Why are there so many movies about gangsters? It's because they are so popular. Here is a list of arguably the top ten gangster movies of all time. Is your favorite among them?

1. The Godfather

This 1972 film was based on the bestselling book by Mario Puzo - is the story of an aging patriarch of a crime family who transfers control of his family to his son.

The film is directed by Francis Ford Coppola and features Marlon Brando, Al PAcino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, and Diane Keaton. This film won three Oscars: Best Picture, Best Leading Actor (Brando) and Best Screenplay

2. The Godfather II

This 1974 classic is the sequel to The Godfather. Much of the original cast returns. Robert De Niro is cast as the young Vito Corleone. The film combines scenes from the 1920's, when Vito Corleone's career began, interspersed with scenes from the 1950's and 1960's with Michael Corleone leading the family's move to Nevada.

The film won six Oscars including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (De Niro) and Best Director (Coppola)

3. Pulp Fiction

Written and Directed by Quentin Tarantino, this 1994 film follows four intertwined stories: the lives of two mob hit men; a boxer, a gangster's wife; a couple who rob a diner. The film stars John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis, and Uma Thurman. Mr. Tarantino was recognized by the Academy and was awarded the Best Writing for a Screenplay for this film.

4. Goodfellas

This 1990 classic is directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Nicholas Pileggi. It is an adaptation of the true story of the life and times of the people involved in the 1978 Lufthansa Heist in New York. The film stars Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, and Paul Sorvino. Joe Pesci won the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in this film.

5. The Departed

This 2006 film became an instant classic. This film has an all-star cast including such notables as Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, and Alec Baldwin. An Irish Mob boss places an informant within the Massachusetts State Police, while simultaneously, the police assign an undercover cop to infiltrate the mob.

6. Scarface

Directed by Brian De Palma, written by Oliver Stone, this 1983 film stars Al Pacino as Tony Montana (Scarface). Scarface is released from Cuba, along with 125,000 others and sent to a refugee camp in Miami. The film details his rise and fall in Miami's underworld.

7. Casino

This 1995 film was directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Nicholas Pileggi. The impressive cast includes Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, and James Woods. De Niro and Pesci portray mobsters who move to Las Vegas to make their mark. Sharon Stone is sensational as De Niro's wife. She was nominated for Best Leading Actress for this role.

8. Donnie Brasco

Directed by Mike Newell, written by Joeseph Pistone and Richard Woodley, this film follows an FBI agent as he infiltrates the mob. Al Pacino and Johnny Depp star.

9. Carlito's Way

Al Pacino and Sean Penn star in this 1993 film directed by Brian De Palma and written by David Koepp, adapted from the book by Edwin Torres. It is the story of an ex-con who was recently released from prison, and pledges to stay away from his old life of drugs and violence despite the pressure surrounding him.

10. A Bronx Tale

This 1993 film is directed by and stars Robert De Niro. It was written by Chazz Palminteri. It is the story of a father who becomes concerned when a local gangster befriends his son in the Bronx in the 1960s.