There’s something inherently appealing about a well-made heist film. Perhaps it’s the witty schemes, the high-pressure suspense, or simply the pure enjoyment of seeing a group of thieves attempt to pull off the unpull-offable. The best of them keep us in suspense every moment, mixing suspense, humor, and a dash of rebellion. Whether gritty noir or slick contemporary blockbuster, the formula—plot, execution, fallout—never fails. Following are the ten best heist movies that swiped our focus and never let it come back, in order from ten to one.
10. Hell or High Water (2016)
This contemporary Western turns the classic heist on its side. Two brothers, Chris Pine and Ben Foster, steal from banks not for money but to save their family property. Their desperation lends the tale genuine substance, and Jeff Bridges as the dogged Texas Ranger pursuing them adds another gritty dimension. It’s a gripping, emotionally intense ride that speaks as much about failed systems as about crime.
9. Inception (2010)
What if the heist is in your dreams? Christopher Nolan’s clever thriller turns the genre upside down and inside out. Leonardo DiCaprio is at the head of a crew that doesn’t steal objects—they seed ideas. With mind-bending action, clever plotting, and time-warping sequences, Inception takes a familiar recipe and turns it original, yet still covers all the traditional beats.
8. Mission: Impossible (1996)
Before the M: I series devolved into high-octane stunts, the original film was a lean, tense spy thriller with one of the greatest break-ins in movie history. Framed and pursued, Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt makes a silent invasion of CIA headquarters—a moment so suspenseful, it’s since become a legend. Brian De Palma’s direction lends an old-school sense of suspense to this stylish ’90s remake.
7. Inside Man (2006)
Spike Lee brings his brand of style and smarts to this twisty bank heist tale. Clive Owen is a thief with a secret agenda, and Denzel Washington is the cop who’s trying to decipher it. With richly drawn characters, a sophisticated structure, and a twist at the end that lands, Inside Man is more than a heist—it’s a puzzle box.
6. The Town (2010)
Directed by and starring Ben Affleck, this is a raw story about Boston bank robbers who are attempting to pull off one final heist. The reason The Town works isn’t the action—it’s the emotion. Affleck’s character is trapped between devotion to his crew and the dream of a new life. The robbery of the armored car in Fenway Park? Unforgettable.
5. To Catch a Thief (1955)
Sophisticated, suave, and located on the sun-kissed Riviera, this Alfred Hitchcock classic features Cary Grant as an ex-thief looking to catch someone stealing his former tricks. With romantic interest provided by Grace Kelly, it’s all about flirtation, not fear, elegance, not edge. A sophisticated caper that substitutes sunshine for shadows, and sophistication for suspense.
4. The Italian Job (1969)
With Michael Caine in the lead and Mini Coopers speeding down tight roads, this Brit flick exudes cool. Fresh from prison, Caine’s character masterminds a heist in Italy that’s as ingenious as it is insane. The irreverent humor and indelible car chase made this movie a cultural phenomenon—and cemented “You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!” as an all-time greatest film quote.
3. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Heists don’t get bigger than the theft of Death Star plans. Rogue One takes the Star Wars universe and makes it gritty and heartbreaking stakes. The makeshift team realizes their mission could be one-way, but they go for it anyway. It’s a space caper with heart—and a reminder that sometimes the most heroic work isn’t about the money at all.
2. Ocean’s Eight (2018)
This stylish spin-off shows that swiping the limelight can be as fulfilling as swiping gems. Sandra Bullock helms a first-rate, all-female team aiming for the Met Gala. With a cast comprising Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, and Rihanna, it’s a stylish, fashion-forward caper full of personality. Sleek, snappy, and never too arrogant, Ocean’s Eight is pure fun.
1. The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
The first template for the contemporary heist movie, John Huston’s The Asphalt Jungle, set the stage for all that followed. It tracks a just-paroled mastermind assembling one final score—but, as ever, things go awry quickly. The film’s noir visual style, ethically troubled characters, and fatalistic attitude made it a classic in its own right. Not only did it teach us how heists can fail—it’s making that inevitable failure part of the excitement.
At their essence, heist movies are not so much about the loot. They’re about planning, collaboration, double-crosses, and conflict between order and anarchy. Whether it’s a jewel heist in Paris or a mind-bending dream assignment, the greatest films in the genre hold us on the edge of our seats from beginning to end. Because let’s be honest—there’s something about watching folks attempt to pull it off that never grows old.