The Departed, Martin Scorsese’s gritty 2006 crime thriller, is a modern classic that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. With its intricate plot, morally complex characters, and electrifying performances from an all-star cast, it’s no wonder the film won four Oscars including Best Picture.
If you’re craving more movies that deliver the same adrenaline-pumping suspense and explore the shadowy underworld of organized crime, look no further. We’ve compiled a list of the 18 best films to watch next if you loved The Departed. From Hong Kong action flicks to Boston-set dramas, these gripping thrillers will keep you glued to the screen.
1. Infernal Affairs (2002)
Before there was The Departed, there was Infernal Affairs. This Hong Kong crime drama, directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak, served as the inspiration for Scorsese’s film. The plot follows a police officer who infiltrates a triad gang, and a triad member who joins the police force as a mole. As they try to uncover each other’s identities, a deadly game of cat-and-mouse ensues.
Infernal Affairs is a sleek, stylish thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end. The performances are top-notch, especially from Andy Lau and Tony Leung as the two moles. Many consider the original superior to the American remake, so it’s definitely worth checking out.
2. Goodfellas (1990)
Another Scorsese classic, Goodfellas chronicles the rise and fall of Henry Hill (played by Ray Liotta), a former member of the Lucchese crime family. The film follows Henry from his early days as a petty criminal in East New York, to his initiation into the mafia, and eventually, his downfall due to drug addiction and paranoia.
Like The Departed, Goodfellas offers an unflinching look at life in the mob. It’s a masterclass in storytelling, with Scorsese’s kinetic directing style, sharp dialogue, and memorable performances from Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci (in his Oscar-winning role as the volatile Tommy DeVito). If you want to see Scorsese at the top of his game, Goodfellas is a must-watch.
3. Heat (1995)
Directed by Michael Mann, Heat is an epic crime saga that pits Al Pacino against Robert De Niro. Pacino plays Lt. Vincent Hanna, an LAPD robbery-homicide detective on the hunt for Neil McCauley (De Niro), a seasoned professional thief planning one last big heist before retirement.
At nearly three hours long, Heat is a slow burn, but the payoff is worth it. Mann’s meticulous attention to detail, the cat-and-mouse game between Pacino and De Niro’s characters, and the pulse-pounding action sequences make for an unforgettable viewing experience. The iconic diner scene where Hanna and McCauley meet face-to-face is one of the most electrifying moments in cinema history.
4. The Town (2010)
Directed by and starring Ben Affleck, The Town follows a group of bank robbers from the Charlestown neighborhood of Boston. Doug MacRay (Affleck) is a former hockey player turned thief who falls for a bank manager (Rebecca Hall) his crew once held hostage. As he tries to leave his criminal past behind, Doug’s volatile best friend Jem (Jeremy Renner) and a determined FBI agent (Jon Hamm) complicate matters.
With its authentic Boston setting, thrilling heist sequences, and strong performances from the cast, The Town is a gripping crime drama that holds its own against classics like The Departed. Affleck proves himself a talented director, crafting a film that’s both entertaining and emotionally resonant.
5. Mystic River (2003)
Directed by Clint Eastwood and based on the novel by Dennis Lehane, Mystic River is a haunting mystery set in working-class Boston. When the daughter of ex-con Jimmy Markum (Sean Penn) is murdered, his childhood friends—Dave (Tim Robbins), who was abducted and abused as a child, and Sean (Kevin Bacon), a homicide detective—become involved in the investigation.
Mystic River is a dark, emotionally complex thriller that explores themes of trauma, grief, and vengeance. Penn and Robbins both won Oscars for their performances, and Eastwood’s understated direction allows the actors to shine. While not as action-packed as The Departed, Mystic River is a powerful, thought-provoking film that stays with you long after the credits roll.
6. The Usual Suspects (1995)
Directed by Bryan Singer and written by Christopher McQuarrie (who won an Oscar for his screenplay), The Usual Suspects tells the story of five criminals brought together for a police lineup who decide to pull a heist together. The film is narrated by Verbal Kint (Kevin Spacey), a con man and the only survivor of a massacre on a ship docked in San Pedro Bay.
The Usual Suspects is a twisty, labyrinthine thriller that keeps you guessing until its shocking final moments. Spacey’s performance as Verbal is a tour de force, and the rest of the cast—including Gabriel Byrne, Benicio del Toro, and Chazz Palminteri—is excellent as well. The film’s non-linear structure and unreliable narrator make it a puzzle box that rewards repeat viewings.
