"It's all there is to it": the most acclaimed gangster film starring Robert De Niro on Netflix

The most influential masterpiece of gangster cinema, with permission from The Godfather , featured Robert De Niro in one of his most memorable roles. Directed by the unmistakable Martin Scorsese, it is still available on Netflix and is being revived even more strongly after the tribute the American actor received at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where he was awarded the Honorary Palme d'Or for his lifetime achievement.

Considered by many to be the best portrayal of the dark side of the American dream, this gangster film is based on a true story collected in the book Wise Guy by Nicholas Pileggi. The story follows Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), a young man who, seduced by the power and respect that the Mafia commands in his Brooklyn neighborhood, decides to drop out of school to make his way within the organization.

At his side, imposing figures such as Jimmy Conway (De Niro) and Tommy De Vito ( Joe Pesci ) complete a legendary trio in crime cinema. In addition to its narrative accuracy and brutal cinematic rhythm, one of the film's greatest achievements lies in its ability to construct iconic scenes that have transcended generations. Some of them, such as the famous "Am I funny?" sequence, were born from improvisation, a resource that Martin Scorsese knew how to masterfully integrate into a dizzying montage , in which the music and the staging walk in unison.

That audacity earned Pesci the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor at a ceremony marked by the dominance of Dances with Wolves . The film, nominated for six Academy Awards and now one of Netflix's most acclaimed classics, not only marked an era but remains a must-see for mafia films.

The film in question is Goodfellas (1990 ) , a true gem of the seventh art that justifies the tribute received by De Niro, who demonstrates in it why he is one of the greatest legends that Hollywood has ever produced.