Real-Life Criminals: True Crime Gangster Movies on Netflix

If you are super into action movies, this blog might be the goldmine for you to dig through and choose the one that suits your taste best. We have carefully shortlisted the films that we believe would fit people of different preferences when it comes to sub-genres of gangster movies, so there is a perfect match for everyone.

Also, if you don’t have Netflix due to geo-restrictions in your region, we recommend subscribing to a paid and reliable VPN, like ExpressVPN, to gain access to Netflix quickly. So, here is how to stream the best gangster movies on Netflix in the most straightforward steps!

 Top Gangster Movies on Netflix

Mentioned below are among the top gangster movies on Netflix for you to stream.

The Irishman (2019)

The Irishman is centered around truck driver and hitman Frank Sheeran, who works loyally for the infamous Bufalino crime family. Sheeran has been involved in some of the most famous crimes in the USA, ranging from the 1950s to the 2000s. This is a thrilling watch for action movie lovers, which we believe they would enjoy the best!

The film includes some of the top names in the industry, including Al Pacino, De Niro, etc. Watch The Irishman stream some of the full-tier action scenes on Netflix.

The Outsider (2018)

The Outsider explains the life of an ex-convict and a former soldier who is released from prison but lands in hot waters with the Japanese mafia. After World War II, he remains in Japan and, in exchange for his freedom, gets in the middle of the yakuza and the Japanese mafia.

He learns to live and adapt to their ways to become one of them one day. The Outsider is a fun-packed action thriller about an outsider making it in a world that does not belong to him, only to ensure his survival.

American Gangster (2007)

After businessman Ellsworth Johnson dies of a heart attack, his employee Frank Lucas takes over his business and plans to expand it. However, Lucas has another side business of drugs which he uses among his multiple income streams.

With his strong work ethic and a firm business strategy, he quickly gains control and successfully stabilizes his boss’s business while being his city’s most dangerous crime boss. Watch the American Gangster witness the boss moves of Frank Lucas and his conflicts with his opponents.

The Highwaymen (2019)

The Highwaymen is a true story about two former Texas Rangers, Frank Hamer and Maney Gault, who left behind their retirement to bring down the infamous criminal couple, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. Bonnie and Clyde were responsible for multiple robberies, including banks and small stores, and made headlines for being the ‘criminal couple’s goals’ globally.

This movie highlights how their thrilling criminal lives were brought to an end. Watch The Highwaymen get to know the true story about the cops who finally bought down this criminal couple and marked it as the legendary win of their state.

Donnie Brasco (1997)

As an undercover FBI agent infiltrates one of the criminal families by posing as the jewel thief, he begins to identify himself more as a criminal at the expense of his regular life. His friendship with the mob hitman Benjamin “Lefty” Ruggiero turned into an honest, genuine company for him, creating complications in his job.

This forces him to live a double life, much to his frustration, based on his job and morals, where one way or another, he loses something. It’s up to him to choose between losing his new friend or his life. Watch Donnie Brasco for this thrilling plot of an undercover FBI leading a dual life.

The Night Comes for Us (2018)

Ito, who works as a gangland enforcer, ends up rescuing a girl during a brutal massacre and attempts to mend his ways when his past creeps up on him, endangering his life. As he hides the girl he rescued from his ex-girlfriend’s apartment, he plans for ways to have them escape the country to save their lives from the gangsters that are after him.

This Indonesian thriller story is everything a gangster movie needs, i.e., action, redemption, crime, emotions, etc., so watch it at least once in your life.

Uncut Gems (2019)

As Howard Ratner struggles to pay off his debts with his job as a jeweler, he makes high-stakes bets that could have him win a massive amount of money that could not only pay off what he owes to people but also fix his life. However, things take a wrong turn as he struggles to balance his domestic and professional life with a gang of criminals after his life.

Nevertheless, Uncut Gems is a worthy-watching movie with the delightful performance of Adam Sandler glamorizing your screens.

Triple Frontier (2019)

Triple Frontier revolves around the story of a group of former, Special Forces Operatives who plan a mission to cause a heist. However, for the first time in their prestigious careers, they plan this not for their country but for themselves alone.

As expected, things go out of hand, and they come face-to-face with some dangerous situations that cause them a serious threat to survive at a bare minimum. Watch this movie to see how the wrong decision of a group of former respectable heroes of their nation put their lives, morals, and reputations in grave danger.

