Al Pacino is one of the most renowned and celebrated actors of all time. His unique brand of acting has captivated audiences for decades, with memorable performances in some of the best films ever made. With a career spanning over 50 years, he has been the face of some of our most beloved movies. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at 20 of Al Pacino’s best movies and discover why they have endured throughout time. From classic mafia flicks to tense crime thrillers and inspiring biopics, these are some of his greatest works that will always be remembered as cinematic masterpieces.
The Godfather
The Godfather is not only one of the most popular Al Pacino movies of all time, but also one of the most popular movies period. The 1972 film tells the story of the Corleone crime family, and Pacino stars as Michael Corleone, the youngest son of Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando).
While the movie is often lauded for its performances, writing, and direction, what really makes The Godfather stand out is its themes. The film explores topics like power, loyalty, betrayal, and family – all of which resonate with audiences even today. It’s no wonder that The Godfather is considered one of the greatest films ever made.
Goodfellas
The 1990 American crime film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Nicholas Pileggi, based on Pileggi’s 1985 non-fiction book Wiseguy. The film stars Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino, and Frank Vincent.
Goodfellas follows the rise of Henry Hill (Liotta) within the mob organization from 1955 to 1980. Initially a petty thief who gravitates towards organized crime after meeting Jimmy Conway (De Niro) and Tommy DeVito (Pesci), Hill soon becomes a made man under the tutelage of Paul Cicero (Sorvino). He enjoys a life of wealth and power until an FBI investigation led by federal agent Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner) brings down the entire operation.
While critics were divided on its release, Goodfellas has come to be regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. It was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, winning one for Pesci’s performance as psychopathic mobster Tommy DeVito. The film ranks #6 on Empire magazine’s 2008 list of the 500 greatest movies of all time. In 2010, it was named the greatest American gangster film by the American Film Institute.
Scarface
Scarface is a 1983 American crime drama film directed by Brian De Palma and written by Oliver Stone, a remake of the 1932 film of the same name. The film tells the story of Cuban refugee Tony Montana (Al Pacino) who arrives in Miami in 1980 with nothing and rises to become a powerful drug lord.
The film has received mixed reviews from critics. Some have praised its uncompromising portrayal of the violent nature of organized crime, while others have criticized its graphic violence and glorification of drug dealers. Nevertheless, it has been considered one of the greatest films ever made.
In 2008, the American Film Institute ranked Scarface as the 67th greatest film ever made on their 10th anniversary list. In 2012, they ranked it as the 18th most thrilling film ever made.
Casino
Casino is a 1995 American epic crime drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone. The film is based on the nonfiction book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas by Nicholas Pileggi, who also co-wrote the screenplay for the film with Scorsese.
The two previously collaborated on Goodfellas. In Casino, De Niro stars as Sam “Ace” Rothstein, a Jewish American top gambling handicapper who is called by the Italian Mob to oversee the daily operations at the Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas. His character is based on Frank Rosenthal, who ran the Stardust, Fremont, and Hacienda casinos in Las Vegas for the Chicago Outfit from 1974 to 1981. Pesci plays Nicholas “Nicky” Santoro, based on real-life Mob enforcer Anthony Spilotro. Nicky is sent to Vegas to make sure that money from the Tangiers is skimmed off the top and that other gangs don’t steal it before it gets there. Stone plays Ginger McKenna, Ace’s ex-hooker wife who he married after she stole his winnings from one of his players.
The movie details Ace’s operation of the casino, the difficulties he confronts in his job, Ginger’s past as a hustler and drug addict, and Nicky’s volatile temper that often gets him into trouble with both bosses and civilians. The film chronicles their
Once Upon a Time in America
When it comes to Al Pacino movies, there are quite a few that stand out above the rest. Here are the top most popular Al Pacino movies of all time, according to IMDb.
1. Once Upon a Time in America – This epic crime drama follows the lives of four young men growing up in New York City’s Little Italy neighborhood in the early 1900s. As they move through adolescence and into adulthood, their lives become intertwined with organized crime. With an all-star cast that includes Robert De Niro and James Woods, Once Upon a Time in America is considered one of Pacino’s best films.
2. Serpico – Based on a true story, Serpico follows NYPD officer Frank Serpico as he tries to expose corruption within the department. Despite being met with resistance from his fellow officers, Serpico persists and eventually helps to bring down some of the corrupt officials. The film was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Pacino.
3. Dog Day Afternoon – Another based-on-a-true-story film, Dog Day Afternoon follows bank robber Sonny Wortzik as he takes hostages in order to get enough money to pay for his lover’s sex reassignment surgery. As the hours drag on and the situation becomes more tense, Sonny must contend with both the police and the media circus that has gathered outside the bank. The film was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Actor for
Donnie Brasco
Donnie Brasco is a 1997 crime drama film directed by Mike Newell, and starring Al Pacino and Johnny Depp. The film is based on the true story of Joseph D. Pistone, an undercover FBI agent who infiltrated the Bonanno crime family in New York City during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The film was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Pacino and Best Supporting Actor for Depp. It was also nominated for Golden Globe Awards for both actors, as well asBest Picture – Drama.
