Best Heist Movies of All Time

Critics Consensus: While it's certainly timely and beautifully filmed, The Bling Ring suffers from director Sofia Coppola's failure to delve beneath the surface of its shallow protagonists' real-life crimes.

Synopsis: A teenager (Israel Broussard) and his gang of fame-obsessed youths (Katie Chang, Taissa Farmiga) use the Internet to track the whereabouts of celebrities, then rob... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Israel Broussard, Katie Chang, Taissa Farmiga, Claire Julien

Directed By: Sofia Coppola

Critics Consensus: The Newton Boys uses a sharp cast and absorbing period detail to help make up for the frustrations of a story puzzlingly short on dramatic tension.

Synopsis: Seeking an escape from poverty, sibling Texas farmers (Matthew McConaughey, Skeet Ulrich, Ethan Hawke) gain notoriety as daring 1920s bank robbers.

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Skeet Ulrich, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D'Onofrio

Directed By: Richard Linklater

Critics Consensus: The story may not warrant its lengthy running time, but the cast of Bandits makes it an enjoyable ride.

Synopsis: Joe (Bruce Willis) and Terry (Billy Bob Thornton) have escaped from prison. Cutting a swath from Oregon through California, these fugitives rob banks in order... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton, Cate Blanchett, Troy Garity

Directed By: Barry Levinson

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Criminals and the police try to catch a high-tech thief (John Phillip Law) out to steal a 20-ton gold ingot.

Starring: John Phillip Law, Marisa Mell, Michel Piccoli, Adolfo Celi

Directed By: Mario Bava

Critics Consensus: Formulaic and often jarringly violent, 2 Guns rests its old-school appeal on the interplay between its charismatic, well-matched stars.

Synopsis: For the past year, DEA agent Bobby Trench (Denzel Washington) and U.S. Navy intelligence officer Marcus Stigman (Mark Wahlberg) have been working under cover as... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg, Paula Patton, Bill Paxton

Directed By: Baltasar Kormákur

Critics Consensus: Full of special effects, Brian DePalma's update of Mission: Impossible has a lot of sweeping spectacle, but the plot is sometimes overly convoluted.

Synopsis: When U.S. government operative Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his mentor, Jim Phelps (Jon Voight), go on a covert assignment that takes a disastrous turn,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Henry Czerny, Ving Rhames

Directed By: Brian De Palma

Critics Consensus: Woody Allen rises from his recent slump with Small Time Crooks. A simple, funny movie, Crooks proves Allen still has the touch that made his name synonymous with off-beat comedy.

Synopsis: Woody Allen wrote, directed and stars in this romantic comedy that follows the misadventures of an ex-con dishwasher and his manicurist wife. Their get-rich-quick scheme... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Woody Allen, Tracey Ullman, Hugh Grant, Jon Lovitz

Directed By: Woody Allen

Critics Consensus: The Burnt Orange Heresy has a certain stylish charm, even if -- much like the art world it depicts -- it'll strike some viewers as pretentious.

Synopsis: Charismatic art critic James Figueras and his American lover travel to the lavish Lake Como estate of powerful art collector, Joseph Cassidy. Their host reveals... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Claes Bang, Elizabeth Debicki, Mick Jagger, Donald Sutherland

Directed By: Giuseppe Capotondi

Critics Consensus: Heist didn't cover any new ground, but the cast and Mamet's expertise with witty banter make it worthwhile.

Synopsis: Joe Moore (Gene Hackman) has a job he loves. He's a thief. His job goes sour when he gets caught on security camera tape. His... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Gene Hackman, Danny DeVito, Delroy Lindo, Sam Rockwell

Directed By: David Mamet

Critics Consensus: Wrestling just enough stakes out of its thin plot, Wrath of Man sees Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham reunite for a fun, action-packed ride.

Synopsis: A mysterious and wild-eyed new cash truck security guard (Jason Statham) surprises his coworkers during a heist in which he unexpectedly unleashes precision skills. The... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jason Statham, Holt McCallany, Jeffrey Donovan, Josh Hartnett

Directed By: Guy Ritchie

Critics Consensus: An ambitious, over-the-top zombie heist mashup, Army of the Dead brings Zack Snyder back to his genre roots with a suitably gory splash.