Kurup (2021)

Kurup is a real-life story of Sukumaran Kurup, who was accused of killing his friend in 1986 for life insurance fraud. He remained undercover for almost three decades while the cops remained on his trail till the very end. The film takes an exciting turn when all the cops fail to track him except one police officer who doesn’t give up. Kurup is one of the best Indian gangster movies on Netflix, which will keep you hooked till the very end.

A Family (2020)

After Kenji Yamamoto’s father dies from a drug overdose, his life falls apart, throwing him into a desperate search for a means of survival. This lands him in a criminal family where he swears allegiance to Hiroshi Shibasaki and forms a bond with him like a father and son.

Where his need to find a family gets fulfilled by developing a relationship with Shibasaki, his life begins a series of crimes by pledging to his boss’s family code. Watch A Family to witness Kenji’s journey from a young thug to a veteran in despair.

Training Day (2001)

When a senior narcotics officer, Detective Alonzo, is assigned the task of training Jake Hoyt, he resorts to unethical ways, which quickly gets recognized by Hoyt. As he begins to feel like he is being trapped by someone who isn’t who he appears to be, Hoyt has to make some quick and important decisions that could either land him in trouble or make some landmark changes in the department.

Training Day is the story of a rookie cop who is taught to blur the lines between tough training and unethical methods. It’s a fascinating watch for anyone who loves crime and gangster-themed movies.

Headshot (2016)

After Ishmael suffers from amnesia from a wound on his head, he is nursed back to life when he encounters some terrible memories that place him in trouble. As his past catches up to him, it puts his and his doctor’s lives in danger. Watch Headshot to see how Ishmael fights off the gangs and attempts to rescue his doctor, Dr. Ailin, for whom he develops feelings.

Headshot contains a series of brutal fight scenes, which gives the viewers the rush they were looking for from gangster movies in the first place.

How I Fell in Love with a Gangster (2022)

This movie highlights the life of Nikodem “Nikos” Skotarczak, whose partner narrates what it was like to be in love with one of the most dangerous gangsters in Poland. The movie focuses on the rise and downfall of Nikos as his end became iconic for the world to remember.

However, the facts are still based on the perception of a second person, but it is still a great watch to peek into the life of a once powerful gangster. So far, it is one of the most famous crime thriller movies on Netflix and contains unique visuals.

Layer Cake (2004)

Layer Cake is the story of a drug dealer who wishes to put his career to an end, but his plans are interrupted when he is assigned a job to rescue the daughter of a trade magnate. Along with his rescue mission, he is also given the task of retrieving ecstasy pills which cost approximately two million pounds.

Make sure to watch this thrilling tale of a man trying to accomplish both his missions with his retirement plan in action being constantly interrupted while his life ends up at risk in his struggle to perform his tasks.

Scarface (1983)

When Tony Montana and his close friend Manny build up their successful drug dealing business, they suffer from an uncontrollable greed for power, decaying his empire from within. His growing ego grows the number of his enemies, which ends up putting his life in danger, and he slowly moves toward the decline in his career and future.

Scarface is less of a movie and more of a lesson for people who are neck-deep in their lust for power and money which slowly but eventually ends up being a reason for their downfall. Watch this movie for a fun time to spend this weekend.

3 Best VPNs to Use to Watch Best Gangster Movies on Netflix [Quick Overview in April 2024]

There are so many VPN services available to access Gangster Movies on Netflix, so we have checked some of the best VPNs for you that will surely meet your needs, check all the options mentioned below:

1. ExpressVPN: It has 3000+ servers in 94 countries worldwide. There are 25 highly optimized servers in the USA. It offers $6.67/month for its yearly package with a 3-month free trial and a risk-free 45-day money-back guarantee.
2. NordVPN: It has 5,400+ servers in 80+ locations in 59 countries. This includes 15 highly optimized servers in the USA. It comes with a 2-year subscription of $3.71 a month, a 2-year plan at 72% off and 3 months free, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
3. Surfshark: It is available for $2.49/month for its 2-year package. It offers 3200+ servers in 60+ countries, 23 USA servers, and much more.

Final Thoughts

With the vast options in Netflix’s library, there are countless gangster movies for you to choose from. With our recommendations, we hope that we have made the task easier for you to choose the best gangster movies on Netflix. Though each is an action/gangster movie, the plot still varies uniquely for everyone to enjoy.

However, ExpressVPN takes the lead in providing a highly secure connection to watch Netflix anywhere in the world.

Ask for more info:

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Gary Wilson

Gary is a geeky-binge watcher who loves to pen down all that he watches. The night-owl has just got two hobbies, binge-watching all the latest shows and writing everything about them.