pop culture

The 16 Best Martin Scorsese Movies, Ranked

(Photo by Michael Caulfield/WireImage)

Published Oct 20, 2023

So you're wondering what the best Martin Scorsese movies are? Let's get in to it!

In the illustrious tapestry of American cinema, few names shine as brightly as that of Martin Scorsese. With a career spanning over half a century, Scorsese has not only left an indelible mark on the world of filmmaking, but has influenced an entire generation of filmmakers. His films, marked by their unflinching exploration of the human condition, their memorable recurring characters like Leonardo DiCaprio, and their masterful direction, have earned him a place among the greatest directors of all-time, and if you want to learn more about some great emerging female directors, click here. Today, we put an end to the debate on what is the best Martin Scorsese movie.

In this article, we embark on a cinematic journey through the annals of Martin Scorsese's prolific career. We will delve into the timeless classics, the unforgettable characters, and the groundbreaking techniques that have made Scorsese's films a cornerstone of cinematic excellence. From the gritty streets of New York City to the glitzy world of Hollywood,

Here are the 15 best Martin Scorsese movies, ranked.

16. The Last Temptation of Christ

Year: 1988
Actors: William Dafoe, Harvey Keitel, Paul Greco, Steve Shill, Verna Bloom, Barbara Hershey, Roberts Blossom

"The Last Temptation of Christ" is a 1988 film directed by Martin Scorsese and based on the novel of the same name by Nikos Kazantzakis. The film explores the life of Jesus Christ, played by Willem Dafoe, but it takes a somewhat controversial and imaginative approach to the story.

"The Last Temptation of Christ" sparked significant controversy and debate upon its release due to its unconventional portrayal of Jesus and its departure from the traditional biblical narrative. Some religious groups and individuals found the film to be sacrilegious and offensive, while others saw it as a thought-provoking exploration of faith and the human experience.

15. 'After Hours'

Year: 1985
Actors: Griffin Dunne, Rosanna Arquette, Linda Fiorentino, Teri Garr, John Heard, Tommy Chong

'After Hours' plot centers around Paul Hackett, played by Griffin Dunne, a mild-mannered word processor who lives in New York City. One evening, Paul meets a quirky and eccentric woman named Marcy, played by Rosanna Arquette, in a coffee shop. He accepts her invitation to visit her downtown, and what follows is a night of increasingly bizarre and nightmarish encounters as Paul struggles to make his way back home.

14. 'The King of Comedy'

Year: 1982
Actor: Robert De Niro, Jerry Lewis, Diahnne Abbott, Sandra Bernhard, Shelly Hack

"The King of Comedy" is a 1982 black comedy film directed by Martin Scorsese. The movie stars Robert De Niro as Rupert Pupkin, a delusional and aspiring stand-up comedian, and Jerry Lewis as Jerry Langford, a famous late-night talk show host. The film explores themes of celebrity, obsession, and the blurred line between reality and fantasy.

13. 'Hugo'

Year: 2011
Actors: Asa Butterfield, Ben Kingsley, Chloë Grace Moretz, Sacha Baron Cohen, Ray Winstone

"Hugo" is a 2011 adventure film directed by Martin Scorsese. Unlike many of Scorsese's other works, "Hugo" is a family-friendly film and a departure from his typical crime dramas. The movie is based on the 2007 novel "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" by Brian Selznick.

12. 'Casino'

Year: 1995
Actors: Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Sharon Stone, James Woods, Don Rickles, Alan King, Kevin Pollak

"Casino" is a 1995 crime drama film directed by Martin Scorsese. The movie is based on the non-fiction book "Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas" by Nicholas Pileggi and tells the story of the rise and fall of a mob-controlled casino empire in Las Vegas during the 1970s and early 1980s.

11. 'Gangs of New York'

Year: 2002
Actors: Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, Cameron Diaz, Jim Broadbent, John C. Reilly, Henry Thomas, Liam Neeson, Brendan Gleeson

'Gangs of New York' revolves around the character of Amsterdam Vallon, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, who returns to the Five Points district seeking revenge for the murder of his father at the hands of Bill "The Butcher" Cutting, portrayed by Daniel Day-Lewis. Bill is a ruthless and charismatic gang leader who controls much of the neighborhood. Amsterdam becomes entangled in the world of gang warfare, political corruption, and social upheaval.

10. 'Shutter Island'

Year: 2010
Actors: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Emily Mortimer, Patricia Clarkson

'Shutter Island' is set in 1954 and stars Leonardo DiCaprio as U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels. Teddy and his partner Chuck Aule, played by Mark Ruffalo, are sent to Shutter Island, a remote and foreboding mental institution, to investigate the disappearance of a patient named Rachel Solando. As they delve deeper into their investigation, they uncover disturbing secrets about the institution, its staff, and the patients.