Synopsis: From filmmaker Zack Snyder (300, Zack Snyder's Justice League), ARMY OF THE DEAD takes place following a zombie outbreak that has left Las Vegas in... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera

Directed By: Zack Snyder

Critics Consensus: The Fate of the Furious opens a new chapter in the franchise, fueled by the same infectious cast chemistry and over-the-top action fans have come to expect.

Synopsis: With Dom and Letty married, Brian and Mia retired and the rest of the crew exonerated, the globe-trotting team has found some semblance of a... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Charlize Theron, Jason Statham

Directed By: F. Gary Gray

Critics Consensus: Tower Heist is a true Brett Ratner joint: little brains to this caper, but it's fun fluff, exciting to watch, and showcases a welcome return to form for Eddie Murphy.

Synopsis: For more than 10 years, Josh Kovaks (Ben Stiller) has managed one of New York City's most luxurious and well-secured residences. One of the condo's... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Casey Affleck, Alan Alda

Directed By: Brett Ratner

Critics Consensus: Michael Mann's latest is a competent and technically impressive gangster flick with charismatic lead performances, but some may find the film lacks truly compelling drama.

Synopsis: Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger's charm and audacity endear him to much of America's downtrodden public, but he's also a thorn in the side of... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Billy Crudup

Directed By: Michael Mann

Critics Consensus: The Man from U.N.C.L.E. tries to distract from an unremarkable story with charismatic stars and fizzy set pieces, adding up to an uneven action thriller with just enough style to overcome its lack of substance.

Synopsis: At the height of the Cold War, a mysterious criminal organization plans to use nuclear weapons and technology to upset the fragile balance of power... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Debicki

Directed By: Guy Ritchie

Critics Consensus: Absurd, over-the-top, and often wildly entertaining, Point Break is here to show you that the human spirit is still alive.

Synopsis: After a string of bizarre bank robberies in Southern California, with the crooks donning masks of various former presidents, a federal agent, Johnny Utah (Keanu... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, Gary Busey, Lori Petty

Directed By: Kathryn Bigelow

Critics Consensus: Ronin earns comparisons to The French Connection with strong action, dynamic road chase scenes, and solid performances.

Synopsis: Deirdre (Natascha McElhone) puts together a team of experts that she tasks with stealing a valuable briefcase, the contents of which are a mystery. The... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Robert De Niro, Jean Reno, Natascha McElhone, Stellan Skarsgård

Directed By: John Frankenheimer

Critics Consensus: Ocean's Thirteen reverts to the formula of the first installment, and the result is another slick and entertaining heist film.

Synopsis: Danny Ocean and his gang hatch an ambitious plot for revenge after ruthless casino owner Willy Bank double-crosses Reuben Tishkoff, Danny's friend and mentor. First,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia

Directed By: Steven Soderbergh

Critics Consensus: Ocean's 8 isn't quite as smooth as its predecessors, but still has enough cast chemistry and flair to lift the price of a ticket from filmgoers up for an undemanding caper.

Synopsis: Debbie Ocean assembles an all-female team of thieves and specialists for a heist during the Met Gala, aiming for the $150 million worth of diamonds... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter

Directed By: Gary Ross

Critics Consensus: It may not boast an original plot, but Set It Off is a satisfying, socially conscious heist film thanks largely to fine performances from its leads.

Synopsis: After being fired from her job as a bank teller, Frankie begins working at a janitorial service with her friends Tisean, a single mother; Cleo,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, Blair Underwood

Directed By: F. Gary Gray

Critics Consensus: Sleek, stylish, and painlessly diverting, The Thomas Crown Affair is a remake of uncommon charm.

Synopsis: Bored billionaire Thomas Crown (Pierce Brosnan) decides to entertain himself by stealing a Monet from a reputed museum. When Catherine Banning (Rene Russo), an investigator... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Rene Russo, Denis Leary, Ben Gazzara

Directed By: John McTiernan

Critics Consensus: An outstanding cast and ambitious story help Triple Frontier overcome an uneven narrative -- and elevate the end result above a crowded field of grim and gritty heist thrillers.

Synopsis: Former Special Forces operatives reunite to plan a heist in a sparsely populated multi-border zone of South America. For the first time in their prestigious... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Garrett Hedlund

Directed By: J.C. Chandor

Critics Consensus: Fast-paced, with eye-popping stunts and special effects, the latest Mission: Impossible installment delivers everything an action fan could ask for. A thrilling summer popcorn flick.

