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 inSons 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 gangster genre. From lesser-known shows such as Magic City and Gomorrah to memorable gems like Boardwalk Empire and Godfather of Harlem, these are the 20 best television shows about gangsters, ranked.
20
‘Law & Order: Organized Crime’ (2021–)
Christopher Meloni reprises his iconic role as NYPD Detective Elliot Stabler in the spin-off series titled Law & Order: Organized Crime. He is now working for the organized crime unit where he encounters an array of gangsters and mafiosos. After suffering a devastating loss, Stabler returns to the job but, after being away for a decade, he soon learns that things have drastically changed in the Big Apple as well as the justice system, forcing him to adjust while coping with his personal issues.
Even though the series focuses on the police’s perspective, Law & Order: Organized Crime introduces a variety of gangsters who manage to keep things interesting and unpredictable. The series crosses over with Meloni’s former show, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, which makes it a unique spin-off out of the Law & Order franchise with endless possibilities of perps and suspects.
19
‘Falcone’ (2000)
The CBS series, Falcone, is a gangster show that manages to slip through the cracks mainly because it only ran for one season, but despite its short-lived run, it’s still a series for any mafioso aficionado to check out. The show is based on the true story and harrowing experience of F.B.I. agent, Joseph Pistone (Jason Gedrick), who went undercover and infiltrated the Colombo crime family.
In 1997, Pistone’s story made its initial debut on the silver screen in the essential gangster film, Donnie Brasco, starring Johnny Depp and Al Pacino, which was a monumental success. While the film reigns superior, Falcone adds a bit more detail and insight into Pistone’s story, giving audiences a more in-depth view of his time with one of the most powerful crime families in New York City.
18
‘Gangs of London’ (2020–)
Gangs of London is a marginalized gangster series based on the popular 2006 video game and hits the ground running with an immediate conflict. When the head of a powerful London crime family, Finn Wallace (Colm Meaney), is murdered, no one knows who ordered the hit, leading to an intense power struggle between local and international gangs which ultimately brings destruction and mayhem throughout the major city.
Even though the series has earned mixed reviews, with many noting the excessive violence, Gangs of London is celebrated for giving a raw, uncensored depiction of organized crime. It features an array of exceptional performances by the entire cast, which is just the cherry on top of this promising gangster series. With the third season underway, Gangs of London is currently one of the most promising gangster series and has all the potential to rank among the big leagues of similar series.
17
‘Mob City’ (2013)
Created by Frank Darabont
Mob City gives viewers a look behind the glitz and glamour of Hollywood during the 1940s and exposes the intense power struggle between a corrupt police force and organized crime, who are each determined to claim the West Coast as their domain. Jon Bernthal stars as a former Marine and Los Angeles detective, Joe Teague, who soon finds himself in the middle of a plot to take down the city’s elite gangsters, specifically Mickey Cohen (Jeremy Luke) and Bugsy Siegel (Edward Burns).
The show is based on the bookL.A. Noir: The Struggle for the Soul of America’s Most Seductive City written by John Buntin, and gives real-life accounts from former LAPD officers and detectives, adding an authentic touch to this gangster show. Mob City is an absolute must-see for any viewers who are fans of the early days of the mafia and their journey to gaining control of not just the West Coast but practically the entire United States.
16
‘Get Shorty’ (2017–2019)
Created by Dacvey Holmes
Chris O’Dowd stars in Get Shorty as an enforcer, Miles Daly, who works for a murderous crime ring in Nevada. After growing tired of his current situation, Daly decides he wants to change his profession and sets his sights on Hollywood. There, he makes connections while working to find a production crew and raise funding to produce a film, which he quickly learns is easier said than done.
Based on the 1990 novel by Elmore Leonard, Get Shorty is more of a homage to Leonard’s work than an actual adaptation and has no connection to the 1995 film version by the same name starring John Travolta. The series is a humorous spin on organized crime, oftentimes poking fun at the traditional tropes of the gangster genre, and is much more in line with Leonard’s dark sense of humor. The series ran for two seasons and in 2019, and even though there hasn’t been a third season, MGM+ has not officially canceled the series at this time.
15
‘The Untouchables’ (1959–1963)
Before the 1987 gangster film The Untouchables starring Kevin Costner, Robert De Niro, and Sean Connery, Robert Stack starred in the hit series of the same name as the Prohibition agent Elliot Ness, who, along with a group of trustworthy men, fought to bring down the Chicago mob during the 1930s. Even though the series follows the same material as the film, the show served as the foundation for the film adaptation, making it a crucial gangster series.
With a successful run of four seasons, The Untouchables was a pivotal show that ultimately changed the formula of the hard-hitting drama series and even earned Stack an Emmy Award for Best Actor in a Dramatic Series in 1960. Some may be put off by the show being in black and white, but the riveting performances by Stack and the overall cast and detailed storytelling of each episode makes The Untouchables all worthwhile.
14
‘Vegas’ (2012–2013)
Vegas is a hit miniseries set in Las Vegas during the 1960s and focuses on the increasing rise in organized crime and mobsters who are bound and determined to take over the lucrative city. The series stars Dennis Quaid as rancher and sheriff Ralph Lamb, who goes head-to-head with a Chicago mobster, Vincent Savino (Michael Chiklis), who has moved his operations to Sin City, ultimately unleashing a wave of lawlessness and corruption.
Vegas is a must-see gangster miniseries that was co-created by Nicholas Pileggi, who many know for his novels that inspired some of the greatest gangster movies, notably Martin Scorsese‘s Goodfellas and Casino. Like most of Pileggi’s work, Vegas is based on true events and real-life people, but instead of rehashing the mainstream figures of its time, Pileggi introduces lesser-known mobsters and lawmen who played a crucial role in the mafia’s power struggle to take control and run Las Vegas during the city’s peak of popularity.
13
‘MobLand’ (2025–)
Set in London, Tom Hardy stars in Paramount+’s latest hit series, MobLand, as a street-smart fixer, Harry Da Souza, who works for Conrad Harrigan (Pierce Brosnan), who is the head of one of the most powerful and wealthy crime families. When issues arise between the Harrigan family and a rival crime family, the Stevensons, Harry is called in by Conrad to defuse the situation, which poses a potential threat against Conrad’s empire and the family’s way of life.
MobLand is a British crime drama and a recent entry in the gangster genre, and even though it only has one season under its belt, it has captivated viewers with its performances and originality, making it one of the most promising mobster shows currently streaming. The series also stars Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren, who delivers a powerhouse performance as Conrad’s wife and the matriarch of the family, and House of the Dragon star, Paddy Considine. The premiere of MobLand broke Paramount+’s record for the largest global release ever, with over two million viewers, and has already been renewed for a second season.
12
‘Magic City’ (2012–2013)
Set 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.
11
‘The Penguin’ (2024)
The Penguin is a spin-off series of Matt Reeves‘ 2022 movie, The Batman, which picks up where the film left off and follows Oz Cobb, A.K.A. The Penguin, and his rise to becoming one of Gotham City’s most powerful gangsters. Colin Farrell, who played the infamous DC Comic villain in the movie, reprises his role in the show, giving a more modernized and realistic twist to the character in this surprising hit.
With only one season under its belt, The Penguin made a grand debut, earning rave reviews and has been credited as one of the best television series in recent years. Considering all the adaptations and remakes from the DC Universe, The Penguin stands out with its gritty, uninhibited tone and an intriguing blueprint of a traditional gangster story, which is guaranteed to entertain even those who are not fans of DC Comics.
