Year: 1991
Runtime: 136 min
Language: English
Director: Barry Levinson
In 1940s Hollywood, Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel leaves behind East Coast conflicts to pursue a life of glamour and build a gambling empire on the West Coast. He becomes involved with actress Virginia Hill while secretly constructing what would become the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas. However, his ambitious plans and increasingly reckless behavior lead to dangerous consequences and ultimately threaten his own safety.
Get a spoiler-free look at Bugsy (1991) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In the glittering haze of 1940s Hollywood, the film opens on a world where movie sets sit shoulder‑to‑shoulder with the hidden machinations of organized crime. The era’s neon lights and star‑studded parties provide a seductive backdrop for a man who has already earned a fearsome reputation on the East Coast. Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel arrives in Los Angeles seeking more than a change of scenery; he is drawn to the promise of glamour, limitless ambition, and the chance to reshape the city’s nightlife on his own terms.
Siegel quickly discovers that the West Coast offers a different kind of stage, one where the line between business and pleasure blurs beneath a veneer of elegance. His magnetic personality pulls him into the orbit of a striking extra named Virginia Hill, whose own aspirations mirror his restless drive. Their burgeoning romance fuels his vision of a spectacular hotel‑casino that could become a beacon of luxury and excess, an audacious project that hints at a future beyond the sun‑baked streets of Los Angeles. As he navigates the social whirl of actors, producers, and influential figures, the film paints a portrait of a man whose confidence borders on hubris, and whose desire to leave a lasting mark begins to shape everything around him.
The tone balances the dazzling allure of Hollywood’s golden age with an undercurrent of tension, hinting at the precariousness of a life lived in the flash of spotlights and the shadows of unseen alliances. With each new encounter, Siegel feels the weight of old loyalties and fresh temptations, setting the stage for a story that explores how far ambition can stretch before it begins to fray. The mood is intoxicating—rich with period detail, sultry jazz, and the promise of a empire that could redefine an entire landscape—leaving the audience eager to see whether his grand dream will soar or tumble under the pressures of a world that never sleeps.
Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 13:35
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Visionary figures whose grand ambitions lead to their own spectacular downfall.If you liked the story of ambitious rise and tragic fall in Bugsy, explore these other movies about visionary figures who build empires only to be destroyed by them. These crime sagas and biopics capture the intoxicating mix of glamour, obsession, and inevitable doom.
These stories typically follow a linear arc of ascent and decline. A driven protagonist identifies an opportunity and pursues it with relentless passion, achieving wealth and status. However, their single-minded focus, hubris, or the inherent dangers of their world create fatal flaws that lead to a dramatic and often violent downfall.
Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the intoxicating but dangerous nature of grand ambition. They share a dark tone, heavy emotional weight, and a bittersweet or bleak ending that underscores the high cost of power, often set against a backdrop of glamour and high stakes.
When a dangerous romance fuels a reckless and ultimately fatal ambition.Fans of the intense, romantic, and ultimately tragic dynamic between Bugsy Siegel and Virginia Hill will find similar themes in these movies. Explore stories where a powerful love affair fuels a dangerous ambition, leading to betrayal and ruin.
The narrative centers on a protagonist whose life is split between a powerful romantic obsession and a perilous professional enterprise. The passion and chaos of the relationship bleed into their ambitions, causing them to make increasingly reckless decisions. The line between lover and accomplice blurs, culminating in a crisis where personal and professional ruin become one.
This thread groups movies that masterfully blend a heavy romance plot with a tense, high-intensity crime or thriller narrative. The shared experience is one of watching a character be consumed by two competing fires, creating a gripping, tragic, and emotionally complex journey.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Bugsy in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Bugsy is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of Bugsy, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.
Track the full timeline of Bugsy with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Bugsy. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Bugsy: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like Bugsy that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
Bugsy (1991) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Bugsy (1991) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Bugsy (1991) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like Bugsy – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Casino (1995) Complete Plot Breakdown
Bugsy Malone (1976) Detailed Story Recap
Harlem Nights (1989) Full Summary & Key Details
Mikey and Nicky (1976) Complete Plot Breakdown
Lansky (2021) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Goodfellas (1990) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Gangland: Bullets over Hollywood (2005) Movie Recap & Themes
Mobsters (1991) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Bugs and Thugs (1954) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Virginia Hill (1974) Full Summary & Key Details
Bowery Bugs (1949) Story Summary & Characters
The Little Giant (1933) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Sex and Lies in Sin City (2008) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
The American Gangster (1992) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Guns, Girls and Gangsters (1959) Full Movie Breakdown