Synopsis: Retired from active duty, and training recruits for the Impossible Mission Force, agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) faces the toughest foe of his career: Owen... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ving Rhames, Billy Crudup

Directed By: J.J. Abrams

Critics Consensus: Steve McQueen settles into the role with ease and aplomb, in a film that whisks viewers to an exotic world with style and sex appeal.

Synopsis: Bored millionaire Thomas Crown (Steve McQueen) concocts and executes a brilliant scheme to rob a bank without having to do any of the work himself.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Steve McQueen, Faye Dunaway, Paul Burke, Jack Weston

Directed By: Norman Jewison

Critics Consensus: A tough, highly stylized thriller with amazing sound design and car chases.

Synopsis: An enigmatic man of fast cars and few words, the Driver (Ryan O'Neal) excels at maneuvering getaway vehicles through the tightest of spots, making him... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ryan O'Neal, Bruce Dern, Isabelle Adjani, Ronee Blakley

Directed By: Walter Hill

Critics Consensus: Though the movie treads familiar ground in the heist/caper genre, Robert DeNiro, Edward Norton, and Marlon Brando make the movie worth watching.

Synopsis: Career thief Nick Wells (Robert De Niro) is about to mastermind a nearly impossible theft that will require his joining forces with a clever young... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Robert De Niro, Edward Norton, Angela Bassett, Marlon Brando

Directed By: Frank Oz

Critics Consensus: Despite some iffy plot elements, The Italian Job succeeds in delivering an entertaining modern take on the original 1969 heist film, thanks to a charismatic cast.

Synopsis: After a heist in Venice, Steve turns on his partners in crime, killing safecracker John Bridger and keeping all the gold for himself; the rest... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Edward Norton, Seth Green

Directed By: F. Gary Gray

Critics Consensus: Laboriously paced and overly talky, The Great Train Robbery nevertheless pulls off a thrillingly staged finale anchored by winning performances from Donald Sutherland and Sean Connery.

Synopsis: Edward Pierce is a master thief of the Victorian Era who's never found a heist he couldn't pull off. For his next criminal operation, he... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sean Connery, Donald Sutherland, Lesley-Anne Down, Alan Webb

Directed By: Michael Crichton

Critics Consensus: Though perhaps a case of style over substance, Guy Ritchie's second crime caper is full of snappy dialogue, dark comedy, and interesting characters.

Synopsis: Illegal boxing promoter Turkish (Jason Statham) convinces gangster Brick Top (Alan Ford) to offer bets on bare-knuckle boxer Mickey (Brad Pitt) at his bookie business.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Benicio del Toro, Dennis Farina, Brad Pitt, Vinnie Jones

Directed By: Guy Ritchie

Critics Consensus: Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels is a grimy, twisted, and funny twist on the Tarantino hip gangster formula.

Synopsis: Eddy (Nick Moran) convinces three friends to pool funds for a high-stakes poker game against local crime boss Hatchet Harry (P.H. Moriarty). Harry cheats and... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jason Flemyng, Dexter Fletcher, Nick Moran, Jason Statham

Directed By: Guy Ritchie

Critics Consensus: As grim and grinding as its title, Dragged Across Concrete opts for slow-burning drama instead of high-speed thrills -- and has just the right cast to make it work.

Synopsis: Police partners descend into the criminal underworld after they are suspended for assaulting a suspect on video.

Starring: Mel Gibson, Vince Vaughn, Tory Kittles, Michael Jai White

Directed By: S. Craig Zahler

Critics Consensus: Bolstered by Nolte's strong performance, The Good Thief brims with seductive style.

Synopsis: Bob (Nick Nolte) is an aging thief who has seen better days and is battling both an addiction to heroin and a growing gambling problem.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Nick Nolte, Tchéky Karyo, Said Taghmaoui, Gérard Darmon

Directed By: Neil Jordan

Critics Consensus: Sleek, loud, and over the top, Fast Five proudly embraces its brainless action thrills and injects new life into the franchise.

Synopsis: Ever since ex-cop Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker) and Mia Toretto (Jordana Brewster) broke her brother Dom (Vin Diesel) out of custody, they've traveled border to... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson

Directed By: Justin Lin

Critics Consensus: Kelly's Heroes subverts its World War II setting with pointed satirical commentary on modern military efforts, offering an entertaining hybrid of heist caper and battlefield action.

