Top 10 Movies Like The Irishman in 2027

1. The Godfather Part II

The Godfather Part II ranks first because it is the definitive mob epic that matches The Irishman's sprawling, decades-spanning structure and themes of betrayal and legacy. Its dual timelines, following a young Vito Corleone and Michael's moral decay, mirror the flashback framework Scorsese employs. The film's 1974 release and 11 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, cement its critical pedigree. It remains the gold standard for character-driven crime drama.

This is for viewers who want a dense, operatic tragedy rather than the reflective melancholy of The Irishman. It trades the de-aging technology and historical sweep for a tighter, more theatrical narrative. Where The Irishman lingers on the banality of aging, Part II focuses on the corrosive cost of power. It is a more emotionally brutal, less elegiac experience, but no less essential.

2. Goodfellas

Goodfellas ranks second because it is Scorsese's other masterpiece, offering the kinetic, propulsive energy that The Irishman deliberately subverts. Its rapid-fire editing, voiceover, and iconic tracking shots create a visceral immersion in mob life, from the 1950s to the 1980s. The film's 1990 release and six Oscar nominations, with Joe Pesci winning Best Supporting Actor, prove its enduring influence. It is a perfect counterpoint to the slower, more somber pacing of The Irishman.

This is for viewers who prefer the thrill of the rise over the sorrow of the fall. It trades The Irishman's historical introspection for a raw, immediate depiction of criminal excess. Where The Irishman shows Frank Sheeran's regret, Goodfellas celebrates Henry Hill's excitement before his collapse. It is a more entertaining, less philosophical watch, but offers less emotional depth on aging and mortality.

3. Casino

Casino ranks third because it is Scorsese's other epic crime saga, spanning 1970s Las Vegas with a similar grand scale and voiceover narration as The Irishman. Its 178-minute runtime and detailed depiction of the mob's corporate infiltration parallel the historical sweep of Frank Sheeran's story. The film's 1995 release and its use of real archival footage ground it in a factual, documentary-like style. It shares The Irishman's focus on institutional decay and personal destruction.

This is for viewers who appreciate the meticulous recreation of a bygone era, from the casinos to the fashion. It trades The Irishman's quiet introspection for a more explosive, operatic style, with Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in similar roles. Where The Irishman uses de-aging to show time passing, Casino uses montages and music to convey the same. It is a more colorful, violent, and less reflective film, but equally ambitious.

4. Once Upon a Time in America

Once Upon a Time in America ranks fourth because it is a sprawling, 229-minute crime epic that, like The Irishman, explores the lifelong bonds and betrayals of a group of friends. Its non-linear narrative, jumping between the 1920s, 1930s, and 1960s, mirrors the flashback structure of Scorsese's film. The 1984 release, though initially cut, has become a cult classic for its melancholic tone and themes of memory and loss.

This is for viewers who want a slower, more poetic meditation on crime and friendship than The Irishman. It trades the real-life historical anchors of Hoffa and the labor unions for a fictional, more dreamlike narrative. Where The Irishman focuses on the banality of violence, this film romanticizes its past. It is a more emotionally distant, but visually stunning, experience that rewards patient viewing.

5. Heat

Heat ranks fifth because it is a masterful crime thriller that, while more action-oriented, shares The Irishman's focus on the professional lives of criminals and the cost of their choices. Its 1995 release and famous 10-minute diner scene between Al Pacino and Robert De Niro offer a rare, intense character study. The film's realistic heist sequences and Los Angeles locations provide a gritty, authentic atmosphere. It directly influenced Scorsese, who cited it as a favorite.

This is for viewers who want a more contemporary, procedural take on crime than The Irishman's historical epic. It trades the decades-spanning narrative for a tight, 170-minute cat-and-mouse game. Where The Irishman shows a man's life in retrospect, Heat shows two men living in the present tense. It is a more exciting, less introspective film, but its emotional core of loneliness and obsession is equally powerful.

6. The Departed

The Departed ranks sixth because it is Scorsese's most commercially successful film, a taut crime thriller that earned him his first Best Director Oscar in 2006. Its Boston setting and focus on undercover agents and mob informants offer a different angle on the criminal underworld than The Irishman. The film's 151-minute runtime and star-studded cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Jack Nicholson, deliver high tension and moral ambiguity. It is a modern classic of the genre.

This is for viewers who prefer a fast-paced, twist-filled narrative over The Irishman's slow-burn historical reflection. It trades the real-life mob history for a fictional, Shakespearean tragedy of identity and betrayal. Where The Irishman is about a man who lives with his past, The Departed is about men who die because of it. It is a more visceral and less philosophical film, but its energy and craft are undeniable.

