Viewers Are Calling This 90s Masterpiece One of the Best Gangster Classics of All Time

When the conversation turns to the greatest gangster films ever made, a few usual suspects always line up for the mugshot. You have The Godfather parts one and two, naturally. Then there is Goodfellas, the high-octane, cocaine-fueled ride through the life of Henry Hill. But recently, a legion of film fans has been flocking to social media and forums to champion a different title, insisting that Martin Scorsese’s 1995 epic Casino isn’t just a runner-up—it might actually be the superior film.

While the world anxiously awaits the upcoming Peaky Blinders feature film, audiences have been digging through the archives for gritty crime dramas to fill the void. This search has led many back to the neon-soaked streets of 1970s Las Vegas. Casino has resurfaced in online discourse, with a growing contingent of viewers labeling it a “somewhat neglected gem” that deserves to sit on the very top of the throne, even above its spiritual predecessor, Goodfellas.

The film reunites the holy trinity of the genre: director Martin Scorsese and actors Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci. The story transports us to the glitz and greed of Las Vegas, where the mob secretly runs the town. De Niro plays Sam “Ace” Rothstein, a meticulous gambling handicapper handed the keys to the Tangiers Casino by the Chicago Outfit. He is the clean face of a dirty business, tasked with keeping the money flowing while managing the volatile antics of his childhood friend and enforcer, Nicky Santoro (played with terrifying energy by Pesci).

What separates Casino from other mob flicks, according to its renewed fanbase, is the sheer scale of the operation it depicts. While Goodfellas focused on street-level wise guys hijacking trucks, Casino is about the “guys behind the guys.” It examines the intersection of corporate America, organized crime, and political corruption. Fans arguing on platforms like Reddit and IMDb point out that the film offers a more complex narrative layer, showing exactly how the mob skimmed millions right under the noses of federal regulators.

One enthusiastic viewer recently rated the film a near-perfect 9/10, stating they enjoyed it significantly more than Goodfellas because of its scope. “It’s a masterpiece of destruction and betrayal,” another review noted, praising the visual aesthetic that captures the transition of Vegas from a mob playground to a corporate Disneyland. The intricate details of the casino floor—from the eye-in-the-sky cameras to the specific ways cheaters are caught—add a procedural fascination that keeps viewers glued to the screen for the nearly three-hour runtime.

It isn’t just the men who make the movie legendary. Sharon Stone’s portrayal of Ginger McKenna, a hustler who becomes Ace’s wife, is widely considered the best performance of her career. Her descent into chaos serves as the emotional anchor of the film, providing a tragic counterweight to the cold, calculated business of skimming cash. For many new converts, her performance is the X-factor that gives Casino the edge over its competitors.

Where Are They Now: The Legends of the Fall

For those revisiting this classic, it is impossible not to wonder what the titans behind it are up to today. Robert De Niro, now in his 80s, shows absolutely no signs of slowing down. He recently starred in Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, earning critical acclaim for his portrayal of William King Hale.

More exciting for gangster movie fans is De Niro’s upcoming project, Alto Knights. In this highly anticipated film, De Niro is set to play not one, but two roles: opposing mob bosses Vito Genovese and Frank Costello. It is a return to the genre that made him an icon, and the buzz suggests it could be another major hit for the veteran actor. He is also headlining the conspiracy thriller series Zero Day for Netflix, proving his versatility extends well into the streaming era.

Martin Scorsese also remains a dominant force in cinema. Fresh off the success of Killers of the Flower Moon, the legendary director is reportedly working on a film about the life of Jesus, as well as a biopic about Frank Sinatra. Rumors have swirled that he aims to cast Leonardo DiCaprio as the famous crooner and Jennifer Lawrence as Ava Gardner, though production timelines remain fluid.

As for the Peaky Blinders connection that sparked this re-watch frenzy, Cillian Murphy is confirmed to return as Tommy Shelby in the upcoming film adaptation. Series creator Steven Knight has promised an “explosive” chapter that will conclude the saga, set during World War II. It serves as the perfect modern companion piece for fans who love the strategic, high-stakes criminal empires depicted in films like Casino.

Whether you are a die-hard fan who saw it in theaters or a newcomer streaming it for the first time, Casino stands as a testament to an era of filmmaking that relied on grand storytelling and powerhouse performances. It is a reminder of a time when Las Vegas was the Wild West, and the only thing more dangerous than the desert heat was the man counting the money.

We want to hear your take on the debate—tell us in the comments if you think Casino is actually better than Goodfellas or if that is cinematic blasphemy.