Synopsis: In the midst of World War II, an array of colorful American soldiers gets inside information from a drunk German officer about millions of dollars... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, Don Rickles, Donald Sutherland

Directed By: Brian G. Hutton

Critics Consensus: There isn't much to Sneakers' plot -- and that's more than made up for with the film's breezy panache and hi-tech lingo.

Synopsis: Computer hacker Martin (Robert Redford) heads a group of specialists who test the security of various San Francisco companies. Martin is approached by two National... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Robert Redford, Dan Aykroyd, Ben Kingsley, Mary McDonnell

Directed By: Phil Alden Robinson

Critics Consensus: Well cast and crisply directed, The Bank Job is a thoroughly entertaining British heist thriller.

Synopsis: Self-reformed petty criminal Terry Leather (Jason Statham) has become a financially struggling car dealer and settled into a pedestrian London life with his wife and... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jason Statham, Saffron Burrows, Richard Lintern, Stephen Campbell Moore

Directed By: Roger Donaldson

Critics Consensus: The Italian Job is a wildly fun romp that epitomizes the height of Britannia style.

Synopsis: A British crook (Michael Caine) robs gold ingots in Italy by having a computer expert (Benny Hill) cause a traffic jam.

Starring: Michael Caine, Noël Coward, Benny Hill, Margaret Blye

Directed By: Peter Collinson

Critics Consensus: As fast-paced, witty, and entertaining as it is star-studded and coolly stylish, Ocean's Eleven offers a well-seasoned serving of popcorn entertainment.

Synopsis: Dapper Danny Ocean is a man of action. Less than 24 hours into his parole from a New Jersey penitentiary, the wry, charismatic thief is... View Full Synopsis

Starring: George Clooney, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Brad Pitt

Directed By: Steven Soderbergh

Critics Consensus: Led by a charming performance from Paul Rudd, Ant-Man offers Marvel thrills on an appropriately smaller scale -- albeit not as smoothly as its most successful predecessors.

Synopsis: Forced out of his own company by former protégé Darren Cross, Dr. Hank Pym recruits the talents of Scott Lang, a master thief just released... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll

Directed By: Peyton Reed

Critics Consensus: Rogue One draws deep on Star Wars mythology while breaking new narrative and aesthetic ground -- and suggesting a bright blockbuster future for the franchise.

Synopsis: Former scientist Galen Erso lives on a farm with his wife and young daughter, Jyn. His peaceful existence comes crashing down when the evil Orson... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Alan Tudyk, Donnie Yen

Directed By: Gareth Edwards

Critics Consensus: Bottle Rocket is Reservoir Dogs meets Breathless with a West Texas sensibility.

Synopsis: In Wes Anderson's first feature film, Anthony has just been released from a mental hospital, only to find his wacky friend Dignan determined to begin... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson, Robert Musgrave, Andrew Wilson

Directed By: Wes Anderson

Critics Consensus: The Getaway sees Sam Peckinpah and Steve McQueen, the kings of violence and cool, working at full throttle.

Synopsis: When convict Doc McCoy (Steve McQueen) is refused parole, he enlists his wife, Carol (Ali MacGraw), to strike a deal with crooked Texan Jack Benyon... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Steve McQueen, Ali MacGraw, Ben Johnson, Sally Struthers

Directed By: Sam Peckinpah

Critics Consensus: Spike Lee's energetic and clever bank-heist thriller is a smart genre film that is not only rewarding on its own terms, but manages to subvert its pulpy trappings with wit and skill.

Synopsis: A tough detective matches wits with a bank robber, while an enigmatic woman has her own agenda.

Starring: Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, Jodie Foster, Willem Dafoe

Directed By: Spike Lee

Critics Consensus: This likable buddy/road picture deftly mixes action and comedy, and features excellent work from stars Clint Eastwood and Jeff Bridges and first-time director Michael Cimino.

Synopsis: While stealing a car, free-spirited drifter Lightfoot (Jeff Bridges) crosses paths with legendary thief Thunderbolt (Clint Eastwood) in the midst of his own escape. Thunderbolt's... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Jeff Bridges, George Kennedy, Geoffrey Lewis

Directed By: Michael Cimino

Critics Consensus: Though Al Pacino and Robert De Niro share but a handful of screen minutes together, Heat is an engrossing crime drama that draws compelling performances from its stars -- and confirms Michael Mann's mastery of the genre.

