The Departed is a classic crime thriller that was released in 2006 and directed by Martin Scorsese. The film was very successful and received numerous accolades, including four Academy Awards.
If you’re a fan of the movie or just looking for some good films to watch, we’ve compiled a list of 11 movies like The Departed that you need to see!
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1. American Gangster (2007)
Frank Lucas’ life was made into a biographical crime drama by Denzel Washington. A criminal from Harlem who ran the heroin trade for years, shipping the drugs in dead young soldiers’ coffins to the United States.
We follow Lucas as he climbs the criminal ladder with ruthless efficiency. Taking what he wants by force and bringing his whole family close to him so that he can employ them because he has no confidence in others. Russell Crowe’s narcotics squad, which is led by job-obsessed Russell Crowe, will not cease until it brings Lucas down on trial.
It’s a big, global film that travels from place to place. From the suffocating streets of Vietnam to the colorful Harlem ghetto to the humid forests of Cambodia, it covers a lot of ground.
It is all connected by a fantastic display from Washington, who knows that he’ll one day go head to head with Crowe.
2. Goodfellas (1990)
A group of friends grows up in the mob in New York City during the 1960s and 1970s. They all want to be made men, but only a few of them will survive the violence and betrayal that their lifestyle entails.
Ray Liotta stars as Henry Hill, a real-life former gangster who became an informant for the FBI. His story is told through a series of flashbacks as he narrates the film.
Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci co-star as Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito, two other gangsters who are involved in Hill’s rise and fall.
3. The Godfather (1972)
Francis Ford Coppola’s classic crime drama tells the story of the Corleone family, one of the most powerful mafia families in America.
The Godfather follows the story of Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando), the head of the family, as he passes his power down to his son Michael (Al Pacino).
Michael then takes over as head of the family after his father is assassinated. He then sets out to take revenge on those who killed him.
The Godfather is widely considered to be one of the greatest movies ever made. It’s a must-see for any fan of crime movies.
4. Casino (1995)
Martin Scorsese’s Casino is another classic crime drama that tells the story of the rise and fall of a casino owner in Las Vegas.
Robert De Niro stars as Sam “Ace” Rothstein, a former jeweler who is chosen by the mafia to run the Tangiers Casino.
Things go well for Ace until his old friend Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci) comes to town and starts causing trouble.
Ace’s life starts to unravel as the casino is slowly taken over by the mob.
5. The Untouchables (1987)
Brian De Palma’s The Untouchables is a crime drama based on the true story of Eliot Ness, a federal agent who was tasked with taking down Al Capone.
Ness assembles a team of agents, including Jimmy Malone (Sean Connery), to help him take down Capone.
The Untouchables is a classic gangster film that features some great action sequences and memorable performances.
6. Heat (1995)
Michael Mann’s Heat is a crime thriller that follows two men on opposite sides of the law.
Robert De Niro stars as Neil McCauley, a professional thief who is being pursued by Detective Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino).
The two men are obsessed with their respective jobs and they will stop at nothing to achieve their goals.
Heat is a great film that features some of the best work from both De Niro and Pacino.
7. The Dark Knight (2008)
Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight is a superhero movie that also happens to be a great crime drama.
Christian Bale stars as Bruce Wayne/Batman, who must team up with Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman) to stop the Joker (Heath Ledger) from terrorizing Gotham City.
The Dark Knight is an action-packed movie that features some great performances and awesome special effects.
The Departed is a great movie, but if you’re looking for something similar, then you should check out some of these other movies. You won’t be disappointed.
8. Scarface (1983)
Brian De Palma’s Scarface is a crime drama that tells the story of Tony Montana (Al Pacino), a Cuban immigrant who comes to America and starts working for a drug lord.
Montana eventually takes over the drug empire and becomes one of the most powerful men in Miami.
Scarface is a classic gangster film that features some great action sequences and a memorable performance from Pacino.
9. Pulp Fiction (1994)
Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction is a crime thriller that follows the lives of several criminals in Los Angeles.
The film features an ensemble cast that includes John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, and Bruce Willis.
Pulp Fiction is a great film that features some very memorable scenes and performances.
10. The Usual Suspects (1995)
The Usual Suspects is a crime drama that follows the lives of a group of criminals who are brought together by a mysterious figure known as Keyser Soze.
The film features an ensemble cast that includes Kevin Spacey, Benicio del Toro, and Chazz Palminteri.
The Usual Suspects is a great film that features a twist ending that will leave you guessing.
11. The Irishman (2019)
The Irishman is a crime drama that follows the life of Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro), a hitman who works for the mob.
The film spans several decades and chronicles Sheeran’s involvement in some of the most famous crimes in American history.
The Irishman is a great film that features some amazing performances and a story that will keep you hooked.
These are just some of the great movies like The Departed that you should check out. If you’re a fan of crime dramas, then you won’t be disappointed.
What other movies would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments!
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