of Harlem a captivating series about gangsters.
Godfather of Harlem
Genre Crime Drama Language English Number of Seasons 3 Debut Date September 29, 2019 Studio MGM+Godfather of Harlem can be streamed on Hulu in the U.S.
5 'Sons of Anarchy' (2008 - 2014)
Cast: Charlie Hunnam, Ron Perlman, and Katey Sagal
In the fictional town of Charming, California, a motorcycle club member, Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam), discovers a manifesto written by his late father and founder of his motorcycle club, SAMCRO (Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original), which leads to him reexamining himself as well as the current state of the group of bikers. Acknowledging the power and muscle the SAMCRO has, the club protects its town, dealing with a series of social issues such as drugs, racism, and government corruption and reformulating the purpose of its long-running club.
FX's highest-rated series of all time, Sons of Anarchy, centers on the life and relationships of Teller, who tries to fulfill his father's vision of the club while keeping his friends and family safe from the vices that come with their world. While the show centers around Teller, it also expands into a tight-knit biker club of colorful characters who each bring their own unique quality to the show, some even having real-life experience in the biker life, adding an authentic view into the world of motorcycle gangs. Even though it isn't the classic mobster gang that is prominent in the genre, Sons of Anarchy still reigns as a superb one-of-a-kind show about gangsters.
Sons of Anarchy
DramaActionCrimeRelease Date September 3, 2008 Cast Charlie Hunnam , Katey Sagal , Tommy Flanagan , Mark Boone Junior , Kim Coates , Drea De Matteo , Dayton Callie , Jimmy Smits Main Genre Drama Seasons 7 Studio FXSons of Anarchy can be streamed on Hulu in the U.S.
4 'Narcos' (2015 - 2017)
Cast: Wagner Moura, Pedro Pascal, and Boyd Holbrook
Set in the late 1980s, cocaine is at an all-time high, especially in the United States, and is mainly funneled through drug cartels, notably from Colombia. As various drug lords such as Pablo Escobar (Wagner Moura) fight against one another to gain control of the extremely profitable business, they are also faced with the conflict of being targeted by high-ranking political officials as well as law enforcement who are determined to win the war on drugs.
Netflix's original gangster series, Narcos, follows the rise of the cocaine trade through various viewpoints, ranging from the perspective of drug kingpins to the law enforcement agents who are tasked with fighting to end one of the world's most valuable commodities. The show meticulously intertwines each group and their efforts into an extensive web of conflict and violence, which is one of the main elements that causes Narcos to stand out from other gangster series. Despite centering around a well-covered period of the 80s drug scene, Narcos puts a spin on the subject by adding various viewpoints and well-developed characters, making it one of the all-time best shows about gangsters.
Narcos
TV-MADramaCrimeBiographyRelease Date August 28, 2015 Creator Chris Brancato, Carlo Bernard, Doug Miro Cast Pedro Pascal , Matias Padin , Damian Alcazar , Alberto Ammann , Michael Stahl-David Main Genre Drama Seasons 3 Studio Netflix ExpandNarcos can be streamed on Netflix in the U.S.
3 'Boardwalk Empire' (2010 - 2014)
Cast: Steve Buscemi, Michael Pitt, and Kelly Macdonald
Steve Buscemi stars in HBO's Boardwalk Empire as Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, who tries to balance his legitimate profession as Atlantic City's treasurer with his criminal underground operation as a bootlegger during the dawn of Prohibition. As Thompson forms alliances and deals with well-known mobsters such as Arnold Rothstein (Michael Stuhlbarg) and Johnny Torrio (Greg Antonacci) and rising stars like Charles "Lucky" Luciano (Vincent Piazza) and Al Capone (Stephen Graham), he sinks deeper into corruption, violence, and greed that eventually leads to his demise.
