Martin Scorsese is one of the best directors of all time. His contributions to cinema are well documented and have changed the way we look at movies forever. His new film Killers of the Flower Moon looks to be another classic in Scorsese's filmography. In honor of Killers of the Flower Moon coming out, I wanted to rank my top 10 Martin Scorsese films.
10) The King of Comedy (1982)
Courtesy of 20th Century Fox
The King of Comedy is an interesting film. It dives into what a person would do to achieve the spotlight. Robert De Niro gives a great performance as the psychotic Rupert Pupkin. Pupkin dreams of performing his comedy routine on his favorite talk show, but when the host refuses, Pupkin takes extreme measures to perform his routine on the show. Brilliantly directed by Scorsese, The King of Comedy comes in at #10.
9) Gangs of New York (2002)
Courtesy of Miramax
Gangs of New York is a Scorsese film to a T. Coming in at 2 hours and 43 minutes, Gangs of New Yotk tells the story of a man seeking revenge for his father's death. This was the first collaboration between Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio. The real star of this film is Daniel Day Lewis as Billy The Butcher. Daniel Day Lewis gives an all time performance and is the reason this film is on the list. With a compelling story and great acting and directing, Gangs of New York comes in at #9.
8) The Irishman (2019)
Courtesy of Netflix
The Irishman is a mafia movie fans wet dream. The three heavy hitters of Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci make The Irishman a must watch film. Coming in at 3 hours and 29 minutes, this is Scorsese's longest film to date. The Irishman tells the story of Frank Sheeran and how he became a hit man for the Buffalino crime family. Scorsese keeps you engaged with the long runtime and tells the story of Frank Sheeran's life beautifully. With an interesting story and an all star cast, The Irishman comes in at #8.
7. Shutter Island (2010)
Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Shutter Island is not your typical Scorsese film. There is a horror element to this film that Scorsese does not typically do, but should do more often. The film takes you on a ride from beginning to end with the audience being left on the edge of their sear. Leonardo DiCaprio gives a fantastic performance as U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels. The ending of Shutter Island is one of Scorsese's best that leaves your mind blown. With all of these elements, Shutter Island is #7 on my list.
6) Raging Bull (1980)
Courtesy of United Artists
Raging Bull tells the story of legendary boxer Jake Lamotta. The film delivers a knockout punch like Lamotta did many times in his career. Robert De Niro gives one of his best performances as Jake Lamotta. Joe Pesci delivers an equally great performance as Jake's brother Joey. Scorsese made the brilliant decision of making this film black and white. The black and white adds to the overall tension of the film. A great story and great direction leads Raging Bull to #6 on my list.
5) The Departed (2006)
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
The Departed is an amazing film with an amazing story. Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Jsck Nicholson round out an all star cast that makes this film a must watch. DiCaprio gives on of his best performances of his career and should have won the Academy Award for Best Actor. The twists and turns of The Departed keep you guessing and wanting to see what will happen next. If you haven't seen this film, watch it ASAP. It is that good and that is why it is #5 on my list.
4) The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
The Wolf of Wall Street is the wildest movie Martin Scorsese has ever made. The film is 3 hours of pure chaos. Leonardo DiCaprio gives one of his best performances as wall street mogul Jordan Belfort. Jonah Hill gives an equally great performance as Donnie Azoff. Scorsese directs this film perfectly and wouldn't work with anyone else behind the camera. The best way to describe this film is by not describing it. Just watch it and enjoy the ride. That is why it is #4 on my list.
3) Casino (1995)
Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Casino is Martin Scorsese's most brutal film. The violence in this film can only be compared to Goodfellas but it's even worse. Even through its brutality, Scorsese delivers a must see story that leaves you on the edge of your seat. It helps when his two favorite actors Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci give masterful performances. It also helps when his female lead Sharon Stone gives an amazing performance. Casino is a wild and brutal ride from start to finish and is the reason it is #3 on my list.
2) Taxi Driver (1976)
Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
The film that put Martin Scorsese on the map. Taxi Driver is a look at a man suffering from PTSD and insomnia. He roams the night as a Taxi Driver and delves further into madness as the film goes on. Robert De Niro gives his best performance as Travis Bickle. You cannot take your eyes off this film. The ending to Taxi Driver is one of the best endings in cinema history. When I saw it for the first time, I was truly blown away and had no words. Watch Taxi Driver and you will know why it is #2 on my list.
1) Goodfellas (1990)
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Goodfellas is the perfect film and Martin Scorsese's best film. The story of Henry Hill was told perfectly by Scorsese and wouldn't be a great with someone else in the directors chair. This film feels like it was destined to be made Scorsese. Scorsese has said that he grew up around people like Henry Hill during his childhood in New York. Scorsese delivers us a perfect film with great performances form Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Lorraine Bracco. If you have never seen Goodfellas, what are you doing with your life? Watch it ASAP and you'll realize why it is #1 on my list.