Hulu hosts some of the best content in film and television. Whether you’re looking to kick back and indulge in a heartfelt drama or sit tight and lose yourself in a murder mystery, Hulu has you covered. Frombrilliant brand-new projects to certified classics, a subscription to Hulu comes with endless hours of entertainment. One such genre the streamer has covered is that of the gangster movie. A favorite of many,gangster movies are some of the most widely celebrated features in Hollywood history, from the likes ofGoodfellastoThe Godfather. So, with that in mind, here is a look at all the gangster movies on Hulu right now.
Want to try something else? Check out Collider’s round-up of thevery best films on Hulu. Or, if you’re looking for a longer-term commitment, why not try the list of thebest shows on Hulu?
Editor’s note: This article was updated December 2024 to include Sleeping Dogs and Mob Land.
‘Mob Land’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 48% | IMDb: 5.3/10
Co-written and directed byNicholas Maggio,Mob LandfollowsJohn Travolta’s Sheriff Bodie Davis, who, in a town hampered by addiction issues and crime, tries to maintain the peace. When a simple robbery goes awry, a New Orleans mafia becomes involved — much to the dismay of the Sheriff. Packed full of heart-racing action from the very first moments,Mob Landis a gritty crime thriller with plenty of bite. An interesting examination of small-town attitudes, there’s more to this flick than first meets the eye. -Jake Hodges
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‘Sleeping Dogs’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 43% | IMDb: 6.1/10
Sleeping Dogs
This tense crime thriller from directorAdam Cooper, in his feature-length debut, followsRussell Crowe’s Roy Freeman, an e-homicide detective with memory problems. With a man on death row and very little time available, Roy must face the past despite his memory loss in a race against time to discover the truth. Also starring the likes ofKaren Gillanand Martin Csokas,Sleeping Dogsis a powerful, gripping thriller with plenty of enticing twists and turns. For those who are missing Crowe after theirGladiator IIviewing, this should definitely be top of your watchlist. -Jake Hodges
‘Blood In, Blood Out’ (1993)
Rotten Tomatoes: 64% | IMDb: 7.9/10
Blood In Blood Out
Considered a timeless classic by many,Taylor Hackford’sBlood In, Blood Outfollows step-brothers Paco (Benjamin Bratt) and Cruz (Jesse Borrego) and their cousin, Miklo (Damian Chapa). When their life becomes fueled by crime and drugs, their destinies take a turn for the worse as their once-youthful hopes start to crumble before their very eyes. Based on the real-life experiences of poetJimmy Santiago Baca,Blood In, Blood Outfeels like an epic in every sense of the word, oozing a style and substance that makes every moment feel pivotal. Not just showcasing a trio of excellent lead performances, Hackford also carves out a fully-fleshed set of supporting roles that help to elevate this from a simple gangster flick into an immersive escape to a world now gone.
‘Capone’ (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes: 40% | IMDb: 4.7/10
Tom Hardyhas portrayed many gangsters, perhaps most famously as both of the infamous Kray Twins inLegend. In 2020, it was time for him to don the suit of one of the most notorious gangsters of all time, Al Capone. The movie follows the titularCaponeafter he served a decade-long stint in prison and now lives in exile in Florida. From the comfort of his chair and riddled with the trauma of his past, Capone simply tells his story. This movie excels thanks to one component only: Hardy. A terrific actor with magnificent range, Hardy takes time to truly encapsulate the battered, life-weary state of an old Capone, with his mumbled accent a true testament to his research, for better or for worse. Although the film has received a mixed reception, there is still plenty to enjoy, especially for those with a penchant for Capone tales, of which there are many.
‘American Sicario’ (2021)
IMDb: 4.3/10
American Sicario
This gangster flick is set in the heart of the Mexican criminal underworld, with American gangster Erik Vasquez (Philippe A. Haddad) desperate to rise to the top. However, in doing so, he breaks down his personal life and even makes enemies with the most powerful cartels in the country. Sure,American Sicarioisn’t going to win any major awards, but it is still heaps of fun, with the brilliantDanny Trejostealing the show as Pedro. Sometimes cinematically ambitious, the film pulls no punches in detailing the action-heavy world of crime in Mexico, with plenty of tension ready to keep you on the edge of your seat.
‘Crime Story’ (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes: 20% | IMDb: 4.0/10
Crime Story
Also known asThe Last Job,Crime StoryfollowsRichard Dreyfussas former mob boss Ben, who becomes the target of a vicious home robbery. With nothing to lose, Ben vows to take revenge and stops at nothing to capture and punish the criminals. However, what will he do when his reckless intent starts to put his family in the crossfire? Dreyfuss is a cinematic legend, and although this is by no means his best performance, he is still and will always be a star. For those wanting a movie perfect for sticking on in the background, this is the one for you, with every box of a basic gangster flick ticked, from one-liners to action.Crime Storyalso features the likes ofMira Sorvino,Cress Williams, andDerek Russo.
Rotten Tomatoes: 71% | IMDb: 5.2/10
Written and directed byEvan Jackson Leong, who spent 10 years trying to get the film into production,Snakeheadfollows Sister Tse (Shuya Chang), a Chinese immigrant who travels to New York via a human smuggler known only asSnakehead. Now in America, her time is less than dreamy, as criminal debts and awful misogyny puncture her attempts to reunite with her daughter, Rosie (Catherine Jiang). Not just a simple gangster flick,Snakeheadhas its finger on the pulse of diaspora, as the cultural shock of changing countries is explored to neat effect by Leong. Pensive at times, the film takes care with its plot beats, meaning that, for those who need non-stop action for gangster gratification, this might not be a feature for you.
‘Cocaine Godmother’ (2017)
IMDb: 5.6/10
Cocaine Godmother
Not to be confused with the recent Netflix series about her life,Cocaine Godmotherdetails the rise and fall of the real-life Griselda Blanco (Catherine Zeta-Jones), a Colombian woman known for being the most dangerous in the business of underground crime. From the moments that influenced her as a child to her growth into a mass murderer and drug queenpin,Cocaine Godmotherleaves no stone unturned.Guillermo Navarroputs his experience as a cinematographer to good use in this movie, showcasing the life of a fascinating woman through a carefully artistic lens. Zeta-Jones was an inspired choice to portray Griselda, with a woman of this infamy a difficult character to get right. Zeta-Jones excels by finding the flaws within the confident power, with this the sort of story that will leave you desperately seeking out her biography after the credits have rolled.
‘One Way’ (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 53% | IMDb: 4.1/10
Directed byAndrew Baird, this action-thriller followsColson Baker’s (A.K.A Machine Gun Kelly) Freddy in a game of cat-and-mouse, with dangerous villains on his case. Stuck on a bus journey and with no other place to turn, a wounded Freddy must clutch his bag of cash for dear life in the hope that he can evade capture and find safety. A simple premise is met with neat execution by all involved inOne Way, with Baker’s lead performance perfectly capturing the haste and urgency of this style of film. From a badass queenpin toKevin Baconworking wonders with suave dialogue,One Wayticks all the boxes for a popcorn flick with attitude.
