15 Best Heist Movies And TV Shows, Ranked
15. Fast Five (2011)
Fast Five was the film that took the Fast and Furious series from its street-racing roots to the grand heists the franchise is known for today. In this high-octane, action-packed plot, the team reunites to steal $100 million from a corrupt businessman. The heist itself—involving two cars dragging a massive bank vault through the streets of Rio de Janeiro—is a glorious, physics-defying masterpiece of action cinema.
14. The Italian Job (2003)
A rare remake that truly stands out in the genre, The Italian Job follows a team of thieves led by Mark Wahlberg who plan to steal back their gold from a traitor (Edward Norton). The iconic Mini Cooper chase sequence through traffic makes it one of the most entertaining heist films ever made.
13. Kaleidoscope (2023)
The story follows a master thief and his crew attempting an epic $7 billion score. Netflix does something extraordinary with the storytelling, taking the non-linear format to another level by randomizing the episode order for each viewer before the final heist unfolds. This keeps audiences tense and guessing about what they’ll witness next.
12. The Town (2010)
Ben Affleck’s gritty crime drama dives into the dark side of heists and the cycle of violence that surrounds them. The robberies — particularly the armored truck job with nun masks and the final Fenway Park showdown are tense, realistic, and brutal.
11. Leverage (2008–2012)
Leverage follows a team of former criminals—a Mastermind, a Hitter, a Grifter, a Hacker, and a Thief—who use their skills as modern-day Robin Hoods, taking down corrupt corporations and con artists. The show cleverly combines classic con artistry with heart, high-tech heists, and clever social justice themes.
10. Lupin (2021–Present)
Inspired by the fictional thief Arsène Lupin, Assane Diop (played with magnetic charm by Omar Sy) uses his skills in theft, disguise, and misdirection to avenge his father. This French series celebrates the “gentleman thief” archetype, not through grand, violent vault break-ins, but through clever theatrics and meticulous planning.
9. Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Quentin Tarantino’s groundbreaking debut is famous for what it doesn’t show: the heist itself. The story focuses entirely on the bloody, paranoid aftermath of a diamond job gone wrong. It’s a masterclass in tension, deconstructing the genre by showing only the disastrous consequences of a failed plan.
8. The Killing (1956)
Stanley Kubrick’s The Killing is all about “one last score” and the “perfect plan.” Its intricate, non-linear timeline was revolutionary, showing the heist from multiple perspectives and building tension meticulously until the film’s iconic, ironic conclusion.
7. The Italian Job (1969)
Starring Michael Caine, this charming British caper blends style, humor, and one of the greatest car chases in film history. The plan to steal gold bullion in Turin by creating a citywide traffic jam is legendary as is the literal cliffhanger ending that fans still debate today.
6. Inception (2010)
Christopher Nolan took every classic element of the genre - a specialized team, an impossible target, a complex plan, and elevated it into a mind-bending sci-fi heist of the subconscious. With its “dream-within-a-dream” structure and the unforgettable zero-gravity hallway fight, it’s one of the most original and ambitious heist films ever made.
5. Inside Man (2006)
Inside Man takes audiences on a suspense-filled journey as they wonder how the team will pull off a “locked-room” heist. The film focuses less on how the heist is done and more on why, creating a psychological puzzle that unravels brilliantly in the end.
4. Rififi (1955)
Rififi is best known for its 32-minute, near-silent heist sequence — with no music and no dialogue — forcing viewers to lean in as the thieves silently drill through a ceiling to bypass an alarm system. It’s the true father of all heist movies and the blueprint for the genre’s storytelling style.
3. Money Heist (La Casa de Papel) (2017–2021)
La Casa de Papel introduced a new generation to the heist genre. Its gritty premise, intricate planning, and emotional storytelling captivated global audiences. Fans fell in love with “The Professor” and his red-jumpsuited, Dali-masked crew as they took over the Royal Mint of Spain.
2. Ocean's Eleven (2001)
Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Eleven is the epitome of cool. George Clooney’s Danny Ocean assembles an all-star team to pull off the impossible - robbing three Las Vegas casinos at once. Slick, stylish, and endlessly rewatchable, it’s one of the most entertaining heist movies ever made.
1. Heat (1995)
Michael Mann’s Heat focuses less on spectacle and more on the profession itself. It dives into the day-to-day realities of crime as a livelihood, pitting Robert De Niro’s calculating thief against Al Pacino’s obsessive detective. Their cat-and-mouse dynamic culminates in one of the greatest shootouts in movie history.