Synopsis: Master criminal Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) is trying to control the rogue actions of one of his men, while also planning one last big... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, Jon Voight

Directed By: Michael Mann

Critics Consensus: Although somewhat lackadaisical in pace, Jackie Brown proves to be an effective star-vehicle for Pam Grier while offering the usual Tarantino wit and charm.

Synopsis: When flight attendant Jackie Brown (Pam Grier) is busted smuggling money for her arms dealer boss, Ordell Robbie (Samuel L. Jackson), agent Ray Nicolette (Michael... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Forster, Bridget Fonda

Directed By: Quentin Tarantino

Critics Consensus: Sexy Beast rises above other movies in the British gangster genre due to its performances -- particularly an electrifying one by Ben Kingsley -- and the script's attention to character development.

Synopsis: Ex-villain Gal Dove (Ray Winstone) has served his time behind bars and is blissfully retired to a Spanish villa paradise with a wife he adores.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ray Winstone, Ben Kingsley, Ian McShane, Amanda Redman

Directed By: Jonathan Glazer

Critics Consensus: The Lookout is a genuinely suspenseful and affecting noir due to the great ensemble cast and their complex, realistic characters.

Synopsis: Chris (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a star athlete, has the world at his feet. Then a devastating car accident leaves him with brain damage and his bright... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jeff Daniels, Carla Gugino, Matthew Goode

Directed By: Scott Frank

Critics Consensus: Smart, innovative, and thrilling, Inception is that rare summer blockbuster that succeeds viscerally as well as intellectually.

Synopsis: Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a thief with the rare ability to enter people's dreams and steal their secrets from their subconscious. His skill has... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Elliot Page, Tom Hardy

Directed By: Christopher Nolan

Critics Consensus: A paradigm-shifting classic of American cinema, Bonnie and Clyde packs a punch whose power continues to reverberate through thrillers decades later.

Synopsis: Small-time crook Clyde Barrow (Warren Beatty) tries to steal a car and winds up with its owner's daughter, dissatisfied small-town girl Bonnie Parker (Faye Dunaway).... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, Michael J. Pollard, Gene Hackman

Directed By: Arthur Penn

Critics Consensus: Expertly shot and edited, The Usual Suspects gives the audience a simple plot and then piles on layers of deceit, twists, and violence before pulling out the rug from underneath.

Synopsis: "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist," says con man Kint, drawing a comparison to the most enigmatic... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri, Kevin Pollak

Directed By: Bryan Singer

Critics Consensus: American Animals tangles with a number of weighty themes, but never at the expense of delivering a queasily compelling true crime thriller.

Synopsis: Spencer Reinhard, Warren Lipka, Eric Borsuk and Chas Allen are four friends who live an ordinary existence in Kentucky. After a visit to Transylvania University,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Barry Keoghan, Evan Peters, Jared Abrahamson, Blake Jenner

Directed By: Bart Layton

Critics Consensus: Peter Sellers is at his virtuosically bumbling best in The Pink Panther, a sophisticated caper blessed with an unforgettably slinky score by Henry Mancini.

Synopsis: In this first film of the beloved comic series, dashing European thief Sir Charles Lytton (David Niven) plans to steal a diamond, but he's not... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Peter Sellers, David Niven, Robert Wagner, Capucine

Directed By: Blake Edwards

Critics Consensus: With its iconic pairing of Paul Newman and Robert Redford, jaunty screenplay and Burt Bacharach score, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid has gone down as among the defining moments in late-'60s American cinema.

Synopsis: The true story of fast-draws and wild rides, battles with posses, train and bank robberies, a torrid love affair and a new lease on outlaw... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Katharine Ross, Strother Martin

Directed By: George Roy Hill

Critics Consensus: The Spanish Prisoner delivers just what fans of writer-director David Mamet expect: a smart, solidly constructed drama that keeps viewers guessing... and entertained along the way.

