That Grand Theft Auto V remains relevant more than seven years after its release is a testament to how revolutionary a game it really is. It’s perhaps unsurprising though, especially when considering how influential some of the series’ previous entries have been over the years. Each title has raised the bar higher and higher and has set the standard when it comes to open-world sandbox games.
Many games have tried to emulate the series over the years and while some have come close, most have failed miserably. When it comes to movies though, there are plenty that do a great job of capturing the criminality and carnage for which Grand Theft Auto is best known. Some actually inspired the game whereas others perhaps borrowed ideas from it instead. Either way, there’s a great selection of movies out there for those looking for a GTA style viewing experience.
10 Scarface (1983)
Vice City took a lot of its inspiration from gangster movies from the eighties and early nineties, but none more so than Scarface. The guile and determination demonstrated by Al Pacino’s Tony Montana character is often mirrored by the game’s main protagonist and it seems likely that the chainsaw weapon was added as an homage to one of the movie’s tensest scenes. There are similarities between Tony and Niko from GTA IV too, with Niko also coming to America in pursuit of a better life.
Scarface didn’t just influence the story of Vice City though. Several of the songs found in the game are ripped straight from the movie’s soundtrack and there are many similar locations as well. The Vercetti Estate, for example, shares many similarities with Tony’s mansion and the Malibu club looks just like the Babylon club from the movie. For all intents and purposes, Vice City is more of a Scarface game than the licensed one that released in 2006.
9 Little Odessa (1994)
It’s hard not to be reminded of GTA IV while watching Little Odessa, not least because of its many Eastern European characters. Set in an area of Brighton Beach that’s renowned for its high population of Russians and Ukrainians, it’s incredibly similar to the Hove Beach area of GTA IV both in terms of its atmosphere and its architecture.
Tim Roth plays a contract killer who’s working for the Russian mob, but it’s his character’s interactions with his estranged family that really make the movie shine. It ends on a bit of a downer, but does a wonderful job of highlighting the consequences of a life of crime and the damage it can do to one’s personal relationships.
8 Carlito’s Way (1993)
Carlito’s Way is often overlooked during conversations about the best gangster movies of all time, but it’s every bit as captivating as some of the other big hitters. Granted, it lacks the subtlety of The Godfather and larger than life characters like some of those found in Scarface, but what it does have is an incredibly engrossing storyline and some stellar performances from some huge names.
As well as the very obvious comparisons when it comes to how both the movie and the GTA series depict crime, there’s also a nice little homage to the movie in GTA Vice City. The game’s lawyer, Ken Rosenburg, shares numerous similarities with the character Dave Kleinfeld from Carlito’s Way. He too is a lawyer, is also Jewish and struggles with addiction too.
7 Menace II Society (1993)
Menace II Society is a hard-hitting hood drama that delves deep into the world of urban gang culture. What makes the movie stand out is not so much its gritty portrayal of violence, but instead the emphasis that it places on the consequences. This isn’t something that’s always seen in the Grand Theft Auto series, but is a welcome addition nonetheless.
While Caine is a little more reserved than CJ from GTA San Andreas, the situations that the two men find themselves in when it comes to their loyalty to their friends and fellow hoodlums are very much alike. As a result, watching Caine allow his circumstances to define who he is can be very reminiscent of a San Andreas playthrough.
6 Heat (1995)
Those looking for an action thriller could do a lot worse than checking out Heat. The influence that this Robert De Niro and Al Pacino classic had on GTA V is clear to see, not only through the similarities between Michael and De Niro’s character, but also through one of the game’s heists which is practically a shot-for-shot adaption of one of the movie’s most iconic scenes.
It’s just one of countless scintillating action scenes found throughout the movie and these are accompanied by a wonderful plot and some fantastic performances. For all its thrilling moments though, it’s arguably the movie’s examination of morality that helps it to stand out from the crowd.
5 Goodfellas (1990)
There’s a strong argument to be made for Goodfellas being the best gangster movie of all time. If it’s not, then it’s certainly right up there with the likes of The Godfather and Once Upon a Time in America. Directed by the legendary Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Ray Liotta, it tells the real life story of Henry Hill and his experiences in the world of organized crime.
Liotta, who plays Hill in the movie, would later lend his voice to Tommy Vercetti, the main protagonist from GTA Vice City. There are many similarities to be drawn between the two characters, most notably their rags to riches transformations. Ultimately, things don’t work out quite as well for Henry as they do for Tommy, but it’s still a fascinating story nonetheless.
4 Heist (2015)
Few actors can match Robert De Niro when it comes to longevity. Heist was his 115th movie and came exactly half a century after his onscreen debut. His performance in it is really quite brilliant, as are those of his co-stars Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Kate Bosworth. It may have bombed at the box office and failed to impress critics, but there’s a lot to like here for fans of the GTA franchise.
The story explores the lengths that a man will go to for his family as well as those that another will go to in order to protect his property and reputation. Its protagonist is relatable and there’s plenty of action to compliment what is at times an incredibly compelling narrative. The titular heist itself feels very GTA V-esque, but it’s the events that transpire in its wake that will keep viewers on tenterhooks right up until the end credits finally start to roll.
3 The Killing (1956)
There have been some fantastic heist movies over the years, but few hold a candle to Stanley Kubrick’s 1956 classic, The Killing. It has influenced countless other movies over the decades since its release, not only through its incredible cinematography, but also its narrative structure. Modern cinema owes a lot to Kubrick and The Killing, as too does the GTA series.
Heists were one of the most exciting additions to GTA V and the planning and execution of them feels incredibly similar to the one found in the movie. Although GTA’s heists typically go much smoother, those who enjoyed them will likely find The Killing just as entertaining, if not more so.
2 Point Break (1991)
Much like the Johnny Depp movie Donnie Brasco and, to a lesser extent, the original Fast and the Furious movie, Point Break shows just how easily the lines between good and bad can become blurred. It makes us question our own preconceptions of what constitutes a ‘bad guy’ and shows that it’s possible for them to be incredibly likeable even in spite of their moral misgivings.
This is one of the conundrums that players are faced with in almost every entry in the GTA series and it’s just as interesting to see this moral dilemma play out on the big screen. Keanu Reeves is excellent as always and his onscreen chemistry with Patrick Swayze is a big part of makes the movie work. It’s not quite as crime-heavy as some of the other movies out there, but there should be more than enough to satisfy most viewers.
1 Baby Driver (2017)
Plenty of movies have inspired the Grand Theft Auto series over the years, but there are just as many movies that have drawn their inspiration from the games. One such movie is Edgar Wright’s Baby Driver, which is dripping with GTA style imagery from start to finish. Where it differs, however, is through its emphasis on the human collateral that goes hand in hand with such wanton violence.
Ansel Elgort plays the lead and is supported by an incredibly talented cast that includes Jon Hamm, Jamie Foxx and Kevin Spacey. His character’s personal development as the movie progresses is fascinating to observe and plays a pivotal role in the movie’s climax. It’s packed full of symbolism too, with colors and Baby’s outfits constantly mirroring the movie’s ever-changing tone.
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