9. 'The Color of Money'

Year: 1986
Actors: Paul Newman, Tom Cruise, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Helen Shaver, John Turturro, Bill Cobbs

In "The Color of Money," Paul Newman's character, Eddie Felson, is no longer a pool hustler but now operates a liquor distribution business. He encounters a young and talented pool player named Vincent Lauria, played by Tom Cruise, and decides to take him under his wing. Eddie sees potential in Vincent and hopes to make a profit by mentoring and backing him in high-stakes pool hustling.

8. 'Mean Streets'

Year: 1973
Actors: Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel, David Proval, Amy Robinson, Richard Romanus

"Mean Streets" is a 1973 crime drama film directed by Martin Scorsese. It is one of Scorsese's early works and is often considered a seminal film in the New Hollywood movement. The movie is known for its gritty depiction of life in New York City's Little Italy neighborhood and its exploration of themes related to crime, friendship, and morality.

7. 'Taxi Driver'

Year: 1976
Actors: Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd, Harvey Keitel, Peter Boyle

'Taxi Driver' stars Robert De Niro as Travis Bickle, a mentally unstable Vietnam War veteran who becomes a taxi driver in New York City. Travis is plagued by insomnia and a growing sense of alienation from society. As he navigates the city streets at night, he encounters various characters and witnesses the decay and corruption of the city. Travis becomes increasingly disturbed and begins to plan violent actions to "clean up" the city.

6. 'The Irishman'

Year: 2019
Actors: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Stephen Graham, Ray Romano, Harvey Keitel, Bobby Cannavale

"The Irishman" is a crime drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and released in 2019. The film is based on the 2004 book "I Heard You Paint Houses" by Charles Brandt, which recounts the life of Frank Sheeran, a labor union leader and alleged hitman for the Bufalino crime family. The movie features an ensemble cast of renowned actors, including Robert De Niro as Frank Sheeran, Al Pacino as Jimmy Hoffa, and Joe Pesci as Russell Bufalino.

5. 'The Wolf of Wall Street'

Year: 2013
Actors: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Kyle Chandler, Rob Reiner, Matthew McConaughey, Jon Favreau

'The Wolf of Wall Street' follows the rise and fall of Jordan Belfort, played by Leonardo DiCaprio. Belfort starts as a humble stockbroker but quickly becomes involved in fraudulent stock schemes, excessive drug use, and a lavish, debauched lifestyle. His firm, Stratton Oakmont, engages in pump-and-dump schemes, defrauding investors out of millions of dollars. The film explores Belfort's wild and hedonistic lifestyle, as well as the law enforcement efforts to bring him to justice.

4. 'Goodfellas

Year: 1990
Actors: Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino, Frank Sivero

"Goodfellas" is a 1990 American crime film directed by Martin Scorsese. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential gangster films ever made. The film is based on the non-fiction book "Wiseguy" by Nicholas Pileggi, which chronicles the life of Henry Hill, a real-life mobster involved with the Lucchese crime family.

3. 'Silence'

Year: 2016
Actors: Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver, Liam Neeson, Yosuke Kubozuka, Tadanobu Asano

"Silence" is set in the 17th century and follows the journey of two Jesuit priests, Father Sebastião Rodrigues (played by Andrew Garfield) and Father Francisco Garupe (played by Adam Driver). They travel to Japan in search of their mentor, Father Cristóvão Ferreira (played by Liam Neeson), who is rumored to have renounced his faith. In Japan, they encounter severe religious persecution as Christianity is banned, and Christians are persecuted and forced to renounce their faith or face brutal consequences.

2. 'Raging Bull'

Year: 1980
Actors: Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Cathy Moriarty, Frank Vincent

'Raging Bull' is a biographical account of Jake LaMotta's life, focusing on his career as a middleweight boxer in the 1940s and 1950s. Robert De Niro's portrayal of LaMotta earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor, and the film itself received critical acclaim for its direction, acting, and cinematography.

1. 'The Departed'

Year: 2006
Actors: Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, Vera Farmiga, Martin Sheen, Alec Baldwin

"The Departed" is a 2006 crime thriller film that's a gripping and intense exploration of the criminal underworld in Boston, where the Massachusetts State Police Department tries to take down the powerful and elusive Irish-American mob boss Frank Costello. The central premise of "The Departed" revolves around the concept of moles—both the police and the mob have moles within each other's organizations. This double-agent dynamic creates tension and suspense throughout the movie.

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