Nineteen years ago today, Denzel Washington starred in a movie that has gone on to earn many fans and be considered a classic. It continues to build upon its legacy all these years later, as American Gangster was recently ranked among the “Best Crime Movies of All Time.”
‘American Gangster’ Was Released on November 2, 2007
After previously holding a trio of premieres, American Gangster was released in the United States, Canada, Bulgaria, Estonia, and Lithuania on November 2, 2007. The film would go on to become a commercial success after bringing in more than $269 million on an estimated $100 million budget, according to IMDb.
American Gangster was directed by Ridley Scott and is loosely based on the life and crimes of Frank Lucas and the law enforcement agents who worked to take him down. It stars Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Cuba Gooding Jr., Josh Brolin, Ted Levine, Armand Assante, John Ortiz, John Hawkes, and RZA.
Who Ranked ‘American Gangster’ Among the ‘Best Crime Movies of All Time’?
On September 22, 2026, StudioBinder published its ranking of the “73 Best Crime Movies of All Time, Ranked for Filmmakers” and listed American Gangster at No. 17 on the list. It was also ranked at No. 30 on StudioBinder’s list of the “Best Gangster Movies of All Time” in August 2023. Before that, it was included in Marie Claire’s December 2019 unranked list of the “Best Crime Movies of All Time.”
There are many reasons why American Gangster deserves its place on those lists and others. One of the most obvious is Denzel Washington’s incredibly compelling performance, as his sudden outbursts of violence and anger contrast with his businesslike demeanor to create a fascinating character study. Of course, the rest of the movie’s talented cast also shines. Another major highlight is how expertly the film delivers a period piece with a story that spans continents. It is also a perfect example of what makes crime movies so captivating, since it shows a world most people will never know.
For all those reasons and more, American Gangster was celebrated at the time of its release, winning a SAG Award and an Empire Award. It was also nominated for two Oscars and three Golden Globe Awards, among many others.
Next: Robert Downey Jr.’s 2007 Crime Thriller Suddenly Becomes a Streaming Hit 19 Years Later
