25 Exceptional Heist Movies Of All Time, Ranked

Cops, robbers, getaway drivers and a soundtrack of badass tunes; is there something not to like approximately a great financial institution heist movie? Since the early Fifties, financial institution robbery films have captured our attention, presenting us a glimpse into the get-wealthy-quick schemes a few petty criminals are inclined to chase in order to reap a quick-reduce to the American Dream. If they training session, it’s all gold and smiles, however if no longer, you could wager there may be an limitless parade of police prepared to take down the anti-heroes in full-flight.

In the early days of theft movies, the plots had been easy and normally targeted round one valuable man or woman looking to make it large. However, inside the years which have exceeded, the classic financial institution heist movie has reworked the formula. In the 1970s, we had the down-on-his-success antihero trying to right the wrongs that had befallen him. In the 1990s, that message changed, getting into the classic, ‘one ultimate activity’ motif that generally noticed a quickly-to-be-retired con searching out one large score earlier than going clean. At the time period of the Millenium, matters changed once more, with deeper complexity brought to the story, normally regarding a backstory that contains a damaged marriage and a few atypical own family dynamics. These subject matters are cliche, to mention the least, but for all of the stereotypes and predictable plotlines, we still tune in.

So, why do we love financial institution heist films a lot? We’ll threat a guess and say it’s were given some thing to do with our penchant for day-dreaming. Inside all and sundry, no matter how lots we claim to love our jobs, we yearn for the joys of the chase and if the great heist films have taught us something, it’s that sticking up a financial institution is a surefire way to get the adrenaline pumping.

Without in addition ado, here is a listing of the 25 high-quality heist films ever made.1. Heat (1995)

Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro unite in Michael Mann’s 3-hour long masterpiece of current cinema. This isn’t just your run-of-the-mill, spoil and clutch story, Heat delves deep into the criminal underworld, via the lens of top-pleasant thief Neil McCauley (DeNiro) as he’s relentlessly pursued via Lieutenant Vincent Harris (Pacino). The police officer’s obsessive quest to trap the master thief slowly cripples his non-public life, whilst McCauley grapples with finding love inside the midst of a plan. All involves a head when the pair inadvertently meet in a espresso shop, realising they may be a ways greater alike than they could pick out to confess. DeNiro and Pacino placed on an absolute performing hospital, the route is outstanding and the choreographed action sequences are a few of the high-quality ever seen in movie. Val Kilmer changed into even applauded by the American Military for his 100 per cent accurate use of a army rapid reload, making sure that Heat isn’t always handiest one of the high-quality heist films ever made, however additionally one of the most practical.

Director: Michael MannStarring: Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro, Val Kilmer, Ashley JuddThe Score: $1.6 million in bearer bonds, $12 million in financial institution money2. Ocean’s Eleven (2001)

A remake of the conventional Rat Pack movie, Ocean’s Eleven is one of the great heist movies of all time, even if it isn’t set in a bank. The movie follows the dashing thief extraordinaire Danny Ocean (Clooney) as he attempts to swindle $one hundred sixty million from on line casino boss Tony Benedict (Garcia). The simplest hassle is, Benedict simply happens to be dating Ocean’s ex-wife. Throw in Bernie Mac for laughs, Don Cheadle’s questionable British accent and approximately 50 scenes of Brad Pitt eating and you’ve got yourself one of the best heist films ever made.

Director: Steven SoderberghStarring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Julia RobertsThe Score: $a hundred and sixty million3. The Town (2010)

A surprise hit, The Town would possibly just be Ben Affleck’s first-class work. Once once more, we see Affleck go back to Boston, playing Doug, a failed hockey-participant turned reluctant bank robber. When a bank theft goes awry, Affleck reveals himself enamoured with the teller he held at gunpoint. An inner struggle between deciding on the righteous direction and following a existence of crime ensues, perpetuated with the aid of the vintage ‘one closing job’ mentality. The Town, even as not totally authentic, is a blunt and brutal story of redemption, war and violence. Jeremy Renner’s performance as Doug’s unhinged buddy Jem is tragic and tremendous, even as Affleck himself does a first rate process in front of the digital camera.

