Life is filled with certainties: taxes, mortality, and an irresistible pull towards heist movies. The allure of these films is undeniable; they tap into a fascination with elaborate schemes and the thrill of watching a plan come together. Even if you’d never dream of staging a heist yourself, there’s something deeply satisfying about experiencing the drama of it unfold on screen.
Heist movies, with their mix of intricate planning, clever twists, and the eventual resolution, often deliver a unique kind of pleasure. While even the less successful entries in the genre can entertain, the truly exceptional heist movies stand out. These films don’t just follow the formula—they perfect it, offering not just a glimpse into the heist but a thrilling, well-crafted experience from start to finish. Here’s a look at some of the finest examples of this genre.
10. Le Doulos (1962)
Old-school French gangster films exude a distinctive, effortlessly cool, and many of the most notable ones weave heists into their core narratives. Le Doulos, while not as centrally focused on heists as some other French films from the same period, still integrates them enough to be considered a significant entry in the genre.
The film centers around an informant, a gangster fresh out of prison, and a heist that seems destined to fail. Despite being over 60 years old, Le Doulos maintains a brisk, unpredictable pace that keeps it engaging, showcasing the enduring appeal of its storytelling and its influence on the crime and thriller genres that followed.
9. Fast Five (2011)
Just as BC and AD mark pivotal points in the Gregorian calendar, BFF (Before Fast Five) and AFF (After Fast Five) signify a major shift in the Fast and Furious franchise. Before Fast Five, the series focused primarily on street racing with a sprinkling of crime and action. After Fast Five, the franchise transitioned to an emphasis on spectacular, over-the-top action.
Fast Five stands out as a high point in the series, not just emotionally (with Furious 7 holding that honor) but in terms of overall excellence. This installment transformed the series into a full-blown heist movie, uniting a diverse cast of characters from the previous films to pull off a high-stakes operation.
It’s packed with thrilling action sequences and maintains a relentless pace, pushing the limits of what’s plausible without descending into outright absurdity. Though the series would later embrace a more comedic and exaggerated tone, Fast Five strikes a perfect balance between high-octane excitement and engaging storytelling.
8. Going in Style (1979)
Forget the pointless remake; the original Going in Style from 1979 remains a hidden gem in the world of bank robbery films. Unlike the typical heist movie that features younger, more energetic robbers, this film distinguishes itself by focusing on a trio of septuagenarians seeking to add a dash of excitement to their otherwise mundane lives.
The plot revolves around these elderly men who, feeling unfulfilled and craving a thrill, decide to rob a bank. While their plan does inject some adventure into their lives, it also brings about unexpected consequences that give the film a surprisingly melancholic undertone.
Going in Style starts off as a comedic heist, full of charm and humor, but gradually shifts to a poignant exploration of the challenges and realities of aging. This blend of comedy and emotional depth makes it a standout in the heist genre.
7. Reservoir Dogs (1992)
If you’re looking for a heist film with an iconic heist sequence at its core, Reservoir Dogs might not meet those expectations. Instead, Quentin Tarantino’s 1992 film dives deep into the aftermath of a heist gone horribly wrong. It’s a masterclass in Tarantino’s signature intricate storytelling, using non-linear narrative to unravel the events before and after the heist.
The film shines with its exceptional performances, unpredictability, and relentless pace. As a small-scale heist movie, it defies many of the conventional tropes of the genre, making it stand out for its originality. Reservoir Dogs excels in its own unique way, focusing on the fallout of a criminal plan rather than the heist itself, and it remains a standout for its bold departure from genre norms.
6. Drive (2011)
Drive carves out its own niche within the heist genre, sharing a similar spirit to Reservoir Dogs in its focus on the aftermath rather than the heist itself, though it diverges significantly in style and pacing. This film leans into an arthouse sensibility, centering on a getaway driver whose involvement in a botched robbery propels the story.
