A great heist movie gives you the thrill of a perfect plan unfolding — and then falling apart.
The genre demands clever writing, sharp direction, and a cast that crackles with chemistry.
These 10 heist films are the gold standard — each one a masterclass in tension and style.
1. Heat (1995) 7.9
Genre: Crime, Drama, Action · Director: Michael Mann · Cast: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer
Obsessive master thief Neil McCauley leads a top-notch crew on various daring heists throughout Los Angeles while determined detective Vincent Hanna pursues him without rest. Each man recognizes and r
2. Ocean’s Eleven (2001) 7.5
Genre: Thriller, Crime · Director: Steven Soderbergh · Cast: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Andy Garcia
Less than 24 hours into his parole, charismatic thief Danny Ocean is already rolling out his next plan: In one night, Danny’s hand-picked crew of specialists will attempt to steal more than $150 milli
3. Inside Man (2006) 7.4
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller · Director: Spike Lee · Cast: Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, Jodie Foster
When an armed, masked gang enter a Manhattan bank, lock the doors and take hostages, the detective assigned to effect their release enters negotiations preoccupied with corruption charges he is facing
4. Baby Driver (2017) 7.4
Genre: Action, Crime · Director: Edgar Wright · Cast: Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Lily James
After being coerced into working for a crime boss, a young getaway driver finds himself taking part in a heist doomed to fail.
5. Now You See Me (2013) 7.3
Genre: Thriller, Crime · Director: Louis Leterrier · Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher
An FBI agent and an Interpol detective track a team of illusionists who pull off bank heists during their performances and reward their audiences with the money.
6. Hell or High Water (2016) 7.3
Genre: Western, Crime, Drama · Director: David Mackenzie · Cast: Jeff Bridges, Chris Pine, Ben Foster
A divorced dad and his ex-con brother resort to a desperate scheme in order to save their family’s farm in West Texas.
7. The Town (2010) 7.2
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller · Director: Ben Affleck · Cast: Ben Affleck, Jeremy Renner, Rebecca Hall
Doug MacRay is a longtime thief, who, smarter than the rest of his crew, is looking for his chance to exit the game. When a bank job leads to the group kidnapping an attractive branch manager, he take
8. The Italian Job (2003) 6.8
Genre: Action, Crime · Director: F. Gary Gray · Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Edward Norton
Charlie Croker pulled off the crime of a lifetime. The one thing that he didn’t plan on was being double-crossed. Along with a drop-dead gorgeous safecracker, Croker and his team take off to re-steal
9. Logan Lucky (2017) 6.7
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Action · Director: Steven Soderbergh · Cast: Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, Daniel Craig
Trying to reverse a family curse, brothers Jimmy and Clyde Logan set out to execute an elaborate robbery during the legendary Coca-Cola 600 race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Heist movies are endlessly rewatchable because the planning is just as exciting as the execution. These 10 are the ones you’ll watch twice — at least.