Director: Ben AffleckStarring: Ben Affleck, Jeremy Renner, Jon Hamm, Rebecca HallThe Score: A couple of million4. The Killing (1956)

Before The Shining, there has been The Killing. Stanley Kubrick’s notorious 1956 movie debut is a masterclass on the way to create the excellent heist film. The story includes a wealth of transferring, interconnected elements, each triggering a reaction that the viewer has but to well hold close. The Killing follows Johnny Preston (Hayden) a career thief who simply were given out after a five-year sentence as he attempts to rob a racetrack on the day of a big occasion. Enlisting the help of a crooked cop, a sharpshooter and a few muscle, Preston’s plan seems best till betrayal rears its ugly head.

Director: Stanley KubrickStarring: Sterling Hayden, Marie WindsorThe Score: $2 million5. The Usual Suspects (1995)

This thoughts-bending story of betrayal is certainly one of Spacey’s excellent performances, incomes him an Oscar nod returned in 1995. When a collection of misfit profession criminals set out to steal a $ninety one million shipment of cocaine, it seems to be the right crime. However, whilst the institution learns that the man they’ve unknowingly stolen from is Keyser Söze, the maximum feared crook inside the world, matters pass a bit haywire. Slowly, Söze picks them off one by one, confirming all reports that he is one crime boss no longer to be trifled with. The Usual Suspects is probably first-rate remembered for its iconic finishing, but the hours beforehand are a masterclass of filmmaking.

Director: Bryan SingerStarring: Kevin Spacey, Stephen 1st Earl Baldwin of Bewdley, Benicio del ToroThe Score: $ninety one million well worth of cocaine6. Rififi (1955)

If you haven’t visible Rififi before, you’re missing out. The 1955 traditional revolutionised cinema, bringing an air of darkness to the display screen that become not like some thing seen earlier than. The tale follows Tony (Servais), a crooked con just launched after five years in jail as he teams up with his protege, Jo and another thief Mario. A daring plot to thieve diamonds is hatched, but, what makes Rififi one of the best heist films ever made isn’t the heist in any respect, however the crushing realisation that what you want to be and who you are aren’t continually the equal component. The dramatic and crushing scene among Jo and his spouse is one of the maximum effective moments in cinema records.

Director: Jules DassinStarring: Jean Servais, Jules DassinThe Score: 240 million francs7. Hell or High Water (2016)

A runaway hit and one of the quality heist films you’ve never heard of, Hell or High Water is absolute should-watch. Set in West Texas, this story seesbrothers on opposites facets of the moral compass band together for a series of bank robberies. Their reasons are doubtful at the start, however, as the story evolves and we analyze greater about the pair, we find out matters aren’t always as they appear.

Director: David MackenzieStarring: Jeff Bridges, Chris Pine, Ben FosterThe Score: Bank drawers8. Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

A heartbreaking true story, Dog Day Afternoon is a film properly in advance of its time. Where different heist movies focused on the next ‘huge score’, this traditional sees Al Pacino play Sonny, a homosexual Vietnam veteran who sticks up a Brooklyn financial institution to pay for his lover’s sex-change surgical treatment. His unwell-gotten plan is fraught with disasters, leaving him trapped inside the bank even as a swirling media circus gathers out of doors. Pacino’s overall performance is actually breath-taking, flawlessly capturing the essence of desperation in a time of exquisite want. While it in reality isn’t traditional, Dog Day Afternoon have to be covered inside the first-class heist movies of all time for realism on my own.

Director: Sidney LumetStarring: Al Pacino, John Cazale, Charles DunningThe Score: $10,0009. Reservoir Dogs (1992)

The film that brought Quentin Tarantino to the world, Reservoir Dogs is plagued by love notes to heist films gone by using. The financial institution robbery movie does now not comply with a linear narrative, alternatively, hopping round chronologically, a theme Tarantino reprised in Pulp Fiction. Reservoir Dogs follows a set of mysterious guys regarded only with the aid of code-names as they navigate the aftermath of a robbery long past incorrect. The criminals start to suspect there may be a rat among the ranks, main to a whole lot of finger-pointing and a hint of torture. You’ll by no means concentrate to Stealers Wheel the identical again.

Director: Quentin TarantinoStarring: Tim Roth, Harvey Keitel, Steve Buscemi, Michael MadsenThe Score: Bank drawers10. The Asphalt Jungle (1950)