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American Gangster
CAST & DIRECTOR
Directed by Ridley Scott. With Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Josh Brolin.
7.6/10
MOVIHERO RATINGWHAT IT'S ABOUT
Loosely based on the criminal career of Frank Lucas, a gangster from La Grange, North Carolina, who smuggled heroin into the United States on American service planes returning from the Vietnam War, before being detained by a task force led by Newark Detective Richie Roberts.
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7.6/10
MOVIHERO RATINGYOUR WATCHLISTLoosely based on the criminal career of Frank Lucas, a gangster from La Grange, North Carolina, who smuggled heroin into the United States on American service planes r…
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RELEASE SNAPSHOT
Release snapshot for American Gangster.
MoviHero lists November 2, 2007 as the release date for American Gangster. Ridley Scott is the listed director. The listed cast includes Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas, Russell Crowe as Richie Roberts, Josh Brolin as Detective Trupo, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Huey Lucas. A trailer and 5 stills are available on this page.
Release dateNovember 2, 2007
GenresDrama · Crime
Runtime2h 37m
DirectorRidley Scott
CastDenzel Washington as Frank Lucas, Russell Crowe as Richie Roberts, Josh Brolin as Detective Trupo, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Huey Lucas
TrailerAvailable on this page
Images5 stills
BEFORE YOU PRESS PLAY
Is American Gangster right for tonight?
Pacing, attention and emotional impact are estimates from the current MoviHero Watch Profile, not verified scene-by-scene reviews.
How much time should I set aside?
American Gangster runs 2h 37m. Allow extra time for breaks.
Is it slow or fast?
The current MoviHero pacing estimate is 3/10: a more patient pace.
Is it a good choice when I am tired?
The attention estimate is 6/10. Expect to follow the story rather than use it as background viewing.
How emotionally intense is it?
The emotional-impact estimate is 7/10, suggesting a moderate emotional load. This does not tell you whether the ending is happy or sad.
CHANGE ONE THING
Like this, but...
These share a listed genre with American Gangster. Profile differences are estimates, not a guarantee of the same story or mood.
But shorterThree Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri2017 · 1h 55m
42 minutes shorter (1h 55m). Shared genre: drama, crime.
But less emotionally intense33 Steps2026 · 1h 11mEstimated emotional impact: 5/10 versus 7/10. Shared genre: drama, crime.
But less demandingCruella2021 · 2h 14mEstimated attention required: 3/10 versus 6/10. Shared genre: crime.
MOVIE RATING
MoviHero Rating
MoviHero Rating: 7.6/10 from 6,384 votes. Updated Nov 15, 2026.
Rating data supplied by TMDB, shown on a 10-point scale. MoviHero audience ratings are calculated separately from scores submitted here.
MOVIHERO AUDIENCE RATING
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WHAT WATCHING IT FEELS LIKE
Watch Profile
Seven estimates of the viewing experience, based on the stored Watch Profile. These are separate from the movie rating and are not verified scene-by-scene assessments.
Pacing3/10
Emotional Impact7/10
Mind-Bending2/10
Scary1/10
Violence7/10
Rewatchability5/10
Attention Required6/10
VIEWER REVIEWS
What viewers say about American Gangster
Selected viewer reactions, in their own words. These excerpts reflect individual opinions, not an overall verdict.
Viewer reaction
“A thoroughly entertaining 157 minutes! 'American Gangster' delivers in every area it needs to. Enthralling premise, immaculate music, phenomenal casting and great pacing. I was…”
Viewer reaction
“Quite a disappointed since it is really as much as you expect, but nothing new.”
Viewer reaction
“Denzel Washington is on top-form here as he takes on the role of the unscrupulous and devious heroine importer "Lucas" in this superior crime drama.”
More reactions (2)
Viewer reaction
“Love gangster movies. Denzel Washington's one of the best to ever do it.”
Viewer reaction
“For me, this is one of the classic must-watch gangster movies and up there with the Godfather, Donnie Brasco, Goodfellas and Scarface.”
Selected review excerpts supplied by TMDB. Opinions belong to their original authors.
WORDS THAT STAY WITH YOU
Memorable lines
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“It’s chaos. Every gorilla for himself.”
A CLOSER LOOK
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CAST & CREW
The people who make it land.
CHARACTERS IN THIS MOVIE
Follow the character.
Reviewed MoviHero character guides connected to this movie.
otherFrank LucasFrank Lucas in American Gangster (2007), played by Denzel Washington.Open character guide otherRichie RobertsRichie Roberts in American Gangster (2007), played by Russell Crowe.Open character guide otherDetective TrupoDetective Trupo in American Gangster (2007), played by Josh Brolin.Open character guide
SIMILAR GENRES & STORY THEMES
Keep the night going.
8.0/10
MOVIHERO RATINGThree Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
2017·Drama · Crime
7.4/10
MOVIHERO ESTIMATEGravy
2026·Drama · Crime
7.4/10
MOVIHERO ESTIMATE33 Steps
2026·Drama · Crime