Scarface Shirts: Tony Montana's Legacy & the 1983 Cult Classic

Few movie characters have stayed on T-shirts as long as Tony Montana. More than four decades after Scarface reached theaters, his face still turns up on dorm walls and on bedroom posters, and the film is still name-checked in rap verses. How did a violent, three-hour crime drama that many critics disliked at first end up as one of the most recognizable cult classics in pop culture? And what makes a good Scarface shirt today?

This guide covers the history of the film, why it lasted, and how to wear a Scarface tee or sweatshirt without looking like you're in costume.

A Quick History of Scarface (1983)

A remake of a 1932 gangster film

The 1983 Scarface is a remake. The original, directed by Howard Hawks, was released in 1932 and followed a Chicago gangster in the Prohibition era. The 1983 version kept the basic rise-and-fall story but moved it to modern-day Miami.

The team behind it

Brian De Palma directed the new version, and Oliver Stone wrote the screenplay. Al Pacino played Tony Montana, a Cuban refugee who arrives in Miami during the Mariel boatlift with nothing and claws his way to the top of the cocaine trade. The cast also included Michelle Pfeiffer, Steven Bauer, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Robert Loggia and F. Murray Abraham. Giorgio Moroder wrote the synth-heavy score, and that sound is a big part of the film's neon 80s feel.

Release and reception

The film premiered in New York City on December 1, 1983, and Universal released it widely on December 9. It runs about 170 minutes. At first, many critics were put off by its violence, its language and its drug content. Over the years, though, opinion shifted. Many writers now count it among the great gangster films, and it became a true cult classic.

Why Tony Montana Never Left Pop Culture

Part of the answer is hip-hop. Scarface has been referenced again and again in rap music, and its story of an outsider who builds an empire from nothing struck a chord with a generation of artists. Through those songs, the movie reached fans who were not even born when it came out.

The other part is style. The film's look, with white suits, palm trees, pastel sunsets and a giant globe, is bold enough to work as graphic design on its own. That's why Scarface prints still look good on a shirt today. Of course, the story is a cautionary tale: Tony's rise ends badly. Many fans wear the shirt as a nod to a great piece of filmmaking, not as a role model.

The Best Scarface Shirts in Our Store

Here are our favorite picks from the movie shirt collection →

The World Is Yours Tee

The globe is probably the most famous image from the film. The Scarface World Is Yours T-Shirt puts it front and center with a vintage feel. It's the easiest Scarface design to style, because it reads as retro movie art rather than a crime scene.

Shop the Scarface World Is Yours T-Shirt →

Tony Montana Portrait Tees

If you want the character himself, start with the Tony Montana T-Shirt. For a darker, grittier print, the Scarface Tony Montana Gangster T-Shirt leans into the film's crime-movie mood.

For De Palma Fans

The Scarface Crime T-Shirt has a vintage poster style that suits film buffs who love De Palma's other work too. It's a good conversation starter at a movie night.

Sweatshirts for Cold Weather

For winter, the Scarface Crime Sweatshirt gives you the same poster look on a cozy crewneck. The white Scarface World Is Yours Sweatshirt is a nice nod to Tony's famous white suit. You can find more crewnecks in our sweatshirt collection as well.

Shop the Scarface Crime Sweatshirt →

How to Style a Scarface Shirt

• Go Miami 80s. Pair a black Scarface tee with light-wash jeans, white sneakers and an open short-sleeve camp shirt over the top. It's a subtle tribute to the film's setting.
• Layer it for winter. A graphic tee under an unbuttoned overshirt or a bomber jacket keeps the print visible while you stay warm.
• Keep the rest simple. Scarface prints are loud. Solid colors around them make the shirt the focus without looking like a costume.
• Pick the right fit. Our shirts are unisex. Size down for a closer fit or size up for a relaxed, streetwear look.
• Protect the print. Wash inside out in cold water and hang dry when you can. The graphic will last much longer.

A Gift for Film Fans

A Scarface shirt is an easy gift for anyone who loves 80s movies, gangster films or hip-hop history. If you're shopping for the holidays, order early and check the delivery estimate at checkout so it arrives in time.

Love it or argue about it, Scarface has never really gone away, and the best way to celebrate a cult classic is to wear it.