British gangster films offer a gritty, compelling look into the underworld of crime in the United Kingdom. With characters ranging from suave mob leaders to ruthless enforcers, these movies capture audiences with their intense drama and nuanced storytelling. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the following are the 10 best British gangster movies:

1.”Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” (1998) – Directed by Guy Ritchie, this film celebrates the audacious scheme of four friends to raise money for a high-stakes poker game that goes awry. With its wry humor and clever plot twists, the film earned critical acclaim.

2.”Snatch” (2000) – Another Guy Ritchie classic, “Snatch” intertwines the stories of two boxing promoters, a Russian gangster, incompetent amateur robbers, and a Jewish jeweler. Its fast pace and colorful dialogue made it an instant favorite.

3.”Layer Cake” (2004) – Directed by Matthew Vaughn, this slick crime thriller stars Daniel Craig as a drug dealer on the brink of retirement who gets pulled into one last deal.

4.”Sexy Beast” (2000) – Featuring a retired criminal forced back into the life for one last job by an unhinged former associate, this film is renowned for Ben Kingsley’s intense performance.

5.”RocknRolla” (2008) – Another entry from Guy Ritchie, this movie tells the story of London’s criminal underworld as they scramble for power and money when a real estate scam brings them to cross paths with a Russian mobster.

6.”The Long Good Friday” (1980) – Starring Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren, this film explores London’s gangster scene as a mob boss faces off against unknown enemies threatening his empire on Good Friday.

7.”Gangster No. 1″ (2000) – Tracking the rise and fall of a ruthless gangster’s career from the 1960s to the 1980s, “Gangster No. 1” is known for its raw portrayal of violence and ambition.

8.”The Krays” (1990) – This biographical film recounts the lives of Ronald and Reginald Kray, twin brothers who became infamous in London during the 1950s and ’60s for their criminal activities.

9.”Brighton Rock” (1948) – Adapted from Graham Greene’s novel, this classic film noir delves into a young gangster’s attempt to marry a potential witness to prevent her from testifying about a murder he committed.

10.”Get Carter” (1971) – Michael Caine stars in this iconic British crime film about a gangster who returns home to investigate his brother’s mysterious death, uncovering corruption and dark family secrets along the way.

These films are praised not just for their storytelling but also for their contribution to the genre’s aesthetic and stylistic conventions that have influenced countless filmmakers internationally.