Donnie Brasco tells the true story of Joseph D. Pistone (played by Johnny Depp), an undercover FBI agent who infiltrated the Bonanno crime family in New York City during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Pistone’s infiltration of the Bonanno family was one of the longest and most successful undercover operations in FBI history. During his time undercover, Pistone rose through the ranks of the criminal organization, eventually earning the trust of boss Carmine Galante (played by Al Pacino).
The operation came to an end when Pistone’s cover was blown by another FBI agent who had been investigating corruption within the NYPD. Despite this, Pistone’s work as an undercover agent helped to bring down many high-ranking members of organized crime families across America.
Carlito’s Way
Al Pacino’s career has spanned over five decades and he has appeared in some of the most popular movies of all time. Here are our picks for his top 10 most popular films.
1. Carlito’s Way – Al Pacino stars as a former Puerto Rican gangster who is released from prison and tries to go straight, but finds himself drawn back into a life of crime.
2. The Godfather – One of the most popular and influential movies ever made, The Godfather stars Al Pacino as the young son of a mafia boss who reluctantly takes over the family business when his father is killed.
3. Scarface – Another classic gangster movie, Scarface stars Al Pacino as a Cuban refugee who comes to America and starts a drug empire in Miami.
4. Serpico – Based on a true story, Serpico stars Al Pacino as an honest cop in the NYPD who finds himself at odds with his corrupt colleagues.
5. Dog Day Afternoon – Based on a true story, Dog Day Afternoon stars Al Pacino as a man who robs a bank in order to pay for his lover’s sex-change operation, but the robbery quickly goes awry.
6. The Insider – Al Pacino stars as a tobacco company executive who decides to blow the whistle on his employer’s unethical practices.
7. Scent of a Woman – Al Pacino won an Oscar for his
The Irishman
Al Pacino’s first major film role was as a young hoodlum in The Godfather (1972). He gave an acclaimed performance as a rookie cop in Serpico (1973) and won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of a blind, ex-convict in Scent of a Woman (1992). Other notable films include Dog Day Afternoon (1975), …And Justice for All (1979), Scarface (1983), Carlito’s Way (1993), Donnie Brasco (1997), and The Irishman (2019).
The Irishman is one of Al Pacino’s most recent movies, having been released in 2019. The movie tells the story of Frank Sheeran, a hitman who worked for the Bufalino crime family. Frank becomes involved with Teamsters leader Jimmy Hoffa, and their relationship eventually leads to Hoffa’s disappearance. The Irishman was directed by Martin Scorsese and also stars Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci.
Heat
Heat is one of Al Pachino’s most popular movies of all time. The movie was released in 1995 and directed by Michael Mann. It tells the story of a professional thief, Neil McCauley, and his crew as they plan a heist. They are pursued by Lt. Vincent Hanna and his team of police officers.
The movie is full of intense action scenes and features an all-star cast including Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, Jon Voight, and Diane Venora. Heat was a box office success, grossing over $187 million worldwide. It received positive reviews from critics and is considered one of the best films of the 1990s.
The Untouchables
Al Pacino is one of the most celebrated actors of our time. His body of work is vast and includes some of the most iconic films ever made. Here, we take a look at his ten most popular movies, as decided by IMDb users.
1. The Untouchables (1987)
In this classic gangster flick, Pacino plays federal agent Eliot Ness, who is tasked with taking down the notorious mobster Al Capone. The film also stars Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, and Robert De Niro.
2. Scarface (1983)
In this cult classic, Pacino plays Tony Montana, a Cuban immigrant who rose to the top of Miami’s drug trade in the 1980s. The film is widely considered one of the greatest gangster movies ever made.
3. Scent of a Woman (1992)
In this Academy Award-winning film, Pacino plays Lt. Col Frank Slade, a blinded Vietnam veteran who takes a young man (Chris O’Donnell) under his wing. Slade teaches his charge about life, love, and what it means to be a man.
4. Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
This classic crime drama tells the true story of Sonny Wortzik (Pacino), a man who attempts to rob a bank in order to pay for his lover’s sex reassignment surgery. The movie garnered critical acclaim and earned Pacino his first
Dog Day Afternoon
Al Pachino is best known for his roles in gangster and crime films. He has starred in some of the most popular movies of all time, including “The Godfather”, “Dog Day Afternoon”, and “Scarface”. Here are our top five favorite Al Pachino movies of all time:
“Dog Day Afternoon” is a 1975 film directed by Sidney Lumet. The film stars Al Pachino as Sonny Wortzik, a man who attempts to rob a bank in order to pay for his lover’s sex reassignment surgery. The robbery quickly goes wrong, and Sonny finds himself surrounded by police and hostages. The film was nominated for eight Academy Awards, winning Best Actor for Pachino’s performance.
