Mafia and gangster movies and shows pique the interest of any viewer. The vicious brutality, the politics within the organization, and the constant tension hanging in the air are enough to send anyone into a binge for the weekend.
The Sopranos is one of the best mafia shows out there, and ran for six total seasons, giving fans a full look into the Italian-American mobster family. But what are some mafia shows like The Sopranos that you can start watching? After following Tony Soprano and his family for so many seasons, from the panic attacks to the risk he was constantly in, it’s time to find more shows like it to fill the whole since it ended.
6. Sons of Anarchy, Hulu (2008-2014)
While this is not the same as the classic mafia image that many of us picture, if you’re looking for a unique gangster group, then turn to this biker gang. Sons of Anarchy is a popular show available on Hulu that ran for seven seasons and even has its own spin-off series, Mayans M.C.
The show follows the motorcycle club, Sons of Anarchy, or the SAMCRO, that operates both illegal and legal businesses in the small town of Charming. They combine gun-running and a garage, plus involvement in illicit filming. Clay, the president of the group, is old school and likes to keep it that way, but Jax, his stepson, and the club’s VP has thoughts about changing.
Related: Movies Like Casino for Organized Crime Junkies
5. Godfather of Harlem, Hulu (2019-)
A newer series, and one of the best shows like The Sopranos is Godfather of Harlem, a 2019 crime drama. The series stars Forest Whiteaker as 1960s New York City gangster Bumpy Johnson, who has just returned from ten years in prison to find the neighborhood he once ruled in shambles.
With the streets now controlled by the Italian mob, Bumpy must take on the Genovese crime family to regain control. During the battle, he forms an alliance with Muslin minister Malcolm X. The series so far has three seasons and is currently working on the fourth.
Also Read: Best Crime Shows on Hulu
4. Gangs of London, AMC (2020-)
Gangs of London is one of the best mafia shows like The Sopranos and is a British action thriller crime show. The series started in 2020 and currently has two seasons, with a third in the works.
The show is based on a 2006 video game and serves as the fourth installment in The Getaway franchise that was created by Brendan McNamara and Katie Ellwood. The show follows the struggles between rival gangs and other criminal organizations following the assassination of the head of London’s most powerful crime family in present-day London.
Check Out: Best Crime Shows of All Time
3. Boardwalk Empire, Max (2010-2014)
One of the best mafia shows like The Sopranos is Boardwalk Empire. The period crime drama was created by Terence Winter and set in Atlantic City, New Jersey during the Prohibition era of the 1920s, starring Steve Buscemi.
The show was inspired by the 2002 non-fiction book sharing the same name which focuses on the historical criminal kingpin Enoch L. Johnson. The show follows Buscemi as Enoch Thomson, who is based on Johnson, who rises to prominence and controls the city during the prohibition era.
Read More: Best Gangster Movies of All Time and Where to Stream Them
2. Narcos, Netflix (2015-2017)
If you’re looking for mafia shows like The Sopranos, then the infamous crime show Narcos might be the perfect option. The television series focuses on narcoterrorist and drug lord Pablo Escobar, leader of the Medellin Cartel and billionaire through the production and distribution of cocaine.
The series also focuses on his interactions with drug lords, DEO agents, and other characters. The show mainly follows the DEA agents as they work to shut down their operations. Starring Pedro Pascal, Boyd Holbrook, Wagner Moura, and many more, the show went on for three seasons, with the first two seasons narrated by Boyd Holbrook and the third by Pedro Pascal.
1. Peaky Blinders, Netflix (2013-2022)
By far one of the best mafia shows like The Sopranos is the hit series Peaky Blinders. The British period crime drama is set in Birmingham and follows the exploits of the Peaky Blinders crime gang in the direct aftermath of WWI. The fictional gang is loosely based on the real urban gang that was active in the city from the 1880s to the 1910s.
It stars Cillian Murphy as the leading character playing Tommy Shelby, with an ensemble cast featuring Helen McCrory, Paul Anderson, Sophie Rundle, and many more. The show ran from 2013 to 2022 with six total seasons, the perfect show to start if you need a new mafia group.