Gangster movies reached their peak of popularity in the 1930s with classics like The Public Enemy, Scarface and Piddling Caesar. Audiences were fatigued to the genre'southward anti-heroes and vigilante justice that typically fix the powerful and wealthy as the source of crime or corruption. The genre was revitalized during the New Hollywood motion with about notably Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece, The Godfather.

The genre'southward renewed popularity paved the way for modern mobster movies like Goodfellas, A Bronx Tale and Donnie Brasco . The gangster genre features some of picture palace's greatest films too equally iconic lines like "Leave the gun, take the cannoli," just out of all the top contenders, these are the 10 virtually quotable gangster films of all time.

one 'The Public Enemy' (1931)

James Cagney in The Public Enemy
Image via Warner Bros.

James Cagney's operation every bit self-made mobster, Tom Powers in The Public Enemy propelled him to stardom and is one of the most iconic gangster films of all time. The film has notable lines, "I ain't and so tough," and "There you go with that wishin' stuff again," just its star and historic condition are what seals information technology a spot on the list.

Cagney was a triple threat who is remembered for his deadpan comedic timing and multifaceted tough guys that established Warner Bros. as one of the leading studios for gangster films. Even though Little Caesar was released first, The Public Enemy is 1 the earliest gangster films that essentially set the standards of the genre.

ii 'Donnie Brasco' (1997)

Johnny Depp and Al Pacino in Donnie Brasco - 1997
Image via Sony Pictures

Johnny Depp stars in the 1997 gangster film, Donnie Brasco, along with Al Pacino and Michael Madsen. Even though Depp is the lead, Pacino carries the motion-picture show with unforgettable lines, "A wise guy'southward e'er right; even when he's wrong, he's right," that qualifies Donnie Brasco as one of the most quotable gangster movies.

Pacino plays veteran mobster, Lefty, a traditional, old-school mobster, "Forget near it," who takes Brasco under his fly unaware that he's an undercover F.B.I informant. He gives Brasco notable advice throughout the film, "Why'd y'all pay for that drink? A wise guy never pays for his drinks" also as stern warnings. "You don't walk out on me. I walk out on you."

3 'A Bronx Tale' (1993)

Robert De Niro sitting next to Lillo Brancato in A Bronx Tale
Image via Savoy Pictures

Robert De Niro made his directorial debut with A Bronx Tale, an adaption of a screenplay written by co-star Chazz Palminteri. The coming-of-historic period film features two prolific players from the gangster genre but De Niro's direct-laced character and wisdom from the opposing lifestyles between him and Palminteri make A Bronx Tale ane of the nearly quotable gangster movies.

Lorenzo (De Niro) is a hardworking man who disapproves of his son's desire to associate with organized offense. "The saddest thing in life is wasted talent." He tries to explicate the negative side of local boss, Sonny ("People don't love him, they fearfulness him. At that place'south a difference") who believes he's doing right by Lorenzo'south son. "You gotta practise what your heart tells y'all to do."

4 'Casino' (1995)

Casino - 1995 (1)
Paradigm via Universal Pictures

De Niro stars in Casino with Joe Pesci, Sharon Stone, James Forest and Don Rickles. De Niro plays Ace Rothstein, a meticulous casino boss and the unofficial CEO of 1 of Las Vegas' hottest casinos and hotels. "An equal amount of blueberries in each muffin. I don't care how long information technology takes. Put an equal amount in each muffin."

While Pesci's character, Nicky, is similar to his role in Goodfellas, audiences still get a kick out of his antics as the hot-headed wise guy. "This guy could f*** up a loving cup of java." Between De Niro and Pesci'due south barrack and epic performances by an all-star cast, Casino is hands one of the most quotable gangster movies. "There are three means of doing things around hither: the correct way, the wrong way, and the way I do information technology."

5 'The Godfather Three' (1990)

Andy Garcia standing next to Al Pacino in The Godfather III
Prototype via Paramount Pictures

Pacino returns with Diane Keaton in the 3rd and terminal installment of Coppola's trilogy, The Godfather III. The actor continues to obsess audiences as Michael is riddled with guilt over his past and the choices that led him to such power. "Your enemies always get stiff on what you leave behind."