7. Donnie Brasco

Donnie Brasco ranks seventh because it is a grounded, character-driven mob drama that, like The Irishman, explores the psychological toll of living a double life. Its 1997 release and based-on-a-true-story narrative, following an FBI agent infiltrating the Bonanno crime family, mirror the real-life basis of Frank Sheeran's story. The film's 127-minute runtime and strong performances from Al Pacino and Johnny Depp highlight the loneliness and friendship at the core of the underworld.

This is for viewers who want a quieter, more personal story than The Irishman's epic scale. It trades the decades of history for a focused, 1970s-set undercover operation. Where The Irishman shows a man's life from the inside, Donnie Brasco shows the conflict between loyalty and duty. It is a less visually ambitious film, but its emotional honesty and tragic ending are equally affecting.

8. Killers of the Flower Moon

Killers of the Flower Moon ranks eighth because it is Scorsese's most recent epic, a 206-minute historical crime drama that shares The Irishman's ambition and themes of systemic corruption. Its 2023 release and focus on the Osage Nation murders in 1920s Oklahoma demonstrate Scorsese's continued interest in American complicity and violence. The film's use of real historical events and its somber, investigative tone parallel The Irishman's treatment of Hoffa's disappearance. It is a powerful, if bleak, companion piece.

This is for viewers who appreciate Scorsese's later-period style, with its long runtime and moral seriousness. It trades the mob setting for a Western-genre tragedy, but keeps the themes of power and betrayal. Where The Irishman focuses on a single man's guilt, this film indicts an entire community. It is a more politically charged and less personal film, but its cinematic craft and historical weight are comparable.

9. A Bronx Tale

A Bronx Tale ranks ninth because it is a coming-of-age mob drama that, like The Irishman, explores the allure and moral compromise of organized crime from a personal perspective. Its 1993 release, directed by and starring Robert De Niro, offers a more intimate, neighborhood-level view of the mob than The Irishman's national scope. The film's 121-minute runtime and focus on a young boy's choice between his father and a local gangster provide a clear moral framework.

This is for viewers who want a simpler, more nostalgic story than The Irishman's complex historical narrative. It trades the decades-spanning epic for a single childhood and adolescence in the 1960s. Where The Irishman shows the consequences of a life of crime in old age, A Bronx Tale shows the moment of choice before it. It is a less ambitious and less violent film, but its emotional clarity and strong performances make it a worthy watch.

10. The Untouchables

The Untouchables ranks tenth because it is a stylized, classic mob-versus-law-enforcement drama that, while more fictionalized than The Irishman, captures the Prohibition-era conflict with high drama. Its 1987 release and Brian De Palma's direction, with Sean Connery's Oscar-winning performance, make it a memorable period piece. The film's 119-minute runtime and iconic set pieces, like the Union Station shootout, offer a more action-packed take on the era.

This is for viewers who prefer a heroic, clear-cut narrative over The Irishman's moral ambiguity. It trades the historical accuracy and de-aging effects for a stylized, operatic portrayal of Eliot Ness and Al Capone. Where The Irishman shows the criminal's perspective, The Untouchables shows the lawman's. It is a more entertaining and less reflective film, but its craftsmanship and iconic moments ensure its place on this list.

How we ranked these

We measured and weighted runtime efficiency, narrative pacing, character depth, and thematic resonance against the Irishman's signature blend of crime saga and aging regret. We ranked films with comparable ensemble casts, historical sweep, and moral ambiguity, prioritizing those that sustain tension across long runtimes without losing emotional payoff. Weighting favored critical consensus, audience rewatchability, and direct stylistic or thematic parallels.

We deliberately ignored box office performance, release year recency, and pure genre classification. A film's commercial success or modern special effects do not indicate narrative quality or thematic alignment. We also excluded documentaries and direct sequels, as they fail to offer the same fictionalized historical introspection. Our focus remained on dramatic storytelling that mirrors the Irishman's meditation on loyalty, betrayal, and the cost of a life in crime.

Related questions

What makes a movie similar to The Irishman?

Key similarities include a sprawling true-crime narrative, a focus on aging and mortality, and a deliberate, contemplative pace. Films like Goodfellas or Casino share Scorsese's signature style, while others like Once Upon a Time in America emphasize nostalgia and regret. The best matches feature complex male relationships and moral decay over decades.

Are there shorter alternatives to The Irishman's runtime?

Yes, many films cover similar themes in under two and a half hours. Casino and Goodfellas are tighter, while The Departed offers a modern twist. For a more compact but equally weighty experience, consider Heat or Donnie Brasco, which balance action with character study without the three-and-a-half-hour commitment.

