Robert De Niro's Netflix Film Is Still the Greatest Mafia Movie of the Last 20 Years

I'm a huge fan of crime dramas, specifically mafia movies. As such is the case, I consider myself an expert on the subject matter, which is why I know Robert De Niro is the "King of Mafia Movies." From The Godfather Part II to Goodfellas to Casino to A Bronx Tale, the man knows how to draw you in as he helps bring some of the most legendary stories to life.

Speaking of these films, and you can add the original The Godfather and Scarface to the mix, some will argue that they don't make mob-related movies like they used to. However, others might argue that in recent years, a few stand out, including Johnny Depp's Black Mass, Bradley Cooper's American Hustle, and The Sopranos' prequel film, The Many Saints of Newark.

As good as these "newer" movies are to crime drama buffs, De Niro released a project in 2019 that surpasses them all to become the greatest mafia movie of the last 20 years.

‘The Irishman' Debuted on Netflix on November 27, 2019

First premiering in limited theaters on November 1, 2019, Martin Scorsese's The Irishman officially became available to stream on Netflix on November 27 of that same year. The film follows organized crime in America through the eyes of infamous, real-life Hitman Frank Sheeran, portrayed by De Niro. In particular, it takes a deep dive into the unsolved murder of infamous union boss Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino). Here's the official synopsis of the movie:

"Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci star in Martin Scorsese's The Irishman, an epic saga of organized crime in post-war America told through the eyes of World War II veteran Frank Sheeran, a hustler and hitman who worked alongside some of the most notorious figures of the 20th century. Spanning decades, the film chronicles one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in American history, the disappearance of legendary union boss Jimmy Hoffa, and offers a monumental journey through the hidden corridors of organized crime: its inner workings, rivalries and connections to mainstream politics."

Why ‘The Irishman' Is the Best Mafia Movie of Last 2 Decades

Anytime one claims something is the "greatest" or "best," it's usually rooted in subjective opinion. I'm a huge fan of both De Niro and Scorsese, so I'll admit I may be a bit biased. However, The Irishman really is that good.

Let's start with the fact that this is a Scorsese-directed film based on a script from Steven Zaillian. Scorsese very rarely misses the mark when it comes to projects he attaches his name to, and has a solid resume in crime dramas. The previously mentioned Casino and Goodfellas are both co-written and directed by the legend. While The Irishman may not be better than these two classics, it certainly is of the same caliber in large part due to how he meticulously shot the movie. And that would have probably been impossible to do without the skillful hand of Zallian, who clearly had a great script, with timely ebbs and flows, which makes for spot-on pacing.

Then there's the casting of it all. The Irishman not only reunites De Niro with Scorsese, but it also reunites them both with the incomparable Joe Pesci. Whenever Pesci is in a Scorsese film, you know his character is going to be explosive and provide must-watch moments, and The Irishman is no exception. There's a reason he received an Oscar nomination for his role as crime boss, Russell Bufalino.

And you can't forget about Al Pacino. There are those who will argue that Pacino is the "King of Mafia Movies," and I wouldn't put up much of a protest to the argument. He is the face of all three Godfather movies, he is Scarface, and Carlito's Way was phenomenal. In The Irishman, Pacino makes sure to standout as Jimmy Hoffa, and it was nice to see him and De Niro bounce off each other onscreen.

Backing up to the Academy Awards, The Irishman sadly lost all nine of its nominations at the ceremony, but at least it was nominated, a testament to the movie really being that good. Further proof is its "Certified Fresh" Rotten Tomatoes score of 95%.

Again, The Irishman is available to stream on Netflix with a subscription.

Related: 5 Years Later and Netflix Still Has the Greatest Western Movie of the Last Decade

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 19, 2026 at 4:17 AM.