10 Best Gangster Movies With Female Leads (2024)

Stories with male characters have mainly populated the gangster subgenre of crime films. Some iconic examples include The Godfather, Goodfellas, and The Untouchables. Directors like Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola have dominated this subgenre with their well-crafted films about male gangsters facing various challenges and setbacks. When looking past the most famous in the gangster subgenre, there are a few examples where females are in the spotlight.

Actresses like Sharon Stone and Michelle Pfeiffer have helped pave the way for more actresses to take center stage in gangster movies. Though they don't play the main character, the two actresses were crucial to films like Scarface and Casino. Whether it is an ensemble piece or a character study, these films, including Widows and Jackie Brown, have shown that women can contribute to the gangster subgenre just as much as men.

10 Miss Bala is Based On a Harrowing True Story

• IMDB Rating: 6.5
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%
• Watch on Hulu

In 2008, a Mexican beauty queen named Laura Zúñiga became involved in a drug trafficking scandal where she was arrested alongside gang members who were carrying ammunition, assault weapons, and cash. Three years later, Miss Bala, a film loosely based on real-life events, was released. Similar to the true story, the film follows beauty queen contestant Laura Guerrero, who aspires to win, but an encounter with a drug trafficker sends her life into turmoil.

Laura soon finds herself in too deep with organized crime in Mexico, where her normal appearance turns her into a decoy for a criminal gang. Miss Bala does a tremendous job putting the viewers in the shoes of its protagonist as each unfortunate turn paints Laura in a more innocent light. Stephanie Sigman sells every sense of fear and sadness that Laura goes through. Miss Bala is primarily a gangster crime movie, but it also acts as a survival thriller. While the story got a 2019 remake starring Gina Rodriguez, it doesn't reflect what the Spanish-spoken original achieved.

Miss Bala

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

*Availability in US

9 I'm Your Woman Places Focus On The Gangster's Wife

• IMDB Rating: 6.2
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 82%
• Watch on Prime Video

Rachel Brosnahan is known for her award-winning and acclaimed performance in the Prime Video series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. However, on the same streaming service, she showcased her dramatic chops in the crime drama I'm Your Woman. Brosnahan plays Jean, a woman married to a gangster. When her husband betrays his partners, Jean makes the bold move and goes on the run with her baby.

Rather than take the typical route of having the gangster and his family go on the run, I'm Your Woman has a refreshing story that flips the script. By following the criminal's wife, the film tells an unconventional gangster narrative where themes of motherhood and learning to come into power take center stage.I'm Your Woman can be a slow burn, but the tension is still felt. Both the political and social messaging help make the film avoid common tropes, allowing a character rarely in on the criminal activities to have their moment.

I'm Your Woman

R

Crime

Drama

Release Date

October 15, 2020

Cast

Marsha Stephanie Blake , Rachel Brosnahan , Arinzé Kene , Bill Heck , Frankie Faison , Marceline Hugot , James McMenamin , Jameson Charles , Justin Charles , Barrett Shaffer , Da'mauri Parks , Jarrod DiGiorgi , Mary Rawson , Anita Rodriguez , Alison Weisgall , Natasha Yannotti , Daniel Johnson

Writers

Julia Hart

Runtime

120 minutes

YouTube Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAveuCPBYSw

Producers

Bart Lipton

Character(s)

Teri , Jean , Cal , Eddie , Art , Evelyn , White Mike , Harry , Additional Harry , Paul , Jimmy , Woman at Park , Nurse , Hospital Administrator , Desk Nurse , Bartender / Photo Double (uncredited)

8 Married to The Mob Infuses Romance And Comedy Into a Gangster Plot

• IMDB Rating: 6.2
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%
• Watch on Tubi

Before defining his directing career with The Silence of the Lambs, the late Jonathan Demme helmed more lighthearted crime films. One of them was Married to the Mob. Michelle Pfeiffer stars as Angela de Marco, a woman married to gangster Frank. Angela is sick and tired of having to put up with Frank's criminal career. Her life changes when he gets killed for having an affair with mob boss Tony Russo's mistress.

