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Some of the best gangster shows are those that keep the viewers on the edge of their seats and offer plenty of intrigue, suspense, and high-octane gang wars. The thrill of watching the illegal underworld of organized crime is extremely satisfying. Some of the best gangster shows offer an excellent view of the nitty-gritties of the world of mafiosos and crime lords. Therefore, here are 10 of the best gangster shows that define cool, crime, and swagger.
Disclaimer: This entire article is based on the writer's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.
Peaky Blinders, The Penguin, and other best gangster shows that are a must-watch
1. Gangs of London
Based on the video game of the same name by London Studio, this British action thriller is a spinoff of The Getaway franchise. Created by Gareth Evans and Matt Flannery, the show features Joe Cole, Colm Meaney, and others. The series focuses on the various rival gangs in London and the aftermath in the criminal underworld when the head of the city’s most powerful crime family is assassinated. Finn Wallace (Meaney) was the most powerful criminal in London until his demise. After his assassination, his son Sean (Cole) and his wife Marian, try to keep his legacy alive while a new undercover police officer, Elliot (Sope Dirisu), is tasked with infiltrating the Wallace family and exposing them. The show truly celebrates the raw and gritty nature of organized crime, and viewers who don’t shy away from violence will enjoy the series. As one of the foremost modern and best gangster shows, it is a series that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
2. Godfather of Harlem
Created by Chris Brancato and Paul Eckstein, this crime drama series features Forest Whitaker, Nigel Thatch, Lucy Fry, and others and is one of the must-watch best gangster shows. The show focuses on a 1960s New York City gangster, Bumpy Johnson (Whitaker). The series tells a fictionalized story of the real-life Johnson. The show revolves around Bumpy who comes back from prison in the 1960s and sees that his neighborhood has now been controlled by the Italian mob. Johnson must therefore wrest control from the Genovese crime family. He also forms an alliance with the Muslim minister Malcolm X during his battles. The show therefore has a strong political and social aspect. The show offers viewers an in-depth look into the mafia rivalry and has loads of intrigue and suspense. It is, therefore, one of the best gangster shows that one must watch.
3. Law and Order: Organized Crime
Developed by Warren Leight and Julie Martin and created by Dick Wolf, Ilene Chaiken, and Matt Olmstead, this crime drama series is one of the must-watch best gangster shows. It is a part of the Law and Order franchise and is a spinoff of Law and Order. Featuring Christopher Meloni, Tamara Taylor, Dean Norris, and others, the show focuses on Elliot Stabler (Meloni) from Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, who is a revered detective and returns to the New York Police Department after the murder of his wife. Stabler joins the organized crime task force and solves cases related to gang wars and mafia rivalry. The show brings back an iconic character and not only focuses on the high-octane lives of the gangster world, but it also has an emotional core and focuses on the personal struggles of Stabler. The show offers the police’s perspective on organized crime and still has plenty of gangster wars that make the show interesting and one of the best gangster shows.
4. The Penguin
Based on the DC comics character of the same name and a spinoff of the 2022 movie, The Batman, this crime drama show is developed by Lauren LeFranc and features Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, and others. The show focuses on Oswald “Oz” Cobb, or The Penguin, who is a disfigured former right-hand man of a deceased crime boss called Carmine Falcone. However, Oz is now on his way to becoming a criminal kingpin in his own right. The series therefore explores the rise to power of Oz and explores the criminal underworld of Gotham City. The series has received rave reviews for its direction and tone, especially for Farrell’s performance as Oz. The show is gritty, has a traditional gangster story, and also comes under the genre of superhero drama. It is therefore one of the best gangster shows currently and is a must-watch. Even those viewers who have not followed the movie or the comics will enjoy this thrilling show, which is quickly becoming one of the best gangster shows.
5. The Wire
Created by David Simon and starring Dominic West, Idris Elba, and others, this crime drama series from the early aughts is based on the experiences of Simon’s writing partner Ed Burns, who is a former homicide detective. The show began as a police drama but soon covered a range of institutions, especially the organized crime underworld. The iconic show is based in Baltimore, Maryland, and focuses on institutions like illegal drug trade, public education, and its connection to law enforcement. The series is now a cult classic and has some of the grittiest depictions of gangster violence, making it one of the best gangster shows. Even though the show garnered popularity after the show ended, it has continued to play an important part in pop culture even today and presents a tense web of crime, corruption, and murder. The show explores the gangsters and drug lords in the city and is one of the best gangster shows.