Which movies focus on the psychological toll of crime?

Films like The Godfather Part II and Once Upon a Time in America delve deeply into the psychological consequences of a criminal life. They explore guilt, paranoia, and the hollowing effect of power. More recent entries like The Irishman and The Departed also emphasize internal conflict over external action.

Are there films about real-life mobsters similar to The Irishman?

Yes, Goodfellas (Henry Hill), Casino (Frank Rosenthal), and Donnie Brasco (undercover agent) are based on true stories. The Irishman itself adapts Charles Brandt's book. These films blend factual events with dramatic interpretation, offering a gritty, authentic look at organized crime's inner workings.

What movies have a similar reflective tone about aging?

The Irishman's melancholic reflection on aging is echoed in films like The Godfather Part II, where Michael Corleone's isolation grows, and in Unforgiven, which examines an aging gunman. Also, The Mule (Clint Eastwood) and The Old Man and the Gun offer quieter, character-driven looks at late-life choices.

Are there any underrated films like The Irishman?

Kill the Irishman (2011) is a lesser-known but compelling true-crime drama. Also consider The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973) and The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976), which offer gritty, character-focused crime stories without the blockbuster status, yet deliver similar thematic weight.

Which movies have a similar ensemble cast dynamic?

Ocean's Eleven (2001) and The Departed feature star-studded ensembles with complex interactions. However, for dramatic weight, The Godfather and Heat provide large casts where each character's choices ripple through the narrative, much like the interplay between Frank Sheeran, Jimmy Hoffa, and Russell Bufalino.

What are the best crime epics of the 21st century?

The Irishman stands alongside The Departed, No Country for Old Men, and There Will Be Blood as modern crime epics. Each offers a sweeping, morally complex narrative with strong directorial vision. They prioritize character over spectacle, making them enduring additions to the genre.

FAQ

Is The Irishman too long?

At 209 minutes, it's a commitment, but the length serves the story's decades-spanning narrative. Many viewers find the pacing deliberate rather than slow, with each scene building character and theme. If you prefer tighter films, consider Goodfellas or Casino, but you'll lose the profound meditation on aging.

Which movie is most like The Irishman in terms of tone?

Once Upon a Time in America shares the same elegiac, nostalgic tone, focusing on regret and the passage of time. The Godfather Part II also matches its somber, reflective mood. Both films use non-linear storytelling and long runtimes to create a sense of loss and inevitability.

Are there any modern films that capture The Irishman's essence?

The Departed (2006) and The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) are Scorsese's other modern works, but for thematic similarity, consider The Mule (2018) or The Old Man and the Gun (2018), which explore aging criminals with a quieter, more introspective approach.

What should I watch after The Irishman?

If you want more Scorsese, Goodfellas and Casino are essential. For a deeper dive into mob history, watch The Godfather trilogy. For a different take on aging and crime, try Unforgiven or The Mule. Each offers a unique perspective on the themes that make The Irishman compelling.

Is The Irishman based on a true story?

Yes, it's adapted from Charles Brandt's book 'I Heard You Paint Houses,' which claims to be Frank Sheeran's confession. The film dramatizes Sheeran's involvement with the Bufalino crime family and his alleged role in Jimmy Hoffa's disappearance. While some details are disputed, the core events are rooted in real history.

Why is The Irishman considered a masterpiece?

It's praised for its deconstruction of the mob genre, its use of de-aging technology, and its profound exploration of mortality. Scorsese's direction, the performances of De Niro, Pacino, and Pesci, and the film's refusal to glorify violence elevate it beyond typical crime dramas.

Are there any films with a similar focus on friendship and betrayal?

The Godfather Part II and Casino both explore the erosion of friendship under the weight of power and paranoia. The Departed also centers on betrayal and dual identities. These films, like The Irishman, show how loyalty is tested and often destroyed by the criminal world.

What is the best mob movie of all time?

The Godfather (1972) is often cited as the greatest, but Goodfellas is a close second for its kinetic energy. The Irishman offers a more modern, reflective take. Ultimately, the best depends on whether you prefer epic tragedy or gritty realism.

Can I watch The Irishman without seeing other Scorsese films?

Absolutely. It stands alone as a self-contained story. However, familiarity with Goodfellas and Casino enriches the experience, as The Irishman serves as a thematic bookend to those films, revisiting similar characters and themes with a more somber perspective.

Sources

• https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_irishman
• https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1302006/
• https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-irishman
• https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Irishman-film-by-Scorsese
• https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/27/movies/the-irishman-review.html
• https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/nov/27/the-irishman-review-scorsese-de-niro-pacino

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