If you are a true cinephile, then you know that when you see the namesMartin ScorseseandJoe Pescitogether on a movie poster, it’s time to prepare yourself for a wild and unforgettable epic. The actor-director duo have collaborated on some of the most critically acclaimed movies over the course of four decades and delivered gritty masterpieces that have placed the two among some of the all-time greats.
Scorsese, the filmmaker behind classics likeTaxi Driver,Goodfellas, andThe Departedis known for his visceral storytelling; the kind that thrusts viewers right into the worlds he presents on screen. And no actor has embodied the raw and explosive vibe of Scorsese’s cinematic works like Joe Pesci. With his swagger and charm and eyes that can go from playful to murderous in under a second, Pesci hasbrought to life some spectacular roles.
The Scorsese-Pesci partnership was thriving in the 1990s, with the two collaborating on movies that are now considered the most seminal and career-defining movies in their respective filmographies. Yes, we’re talking aboutGoodfellasandCasino, movies that pushed both talents to the absolute heights of their craft. This list ranks every Martin Scorsese and Joe Pesci movie
4’Casino' (1995)
Casinounveils the glitz, corruption, and chaos in 1970s Las Vegas through a narrative that follows a small-time mobster and calculating gambling expert named Sam “Ace” Rothstein, who is handpicked by the Italian crime syndicate to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Tangiers Casino. Ace ensures the casino’s profits line the pockets of his Mafia bosses and rises to power, but his journey is fraught with criminal alliances, corporate dealings, temptations, and a rocky marriage to Ginger McKenna. When he brings in his childhood friend Nicky Santoro to be his “house muscle,” the pair set off a chain of events filled with escalating violence and chaos that threaten to bring the entire operation down.
Scorcese’s World of Glamor and Excess
Returning to the seedy underworld he explored inGoodfellas, Martin Scorsese delivers a crime epic that only solidifies his status as the greatest narrator in the genre. The movie is packed with the director’s signature flourishes, such as a hypnotic voice-over narrative, dramatic camerawork, and a pulsing classic rock soundtrack, all of which contribute to the story’s descent into the darkness of greed and ambition. And at the center of it all is Joe Pesci, giving one of the most unhinged performances of his career as Nicky, a hot-headed enforcer whose impulses and disregard for rules puts the casino at risk. His character is balanced by the more pragmatic presence of Robert De Niro’s Ace. They bring momentum and intensity to the film and it acts as a mirror to the chaos of the casino itself.
Casinomay share several similarities withGoodfellas,but it is a distinct film with a grander scale because it’s meant to represent excess. The film was met with critical acclaim for its sweeping scope and sharp storytelling. Particular praise was given to Sharon Stone’s Ginger, a performance that earned her a Best Actress nomination at the Academy Awards.Casinogrossed a total of $116 million worldwide and holds a solid 80% on Rotten Tomatoes.
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3’The Irishman' (2019)
The Irishman
After almost 25 years, the iconic trio of Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Martin Scorsese returned to the screen for a grand cinematic swan song.The Irishman, playing out like a mournful poem, traces the lives of two old friends – a hitman and a mob boss – over the course of six decades. The film’s central figure is Frank Sheeran, a labor union officer with a storied career in organized crime as he looks back on his transformation from a humble truck driver to an integral part of the Bufalino crime family and his connection to the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa. Joe Pesci returns to the screen in a rare and authoritative turn as Russell Bufalino, a mob boss that ropes Frank deeper into the underworld.
Subtle Brilliance in Character-Driven Storytelling
At nearly 210 minutes,The Irishmanis an epic in the purest sense of the world. It is a sprawling saga that finds Scorsese abandoning the frenetic energy that defined his prior hits and adopting a more contemplative tone. He uses de-aging technology to take viewers down the memory lane and tells the entire story in a series of flashbacks to capture Frank’s gradual decline. The approach was both ambitious and polarizing, but the introspective direction allows a tale about loyalty and betrayal and service in the Italian crime syndicate to become a character study like no other. Pesci delivers a nuanced performance as the cunning yet composed kingpin meditating on the fleeting nature of power, with De Niro’s Frank and Pacino’s Hoffa making everything unforgettable.