The dialogue is one of the few redeeming qualities as well as scenes between Michael and his nephew, Vincent (Andy Garcia) "Never hate your enemies, it affects your judgment." While the moving-picture show doesn't live upwards to the success of its predecessors, it has its moments of brilliance that ensures it a identify on this list. "Simply when I idea I was out... they pull me dorsum in."

6 'Scarface' (1983)

Al Pacino as Tony Montana in Scarface
Prototype via Universal Pictures

Scarface is a modern remake of Howard Hawks' 1932 gangster film starring Pacino as Tony Montana. This 1980s classic is full of iconic quotes from Pacino such as "Say how-do-you-do to my little friend!" and "I always tell the truth. Fifty-fifty when I prevarication," that makes it an absolute must for this list.

Dissimilar Pacino's other gangster roles, Tony'due south much more volatile and outspoken compared to Michael Corleone. "The World is Yours!" He doesn't mince words or hold back, "All I have in this world is my assurance and my discussion and I don't interruption 'em for no one" and his unmoving confidence and aggressive tone brand him an unpredictable time bomb.

7 'White Heat' (1949)

James Cagney standing on top of a burning tank in White Heat - 1949
Images via Warner Bros.

Subsequently a dispute over the terms of his contract, Jame Cagney left Warner Bros. but returned to the studio several years later after falling into financial hardships. He made his return starring as the ruthless criminal, Cody Jarrett in one of the greatest gangster movies of all time, White Heat .

The movie'south well-nigh famous line, "Made information technology, Ma! Elevation of the World" is a notable film quote that has continued to influence artists and filmmakers through the years. Movies like Juice and Ricochet starring Denzel Washington every bit well as the crime drama, Breaking Bad all pay homage to White Heat earning it a necessary spot on this listing.

8 'The Godfather: Part II' (1974)

Young Vito Corleone on the street looking intently at something off-camera in The Godfather, Part II (1974) (1)
Epitome via Paramount Pictures

The story of the Corleone family continues in The Godfather: Part 2 and shows the contrast between father and son as Michael (Pacino) takes over the family business and audiences acquire of Vito's past and journey to power in the United States. "Your father did business with Hyman Roth, he respected Hyman Roth, but he never trusted Hyman Roth."

The sequel surpasses the first motion-picture show for some and is noted for its compelling dialogue and signature scenes, ranking information technology as one of the best movies in history. Unforgettable lines similar "Keep your friends close but enemies closer," and epic 1-liners from memorable scenes, "I know it was you, Fredo, you broke my eye!", solidify the movie's status.

9 'Goodfellas' (1990)

Joe Pesci, Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta and Paul Sorvino standing and laughing around a table in Goodfellas
Images via Warner Bros.

Ray Liotta stars in his breakout role as mafioso, Henry Hill in the modern gangster movie, Goodfellas. "Equally far back equally I tin can think, I always wanted to be a gangster." The love 90s movie is riddled with popular 1-liners and famous phrases that entitle it to a place on this list.

Several of the movie's notorious one-liners come from Pesci's character, Tommy DeVito earning him the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. "Sure, mom. I settle down with a nice girl every dark, then I'chiliad costless the side by side morn." One of the moving picture'south notorious scenes featuring Tommy giving Henry a hard time was improvised by Pesci with Liotta during rehearsal. "I'chiliad funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse y'all?"

10 'The Godfather' (1972)

A man whispering Marlon Brando's ear in The Godfather
Image via Paramount Pictures

The Godfather ushered in the new age of gangster movies and is a renowned classic motion-picture show that requires little to no introduction. Marlon Brando gives an award-winning performance every bit Don Vito Corleone who is widely recognized every bit the unofficial face of the gangster genre. "A man who doesn't spend fourth dimension with his family tin can never be a real human."

The film earned several University Awards and consists of impeccable performances with some of the most memorable lines of all time that accept become a staple in cinema history. One-liners like, "I'm gonna brand him an offering he can't refuse," and "Go out the gun, take the cannoli," credit The Godfather as one of the pinnacle quotable gangster movies.

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