6. Tulsa King
Starring Sylvester Stallone, Andrea Savage, and others, this crime drama series is created by Taylor Sheridan and focuses on Dwight “the General” Manfredi (Stallone), who is an American mafia caporegime. Manfredi has been released recently from prison in New York and is sent to Tulsa, Oklahoma, by his boss to set up a criminal base. Manfredi does not know anyone in the region and begins to form powerful alliances of his own. While he initially maintains contact with his boss and the syndicate in New York, he later begins to despise them and starts to form his own ring of organized crime. The show was a critical and commercial success and is one of the best gangster shows for viewers who love Stallone. The series is modern, humorous, and even explores the cannabis industry and other modern avenues. The show offers a fresh and stylish take on the world of gangsters and is therefore one of the must-watch best gangster shows.
7. Narcos
Created by Chris Brancato, Carlo Bernard, and Doug Miro, this crime drama series features Wagner Moura, Boyd Holbrook, Pedro Pascal, and others. The show focuses on the life of real-life drug lord and narcoterrorist Pablo Escobar, played by Moura, who was the leader of the Medellin Cartel and became a billionaire through his widespread cocaine production and distribution. The series was a critical and commercial success and was praised for its tone, direction, and the performance of Moura. Set in Colombia, the show offers the nitty-gritties of the world of mafiosos and is one of the best gangster shows in modern times. It has plenty of action, suspense and offers a nuanced look at the world of violence and conflict. The show offers the perspectives of various drug kingpins and law enforcement agents as well. With some of the best-developed characters, the show is one of the best gangster shows.
8. Peaky Blinders
Starring Cillian Murphy, Paul Anderson, Joe Cole, and others, this period crime drama show is created by Steven Knight. The series is loosely inspired by a real urban youth gang that was active in the city of Birmingham from the 1880s to the 1920s. The series focuses on Tommy Shelby (Murphy), who is the leader of the gang, and the show covers the various exploits and widening reign of the Peaky Blinders crime gang. The series is set after the First World War and is one of the best gangster shows. One of the top-rated series and one that has become a part of pop culture, the show is loved by critics and fans alike, and the show offers the perfect balance of a period drama along with the thrills of a mafia war. The show is one of the must-watch best gangster shows and has plenty of thrills, twists, and turns, and poignant moments as well.
9. The Sopranos
Created by David Chase and starring James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, and others, this iconic crime drama is the show that created all other gangster series. The show focuses on Tony Soprano (Gandolfini), who is a New Jersey mafia boss. After Tony begins to suffer from panic attacks, he reluctantly begins to see a therapist, and the show focuses on how Tony has difficulty managing his family life with his criminal life. The series gained steam slowly and is now a cult classic and regularly featured as one of the most influential and best gangster shows of all time. The show has won multiple awards and covers not just the violent world of gangsters, but also the emotional sacrifices that have to be made. The series’ legacy, the influence of the show, and the strong performances by the cast make it one of the best gangster shows of all time.
10. The Gentlemen
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A spinoff of Guy Ritchie’s 2019 movie, this action and comedy show offers a humorous take on the world of crime and gangsters. Starring Theo James as Edward “Eddie” Horniman, the show focuses on him being the 14th Duke of Halstead and a former Army captain who served as a UN peacekeeping officer. Eddie inherits his father’s dukedom over his older brother because he is the more responsible one. While Eddie wants to sell off the estate to pay his brother’s debts to a gangster, he is approached with an offer to continue the cannabis scheme that his father was also involved in. Therefore, Eddie finds himself in the unlikely situation of becoming a gangster. Ritchie is known for creating movies that are set in the British underworld but blend them with a uniquely humorous take. This series also has all the markings of a Ritchie movie, and it is one of the best gangster shows that offers violence and laughs.
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