Hoping for a fresh start, Angela moves to New York with her son to start a new life. However, Tony continues to pursue her, and an FBI agent named Mike wants her help to take Tony down. No one associates the gangster subgenre with romance and comedy, but Married to the Mob succeeds at doing so. Pfeiffer brings her usual A-game as Angela, who doesn't fall into the housewife trope typically seen in gangster movies. Here, Angela is well-written and full of personality as she navigates her complicated life where her husband's actions have consequences.Married to the Mob is evident that with the right direction and characterization, gangster films can have a comedic side.

Married to the Mob

R

Comedy

Crime

Romance

Director

jonathan demme

Release Date

August 19, 1988

Cast

Michelle Pfeiffer , Matthew Modine , dean stockwell , Alec Baldwin , Mercedes Ruehl , Oliver Platt , Joan Cusack , Colin Quinn , Ellen Foley , O-Lan Jones , Nancy Travis , Joe Spinell , Charles Napier , Gary Goetzman , Todd Solondz , Paul Lazar , Sister Carol East , Al Lewis , Frank Ferrara , Trey Wilson , David Johansen , Tracey Walter , Chris Isaak , Kenneth Utt , Roma Maffia , Marlene Willoughby

Writers

Barry Strugatz , Mark R. Burns

Runtime

104 Minutes

Main Genre

Comedy

7 Jessica Chastain Steals Multiple Scenes in A Most Violent Year

• IMDB Rating: 6.9
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%
• Rent on Prime Video

A Most Violent Year has two quiet yet moving performances from Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain. While Isaac portrays the protagonist and is the first-billed name in the cast, Chastain is equally important to the narrative. This crime drama from A24 is set in New York City during the winter of 1981, which was documented as one of the most violent years in the city's history, hence the title. Isaac plays immigrant and businessman Abel Morales, while Chastain plays his wife, Anna.

Throughout the film, Abel tries to expand his business and search for beneficial opportunities with Anna by his side. However, in New York City, there is constant violence and corruption around every turn. Oscar Isaac does the most heavy lifting, as the decisions Abel makes drive the story. But, Jessica Chastain gets plenty of time to shine, especially when Anna accompanies Abel to necessary meetings or must deal with agents suspicious of the family's hidden business deals. In addition, Chastain's Anna helps Abel stay grounded as he makes a name for himself in a crime-filled and violent city.

A Most Violent Year

R

Action

Crime

Documentary

Drama

Thriller

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

*Availability in US

Director

J.C. Chandor

Release Date

December 30, 2014

Cast

Oscar Isaac , Jessica Chastain , David Oyelowo , Alessandro Nivola , Albert Brooks , Elyes Gabel

Writers

J.C. Chandor

Runtime

125 minutes

6 Amy Adams & Jennifer Lawrence Are Enthralling in American Hustle

• IMDB Rating: 7.2
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%
• Rent on Prime Video

With a star-studded cast that features Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and Jeremy Renner, it's no wonder American Hustle got awards buzz when it was released in 2013. American Hustle follows married con man Irving Rosenfeld and skillful grifter Sydney Prosser, who fall for each other after bonding over their similar criminal behavior. While their scheming earns them initial success, the two are eventually caught by FBI agent Richie DiMaso.

Irving and Sydney are then forced to work in a sting operation to take down a New Jersey politician, but the duo still have a few tricks up their sleeves. With five amazing lead actors in the cast, everyone puts in a usually committed performance, especially Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence, who play Sydney and Rosalyn. The two characters' lives are connected because of Christian Bale's Irving. Rosalyn is his jealous wife, who can be prone to outbursts. Meanwhile, Sydney is the seductive partner who aspires for things to work in her favor.American Hustle is ultimately elevated by the presence of the two esteemed actresses, particularly when their characters clash with one another.

American Hustle

R

Crime

Documentary

Drama

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

*Availability in US

Director

David O. Russell

Release Date

December 3, 2013

Cast

Christian Bale , Bradley Cooper , Amy Adams , Jeremy Renner , Jennifer Lawrence , Louis C.K.

