When movies successfully make felonious originator expect cool , heist flicks stop up being some of the most entertaining types of films to get the blood pumping from the comfort of one ’s couch . The greatest heist films combine careful training and strategizing with the gamey - stakes action and thrilling obstruction of execute those plans with everything at bet .
From steep classics likeHeatandA Fish call Wandato stylish hits likeOcean ’s ElevenandInception , the best heist movies are guaranteed to keep viewers on the boundary of their seating room . Expect meticulously crafted plots , lurid twists , and thrilling stories from these salient heist movies that set the gilded standard for the genre .
10. Point Break (1991)
Keanu Reeves stars as FBI agent Johnny Utah inPoint Break , which sees him tax with infiltrating a work party of money box robber known as the “ Ex - chairman ” because of their typical masks . It turn out that they ’re also a raucous chemical group of adrenaline junkies getting their thrill from surfing , and Utah is drag to their exciting lifestyle . The hush-hush factor soon imprint an unexpected bond with the outlaw , particularly with their charismatic leader , Bodhi ( Patrick Swayze ) .
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow , Point Breakuses the surfer subculture as a unique backdrop for its exhilarating tale . The heist moving picture is often over - the - top and sometimes downright ridiculous , which is what makes it so memorable and entertaining . It ’s also notable for Reeves ’ office , for which he performs an impressive reconciliation act between the role of a serious agent and a more comical fake surfer . The film has n’t been forget to time , with its craze be control that new generation will continue to come across the bizarrely delightfulaction movie from the 1990s .
9. Baby Driver (2017)
Director Edgar Wright’sBaby Driveris an award - winning heist film easily remembered for its compounding of activity and a slayer soundtrack . It primarily follow Baby ( Ansel Elgort ) , a young getaway driver who apply euphony for his getaways and also to swim out his tinnitus . His felonious activeness is controlled by Doc ( Kevin Spacey ) , a mastermind who relies on Baby ’s exceptional driving science for his heists . However , when Baby falls for the server Debora ( Lily James ) , he wants to leave his living of offense behind , hoping one last caper will in conclusion be enough .
Baby Driveris full of flawlessly choreograph car pursuit that blossom alongside pulsating medicine . Despite things corkscrew out of control , the 2017 flick does n’t take itself too gravely in the full way possible , make each activity sequence fun to see . It also uses the “ one - last - job ” trope well , making Baby and Debora ’s romance something worth root for , even if the idea is n’t entirely novel .
8. Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
On a hot heel 24-hour interval good afternoon , a grip heist unfolds in Brooklyn , run by the first - time shepherd’s crook Sonny Wortzik ( Al Pacino).Dog Day Afternoon , which is based on a true story , orbit around Sonny and Sal Naturile ’s ( John Cazale ) robbery gone wrong . What was supposed to be a quick offense finally turns into a tense hostage situation , which see the pair surround by police and the medium . Sonny ’s surprising motivations for the criminal offense are shortly revealed , which makes him an unbelievable anti - zep in the eyes of the populace .
Directed by Sidney Lumet , Dog Day Afternoonis remembered for its anti - establishment sentiment , emphasized by a moment when Sonny chant “ Attica ! Attica ! ” to the assemble crowd in an attempt to reference the infamous prison riot . It was also ahead of its time in its enactment of sexuality , as aside from the protagonist being a epicene manlike character , his reason for stealing is to fund his partner ’s gender reassignment surgery . This movie stands out as one ofAl Pacino ’s greatest works , with the role player really shining in the persona - focused story .
7. Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Reservoir Dogsis a pioneering law-breaking picture show that also served as illustrious directorQuentin Tarantino‘s feature - length debut . The 1992 movie centers on a group of criminals , each assign color - coded nom de guerre , brought together by offence boss Joe Cabot ( Lawrence Tierney ) for a infield heist . The heist itself is never exhibit ; rather , the movie depicts the increasingly tense interactions between the characters as they regroup in a warehouse , trying to figure out what went wrong during the robbery and who among them might be a police source
The choice to portray the aftermath of the botched robbery rather of the genuine offence was an innovative and fascinating one at the clock time . Reservoir Dogsalso featured a non - linear narrative that added to its novel contributions to the literary genre . Plus , despite being among Tarantino ’s former works , it already greatly benefit from the filmmaker ’s trademarks , with his key signature sharp negotiation , offbeat humour , and graphic violence helping ferment the moving picture into a fad classic .
6. The Italian Job (2003)
Part meticulously craft heist film , partincredibly exhilarating revenge moving picture , The Italian Jobrevolves around a squad of skilled thieves who pull in off a looting in Venice . When one of their own , Steve ( Edward Norton ) , sell them , piss off with the lolly and killing their safecracker , the rest of the group vow retribution . A year later , Charlie and his crew — including their fresh safebreaker Stella Bridger ( Charlize Theron ) , cyberpunk Lyle ( Seth Green ) , wheelman Handsome Rob ( Jason Statham ) , and explosives expert Left Ear ( Mos Def ) — regroup in Los Angeles to get retribution and reclaim the steal gold .
The Italian Jobis a stylish heist moving picture have an all - star cast , with theater director F. Gary Gray ’s work being an homage to the eponymous 1969 British film . The inspiration is obvious in the 2003 film ’s use of tricked - out Mini Coopers in some of the most exciting action sequences in the genre . This blend of fashionable scenes with bold fun has cementedThe Italian Jobas a modern classic that has lose none of its appealingness since it first premiered .
5. Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
Fresh out of prison house , Danny Ocean ( George Clooney ) recruits his sure-enough admirer Rusty Ryan ( Brad Pitt ) and piece a squad that includes pickpocket Linus Caldwell ( Matt Damon ) and explosives expert Basher Tarr ( Don Cheadle ) , among others inOcean ’s Eleven . Together , they handpick a crew of skilled inmate adult male and thieves to attract off a daring theft of three Las Vegas cassino . Their target is the vault holding $ 160 million from the Bellagio , Mirage , and MGM Grand , all owned by ruthless tycoon Terry Benedict ( Andy Garcia ) , who is also dating Danny ’s ex - wife , Tess ( Julia Roberts ) .
Director Steven Soderbergh ’s Ocean’sElevenis a slick heist film that makes its flawed felon appear effortlessly cool , despite show all the tedious work it takes to contrive a wild looting . With star power like Clooney , Pitt , Matt Damon , Don Cheadle , and more , all do against the glamorous backdrop of Las Vegas , it was a guaranteed major hit . The smash hit would engender a massively democratic enfranchisement that coiffure a new benchmark for ensemble heist films .
4. Rififi (1955)
Rififiis one ofthe neat criminal offense moviesmost have likely never even hear of , with the 1955 moving picture being a germinal work in French film noir . send by Jules Dassin , who recover piece of work in France after being blacklisted from Hollywood , the film follows Tony “ le Stéphanois ” ( Jean Servais ) , a master stealer saucy out of prison house , who teams up with three other malefactor : Jo le Suedois ( Carl Möhner ) , Mario Ferrati ( Robert Manuel ) , and César le Milanais ( play by Dassin himself under the anonym Perlo Vita ) . Together , they plan an elaborate looting of an exclusive Parisian jewellery fund .
The flick is well known for its 32 - minute heist sequence shot in complete secretiveness to emphasize the tension and realism of the turn . This single segment would become one of the most influential fit in the genre , with the offense prank ’s bequest obvious in later heist classics likeOcean ’s ElevenandHeat . Despite premiering almost 70 yr ago , Rififiis still worth watching if only to see the groundbreaking aspects that helped influence the writing style as fans know it today .
3. A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
Jamie Lee Curtisstars as the seductive femme fatale Wanda Gershwitz who leads a quirky pack of criminals inA Fish anticipate Wanda . Directed by Charles Crichton , the moving-picture show shows the group ’s fallout following a successful stickup , as Wanda and her dim - witted lover Otto West ( Kevin Kline ) threefold - cross their co-worker George Thomason ( Tom Georgeson ) . After he ends up in jail , the duo attempts to turn up the diamond he enshroud by manipulate George ’s barrister , the blow Archie Leach ( John Cleese ) .
A Fish phone Wandais a standout in the genre for its unique blend of a Hellenic heist and softheaded comedy . Its sharp humor lead to some laugh - out - loud present moment , especially as the flakey characters find themselves in the eye of hilarious misunderstandings and awkward scenarios . From Wanda ’s misguided conquest of Archie to Ken ’s absurd flush it attempts at getting rid of a spectator , the 1988 crime - drollery flick had viewers guffaw in cinemas , so much so that an audience member actually died while laughing during ascreening ofA Fish call Wanda .
2. Inception (2012)
Inceptionis a genre- and judgement - bending blockbuster that ’s amongdirector Christopher Nolan ’s best movies . A sci - fi , heist , action , and drama motion-picture show , it in the main follows Dom Cobb ( Leonardo DiCaprio ) , a skilled stealer specializing in extracting arcanum from within the subconscious mind during the dream state of matter . Cobb is offered a luck to have his condemnable book erased in interchange for implant an estimation into a butt ’s mind , a unconscious process fuck as “ origination . ” To succeed , Cobb meet a squad that gets deep within the intellect of their target , Robert Fischer ( Cillian Murphy ) . shortly , Cobb ’s subconscious projections of his deceased married woman , Mal ( Marion Cotillard ) , begin to jeopardize the deputation .
Nolan had somehow combined high - construct science fiction with heist movie tropes and create one of the most confusing yet wildly entertaining and immersive viewing experiences in cinematic history . Inceptionis a wide celebrated moving picture that has left a lasting fool on soda pop culture , with most fan agreeing that it warrant more than one viewing to full appreciate its voluminous secret plan and visually sensational dreamscape .
1. Heat (1995)
InHeat , master thief Neil McCauley ( Robert De Niro ) plans high - stakes heists with a loyal crew , enjoying an unbelievable achiever rate . This is soon threatened by LAPD police detective Vincent Hanna ( Al Pacino ) , who becomes obsessed with capturing the criminal . As McCauley plan one last big score , he lay everything on the line , even if it puts him on a dangerous hit path with Hanna , who ’s more determined than ever to catch him .
Directed by Michael Mann , the 1995 moving picture impressed fans and critics likewise with its superimposed news report that explored the unexpected parallels between the criminal mastermind and the pig . Heatexposes the parallels and contrasts between them . McCauley lives by a nonindulgent codification and avoids attachments that could compromise his exemption , while Hanna ’s dedication to his line of work strains his relationship with his married woman and stepdaughter . This profound exploration of the twosome ’s lonesomeness and compulsion is perfectly complement by intense activity , with the film culminate in a tense showdown at the camber and a climactic airport chase , which will have audiences glue to their screens .
