Let’s be honest: to talk about Martin Scorsese is like talking about pizza – everyone has an opinion, and everyone is ready to fight for it. He is a working legend who, through the medium of cinema, has profoundly altered our grasp of crime, virility, spirituality, and the American dream. Whether you are a hardcore fan or just curious about his masterpieces, one thing is certain – Scorsese’s films are endlessly watchable, endlessly debated, and packed with indelible moments. So keeping with the pop culture tradition, here is a top 10 of the greatest Martin Scorsese films, mixing up the classics, critical darlings, and a few hot takes.
10. The King of Comedy (1983)
First on the list is Scorsese’s dark comedic interpretation of obsession and celebrity. Robert De Niro changes his regular tough, gruff, and somewhat wild dog personality into Rupert Pupkin, a tall and lanky aspiring stand-up comedian who is ready to do absolutely anything just to have a one-on-one with his comedy idol, Jerry Lewis. Presently a cult classic, the film that once hit the box office hard is an amalgam of cringe humor and razor-sharp critique of celebrity culture. It will certainly appeal to those who like comedies served with an extra helping of discomfort.
9. Gangs of New York (2002)
For fans of Scorsese, most theatrical, “Gangs of New York” is an emancipator. The film is a grandiose, violent, and dramatic saga that traces the tumultuous arrival of New York City, with outstanding performances by Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Cameron Diaz. Although the production design is of top-notch quality, it is the Day-Lewischaracterill the Butcher character, who outshines it all and makes a bid for one of the most nefarious movie villains in the history of cinema. It is a loud, messy, yet unforgettable sketch of a metropolis coming to terms with itself.
8. The Aviator (2004)
Scorsese and DiCaprio collaborate once more on this lavish biopic of Howard Hughes, mad billionaire and filmmaker. Visually stunning, with DiCaprio on top of his game and Cate Blanchett Oscar-winning as Katharine Hepburn, “The Aviator” is a tribute to the golden age of Hollywood, glamorous, glittering, and madhouse.
7. The Departed (2006)
Finally awarding Scorsese the Oscar he had long been awaiting, “The Departed” is a twisty, gory crime thriller set in Boston. With Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Jack Nicholson at the helm, it’s a wild ride of moles, mobsters, and backstabs. And while some critics believe it’s not his best film, its energy, iconic dialogue, and watch-it-over-and-over-again factor put it among his pantheon.
6. Casino (1995)
If “Goodfellas” is Scorsese’s East Coast crime epic, “Casino” is its tawdry Vegas counterpart. De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone (in a performance-defining role) appear in the rise and fall of mob-operated casinos. Long, gory, and trance-like, “Casino” combines traditional narration, a brilliant soundtrack, and maximal ’90s aesthetics into an eye feast.
5. The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
The Last Temptation of Christ was one of the most controversial films, but it was also very profound. Willem Dafoe played the role of a human Jesus, who was struggling with doubt, longing, and fate. The movie led to protests and anger, but the issues raised about belief, sacrifice, and being human are still resonating. It is a strange, meditative piece from a director who is a loyal Catholic and radically changes the standard biblical recording.
4. Raging Bull (1980)
Most probably the best sports film of all time, “Raging Bull” is a biopic of the boxer, Jake LaMotta, and doesn’t shy away from telling the story with extreme violence. Robert De Niro’s Oscar-winning acting is a perfect match for the harshness of the story inside and outside the ring, showing a raw, close-to-no mistake, and somewhat immortalized portrayal of a man. In case you are a fan of Scorsese’s toughest and grimmest style, you’d better catch this movie.
3. Taxi Driver (1976)
“You talkin’ to me?” De Niro turned these two words into one of the all-time best lines in film history in one of the most enduring performances ever in a film. “Taxi Driver” is a dark, intense journey through loneliness, violence, and city decay through the eyes of Travis Bickle. Ominous, gritty, and endlessly influential, it’s Scorsese’s first masterwork and a movie that still informs the way we depict the sleazy underbelly of urban life.
2. Goodfellas (1990)
“Goodfellas” is pure Scorsese as you have never seen before. One of the best features of the film is the fast-paced editing, the unforgettable soundtrack, and the legendary dialogue, which set up a new level for films of the genre. As the greatest mob movie, its impact is very difficult to undervalue.
1. Mean Streets (1973)
Ranked as the first is the film that launched the career of Martin Scorsese and was the defining point for all his later works. “Mean Streets” is untamed, energized, and aggressive, focusing on small-time criminals of Little Italy. With the excellent performances of Harvey Keitel and De Niro throughout, the film’s gritty handheld camerawork, on-location shooting, and discordant soundtrack not only evoke the Scorsese style but also set the mood for the audience, who still get excited after all these years.
So there you go, the top Martin Scorsese movies to watch or argue in your film fest or debate. Whether you agree with this list or not, one thing is absolutely clear: no one does it like Marty.