Gangs of New York is a 2002 American epic crime drama film that was directed by Martin Scorsese, set in the New York City slums, and inspired by Herbert Asbury‘s 1927 nonfiction book The Gangs of New York. The screenplay was written by Jay Cocks, Steven Zaillian, and Kenneth Lonergan. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Cameron Diaz.

In 1863, a long-running Catholic–Protestant feud erupts into violence, just as an Irish immigrant group is protesting the low wages caused by an influx of freed slaves as well as the threat of conscription. Scorsese spent 20 years developing the project until in 1999 Harvey Weinstein and his production company Miramax Films acquired it.

Made in Cinecittà, Rome, and in New York, the film was completed by 2001, but its release was delayed by the September 11 attacks. Released on December 20, 2002, the film grossed $193 million worldwide against its $100 million budget and received positive reviews from critics for Day-Lewis’ performance, Scorsese’s directing, the production design and costume design. It was nominated for ten Oscars at the 75th Academy Awards.