Al Pacino – 10 Best Movies

By Vlad Zakh · January 12, 2026

The Godfather trilogy anchors this list, but there’s a quieter register under all the operatic shouting of Scarface and Heat. Dog Day Afternoon is slow-burn desperation, Serpico is paranoia in a cop’s uniform, and Donnie Brasco has an aging mobster opposite Johnny Depp’s undercover agent. The Irishman, Carlito’s Way and Scent of a Woman round out a career that’s rarely been less than compelling.

Donnie Brasco (1997)

IMDb ★ 7.7 RT 88% Metacritic 77

An undercover FBI agent's friendship with the mobster he is investigating becomes genuinely dangerous.

Directed by Mike Newell · 2h 07m · Rated R

Nominated for 1 Oscar2 wins & 16 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Netflix, YouTube TV, Sundance Now, BBC America, Netflix Standard with Ads, Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Irishman (2019)

TMDB ★ 7.6

A truck driver and hitman recounts his decades-long involvement with organised crime and a legendary union boss.

Directed by Martin Scorsese · 3h 29m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Carlito's Way (1993)

IMDb ★ 7.9 RT 84% Metacritic 66

A paroled gangster tries to go straight while his old life keeps dragging him back in.

Directed by Brian De Palma · 2h 24m · Rated R

2 wins & 9 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Starz Apple TV channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Serpico (1973)

IMDb ★ 7.7 RT 93% Metacritic 83

An honest cop's refusal to take bribes makes him a target within his own department.

Directed by Sidney Lumet · 2h 09m · Rated R

Nominated for 2 Oscars8 wins & 13 nominations

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Scent of a Woman (1992)

TMDB ★ 7.8

A blind, embittered retired officer's wild final adventure is guided by a reluctant young student.

Directed by Martin Brest · 2h 36m · Rated R

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

IMDb ★ 8.0 RT 94% Metacritic 86

A desperate, disorganised bank robbery turns into a media-circus hostage standoff.

Directed by Sidney Lumet · 2h 04m · Rated R

Won 1 Oscar15 wins & 20 nominations

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Heat (1995)

IMDb ★ 8.3 RT 84% Metacritic 76

An elite crew of thieves and the relentless detective pursuing them are drawn towards an inevitable, tragic collision.

Directed by Michael Mann · 2h 50m · Rated R

15 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: YouTube TV · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Scarface (1983)

IMDb ★ 8.3 RT 77% Metacritic 65

A Cuban refugee's ruthless rise through Miami's cocaine trade consumes everything in his life.

Directed by Brian De Palma · 2h 50m · Rated R

8 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Godfather Part II (1974)

IMDb ★ 9.0 RT 96% Metacritic 90

A parallel rise and fall, with the son consolidating power as the father's own origin is finally shown.

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola · 3h 22m · Rated R

Won 6 Oscars17 wins & 21 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, MGM Plus, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel · Rent: JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Godfather (1972)

IMDb ★ 9.2 RT 97% Metacritic 100

A crime family's reluctant heir is pulled into the empire he swore he'd never want.

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola · 2h 55m · Rated R

Won 3 Oscars31 wins & 31 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus · Rent: JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix. He started the site because most recommendation pages felt like noise. Here, lists are sorted by who's in the film, where it's from and what mood you're in tonight.

Al Pacino – 10 Best Movies

Donnie Brasco (1997)

The Irishman (2019)

Carlito's Way (1993)

Serpico (1973)

Scent of a Woman (1992)

Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

Heat (1995)

Scarface (1983)

The Godfather Part II (1974)

The Godfather (1972)

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