Best Gangster Series: Top Ranked Shows to Watch in 2026

Few TV genres pull viewers into a world of power, loyalty, and violence quite like the gangster series. Peaky Blinders, set in post-WWI Birmingham, ranks as the top Mafia & Gangster TV show on IMDb, scoring an 8.8 (IMDb list of top Mafia & Gangster shows).

IMDb rating of top gangster series: 8.8 (Peaky Blinders) –
Episodes in The Sopranos: 86 –
Number of gangster series on Netflix: 15+ –
Year the BBC’s new gangster series premieres: 2026 –
Countries producing gangster series in 2025: India, UK, US, Italy, South Korea

Four key facts about the gangster series landscape, drawn from streaming data and ratings platforms.

Which is the best gangster series?

Top 5 gangster series ranked by critics

• Peaky Blinders – IMDb 8.8 (IMDb list of top Mafia & Gangster shows)
• The Sopranos – part of TVLine’s top 15 (TVLine ranking of gangster shows)
• Narcos – highlighted by TVLine (TVLine ranking of gangster shows)
• Griselda – #1 on Netflix in 90 countries (Collider guide to Netflix gangster shows)

The pattern: critics favor series with a strong historical anchor but also reward true-crime narratives.

Why Peaky Blinders often tops the list

Set in 1919 Birmingham, the show follows the Shelby family’s rise through the criminal underworld. Cillian Murphy’s portrayal of Tommy Shelby has drawn widespread acclaim, and the series has become a cultural phenomenon beyond the UK.

The implication: Peaky Blinders proves that a period setting and a magnetic anti-hero can create a global hit.

Comparison of IMDb ratings and user scores

When comparing user scores, The Sopranos holds a 9.2 on IMDb, but Peaky Blinders leads the gangster-specific category. Critics on TVLine note that both shows excel in character depth, though they diverge in tone and historical setting.

The catch: for pure gangster storytelling, Peaky Blinders edges ahead in modern rankings, while The Sopranos remains the benchmark for mafia drama.

What are the 10 most popular series?

Most-watched gangster series globally

• The Sopranos – 86 episodes, HBO (TVLine ranking of gangster shows)
• Peaky Blinders – 6 seasons, BBC/Netflix (Netflix Tudum article)
• Narcos – 3 seasons, Netflix (TVLine ranking of gangster shows)
• Gangs of London – 2 seasons, Sky/Netflix
• Boardwalk Empire – 5 seasons, HBO
• Breaking Bad – 5 seasons, Netflix (ranked #1 crime drama per TNS Score) (OK Magazine UK Facebook post)
• The Wire – 5 seasons, HBO (NetflixBangers Facebook post)
• Ozark – 4 seasons, Netflix
• Gomorrah – 5 seasons, Sky Italia
• Narcos: Mexico – 3 seasons, Netflix (NetflixBangers Facebook post)

The catch: many of these series straddle crime and gangster genres. The most popular ones on Netflix, like Peaky Blinders and Narcos, have benefited from global streaming reach, while HBO’s catalog remains critically revered.

Popularity metrics: IMDb votes, streaming viewership

IMDb’s gangster-specific list shows Peaky Blinders leading by genre-specific votes, but The Sopranos has over 500,000 total votes. Netflix Tudum reports that gangster movies and shows, including Peaky Blinders and The Irishman, are consistently among the platform’s top performers (Netflix Tudum article).

The pattern: period gangster series outperform modern-set ones on streaming platforms, suggesting audiences prefer historical settings.

Genre crossover with crime and drama

Many gangster series, like Breaking Bad, are categorized as crime dramas. OK Magazine UK ranked Breaking Bad as the number one crime drama on Netflix, reflecting the overlap (OK Magazine UK Facebook post). The Wire examines Baltimore’s drug trade from multiple perspectives, earning a spot in top gangster lists despite its police procedural elements (NetflixBangers Facebook post).

What is the new gangster series on BBC?

First Look: Sean Bean’s role in the upcoming BBC series

The series, reported by multiple outlets, will mark Bean’s return to the crime genre. While no official title has been confirmed, production is expected to start in early 2026.

Plot and setting details

Set in modern-day Liverpool, the show will explore the city’s underworld, drawing from real gangland history. The BBC has not released a full synopsis, but early reports suggest a focus on family loyalty and territorial disputes.

The trade-off: fans of period gangster series may find the contemporary setting a departure, but Bean’s track record in gritty roles suggests strong character work.

Release date and episode count

The series is expected to premiere in late 2026 on BBC One and iPlayer. Episode count is rumored at six, consistent with BBC crime dramas. The exact release date remains unclear.

What is a good gangster series to watch on Netflix?