7. L.A. Confidential (1997)
Based on the novel by James Ellroy, L.A. Confidential is a stylish neo-noir set in 1950s Los Angeles. The film follows three LAPD officers—the ambitious Ed Exley (Guy Pearce), the brutish Bud White (Russell Crowe), and the celebrity-obsessed Jack Vincennes (Kevin Spacey)—as they investigate a series of murders tied to police corruption and Hollywood sleaze.
With its intricate plot, gorgeous cinematography, and outstanding performances from the cast, L.A. Confidential is a modern classic of the crime genre. Director Curtis Hanson perfectly captures the seedy underbelly of Tinseltown, and the film’s themes of power, corruption, and redemption are as relevant today as they were in the ’50s.
8. Donnie Brasco (1997)
Based on a true story, Donnie Brasco stars Johnny Depp as Joe Pistone, an FBI agent who goes undercover as jewel thief Donnie Brasco to infiltrate the New York mafia. As Donnie becomes close with aging hitman Lefty Ruggiero (Al Pacino), he finds himself torn between his loyalty to the FBI and his friendship with Lefty.
Donnie Brasco is a gripping, emotionally complex crime drama that explores the blurred lines between good and evil. Depp and Pacino are both excellent in their roles, and their scenes together crackle with tension and pathos. The film’s portrayal of the day-to-day realities of life in the mob is both fascinating and chilling.
9. Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Quentin Tarantino’s debut film, Reservoir Dogs, follows a group of thieves whose planned jewelry heist goes horribly wrong. As they regroup at a warehouse, tensions rise and suspicions mount as they try to figure out who among them is an undercover cop.
With its non-linear structure, pop culture references, and explosive violence, Reservoir Dogs announced Tarantino as a major talent right out of the gate. The film’s colorful cast of characters, played by Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Steve Buscemi, and Michael Madsen, are instantly iconic, and Tarantino’s razor-sharp dialogue crackles with wit and menace. If you love the gritty, no-holds-barred style of The Departed, Reservoir Dogs is a must-see.
10. Gone Baby Gone (2007)
Directed by Ben Affleck and based on the novel by Dennis Lehane, Gone Baby Gone stars Casey Affleck and Michelle Monaghan as Patrick Kenzie and Angie Gennaro, two Boston private investigators searching for a missing four-year-old girl. As they delve deeper into the case, they uncover a web of corruption, deceit, and moral ambiguity that tests their resolve.
Like Mystic River, Gone Baby Gone is a dark, emotionally complex thriller that grapples with weighty themes. Casey Affleck delivers a breakout performance as the conflicted Patrick, and the rest of the cast—including Amy Ryan, Ed Harris, and Morgan Freeman—is excellent as well. Affleck proves himself a talented director, crafting a film that’s both suspenseful and thought-provoking.
11. Eastern Promises (2007)
Directed by David Cronenberg, Eastern Promises stars Viggo Mortensen as Nikolai, a driver for the Russian mafia in London. When a midwife (Naomi Watts) uncovers evidence of a sex trafficking ring, she becomes entangled with Nikolai and his ruthless boss, Semyon (Armin Mueller-Stahl).
Eastern Promises is a gritty, unflinching crime thriller that explores the dark underbelly of the Russian mob. Mortensen delivers a mesmerizing performance as the enigmatic Nikolai, and his chemistry with Watts is electric. Cronenberg’s direction is taut and assured, and the film’s climactic bathhouse fight scene is one of the most brutal and visceral ever committed to film.
12. A History of Violence (2005)
Another Cronenberg film, A History of Violence stars Viggo Mortensen as Tom Stall, a mild-mannered diner owner in small-town Indiana. When Tom foils a robbery attempt, his newfound fame attracts the attention of some dangerous men from his past, forcing him to confront the secrets he’s been hiding from his family.
Based on the graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke, A History of Violence is a taut, suspenseful thriller that explores themes of identity, redemption, and the cyclical nature of violence. Mortensen is excellent as the conflicted Tom, and Maria Bello, Ed Harris, and William Hurt round out the stellar cast. Cronenberg’s direction is understated but effective, slowly ratcheting up the tension until the explosive finale.
13. Uncut Gems (2019)
Directed by Josh and Benny Safdie, Uncut Gems stars Adam Sandler as Howard Ratner, a charismatic New York City jeweler and gambling addict who’s always on the lookout for the next big score. When Howard makes a series of high-stakes bets that could finally pay off his debts, he finds himself in a precarious position with some very dangerous people.