Writers

Eric Warren Singer , David O. Russell

See Also

Frank Lucas, 'American Gangster' Drug Kingpin, Dead at 88

Runtime

138 minutes

Budget

$40 million

Studio(s)

Sony

Distributor(s)

Sony

5 I Care a Lot Follows a Con Woman Doing Many Dirty Deeds

• IMDB Rating: 6.4
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79%
• Watch on Netflix

After wowing audiences with her portrayal of Amy Dunne in Gone Girl, Rosamund Pike delivered another intimidating performance in Netflix's I Care a Lot. Pike plays Marla Grayson, a legal guardian to senior citizens who is secretly a con artist. She makes a living off conducting swindles that result in her elderly clients' assets being stolen. With her latest hustle, Marla sets her sights on a wealthy woman named Jennifer Peterson.

However, after discovering that Jennifer has severe ties to gangsters, Marla finds herself in hot water as her associates and criminal career are jeopardized. People have taken issue with I Care a Lot's lack of likable characters, but that is, in fact, the film's main objective. Everyone involved is greedy and will backstab anyone they deem a threat. Throughout the film, karma creeps up on Marla as she must use any cunning skills she has left to outsmart the gangsters and come out of her latest scheme unscathed. Pike's performance as Marla helped elevate I Care a Lot's narrative and secured her a Golden Globe.

I Care A Lot

R

Drama

Comedy

Crime

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Director

J Blakeson

Release Date

February 19, 2019

Cast

Rosamund Pike , Peter Dinklage , Eiza Gonzalez , Dianne Wiest

Runtime

118 minutes

Main Genre

Drama

4 Michelle Pfeiffer's Elvira is a Key Part of Tony Montana's Journey in Scarface

• IMDB Rating: 8.3
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79%
• Watch on Netflix

Along with Married to the Mob, Michelle Pfeiffer starred in one of the best and most notorious gangster films ever created. The 1983 remake of Scarface outdid the original thanks to the combined efforts of Pfeiffer, star Al Pacino, and director Brian de Palma. Scarface centers on Tony Montana, a Cuban immigrant who gets a green card in the United States and seeks to get involved in the Miami drug trade. Tony eventually becomes the biggest drug lord in the city as he murders everyone standing in his way.

As Tony enjoys his new reign and marriage to Elvira, paranoia and wars between drug cartels and police ignite his downfall. Tony has a fascinating journey as he transitions from an immigrant to a nefarious drug lord, making Scarface an undeniable classic among gangster films. As engaging and unforgettable as Al Pacino's performance is, Michelle Pfeiffer deserves equal recognition as Tony's wife, Elvira, which was her breakout role. A mistress at first, Elvira soon becomes Tony's wife after much infatuation. As Tony spirals out of control, Elvira instantly becomes more sympathetic to audiences as she tries to escape her husband's hostility.

Scarface

R

Crime

Drama

A Cuban immigrant rises through the Miami underworld to become a powerful drug lord. His relentless pursuit of the American dream turns into an obsession with power and wealth, leading to paranoia and a violent downfall, starkly portraying the costs of extreme ambition and corruption.

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

*Availability in US

Director

Brian De Palma

Release Date

December 9, 1983

Cast

Al Pacino , Michelle Pfeiffer , Robert Loggia , Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio , F. Murray Abraham , Miriam Colon

Writers

Oliver Stone , Howard Hawks , Ben Hecht

Runtime

170 minutes

Main Genre

Crime

Budget

$25 million

Studio(s)

Universal Pictures

Distributor(s)

Universal Pictures

3 Widows is an Underappreciated Crime Film With an Astounding Cast

• IMDB Rating: 6.8
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
• Rent on Prime Video

When four men initiate an armed robbery and perish along the way, what is left for their wives? That is the question asked in the heist drama Widows. Set in Chicago, the film opens with a quartet of thieves robbing a crime boss and politician, but a shootout with police leaves them dead. Their wives become widows, and the only connection they share is that they must pay a debt left behind by their husbands.

When protagonist Veronica is threatened, she organizes a plan for a $5 million heist with fellow widows Linda and Alice and sitter Belle. Widows' premise is inventive for both the gangster and heist subgenres, and it works thanks to Steve McQueen's direction and Gillian Flynn's screenplay. But, the real highlight of Widows is the ensemble cast. With her magnificent performance as Veronica, Viola Davis continues to showcase why she is one of the best dramatic actresses working today. Meanwhile, Elizabeth Debicki, Michelle Rodriguez, and Cynthia Erivo hold their own, playing characters who are forced into doing criminal activities and must acquire skills to pull off a robbery.

