Martin Scorsese is a name synonymous with groundbreaking cinema. With a career spanning over five decades, he has crafted some of the most iconic films in history—movies that delve into crime, faith, redemption, and the human condition with unmatched intensity. Whether it’s the brutal streets of New York in Goodfellas or the spiritual turmoil of Silence, Scorsese’s films leave an indelible mark. But which of his masterpieces stand above the rest? Below, we rank the 10 best Martin Scorsese movies, examining what makes each one a timeless classic.
10. The Aviator (2004)
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale
A sweeping biopic of Howard Hughes, The Aviator captures the brilliance and madness of the aviation pioneer. DiCaprio delivers a powerhouse performance, embodying Hughes’s genius and crippling OCD. Martin Scorsese is meticulous, blending Golden Age Hollywood glamour with psychological decay.
Why It’s Great: The film’s visual style—mimicking early Technicolor—is a technical marvel, and Blanchett’s Oscar-winning turn as Katharine Hepburn adds depth. While not as visceral as Scorsese’s crime epics, The Aviator remains a compelling study of ambition and isolation.
9. The Departed (2006)
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson
A gripping crime thriller set in Boston’s underworld, The Departed is a masterclass in tension. DiCaprio plays an undercover cop infiltrating the mob, while Damon is a mole within the police force. Nicholson’s unhinged mob boss, Frank Costello, steals every scene.
Why It’s Great: Martin Scorsese won his long-overdue Best Director Oscar for this film, and it’s easy to see why. The razor-sharp script, breakneck pacing, and shocking twists make it one of his most entertaining films.
8. The King of Comedy (1982)
Starring: Robert De Niro, Jerry Lewis, Sandra Bernhard
A dark satire on fame and obsession, The King of Comedy was ahead of its time. De Niro plays Rupert Pupkin, a delusional aspiring comedian who kidnaps a talk-show host (Lewis) to get his big break.
Why It’s Great: In an era before social media and reality TV, Scorsese predicted the toxic nature of celebrity culture. De Niro’s performance is unsettling yet brilliant, making this one of the most underrated films of Martin Scorsese.
7. Silence (2016)
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver, Liam Neeson
A profound meditation on faith and suffering, Silence follows two Jesuit priests (Garfield and Driver) as they search for their missing mentor (Neeson) in 17th-century Japan, where Christianity is brutally suppressed.
Why It’s Great: This is Scorsese’s most spiritually challenging film—a slow, haunting epic that asks difficult questions about devotion and martyrdom. The cinematography is breathtaking, and Garfield delivers a career-best performance.
6. Taxi Driver (1976)
Starring: Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd
A defining film of 1970s cinema, Taxi Driver follows Travis Bickle (De Niro), a mentally unstable Vietnam vet who descends into violent vigilantism. The film’s gritty portrayal of urban decay and alienation remains shocking today.
Why It’s Great: De Niro’s “You talkin’ to me?” monologue is legendary, and the direction of Martin Scorsese paired with Bernard Herrmann’s haunting score creates an atmosphere of impending doom. A raw, unforgettable character study.
5. Raging Bull (1980)
Starring: Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Cathy Moriarty
Widely considered one of the greatest films ever made, Raging Bull is a brutal biopic of boxer Jake LaMotta. Shot in stark black-and-white, the film explores LaMotta’s self-destructive rage inside and outside the ring.
Why It’s Great: De Niro’s physical transformation (gaining 60 pounds for the role) is astonishing, and Scorsese’s use of slow-motion boxing sequences revolutionized sports films. A harrowing yet poetic masterpiece.
RELATED: Martin Scorsese Offered Quiet Criticism During His Cameo on ‘The Studio,’ Creators Reveal
4. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie
A wild, debaucherous ride through the excesses of 1990s stockbroker culture, The Wolf of Wall Street is both hilarious and horrifying. DiCaprio’s Jordan Belfort is a charismatic monster, and Scorsese directs the chaos with exhilarating energy.
Why It’s Great: The film’s unflinching portrayal of greed is as entertaining as it is disturbing. DiCaprio’s physical comedy (especially the Quaaludes scene) is some of his best work.
3. Goodfellas (1990)
Starring: Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci
The gold standard of mob movies, Goodfellas chronicles the rise and fall of Henry Hill (Liotta) with electrifying style. From the Copacabana tracking shot to Pesci’s terrifying “Funny how?” scene, every moment is iconic.
Why It’s Great: Martin Scorsese’s direction is flawless—fast-paced, immersive, and darkly funny. The film’s influence can be seen in everything from The Sopranos to Breaking Bad.
2. The Irishman (2019)
Starring: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci
A sprawling, melancholic epic, The Irishman revisits Scorsese’s mob roots with a reflective tone. De Niro plays Frank Sheeran, a hitman reflecting on his life of crime, including his involvement in Jimmy Hoffa’s (Pacino) disappearance.
Why It’s Great: The de-aging technology is impressive, but it’s the performances—especially Pesci’s restrained turn—that shine. At 3.5 hours, it’s a demanding watch, but also one of Scorsese’s most emotionally resonant films.
1. Casino (1995)
Starring: Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Sharon Stone
While Goodfellas often gets the spotlight, Casino is the most operatic crime saga of Martin Scorsese. De Niro plays Sam “Ace” Rothstein, a casino boss whose empire crumbles due to greed and betrayal. Stone delivers an Oscar-nominated performance as his volatile wife.
Why It’s Great: The film’s lavish visuals, intricate plotting, and explosive violence make it Scorsese’s most visually stunning mob film. The final act is a devastating collapse of power, cementing Casino as his magnum opus.
A Martin Scorsese filmography is a treasure trove of cinematic brilliance. Whether you’re drawn to the raw intensity of Taxi Driver, the dark humor of The Wolf of Wall Street, or the spiritual depth of Silence, there’s a Scorsese film for every mood.
What’s your favorite Scorsese movie? If you haven’t seen these yet, prepare for a masterclass in filmmaking.
RJ Tantoco is a writer and researcher with a passion for all things strange, geeky, and genre-bending. Whether it’s horror slashers, offbeat indie gems, or the latest multiverse mind-bender, RJ dives deep. His writing blends fandom with sharp analysis, offering fresh takes on cult favorites and cinematic oddities alike. When he’s not watching movies, he’s probably studying for his masters or deep on an RPG quest.