Philadelphia’s most notorious mobster takes center stage in Netflix’s gripping new docuseries Mob War: Philadelphia vs. The Mafia, dropping today. Joey Merlino‘s bloody rise to power transforms the City of Brotherly Love into a battlefield. Three explosive episodes chronicle the 1990s turf war between flashy upstart Merlino and old-school boss John Stanfa.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Premiere Date: October 22, 2025 on Netflix
- Format: 3 episodes, 45 minutes each
- Featured: Joey Merlino, John Stanfa, FBI agents, prosecutors
- Era Covered: 1990s Philadelphia mob war with 20+ assassination attempts
- Current Status: Merlino now runs Skinny Joey’s Cheesesteaks in South Philly
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Netflix drops its latest true-crime obsession today with Mob War: Philadelphia vs. The Mafia. The three-part docuseries revisits when bullets flew through Philly streets during morning rush hour. John Stanfa and Joey Merlino turned the city into a war zone throughout the 1990s.
The series kicks off after mobster Nicky Scarfo’s 1986 arrest creates a power vacuum. New York’s Five Families handpick Stanfa to restore order and keep business quiet. The Sicilian-born traditionalist faces unexpected resistance from Merlino’s crew of young South Philly hustlers.
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August 31, 1993 marks the series’ most shocking moment. Stanfa’s hitmen ambush Merlino and Michael Ciancaglini during morning traffic on the Schuylkill Expressway. Merlino survives four gunshot wounds, but Ciancaglini dies at the scene. Bodies pile up across Philadelphia as both factions refuse to back down.
“Bodies were flying everywhere. It was unlike anything Philadelphia had seen before.”
Why This Mob Story Matters Now
You’ve watched The Godfather and binged The Sopranos, but Philadelphia’s mob war remains largely untold. Most organized crime stories focus on New York’s Five Families or Chicago’s outfits. Netflix finally shines a spotlight on Philly’s brutal underworld saga.
The documentary reveals how Joey Merlino dodged more than 20 assassination attempts throughout the decade. His flashy persona earned him the nickname “the John Gotti of Passyunk Avenue.” Merlino threw annual Thanksgiving parties for South Philly residents while allegedly running extortion rackets.
Director Raissa Botterman combines archival footage with firsthand accounts from mob associates. The series includes testimony from John Veasey, Stanfa’s hitman who turned FBI informant. Ralph Natale became the first sitting American mob boss to cooperate with federal authorities.
The timing couldn’t be better for true crime fans. Merlino currently operates Skinny Joey’s Cheesesteaks near Philadelphia’s sports complex. He’s reinvented himself as a social media personality with 137,000 Instagram followers. Eagles stars and Cardinals players visit his restaurant regularly.
Inside The Three-Episode Breakdown
Mob War: Philadelphia vs. The Mafia uses a cinematic approach to tell this Shakespearean tragedy. Each episode runs approximately 45 minutes and features wiretap recordings, surveillance footage, and reenactments. The production company RAW brings the same atmospheric style they used in previous crime documentaries.
| Episode | Title | Key Events | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Head of the Snake | Scarfo’s arrest, Stanfa takes control, Merlino’s rebellion begins | 42 min |
| 2 | The War Escalates | Schuylkill Expressway shooting, FBI investigation intensifies | 45 min |
| 3 | The Endgame | Stanfa’s life sentence, Merlino’s takeover, undercover operations | 45 min |
Episode one establishes how Nicodemo “Little Nicky” Scarfo built a violent empire before his 1988 conviction. The power vacuum creates chaos as Stanfa attempts to impose Sicilian traditions. Young mobsters like Merlino reject the old ways and plot their takeover.
The middle episode delivers the series’ most intense moments. The August 1993 expressway shooting shocks the nation and draws unprecedented media attention. Stanfa retaliates by hiring hitman John Veasey to eliminate Merlino’s entire crew. The FBI races to prevent more bloodshed.
What Happens To The Key Players
John Stanfa received a life sentence in 1996 after being convicted on 33 of 35 charges. He currently serves time at Federal Medical Center in Ayer, Massachusetts. The 83-year-old will likely spend his remaining days behind bars.
- Joey Merlino: Released in 2011, now operates cheesesteak restaurant and podcast in Florida/Philadelphia
- Ralph Natale: Died in prison in January 2022 after becoming government witness
- John Veasey: Completed 11-year sentence, works as Midwest car salesman
- Ron Previte: Former cop turned informant whose recordings sealed multiple convictions
Merlino’s transformation into social media personality surprises even mob watchers. He opened Skinny Joey’s Cheesesteaks in March 2025 on South Broad Street. The restaurant attracts NFL players, including retired Eagles center Jason Kelce. Reports suggest the Philadelphia family demoted and excommunicated Merlino in 2024 due to his public profile.
Should You Watch This Mob Documentary?
Critics already praise Mob War: Philadelphia vs. The Mafia for its unflinching portrayal of organized crime. The docuseries doesn’t glorify violence but shows the devastating impact on Philadelphia neighborhoods. Families torn apart by divided loyalties create genuinely tragic moments.
The series stands out by focusing on a lesser-known mob story. New York and Chicago dominate most Mafia documentaries. Philadelphia’s underworld operated differently, combining traditional Italian codes with brash American ambition. This cultural clash drives the entire narrative.
Fans of Goodfellas, The Departed, and Fear City will find plenty to enjoy. The documentary includes rare wiretap audio and surveillance footage never released publicly. Interviews with actual participants provide unique insider perspectives impossible to fake.
Will you stream this brutal mob saga when it drops today? The three episodes pack more twists than most fictional crime dramas.
Sources
- Netflix Tudum – Official documentary details and release information
- Philadelphia Magazine – Coverage of Joey Merlino’s current business ventures
- The Mob Museum – Analysis of Merlino’s post-prison life and restaurant operations
Daniel Harris is a specialist journalist focused on the crossroads of breaking news, extraordinary history, and enduring legends. With a background in historical research and storytelling, he blends timely reporting with timeless narratives, making complex events and ancient myths resonate with today’s readers. Daniel’s work often uncovers surprising links between present-day headlines and legendary tales, offering unique perspectives that captivate diverse audiences. Beyond reporting, he is passionate about preserving oral traditions and exploring how extraordinary stories continue to shape culture and identity.
Ever hear about Joey Merlinos escapades in the Philly mob scene? Now its streaming on Netflix. Grab your popcorn and dive into the gritty world of organized crime. Whos tuning in for the drama?
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I wonder if watching Joey Merlino in that Netflix series will make us all feel like were part of the Philly Mob scene. Will it glamorize or demystify the lifestyle? What do you think?
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Anyone else notice Joey Merlinos charisma in the Netflix docuseries Mob War? The way he commands attention is something else. Wonder how accurate these portrayals are compared to the real deal. Thoughts?