Created by former writer of The Sopranos, Terence Winter, Boardwalk Empire is an epic gangster series that centers around the height of organized crime as well as the political side of the Prohibition Era. For those who enjoy history or the early days of mobsters, Boardwalk Empire is right up your alley, but even though the show features real-life gangsters, it does take liberties with some aspects of the main plot and isn't considered to be historical fiction. With Oscar-winning director, Martin Scorsese and Sopranos writer, Tim Van Patten serving as executive producers and a glimpse through the eyes of the complex Thompson, Boardwalk Empire is a top-notch series about gangsters that is a must-see.
Boardwalk Empire
DramaFamilyRelease Date September 19, 2010 Cast Steve Buscemi , Vincent Piazza , Kelly Macdonald , Michael Shannon , Stephen Graham , Michael K. Williams Main Genre Drama Seasons 5 Website http://www.hbo.com/#/boardwalk-empireBoardwalk Empire can be streamed on Max in the U.S.
2 'Peaky Blinders' (2013 - 2022)
Cast: Cillian Murphy, Paul Anderson, and Annabelle Wallis
Oscar-winner, Cillian Murphy, takes on the role of Thomas Shelby in the British gangster series, Peaky Blinders, which is set shortly after the end of World War I. With Britain left in shambles, Shelby leads the area's most powerful gang, the Peaky Blinders, but when he decides he wants to advance higher than running the streets, he begins to set his sights on more profitable business endeavors. While he knows that crime does pay, he realizes that legitimate business operations are bound to have a larger payoff in the end.
Peaky Blinders is one of the top-rated series about gangsters and is loosely based on a real-life gang by the same name that ruled the city of Birmingham from the 1880s up until the 1910s. With Murphy delivering one of the genre's greatest gangsters in recent years, Peaky Blinders does a magnificent job of including not just the local historical setting but also the events around the globe that have an immense impact on the urban gang and their business operations, creating a complex picture to heighten the core story. Along with Murphy, other notable stars make appearances throughout the series, including Adrien Brody, Tom Hardy, and Game of Thrones star, Aidan Gillen. With a rarely seen take on organized crime overseas and impeccable performances laid against a gritty, authentic backdrop, Peaky Blinders reigns as one of the latest and best series about gangsters.
Peaky Blinders
TV-MACrimeDramaRelease Date September 30, 2014 Cast Cillian Murphy , Sam Claflin , Helen McCrory , Sophie Rundle Main Genre Crime Seasons 6Peaky Blinders can be streamed on Netflix in the U.S.
1 'The Sopranos' (1999 - 2007)
Cast: James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, and Michael Imperioli
James Gandolfini stars in his breakout role in David Chase's The Sopranos as New Jersey mob boss, Tony Soprano, who tries to juggle his double life as an all-American family man and his unconventional career choice which comes with constant stress and unforeseen conflict seeping into his personal life. Gandolfini is joined by an array of all-stars including Edie Falco, Goodfellas' Lorraine Bracco, and Michael Imperioli, who deliver showstopping performances in easily the greatest gangster series of all time.
Let's be honest, the previous shows listed would not exist without The Sopranos, which essentially paved the way for the television mafioso drama and set the foundation for future shows to come. With over twenty Emmy Awards, The Sopranos takes a more relatable look into the world of a modern mobster who, on one hand, deals with a majority of the everyday struggles most people endure, but on the other, his job in, uh, "waste management", introduces a whole other layer of pressure and concerns that add to the show's overall appeal. The infamous legacy and influence of the series plus the unforgettable performances by the overall phenomenal cast is what ultimately makes The Sopranos the number one best series about gangsters of all time.
The Sopranos
TV-MADramaCrimeRelease Date January 10, 1999 Creator David Chase Cast James Gandolfini , Edie Falco , Jamie-Lynn Sigler , Lorraine Bracco , Michael Imperioli , Steve Van Zandt , Tony Sirico , Steve Schirripa Main Genre Drama Seasons 6 Studio HBO ExpandThe Sopranos can be streamed on Max in the U.S.
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