“The Godfather” is a 1972 film directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The film stars Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone, the head of an Italian-American crime family. Al Pachino plays Michael Corleone, Vito’s youngest son and heir to the throne. “The Godfather” is widely considered one of the greatest films ever made, and it won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
“Scarface” is a 1983 film directed by Brian De Palma. The film stars Al Pachino as Tony Montana, a Cuban immigrant who arrives in Miami with nothing but his fists and dreams of making it big. Tony quickly finds himself caught up in the city’s
Serpico
In 1973, Al Pacino played the role of NYPD Detective Frank Serpico in the movie “Serpico”. The film is based on the true story of a New York City police officer who blew the whistle on rampant corruption within the NYPD.
Detective Serpico was an honest cop in a dirty department. He was constantly harassed and threatened by his fellow officers for his integrity, but he refused to back down. His determination to expose the corruption within the NYPD ultimately cost him his career and nearly his life.
Despite being met with initial skepticism and resistance, “Serpico” is now considered one of the greatest films ever made about police corruption. It is a testament to Al Pacino’s incredible acting ability that he was able to so convincingly portray a real-life hero.
Insomnia
Al Pacino’s career has spanned over five decades, and he has starred in some of the most iconic films of all time. While his body of work is vast, there are a few movies that stand out as his best. Here are the top five Al Pacino movies of all time.
1. Insomnia (1997)
Directed by Christopher Nolan, Insomnia is a psychological thriller starring Al Pacino and Robin Williams. The film follows two detectives who are investigating a murder in an Alaska town that never experiences night during the summer. The lack of sleep starts to take its toll on Detective Dormer (Pacino), and he becomes increasingly paranoid and unstable. This leads to a series of events that have devastating consequences.
2. Scarface (1983)
Scarface is one of Al Pacino’s most well-known roles. He plays Tony Montana, a Cuban refugee who comes to America in search of the American Dream. Tony quickly learns that it’s not as easy as it seems, and he turns to a life of crime to make his way up the ladder. While Scarface is often criticized for its violent content, it’s also considered one of the greatest gangster movies ever made.
3. The Godfather (1972)
The Godfather is one of the most highly acclaimed films ever made. It stars Al Pacino as Michael Corleone, the youngest son of Vito Corleone (Marl
Any Given Sunday
There are a lot of Al Pacino movies out there and it can be tough to decide which ones are the best. But, if you’re looking for the top most popular Al Pacino movies of all time, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled a list of his greatest hits, so you can sit back and enjoy some classic Pacino.
1. Any Given Sunday: This film follows the story of a fictional professional football team, the Miami Sharks. Pacino plays the team’s head coach, Tony D’Amato, who is struggling to keep his team together as they fight for a playoff spot. Any Given Sunday is an exhilarating ride from start to finish, and Pacino gives an unforgettable performance.
2. Scarface: One of Pacino’s most iconic roles was in Scarface, where he played Cuban refugee Tony Montana. After building up a powerful drug empire in Miami, Montana starts to spiral out of control and becomes consumed by greed and violence. Scarface is an intense crime drama with non-stop action, andPacinodelivers a tour-de-force performance that is not to be missed.
3. The Godfather: Another one of Pacino’s defining roles was in The Godfather as Michael Corleone, the son of Vito Corleone (played by Marlon Brando). After his father’s retirement from the mafia business, Michael steps in and quickly becomes one of the most powerful
Scent of a Woman
Al Pacino is one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, with a career spanning over five decades. He’s starred in some of the most iconic films of all time, including The Godfather, Scarface, and Dog Day Afternoon. But which of his movies are the most popular with audiences?
Here are the top ten most popular Al Pacino movies of all time, based on box office gross:
1. Scent of a Woman (1992) – $106.7 million
2. Dog Day Afternoon (1975) – $65.5 million
3. Scarface (1983) – $58 million
4. Carlito’s Way (1993) – $37.1 million
5. Serpico (1973) – $26.8 million
Two for the Money
There are few actors who command as much respect as Al Pacino. His body of work is the stuff of legend, and his performances are some of the most iconic in cinema history. So it’s no surprise that his movies are some of the most popular of all time. Here are the top five Al Pacino movies, based on box office receipts:
1. Scarface: This classic gangster film tells the story of Tony Montana, a Cuban immigrant who rises to the top of Miami’s drug trade. Pacino is electric as Montana, and the movie’s graphic violence and dark humor have made it a cult favorite.
2. Serpico: Based on the true story of NYPD officer Frank Serpico, this movie follows Serpico’s battle against police corruption. Pacino is brilliant as Serpico, and the film is a gritty portrayal of New York City in the 1970s.
3. Dog Day Afternoon: Another true story, this one follows bank robber Sonny Wortzik as he tries to hold up a bank to get money for his lover’s sex-change operation. Pacino is captivating as Wortzik, and the movie is both funny and tragic.
4. The Godfather: Perhaps Pacino’s most famous role, he plays Michael Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola’s classic mafia epic. The Godfather is one of the greatest films ever made, and Pacino gives a career-def