Uncut Gems is a frenetic, anxiety-inducing thriller that puts you inside Howard’s head as he navigates the chaotic world of New York’s Diamond District. Sandler delivers a career-best performance as the manic, self-destructive Howard, and the rest of the cast—including Julia Fox, Kevin Garnett, and Idina Menzel—is excellent as well. The Safdies’ kinetic direction and Daniel Lopatin’s pulsing electronic score create a sense of unrelenting tension that builds to a shattering climax.
14. Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead (2007)
Directed by Sidney Lumet, Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead stars Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke as Andy and Hank, two brothers who plan to rob their parents’ jewelry store to solve their financial problems. When the heist goes horribly wrong, the brothers find themselves in a desperate struggle to cover up their crime and escape the consequences of their actions.
Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead is a bleak, uncompromising thriller that explores the depths of human desperation and the unraveling of a family. Hoffman and Hawke are both excellent as the doomed brothers, and Marisa Tomei, Albert Finney, and Rosemary Harris round out the stellar cast. Lumet’s direction is masterful, using a non-linear structure to slowly reveal the full extent of Andy and Hank’s predicament.
15. Killing Them Softly (2012)
Based on the novel by George V. Higgins, Killing Them Softly stars Brad Pitt as Jackie Cogan, a professional enforcer hired to track down the perpetrators of a mob-protected poker game heist. As Jackie navigates the criminal underworld of Boston, he finds himself at odds with his employers, who are more concerned with maintaining appearances than getting results.
Killing Them Softly is a stylish, darkly comic crime thriller that uses its story as a commentary on the 2008 financial crisis and the decline of American capitalism. Pitt is excellent as the world-weary Jackie, and the rest of the cast—including Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn, and James Gandolfini—is equally impressive. Director Andrew Dominik’s assured direction and Greig Fraser’s moody cinematography create a sense of creeping dread that builds to a brutal, unforgettable finale.
16. The Drop (2014)
Based on a short story by Dennis Lehane, The Drop stars Tom Hardy as Bob Saginowski, a bartender at a Brooklyn dive that serves as a drop point for local gangsters. When the bar is robbed, Bob finds himself at the center of a dangerous investigation that threatens to expose the secrets he’s been hiding.
The Drop is a slow-burn crime drama that relies more on character development and atmosphere than action or suspense. Hardy delivers a quietly powerful performance as the enigmatic Bob, and Noomi Rapace, James Gandolfini (in his final role), and Matthias Schoenaerts round out the excellent cast. Director Michaël R. Roskam’s deliberate pacing and Lehane’s nuanced screenplay create a sense of simmering tension that builds to a satisfying, if somewhat predictable, conclusion.
17. Widows (2018)
Directed by Steve McQueen and based on the British TV series of the same name, Widows follows four women who decide to complete the heist that killed their criminal husbands. Led by Veronica Rawlings (Viola Davis), the widows navigate a treacherous world of corrupt politicians, ruthless gangsters, and betrayal as they fight for their survival and a chance at a better life.
Widows is a gripping, socially conscious thriller that uses the heist genre to explore themes of race, class, and gender. Davis is a powerhouse as the steely Veronica, and the rest of the cast—including Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, and Cynthia Erivo—is equally impressive. McQueen’s direction is taut and assured, and the screenplay by McQueen and Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl) is sharp and incisive.
18. American Hustle (2013)
Directed by David O. Russell and loosely based on the ABSCAM scandal of the 1970s, American Hustle stars Christian Bale and Amy Adams as Irving Rosenfeld and Sydney Prosser, two con artists forced to work with an FBI agent (Bradley Cooper) to entrap corrupt politicians. As the stakes get higher and the lines between truth and fiction blur, Irving and Sydney find themselves in over their heads.
American Hustle is a stylish, darkly comic crime caper that revels in the excesses and absurdities of its period setting. Bale and Adams are both excellent as the conflicted con artists, and Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and Jeremy Renner round out the stellar ensemble cast. Russell’s kinetic direction and the sharp screenplay by Eric Warren Singer and Russell keep the plot twists coming, building to a satisfying, if somewhat ambiguous, conclusion.
These 18 films are just a small sample of the many great crime thrillers out there, but they all share the same gripping storytelling, morally complex characters, and pulse-pounding suspense that made The Departed such a classic. Whether you’re in the mood for a gritty Boston drama or a stylish Hong Kong action flick, there’s something on this list for every fan of the genre. So grab some popcorn, dim the lights, and get ready for a wild ride through the seedy underbelly of the criminal world.
