Donnie Brasco

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2:12

Donnie Brasco

R

1997

2h 6m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

57 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Joseph Pistone (Johnny Depp) is an FBI agent who has infiltrated one of the major New York Mafia families and is living under the name Donnie Brasco. He develops a relationship with mob hitman Benjamin "Lefty" Ruggiero (Al Pacino) in order to get deeper under cover, but ends up developing a real friendship with the Mafioso. As their relationship develops, Pistone must decide whether to complete his job, knowing that it will lead to the murder of his new friend.

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Critics Consensus

A stark, nuanced portrait of life in organized crime, bolstered by strong performances from Al Pacino and Johnny Depp.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Feb 28, 2018

This is Depp's coming-of-age role, and he's terrific. Pacino, who's shown more flash than substance recently, reminds us how great he can be when he loses himself inside a character.

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Todd McCarthy

Variety

Nov 20, 2008

Although perhaps familiar in its outer trappings, Pacino's fine work is the key to the film succeeding to the extent that it does.

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Time Out

Jan 26, 2006

A tense, sharp and compelling character study, Newell's film is a worthy addition to the Mob-movie canon.

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Simon Rose

Daily Mirror (UK)

Sep 22, 2025

4/5

A superb movie with a brilliant performance by Pacino and some of the best movie dialogue for a long time.

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Stephen Silver

Tilt Magazine

Mar 4, 2022

4/5

A fine film, though not quite a classic, mostly because it didn't break any ground, or show us a new way of telling this type of story (25th anniversary)

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PJ Nabarro

Patrick Nabarro

Feb 22, 2019

3/5

A clever insight into the everyday, professional banalities of life as a low to mid-level gangster.

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Nick B

@NickBtheHorrorOG Sep 2, 2026

An absolute classic for anyone who loves mafia movies, crime drama, or undercover thrillers. It's similar to The Departred, only better! The only reason it lost 1/2 a star is because I could only find the edited version. I'm sure once I find and watch the full, uncut version it'll be an easy 5!

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Mickey B

@Mickerdoo Aug 21, 2026

Solid undercover mob movie. Definitely keeps you anxious about what’s going to happen next.

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Craig W

@CJWolfe27 Aug 14, 2026

Good gangster movie based in a true story

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Bobby B

@Bobby301 Jul 26, 2026

Great performances for everyone but the story moves way too fast in the relationship between Depp and Pacino. And Brascos decision to sink his heart into a guy who's killed 26 people over his own family is a little odd. Felt like an after school special with mafia violence.

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J H

@UpstateNYThriller Jul 22, 2026

8.1/10 Mid 90s mob movie with Johnny Depp and Al Pacino. Based on Donnie Brasco the undercover agent who infiltrated the Mob in the 70s.

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David H

@rivrocks Jul 9, 2026

Extraordinary performances. My few issues are with the screenplay.

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Mike Newell

Director

Al Pacino

Lefty

Johnny Depp

Donnie

Michael Madsen

Sonny

Bruno Kirby

Nicky

James Russo

Paulie

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Synopsis

Joseph Pistone (Johnny Depp) is an FBI agent who has infiltrated one of the major New York Mafia families and is living under the name Donnie Brasco. He develops a relationship with mob hitman Benjamin "Lefty" Ruggiero (Al Pacino) in order to get deeper under cover, but ends up developing a real friendship with the Mafioso. As their relationship develops, Pistone must decide whether to complete his job, knowing that it will lead to the murder of his new friend.

Director: Mike Newell
Producer: Barry Levinson, Mark Johnson, Louis DiGiaimo, Gail Mutrux
Screenwriter: Joseph D. Pistone, Richard Woodley, Paul Attanasio
Distributor: TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: TriStar Pictures, Mandalay Entertainment, Baltimore Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 28, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $42.0M
Runtime: 2h 6m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround, SDDS

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