GoodFellas (1990)
Kernel Score: 92% · 14,086 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, Crime
Released: 1990-09-12
Runtime: 145 minutes
Is GoodFellas worth watching?
Must-watch. The rise and unravelling of a real mob associate, told with speed, dark humour and sudden violence. It's among the best crime films ever made, and Joe Pesci is frighteningly good.
Watch it if you
- love crime stories told from the inside
- enjoy sharp narration and a great soundtrack
- want an all-time gangster classic
Skip it if you
- can't handle violence or swearing
- dislike morally rotten heroes
Best for: Crime-classic night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch GoodFellas
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
The true story of Henry Hill, a half-Irish, half-Sicilian Brooklyn kid who is adopted by neighbourhood gangsters at an early age and climbs the ranks of a Mafia family under the guidance of Jimmy Conway.
GoodFellas parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that this R-rated mob epic is soaked in graphic violence, drugs, and crime as it chronicles a real gangster's life.
- Violence & scariness: Intense — Mass murder, gore, and brutal killings pervade a story a reviewer calls 'powered by violence.'
- Language: Strong — As an R-rated organized-crime drama, expect near-constant strong profanity.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: Strong — Drug trafficking and cocaine use are woven throughout the gangsters' rise and unraveling.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like GoodFellas
If you liked GoodFellas, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Casino (1995) — 89%: Same director and cast, set in a Las Vegas casino
- The Godfather (1972) — 96%: The gangster epic that set the template
- The Departed (2006) — 96%: Scorsese's tense modern mob thriller
- The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) — 95%: Scorsese's fast, excessive rise-and-fall story
- Donnie Brasco (1997) — 84%: Mob life from an undercover cop's view
- The Irishman (2019) — 86%: Scorsese's long, reflective mob story
Director
Cast
- Robert De Niro as James Conway
- Ray Liotta as Henry Hill
- Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVito
- Lorraine Bracco as Karen Hill
- Paul Sorvino as Paul Cicero
- Frank Sivero as Frankie Carbone
- Tony Darrow as Sonny Bunz
- Mike Starr as Frenchy
- Frank Vincent as Billy Batts
- Chuck Low as Morris Kessler
GoodFellas FAQ
Is GoodFellas worth watching?
Must-watch. The rise and unravelling of a real mob associate, told with speed, dark humour and sudden violence. It's among the best crime films ever made, and Joe Pesci is frighteningly good.
Where can I watch GoodFellas?
In the US you can rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is GoodFellas OK for kids?
GoodFellas is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that this R-rated mob epic is soaked in graphic violence, drugs, and crime as it chronicles a real gangster's life.
What movies are like GoodFellas?
If you liked GoodFellas, try Casino, The Godfather, The Departed and The Wolf of Wall Street.