Synopsis: Everything changes for rising corporate star Joe Ross (Campbell Scott) when he meets the wealthy and mysterious Jimmy Dell (Steve Martin) at a tropical resort.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Campbell Scott, Rebecca Pidgeon, Steve Martin, Ricky Jay

Directed By: David Mamet

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Beautiful thief Elizabeth Lipp (Melina Mercouri) and criminal genius Walter Harper (Maximilian Schell) put together a plan to steal an emerald-encrusted dagger from Istanbul's Topkapi... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Melina Mercouri, Peter Ustinov, Maximilian Schell, Robert Morley

Directed By: Jules Dassin

Critics Consensus: The Wild Bunch is Sam Peckinpah's shocking, violent ballad to an old world and a dying genre.

Synopsis: In this gritty Western classic, aging outlaw Pike Bishop (William Holden) prepares to retire after one final robbery. Joined by his gang, which includes Dutch... View Full Synopsis

Starring: William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, Robert Ryan, Edmond O'Brien

Directed By: Sam Peckinpah

Critics Consensus: Whether you see Kajillionaire as refreshingly unique or simply bizarre will depend on your cinematic adventurousness -- and fans of writer-director Miranda July wouldn't have it any other way.

Synopsis: Two con artists have spent 26 years training their only daughter to swindle, scam and steal at every turn. During a desperate and hastily conceived... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Evan Rachel Wood, Gina Rodriguez, Richard Jenkins, Debra Winger

Directed By: Miranda July

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Virgil Starkwell (Woody Allen) is intent on becoming a notorious bank robber. Unfortunately for Virgil and his not-so-budding career, he is completely incompetent. Presented in... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Woody Allen, Janet Margolin, Marcel Hillaire, Jacquelyn Hyde

Directed By: Woody Allen

Critics Consensus: Widows rounds up a stellar ensemble for a heist thriller that mixes popcorn entertainment with a message - and marks another artistic leap for director Steve McQueen.

Synopsis: A police shootout leaves four thieves dead during an explosive armed robbery attempt in Chicago. Their widows -- Veronica, Linda, Alice and Belle -- have... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Viola Davis, Colin Farrell, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki

Directed By: Steve McQueen

Critics Consensus: Duck, You Sucker is a saucy helping of spaghetti western, with James Coburn and Rod Steiger's chemistry igniting the screen and Sergio Leone's bravura style on full display.

Synopsis: At the beginning of the Mexican Revolution in 1913, greedy bandit Juan Miranda and idealist John H. Mallory, an Irish Republican Army explosives expert on... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Rod Steiger, James Coburn, Romolo Valli, Maria Monti

Directed By: Sergio Leone

Critics Consensus: Rififi depicts the perfect heist in more ways than one, telling its story so effectively that it essentially provided the template for an entire genre to follow.

Synopsis: Out of prison after a five-year stretch, jewel thief Tony (Jean Servais) turns down a quick job his friend Jo (Carl Mohner) offers him, until... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jean Servais, Carl Mohner, Robert Manuel, Magali Noël

Directed By: Jules Dassin

Critics Consensus: Thrumming with intelligence and energy, Reservoir Dogs opens Quentin Tarantino's filmmaking career with hard-hitting style.

Synopsis: A group of thieves assemble to pull of the perfect diamond heist. It turns into a bloody ambush when one of the men turns out... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn

Directed By: Quentin Tarantino

Critics Consensus: Deliciously twist-filled, Nine Queens is a clever and satisfying crime caper.

Synopsis: "Nine Queens" is the story of two small-time swindlers, Juan (Gastón Pauls) and Marcos (Ricardo Darín), who team up after meeting in a convenience store... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ricardo Darín, Gastón Pauls, Graciela Tenenbaum, Leticia Brédice

Directed By: Fabián Bielinsky

Critics Consensus: While it may not be on par with his best crime capers, No Sudden Move finds Soderbergh on entertainingly familiar ground -- and making the most of an excellent cast.

Synopsis: Set in 1954 Detroit, NO SUDDEN MOVE centers on a group of small-time criminals who are hired to steal what they think is a simple... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Don Cheadle, Benicio del Toro, David Harbour, Jon Hamm

Directed By: Steven Soderbergh

Critics Consensus: Tense, smartly written, and wonderfully cast, The Town proves that Ben Affleck has rediscovered his muse -- and that he's a director to be reckoned with.

Synopsis: Doug MacRay leads a band of ruthless bank robbers and has no real attachments except for James, who -- despite his dangerous temper -- is... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner

Directed By: Ben Affleck

Critics Consensus: High-octane fun that's smartly assembled without putting on airs, Logan Lucky marks a welcome end to Steven Soderbergh's retirement -- and proves he hasn't lost his ability to entertain.

