Every Martin Scorsese Gangster Movie: Ranked From Worst To Best

5. Gangs Of New York (2002)

This breathtaking epic of 19th century New York and the gangs that controlled it is anything but subtle. At times hammy, and with sets that wouldn’t look out of place at a Broadway musical, Gangs of New York still manages to be quintessential Scorsese.

A feeling of impending violence lurking around every corner, psychotic gang leaders (none more memorable than Daniel Day-Lewis as Bill the butcher), and the blurring of lines between good guys and bad guys; this was everything we’d come to expect from the master of the genre.

Gangs of New York also marked the first of five collaborations between Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio in what has become a pairing to rival that of his and Robert De Niro’s for consistency in quality.

In a rarity for Scorsese, the pacing is a little off in the second half, making it feel slightly too long. Nonetheless this is still one of his best films, even if it's not one of his best gangster films. More of a testament to the quality of the others on this list than anything!