Widows

R

Thriller

Drama

Crime

Widows is a crime thriller set in contemporary Chicago and based on a British TV series that follows four women who have all recently lost their husbands after a robbery they were all involved in went wrong. Learning that their husbands left the women with a $2 million debt from a local crime boss, they join together to steal a more significant amount from a nearby politician to survive.

Director

Steve McQueen

Release Date

November 16, 2018

Cast

Daniel Kaluuya , Brian Tyree Henry , Liam Neeson , Cynthia Erivo , Michelle Rodriguez , Colin Farrell , Carrie Coon , Robert Duvall , Viola Davis , Elizabeth Debicki , Andre Holland , Jacki Weaver

Writers

Gillian Flynn , Steve McQueen

Runtime

130 Minutes

Main Genre

Thriller

Budget

$42 million

Studio(s)

20th Century

Distributor(s)

20th Century

2 Sharon Stone Contributes Heavily to Casino

• IMDB Rating: 8.2
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79%
• Watch on Peacock

Casino is just one of several gangster films that prove how skillful director Martin Scorsese is at the subgenre. While the film has Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci as the main stars, Sharon Stone is also crucial to the story. Casino is set in Las Vegas during the 1970s, where gangster Sam "Ace" Rothstein is hired to head the Tangiers Casino. While Sam proves worthy of his new job, he soon discovers that no one can be at the top forever.

Sam crosses paths with enforcer Nicky Santoro and marries Ginger, a seductive chip hustler. Additionally, Sam faces conflicts involving his job, the mafia, his relationship with Ginger, and other changes happening in Las Vegas. Robert De Niro is front and center throughout Casino, but Sharon Stone's portrayal of Ginger was majorly singled out by critics and audiences when the film was released in 1995. Ginger's character arc is the most captivating to watch in Casino, as she goes from a loving mother and wife to eventually turning on Sam's operation and becoming an antagonist. Stone's knockout performance was made even better thanks to her Golden Globe win and Academy Award nomination.

Casino

R

Biography

Crime

Drama

Director

Martin Scorsese

Release Date

November 22, 1995

Cast

Robert De Niro , Sharon Stone , Joe Pesci , James Woods , Frank Vincent , Pasquale Cajano

Writers

Nicholas Pileggi , Martin Scorsese

Runtime

178 minutes

Main Genre

Crime

Budget

$52 million

Studio(s)

Universal Pictures

Distributor(s)

Universal Pictures

1 Jackie Brown is The Definitive Female Gangster Movie

• IMDB Rating: 7.5
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%
• Watch on Prime Video

Directed by Quentin Tarantino, Jackie Brown is the proper example of how to craft a gangster film with a female lead. Pam Grier was primarily known for action and blaxploitation films in the 1970s, but Jackie Brown gifted her the most iconic entry in her filmography. Grier stars as the titular character, a flight attendant forced to smuggle cash across the country for her gangster boss, Ordell. When she gets caught during one of her illegal operations, the police try to use Jackie to take down Ordell.

She is faced with two options: prison for her crimes or death for cooperating with law enforcement. Unbeknownst to the cops and gangsters, Jackie hatches a plan to take the smuggled money for herself with the help of a bondsman. Jackie is a fierce and intelligent character aided by Pam Grier's commitment, Quentin Tarantino's genius writing, and iconic attire. She refuses to quit and manipulates her way out of tough situations put together by her opposers. Her efforts at staying ahead and in power result in a satisfying ending where she walks away richer. In possibly Tarantino's most underrated movie, Jackie became one of the director's best female characters, proving that there should be more well-constructed female-led gangster films.

Jackie Brown

R

Drama

Thriller

A flight attendant with a criminal past gets nabbed by the ATF for smuggling. Under pressure to become an informant against the drug dealer she works for, she must find a way to secure her future without getting killed.

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

*Availability in US

Director

Quentin Tarantino

Release Date

December 25, 1997

Cast

Pam Grier , Samuel L. Jackson , Robert Forster

Writers

Quentin Tarantino , Elmore Leonard

Runtime

2 Hours 34 Minutes

Main Genre

Crime

Producer

Lawrence Bender

Production Company

Miramax, A Band Apart, Lawrence Bender Productions, Mighty Mighty Afrodite Productions