Synopsis: West Virginia family man Jimmy Logan teams up with his one-armed brother Clyde and sister Mellie to steal money from the Charlotte Motor Speedway in... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, Farrah Mackenzie, Riley Keough

Directed By: Steven Soderbergh

Critics Consensus: Stylish, exciting, and fueled by a killer soundtrack, Baby Driver hits the road and it's gone -- proving fast-paced action movies can be smartly written without sacrificing thrills.

Synopsis: Talented getaway driver Baby relies on the beat of his personal soundtrack to be the best in the game. After meeting the woman of his... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Lily James, Jon Bernthal

Directed By: Edgar Wright

Critics Consensus: Steven Soderbergh's intelligently crafted adaptation of the Elmore Leonard novel is witty, sexy, thoroughly entertaining, and a star-making turn for George Clooney.

Synopsis: Meet Jack Foley, the most successful bank robber in the country. On the day he busts out of jail, he finds himself stealing something far... View Full Synopsis

Starring: George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Ving Rhames, Don Cheadle

Directed By: Steven Soderbergh

Critics Consensus: Stylish, fast-paced, and loaded with gripping set pieces, the fourth Mission: Impossible is big-budget popcorn entertainment that really works.

Synopsis: Blamed for a terrorist attack on the Kremlin, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and the entire IMF agency are disavowed by the U.S. government, while the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton

Directed By: Brad Bird

Critics Consensus: With its hyper-stylized blend of violence, music, and striking imagery, Drive represents a fully realized vision of arthouse action.

Synopsis: Driver is a skilled Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a getaway driver for criminals. Though he projects an icy exterior, lately he's been warming up... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks

Directed By: Nicolas Winding Refn

Critics Consensus: Thief's enigmatic conclusion will rob some audiences of satisfaction, but it's an authentic and sleekly rendered neo-noir, powered by a swaggering James Caan at the peak of his charisma.

Synopsis: A highly skilled jewel thief, Frank (James Caan) longs to leave his dangerous trade and settle down with his girlfriend, Jessie (Tuesday Weld). Eager to... View Full Synopsis

Starring: James Caan, Tuesday Weld, Willie Nelson, Jim Belushi

Directed By: Michael Mann

Critics Consensus: An oddball heist movie with an dark streak that picks apart every rule in filmmaking.

Synopsis: Cinephile slackers Franz (Sami Frey) and Arthur (Claude Brasseur) spend their days mimicking the antiheroes of Hollywood noirs and Westerns while pursuing the lovely Odile... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Anna Karina, Sami Frey, Claude Brasseur, Jean-Luc Godard

Directed By: Jean-Luc Godard

Critics Consensus: It may occasionally be guilty of coasting on pure charm, but To Catch a Thief has it in spades -- as well as a pair of perfectly matched stars in Cary Grant and Grace Kelly.

Synopsis: Notorious cat burglar John Robie (Cary Grant) has long since retired to tend vineyards on the French Riviera. When a series of robberies is committed... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Jessie Royce Landis, John Williams

Directed By: Alfred Hitchcock

Critics Consensus: Paul Newman, Robert Redford, and director George Roy Hill prove that charm, humor, and a few slick twists can add up to a great film.

Synopsis: Following the murder of a mutual friend, aspiring con man Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford) teams up with old pro Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman) to take... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Robert Shaw, Charles Durning

Directed By: George Roy Hill

Critics Consensus: Three Kings successfully blends elements of action, drama, and comedy into a thoughtful, exciting movie on the Gulf War.

Synopsis: Just after the end of the Gulf War, four American soldiers decide to steal a cache of Saddam Hussein's hidden gold. Led by Sergeant Major... View Full Synopsis

Starring: George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, Spike Jonze

Directed By: David O. Russell

Critics Consensus: An expertly crafted noir with more on its mind than stylishly staged violence, The Killing establishes Stanley Kubrick as a filmmaker of uncommon vision and control.

