Gangs of New York

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Gangs of New York

R

2002

2h 48m

History

Drama

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Popcornmeter

72%

Tomatometer

210 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a young Irish immigrant released from prison. He returns to the Five Points seeking revenge against his father's killer, William Cutting (Daniel Day-Lewis), a powerful anti-immigrant gang leader. He knows that revenge can only be attained by infiltrating Cutting's inner circle. Amsterdam's journey becomes a fight for personal survival and to find a place for the Irish people in 1860's New York.

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Critics Consensus

Though flawed, the sprawling, messy Gangs of New York is redeemed by impressive production design and Day-Lewis's electrifying performance.

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Namrata Joshi

Outlook

One of the most provocative films from Hollywood in recent times.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 4, 2019

Full Review

Amy Taubin

Film Comment Magazine

It's a punishing piece of work, this Gangs of New York. Spectacular, brilliant, but punishing-basically, one long brawl...

Apr 10, 2018

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Barbara Ellen

The Times (UK)

The visuals are strong, while the central narrative is weak (a disastrous combination for a long movie). Worst of all, Gangs of New York achieves far too little while trying much too hard.

Jan 2, 2018

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Julian Singleton

Cinapse

Gangs of New York vivifies the past in all of its brutal, misguided glory in the hopes we might glean some better understanding of our forebears’ foibles.

Jul 12, 2025

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Danilo Castro

Next Best Picture

What makes “Gangs of New York” so frustrating is that the bones of a great film are visible.

Rated: 6/10

Oct 1, 2023

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Justin Brown

Medium Popcorn

I didn't like the fight scenes in this film. It doesn't fit together very well.

Rated: 1/5

Mar 18, 2021

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Jack F

I liked it. Usually not a fan of long movies.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/17/25

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Gabriel M

Interestingly better than the Titanic!!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/15/25

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Maksim S

One word: Messy. Gangs of New York is a film of contradictions: visually breathtaking, with meticulous period design and a roster of A-list actors, yet somehow emotionally hollow. Scorsese’s signature ambition is on full display, but the film tries so hard to be epic that it often collapses under its own weight. Daniel Day-Lewis delivers a performance lauded by many, but to me it feels calculated, overly scripted, and lacking the magnetic unpredictability that made his roles unforgettable. Stylized action sequences and occasional darkly comedic moments provide brief sparks, yet they’re too scattered to anchor the sprawling narrative. For all its craft and scale, Gangs of New York ultimately feels like a misfire — a visually impressive but unremarkable entry in Scorsese’s otherwise stellar filmography. Not one the director will be remembered for.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

11/02/25

Full Review

Casual V

Yea, just watch it. A standout amongst films I have seen. Is it the greatest film ever created? No! And it’s not meant to be. It is meant to tell a story and captivate you. It will do just that. Enter the dirty and grimy city of New York City. Get a history lesson at the same time. Overall: 10/10, would always watch again.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/20/25

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Travis R

if you don't understand this masterpiece and think it's average.. you shouldn't be allowed to rate movies or appreciate DDL.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/19/25

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Jeff N

I love this movie. This gives such a great view and unique view of civil war era New York City. The setting and story was such a breath of fresh air. Cameron Diaz wasn't the best choice for the role, but she did enough to not take anything away from DiCaprio. Nothing could dim the light from Day-Lewis in this film. His performance makes Bill the Butcher one of the greatest movie villains of all time. He rivals Christof Waltz as Hans Landa in Ingorlious Basterds with his unbelievably evil-but-also-so-charming-I-just-can't-hate-him performance. Its a bucket list movie for sure. The setting design and the costumes are just as amazing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/22/25

Full Review

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Martin Scorsese

Director

Leonardo DiCaprio

Amsterdam Vallon

Daniel Day-Lewis

Bill "The Butcher" Cutting

Cameron Diaz

Jenny Everdeane

Liam Neeson

"Priest" Vallon

Jim Broadbent

William "Boss" Tweed

Gangs of New York: Official Clip - Fiddlin' Bens

2:11

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Gangs of New York: Official Clip - Crusty Bitches & Rag Tags

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Gangs of New York: Official Clip - The Dead Rabbits

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Gangs of New York: Official Clip - Honorable Men

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Gangs of New York: Official Clip - Paddy's Lamentation

2:10

Gangs of New York: Official Clip - The Five Points

2:10

Gangs of New York: Official Clip - The Priest's Son

2:13

Gangs of New York: Official Clip - Happy Jack

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Gangs of New York: Official Clip - True American

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Gangs of New York: Official Clip - Sorry Looking Pelt

2:13

Gangs of New York: Official Clip - Battle of the Points

2:10

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Synopsis

Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a young Irish immigrant released from prison. He returns to the Five Points seeking revenge against his father's killer, William Cutting (Daniel Day-Lewis), a powerful anti-immigrant gang leader. He knows that revenge can only be attained by infiltrating Cutting's inner circle. Amsterdam's journey becomes a fight for personal survival and to find a place for the Irish people in 1860's New York.

Director: Martin Scorsese
Producer: Alberto Grimaldi, Harvey Weinstein
Screenwriter: Jay Cocks, Jay Cocks, Kenneth Lonergan, Steven Zaillian
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Miramax, Initial Entertainment Group
Rating: R (Language|Intense Strong Violence|Nudity|Sexuality)
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 20, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 2, 2017
Runtime: 2h 48m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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