10 Thrilling Heist Films You Must Watch • PickAMovieForMe.com

There’s nothing like a good heist movie to get the blood pumping and the synapses firing, as this exciting sub-genre combines explosive action with a compelling setting. Whether it’s about a group of robbers breaking into a bank or a team of elite spies unearthing vital information, a solid heist movie always makes for a thrilling night’s entertainment. The heist film genre has been around for over 70 years, first appearing in the 1950s and continuing to gain popularity over the decades. Now, with so many great heist movies to choose from, it can be hard to choose which one to watch.

To make your decision-making process easier, we have prepared a list of the 10 best heist movies to watch. From big-budget franchises to blockbusters, this list will provide a great balance of action and storytelling, guaranteed to get your heart rate up and get you on your feet. Listed in no particular order, here are the 10 best heist movies ever!

Hell or High Water is a gripping heist film with a Southern twist and directed by David Mackenzie. Set in west Texas, the film follows two brothers, Toby (Chris Pine) and Tanner Howard (Ben Foster), who commit bank robberies as a way to keep their family ranch afloat. Pursued by a pair of Texas Rangers including Marcus Hamilton (Jeff Bridges), the brothers must outwit the law or watch their lives crumble. Gritty and grounded, this slow-burn experience has plenty of action, but excels with its rich cinematography and stellar actor performances. If you’re in the mood for an emotional story that takes its time but never quite gets off the ground, check it out Hell or High Water.

City is a thrilling crime drama directed by Ben Affleck and based on the original novel Prince of Thieves by Chuck Hogan. Full of suspense and suspense, the film follows a group of four friends from Boston, Massachusetts who decide to rob a bank. While the robbery goes according to plan, things start to get more complex when one of the bandits named Doug (Ben Affleck) falls in love with Claire (Rebecca Hall), a hostage taken from the bank. Packed with superb camerawork, stunning gunfights and confident direction, City is a heist film that every fan of the genre should watch.

Directed by John Luessenhop and starring Chris Brown, Hayden Christensen, Matt Dillon, and more, Taker is a sleek film that centers on a group of cool bank robbers who engage in one final epic heist. After serving time for a previous robbery gone wrong, a gang member named Ghost (Tip Harris) is released from prison and convinces the crew to rob $12 million from a pair of armored trucks. Although the plot relies on some genre tropes and thin character development, there’s enough high-octane action and some fun scenes to earn this film a spot on our list.

In Man is an intense heist thriller film directed by Spike Lee, creator of hit films such as Malcolm, And 5 BloodAnd BlackKkKlansman. Full of character drama and criminal intrigue, this fantastic film follows a tense hostage situation during a bank robbery in Manhattan, New York. As Detective Keith Frazier (Denzel Washington) negotiates with master thief Dalton Russell (Clive Owen), things get even more chaotic when desperate Madeleine White (Jodie Foster) gets involved. Shot with a palpable atmosphere of tension, In Man offers great performances, a smart script, and some truly captivating negotiation scenes. By avoiding genre tropes and sticking to a well-crafted, ambitious story, In Man succeeded with the story of a Wall Street heist.

Written and directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, Focus is a seductive drama with a romantic edge about professional con artist Nicky (Will Smith) who falls for his protégé, the stunning Jess (Margot Robbie). Full of glamor, the film follows these two charismatic leads as they carry out increasingly complex affairs and cons. While it may not be full of gunfights or explosions, Focus offers a compelling story with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. From elaborate head games to backstabbing betrayals, you’ll be surprised and engaged throughout this fashionable crime story.

Tower Theft is a goofy action and comedy film directed by Brett Ratner featuring hilarious stars like Eddie Murphy, Ben Stiller, Michael Pena, and more. After Josh (Ben Stiller), the manager of an expensive high-rise apartment complex, is foiled by a Ponzi scheme hatched by the building’s wealthy tenants, he decides to recover his losses by robbing the man’s luxury place. Enlisting help from his colleagues, Josh and his crew plan an overly complicated heist for Thanksgiving. As expected, a group of inexperienced robbers run into a lot of trouble, resulting in a lot of hilarious heists. If you’re looking for a less serious heist story, Tower Theft is a worthwhile choice!

Italian Jobs is a stylish heist film directed by acclaimed creator F. Gary Gray, best known for his work on award-winning films such as Straight Outta Compton And Friday. With a star-studded cast including Edward Norton, Mark Wahlberg, Jason Statham, and more, this remake of the British classic centers on a group of thieves attempting to steal some gold from their backstabbing boss. With some awesome chase sequences, interesting characters, and some fresh plot elements, this remake manages to pay homage to the 1969 original while providing a ton of modern fun. Whether it’s the stellar cast or the exciting action and espionage, there’s a lot to love about this remake.

Directed by Steven Soderbergh and absolutely brimming with talent and charm, Eleven Seas is a remake of the iconic 1960s heist film. Starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and more, the film follows criminal mastermind Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and his crew of ten thieves as they try to rob three of Las Vegas’ biggest casinos at the same time. Guaranteed to grab your attention and hold it until the end, Eleven Seas is a highly entertaining team-up heist film that mixes drama, action, and a bit of comedy to create a rollercoaster heist ride. Contrary to luxurious gambling capital, Eleven Seas is one of the most successful and brilliant modern heist film franchises.

Twelve Oceans is a direct sequel to Eleven Seas and once again follows Danny Ocean (George Clooney) as he and his loyal associates plan another elaborate heist worth millions of dollars. Set shortly after the events of the first film, Danny and his team are discovered by former target Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia), who demands his fortune returned. Needing cash to pay it off, Danny and his group go to Amsterdam to steal the first stock certificates issued. Unfortunately, problems arise when they are continually thwarted by a thief known as the Night Fox. Like the previous film, Twelve Oceans providing viewers with a compelling narrative full of clever twists, interesting characters, and compelling sequences. When compared to their initial heist in Las Vegas, the crew’s time in Europe is a worthwhile sequel that’s a lot of fun.

Thirteen Oceans is the third and final film in the crime thriller trilogy directed by Steven Soderbergh and concludes the story of Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and his band of life-threatening thieves. After a stint in Amsterdam, the team enjoys some time off, but are drawn back into the world of professional heists when their friend Reuben Tishkoff (Elliot Gould) makes a deal with corrupt Las Vegas businessman Willy Bank (Al Pacino). When Banks plans to open a swanky new hotel in the area, Danny and his squad must team up with an old enemy to get revenge. Driven by revenge rather than greed, the crew sets out to sabotage the hotel’s opening night and ensure Banks is driven from town. Presented with bright colors, mischievous humor, and a ton of entertaining crime action, Thirteen Oceans is a sharply edited and engaging conclusion to the series. Satisfying, unique, and full of fun ideas, this film closes out the heist trilogy in style.

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