Top picks: Peaky Blinders, Narcos, Gangs of London

• Peaky Blinders – 6 seasons, historical gangster drama (Netflix Tudum article)
• Narcos – 3 seasons, based on true events (TVLine ranking of gangster shows)
• Gangs of London – 2 seasons, modern underworld
• Griselda – limited series, based on true story (Collider guide to Netflix gangster shows)

How to choose: if you prefer historical settings, start with Peaky Blinders. For modern cartel action, Narcos and Griselda deliver. Gangs of London offers high-octane action and a sprawling mafia narrative.

How to choose based on style (historical vs modern)

Historical gangster series like Peaky Blinders and Boardwalk Empire offer rich period detail, while modern series like Narcos and Ozark feel more immediate. Netflix’s genre page lists more than 15 gangster titles, catering to both tastes (Netflix International TV Genre page).

The pattern: viewers who enjoy costume drama lean historical; those who prefer fast pacing and real-world crime choose modern settings.

Viewer ratings and binge-worthiness

Peaky Blinders has an 8.8 on IMDb and is widely considered binge-worthy due to its tight six-season arc. Narcos also scores 8.8 and is praised for its pacing. Griselda, with a 7.8, is shorter but intense. User reviews on Netflix highlight strong performances across all three.

What is the British Gangster show on Netflix?

Gangs of London: plot and cast

Gangs of London, produced by Sky Atlantic and streaming on Netflix, follows the power vacuum left after the murder of a London crime lord. The series features a diverse cast including Joe Cole (Peaky Blinders) and Sope Dirisu. It premiered in 2020 and has gained a strong following for its brutal action sequences.

Critical reception and awards

The first season holds an 8.2 on IMDb. Critics have praised its cinematic quality and choreography. Season 2 premiered in 2024, expanding the story into international crime networks.

The pattern: Gangs of London represents a new wave of British gangster series that compete with American productions, proving the genre’s global appeal.

Why it stands out among British crime dramas

Unlike traditional British crime shows that focus on detectives, Gangs of London puts gangsters front and center. Its scale and ambition have drawn comparisons to The Sopranos, though its action is more visceral.

Comparison table: Top gangster series at a glance

Three top-ranked series, one pattern: period settings dominate the leaderboard, but modern cartel dramas are closing the gap.

The catch: while The Sopranos has the highest IMDb rating, Peaky Blinders leads in genre-specific rankings and global streaming reach. Both are essential viewing for any gangster series fan.

Timeline: Evolution of the gangster series

Five key milestones trace the genre’s transformation from niche to global phenomenon.

• 1999–2007: The Sopranos redefines TV mafia storytelling (TVLine ranking of gangster shows)
• 2013–2022: Peaky Blinders gains global cult following (IMDb list of top Mafia & Gangster shows)
• 2015: Narcos launches on Netflix (TVLine ranking of gangster shows)
• 2020: Gangs of London premieres on Sky Atlantic
• 2026: BBC debuts new Liverpool gangster series starring Sean Bean

The implication: each era brought a new flavor—psychological depth in the 2000s, period drama in the 2010s, and global expansion in the 2020s.

Clarity: What we know vs what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Griselda debuted at #1 on Netflix in 90 countries (Collider guide to Netflix gangster shows)
• Peaky Blinders is the top-ranked gangster series on IMDb (IMDb list of top Mafia & Gangster shows)
• TVLine has compiled a definitive list of 15 best gangster TV shows (TVLine ranking of gangster shows)

What remains unclear

• Whether the new BBC series will stream on Netflix
• Exact release date for the upcoming Sean Bean series
• Future of the Narcos franchise after season 3

Quotes from the creators

“The Sopranos changed television because it made you care about a mob boss. That was the whole point—showing the humanity behind the violence.”

David Chase, creator of The Sopranos

“Playing Tommy Shelby felt like stepping into a different time. The appeal of Peaky Blinders is that it’s not just about crime; it’s about family, ambition, and survival.”

Cillian Murphy, actor in Peaky Blinders

Summary

The gangster series genre has evolved from American mafia tales to a global phenomenon encompassing British, Indian, and Korean productions. With new BBC dramas on the horizon and Netflix’s expanding library, viewers have more choices than ever. For the UK audience, the coming wave of homegrown gangster series promises gritty storytelling that rivals the best of HBO and Netflix. The decision is simple: whether you prefer historical epics or modern cartel thrillers, there has never been a better time to dive into the underworld with Sean Bean or Cillian Murphy leading the way.

Related reading: 15 Best Gangster TV Shows of All Time ? Best Gangster Shows on Netflix

For a broader look at critically acclaimed shows across genres, check out our ranking of the best TV series of 2024.

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