When an American thinks of gangster movies, they often bring to mind classics such as The Godfather trilogy or Goodfellas. Hollywood has long featured the suave and dangerous men of organized crime, and while their focus is usually the Italian mob or the Russian mafia, any type of criminal hierarchy will do. This has created a wonderful setup of romanticized criminal underworlds, making us sympathize and hate them all at once. However, this is not a uniquely American phenomenon, and “across the pond” in the UK, they have their own excellent take on the gangster movie genre, with characters and stories that rival their American counterparts.
Whether fans enjoy the gangster genre for the charismatic protagonists, exciting fight scenes, or the suspense as they try to pull off a con, British gangster films provide it all in spades. Everyone sees pieces of themselves, whether they are rooting for the justice system or the ladder-climbing lackey, and perhaps that is why audiences find these types of movies so appealing. Regardless, if fans are looking for something new and interesting to watch within the genre, then the British gangster genre is here to give them a different approach that is unique to their part of the world. These are some of the best of the genre.
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10 The Italian Job
Paramount Pictures
Perhaps one of the most iconic British gangster movies, 1969’s The Italian Job is one of the most quoted and mimicked movies of all time, inspiring parodies and remakes, not just in the UK but also in other countries. Featuring a young Michael Caine, playing the lead, it follows a recently released prisoner as he plots and carries out a heist with his crew. It is one of the best comedic capers of all time and has earned its place at the top of this list.
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9 Snatch
Sony Pictures Releasing
Another semi-comedy focused on crime, Snatch is set in London and features two plots that intertwine most interestingly: one with a boxing promoter who is dealing with a ruthless gangster, and the other focusing on the search for a diamond that has been stolen. This rollercoaster of zany characters (including a great Brad Pitt performance) and quick pacing makes for the perfect dark comedy, and fans all over have praised it for its entertaining sequences and snappy dialogue.
8 The Gentlemen
STXfilms
One of the newer movies on this list, The Gentlemen is another action-comedy created by the king of British gangster movies, Guy Ritchie. Featuring an American kingpin of the marijuana trade in England, the story follows his journey as he looks to sell his business, setting off a chain of hilarious and bloody events of blackmail and hair-brained schemes. Since its release, it has become fairly well received, and as of March 2022, Netflix is rumored to be in negotiations to begin work on a spin-off series with Guy Ritchie.
7 Get Carter
MGM-British Studios
Michael Caine returns to the screen again in Get Carter, this time as the dark anti-hero, Jack Carter. Intent on solving and getting revenge for his brother’s untimely death, he goes on a killing spree, avenging his family in ways that get darker and more heinous as he goes. While viewers were initially shocked at the violence and cold, unremorseful presence of Carter, it became a ’70s cult classic of sorts — celebrated for its excellent storytelling and more intense themes.
6 Lock, Stock, And Two Smoking Barrels
Gramercy Pictures / Columbia TriStar
Most people know better than to enter into a game against a crime boss, while others learn the hard way. Another Guy Ritchie film, the exciting dark comedy Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels follows a group of friends as they try to pay back a gambling debt by robbing their small-time gangster neighbors, setting off a chain of deadly and hilarious events. The level of violence reminds audiences of Quentin Tarantino movies, but the cocky punch-ups of the gangsters helps balance the movie in a way that is enjoyable and unique, and distinctly British.
5 Layer Cake
Columbia Pictures
Having a protagonist who is unnamed throughout the film and only identified as “XXXX” in the credits seems like a risky choice in storytelling, but Layer Cake (starring Daniel Craig) pulls it off splendidly. The story follows a cocaine dealer who, after a successful career, is looking forward to his retirement. However, his boss has other plans and sets him out to complete some tasks before he is allowed to leave. What follows is a series of betrayals, great one-liners, and calculating mobsters around every corner.
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4 Sexy Beast
Fox Searchlight Pictures
Sexy Beast is a dark drama with an incredible Ben Kingsley performance that evaluates the physical and psychological effects of being a retired crook. Dragged into a job by an ex-mentor with anger issues, “Gal” must complete a heist in London before he can return to his quiet, peaceful life on the sunny beaches of Spain. With twists and turns aplenty, the movie displays a comedic approach to the darker side of crime, all while bringing an enjoyable mix of humorous dialogue and epic adventure.
3 Brighton Rock
Pathe Films
Most remakes can never live up to the reputation of their original creation, and no movie shows this more poignantly than Brighton Rock, a noir gangster movie from 1948. This monochrome film, also known as Young Scarface, tells the story of a teenage gang leader named Pinkie Brown who ends up committing horrific acts of violence throughout the seaside town. Banned in various areas at the time for its violent scenes, it has since become a noir classic of the genre.
2 Legend
StudioCanal
Twins provide double the thrills, as seen in the biographical gangster film from 2015, Legend. The film is based on the true story of the identical Kray twins (played by Tom Hardy), Reggie and Ronnie Kray, who terrorized London in the 1960s — one a former boxer and the other a paranoid schizophrenic. They rise through the ranks of London’s criminal underbelly, a fierce and unstoppable duo who also run a nightclub. Through a series of misfortune and arrests, they soon find themselves consumed by the lifestyle of crime and murder, with no way out.
1 Blue Story
At first, Blue Story seems a little out of place on a list like this, where the genre has romanticized the world of organized crime, even as it condemns it. However, this movie, based on real, raw events and combined with powerful songs, reveals the real-life struggles of modern-day gangsters in London, and importantly diversifies the genre. The story is told by Rapman, who hopes that shedding light on the pointless deaths of intergang violence will bring change and save the lives of future London youth.