With its unique atmosphere and a brooding, enigmatic protagonist, Drive excels as a slow-burn thriller. The film is less about the intricate details of the heist and more about the driver’s struggle for survival and redemption. Its striking style and mood are its main attractions, creating an experience that’s more about the visual and emotional journey than a complex narrative. Despite its relatively straightforward plot, the film’s distinctive style ensures it remains captivating from start to finish.
5. Inception (2010)
Inception brings a fresh and imaginative twist to the heist genre, infusing it with a science fiction edge that’s quintessentially Christopher Nolan. Rather than focusing on stealing tangible objects, this film centers on the more abstract challenge of planting an idea into someone’s subconscious.
The movie meticulously outlines its complex concept of dream infiltration, which, while occasionally dense, serves as a foundation for its inventive and visually stunning sequences. The initial exposition, although intricate, sets the stage for a captivating journey through layered dreamscapes.
As the film progresses, particularly in its second and third acts, it transforms into a spectacle of awe-inspiring creativity, pushing traditional heist narratives’ boundaries with its groundbreaking storytelling approach.
4. Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Dog Day Afternoon fits within the heist genre but takes a different approach by focusing on a bank robbery that is poorly executed from the start. Rather than detailing the planning of the heist, the film immerses itself in the chaotic and intense moments of the robbery as it unfolds.
Unlike Reservoir Dogs, which explores the aftermath of a failed heist, Dog Day Afternoon stays almost entirely within the confines of the robbery itself. The situation quickly escalates into a media frenzy, turning the robbery into a public spectacle with numerous hostages and a gripping standoff. The film excels in maintaining a high level of tension throughout, driven by Al Pacino’s compelling and powerful performance, which adds to the palpable sense of urgency and unease.
3. Rififi (1955)
Rififi is a cornerstone of the heist genre, particularly within French cinema, and is a must-see for any enthusiast of heist films. Released in 1955, it stands as a pioneering work that refined the genre’s conventions long before many of its successors. The film delivers a narrative that aligns with classic heist storylines, yet it executes many of these genre elements with remarkable originality.
Its heist sequence is especially noteworthy, often cited as one of the best in cinematic history. The meticulous planning and execution of the robbery itself are riveting, but the film also excels in its build-up and the aftermath, offering a comprehensive and engaging portrayal of the heist’s impact. Rififi remains a timeless piece of cinema, continuing to captivate and influence filmmakers and audiences alike with its masterful approach to the heist genre.
2. Heat (1995)
Heat stands as a quintessential 1990s film, embodying the decade’s cinematic excellence with its nearly three-hour runtime that justifies every second. The movie intricately weaves a narrative around a master thief planning a high-stakes bank heist and a relentless detective determined to stop him, creating a gripping game of cat and mouse enriched by a cast of complex characters and intertwining subplots.
The film boasts exceptional performances across the board, and its heist sequence is a standout—arguably one of the finest action scenes ever captured on film. Heat pushes the boundaries of the heist genre, blending intense drama with spectacular action to deliver a film that remains one of the most celebrated and influential crime dramas of the 1990s. Its combination of deep character study and thrilling set pieces makes it an essential and enduring classic.
1. Le Cercle Rouge (1970)
Le Cercle Rouge is a masterclass in patience, offering a deliberate pacing that’s more about thoughtful development than being simply “slow.” The film meticulously builds its characters on both sides of the law, setting the stage for an intricate jewel heist. The heist sequence itself is notably lengthy and unfolds in a remarkably minimalist style, emphasizing precision and tension.
The build-up is subtly captivating, and the aftermath of the heist adds to the film’s intensity and drama. Le Cercle Rouge takes what Rififi achieved and elevates it to a new level of sophistication, creating an unforgettable heist sequence. Featuring iconic French actors like Alain Delon and Yves Montand, the film stands as a quintessential crime drama, showcasing the genre at its absolute peak. It’s a definitive example of how heist films can be both artfully constructed and thrillingly executed.