Critics hailedThe Irishmanas a brilliant film. It was a major awards season contender and garnered ten Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director.Although released on Netflixand with limited theatrical screenings, it managed to reach a wide audience and sparked conversation about Scorsese’s other mob epics. The movie’s box office gross of $8 million pales in comparison to other epics, butThe Irishmanis a crowning achievement in Scorsese’s career with an impressive 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
2’Raging Bull' (1980)
Raging Bull
Despite being a biographical sports drama,Raging Bullis easily one of the best movies ever made. Set in the unglamorous world of 1940s-era boxing, it follows middleweight fighter Jake LaMotta as he claws his way to the top of the sport with an unrelenting, almost self-destructive aggression. Along the way of achieving his dream of becoming the world champion, he wreaks havoc on his personal and professional relationships. The movie is told in detail, from Jake stepping into the ring and his meteoric rise to his marriage to Vickie and his toxic relationship with his brother and manager, Joey, played by Pesci.
A Black-and-White Ballet of Brutality
WithRaging Bull, Scorsese creates an intimate but savage and harrowing portrait of a man battling his own demons while being driven by jealousy, hatred, and a need to dominate. It is a story of redemption and regret told in a way that it becomes one of the most defining moments in not just Scorsese’s legendary career, but of American cinema as a whole. The movie is anchored by Robert De Niro’s method-acting masterclass as the brilliant yet self-loathing Jake and Pesci’s loyal yet exasperated Joey. Pesci conveys a mix of affection and frustration as Joey tries, often in vain, to stop Jake from ruining his life. Meanwhile, Cathy Moriarty’s Vickie brings warmth and resilience to the chaos and brutality of boxing.
Raging Bullwas an immediate success upon its release, with critics praising the technical brilliance and the deeply affecting narrative. It won two Academy Awards, including Best Actor for De Niro, and received eight nominations, including Best Picture. Roger Ebert famously declared it the most powerful and complex movie of its time. While it wasa modest commercial successat a $23 million box office gross,Raging Bull’scultural and critical influence has only grown over the years. The movie boasts an approval rating of 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.
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1’Goodfellas' (1990)
Goodfellas
Based on the true story, Martin Scorsese’s intoxicating 1990 film,Goodfellas, is one of the most electrifying yet devastating crime epics of all time. It follows the story of Henry Hill, a young and ambitious man fascinated by the mob as he rises through the ranks alongside his partners in crime, Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito. A half-Irish, half-Sicilian child, Henry enters the mafia early on and becomes a made man in the Lucchese crime family, only to get driven by power and let violence and paranoia take hold. While the movie explores his troubled relationship with his wife Karen, its core lies in Henry’s combustible partnership with the increasingly unhinged Tommy, brought to manic life by Joe Pesci.
Unforgettable Masterpiece About Crime and Chaos
Goodfellasis Scorsese at the peak of his powers. The movie takes a deep dive into the twisted psychology of its gangster protagonists, and with its rapid pacing, it hurls the plot towardsa climax that finds Henry’s empire crumblingunder the weight of his own bad choices. It earns its status not only for the compelling narrative but also for the sheer artistry, the dynamic camerawork, the pulsing soundtrack, and phenomenal performances by the entire cast. Pesci’s role as Tommy DeVito is unpredictable and unforgettable; it is equal parts humorous and menacing. Peppered with perfectly curated turns from Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Lorraine Bracco, this drug-fueled ride serves as a tragic reminder of how the pursuit of power and wealth sends a person down a dark path.
Upon its release,Goodfellasreceived universal acclaim, with critics praising its raw energy and groundbreaking approach to storytelling. Its 96% Rotten Tomatoes score is backed by a consensus that describes it as “arguably the high point of Martin Scorsese’s career.” The film earned six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director, with Joe Pesci winning Best Supporting Actor for playing Tommy DeVito. At the box office,Goodfellasgrossed $47 million worldwide, but it’s the legendary status of the film as a collaboration between some of the industry’s greatest talents that makes it endlessly rewatchable.
