The brutal power games of America’s most feared crime families have returned to the spotlight — and viewers can’t look away. Netflix’s explosive new true-crime miniseries Mob War has stormed into the Netflix USA Top 10, captivating audiences with its mix of archival footage, survivor confessions, and chilling first-hand accounts. This Netflix’s new original production is destined to captivate true crime enthusiasts. Philadelphia, known as the “City of Brotherly Love,” hides a dark story that Mob War: Philadelphia vs. The Mafia tells without holding back. The documentary series takes us back to the 1990s, when two mafia clans faced off in a ruthless battle full of secret deals, betrayals, and violence.
The story is charged with tension, intrigue, and accounts from people who lived in the environment where loyalty was both a resource and a curse. The miniseries explores the roots of the feud and recounts its tragic outcomes. Here’s everything you need to know about it, from plot and cast to the true story behind it. The trailer is at the bottom of the article.
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Mob War: Philadelphia vs. The Mafia – all the key details
- Original Title: Mob War: Philadelphia vs. The Mafia
- Genre: true crime documentary
- Country of Production: United States
- Original Language: English
- Year of Production: 2025
- Duration: 3 episodes, about 40 minutes each
- Director: Raïssa Botterman
- Featuring: Former criminals, journalists, and FBI agents
- Production: Netflix (documentary miniseries)
What Mob War: Philadelphia vs. The Mafia is about
In the 1990s, following the arrest of mafia boss “Little Nicky” Scarfo, Philadelphia plunged into a battle for control of the city. On one side was the clan led by John Stanfa, backed by New York’s Cosa Nostra, while on the other stood the young and unpredictable Joey Merlino, determined to seize power.
Mob War: Philadelphia vs. The Mafia shows how this conflict turned into a full-blown war—with bombings, executions, and betrayals that paralyzed the city. The miniseries, consisting of three episodes, combines archival footage, firsthand testimonies, and reenactments to immerse viewers in an era when no one could feel safe.
A true and shocking story
This is not fiction. The war between John Stanfa and Joey Merlino is a real event that took place between 1991 and 1994, and is considered one of the bloodiest mafia wars in U.S. history. After the fall of “Little Nicky” Scarfo, Philadelphia became a battlefield for those wanting to dominate the mafia scene. Stanfa received official approval from the Gambino family of New York, but his “conservative” style soon clashed with the young, ruthless faction led by Merlino. The war escalated into a series of murders, bombings, and public executions, making front-page news in local papers. Eventually, the FBI managed to dismantle both organizations, but the scars from those years are still visible in the city today.
Why it’s worth watching Mob War: Philadelphia vs. The Mafia
This new true crime directed by Raïssa Botterman embraces the classic elements of this genre of documentaries, but tells the mafia story from a fresh perspective: through the voices of those who lived through it, including former criminals, journalists, and FBI agents. It doesn’t just show blood and violence but explores the psychology of power: how loyalty is born, when betrayal occurs, and what drives people to remain trapped in a world with no way out?
Release date on Netflix
The miniseries has been available in the Netflix catalog since October 22 ► WATCH NOW ON NETFLIX