Synopsis: Career criminal Johnny Clay (Sterling Hayden) recruits a sharpshooter (Timothy Carey), a crooked police officer (Ted de Corsia), a bartender (Joe Sawyer) and a betting... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sterling Hayden, Coleen Gray, Vince Edwards, Jay C. Flippen

Directed By: Stanley Kubrick

Critics Consensus: Melville is at the top of his game, giving us his next-to-last entry into the world of deception, crime, and extreme suspense that made him a maestro of the French heist genre.

Synopsis: When French criminal Corey (Alain Delon) gets released from prison, he resolves to never return. He is quickly pulled back into the underworld, however, after... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Yves Montand, Alain Delon, Bourvil, Gian Maria Volonté

Directed By: Jean-Pierre Melville

Critics Consensus: Framed by great work from director Sidney Lumet and fueled by a gripping performance from Al Pacino, Dog Day Afternoon offers a finely detailed snapshot of people in crisis with tension-soaked drama shaded in black humor.

Synopsis: When inexperienced criminal Sonny Wortzik (Al Pacino) leads a bank robbery in Brooklyn, things quickly go wrong, and a hostage situation develops. As Sonny and... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Al Pacino, John Cazale, Charles Durning, Chris Sarandon

Directed By: Sidney Lumet

Critics Consensus: Smartly written, smoothly directed, and solidly cast, A Fish Called Wanda offers a classic example of a brainy comedy with widespread appeal.

Synopsis: British gangster George Thomason (Tom Georgeson) and his hapless aide, Ken Pile (Michael Palin), draft a pair of arrogant Americans, grifter Wanda Gerschwitz (Jamie Lee... View Full Synopsis

Starring: John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, Michael Palin

Directed By: Charles Crichton, John Cleese

Critics Consensus: Hell or High Water offers a solidly crafted, well-acted Western heist thriller that eschews mindless gunplay in favor of confident pacing and full-bodied characters.

Synopsis: Toby is a divorced father who's trying to make a better life for his son. His brother Tanner is an ex-convict with a short temper... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Gil Birmingham

Directed By: David Mackenzie

Critics Consensus: Majorly stylish, Bob le Flambeur is a cool homage to American gangster films and the presage to French New Wave mode of seeing.

Synopsis: In Paris, Bob Montagne (Roger Duchesne) is practically synonymous with gambling -- and winning. He is kind, classy and well-liked by virtually everyone in town,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Roger Duchesne, Isabelle Corey, Daniel Cauchy, Howard Vernon

Directed By: Jean-Pierre Melville

Critics Consensus: The Asphalt Jungle is an expertly told crime story with attention paid to the crime and characters in equal measure.

Synopsis: Recently released from prison, Dix Handley concocts a plan to steal $1 million in jewels. Dix gathers a team of small-time crooks, including a safecracker... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sterling Hayden, Sam Jaffe, Marilyn Monroe, Louis Calhern

Directed By: John Huston

Critics Consensus: The Friends of Eddie Coyle sees Robert Mitchum in transformative late-career mode in a gritty and credible character study.

Synopsis: Aging Boston gunrunner Eddie Coyle (Robert Mitchum) is looking at several years of jail time for a hold-up if he doesn't funnel information to Dave... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Robert Mitchum, Peter Boyle, Richard Jordan, Steven Keats

Directed By: Peter Yates

Critics Consensus: The Ladykillers is a macabre slow-burn with quirky performances of even quirkier characters.

Synopsis: Mrs. Wilberforce (Katie Johnson) likes to report suspicious behavior to the police. Unaware of her reputation, the dapper thief Professor Marcus (Alec Guinness) rents rooms... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Alec Guinness, Katie Johnson, Cecil Parker, Herbert Lom

Directed By: Alexander Mackendrick

Critics Consensus: Fiendishly funny and clever, The Lavender Hill Mob is a top hat Ealing Studios effort.

Synopsis: A meek clerk (Alec Guinness), his buddy (Stanley Holloway) and crooks melt hijacked Bank of England gold into Eiffel Tower souvenirs.

Starring: Alec Guinness, Stanley Holloway, Sid James, Alfie Bass

Directed By: Charles Crichton

Critics Consensus: Breezy, thrilling, and quite funny, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three sees Walter Matthau and Robert Shaw pitted against each other in effortlessly high form.

Synopsis: In New York City, a criminal gang led by the ruthless Mr. Blue (Robert Shaw) hijacks a subway car and threatens to start shooting one... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw, Martin Balsam, Héctor Elizondo

Directed By: Joseph Sargent