Top 10 Entertaining Heist Movies Best of All Time
Heist movies are a popular genre known for their high stakes, complex characters, intricate planning, action-packed scenes, unexpected twists and turns, tension and suspense, and intelligent dialogue. The things that make heist movies best are that they typically involve a group of characters who plan and execute a daring theft or robbery, often involving valuable or coveted items. The planning of the heist is usually a major aspect of the plot, with the characters devising detailed blueprints and coordinating their actions. Audiences enjoy Heist movies for their thrilling plotlines, well-developed characters, and exciting action sequences. Rather than the Top heist movies, there are also popular Series such as Money Heist available on Netflix which gained so much popularity.
What Makes Heist Movies Best: A look at Top Features
Heist movies have been popular for decades and continue to captivate audiences with their thrilling plotlines and action-packed scenes. Here are some of the top features that make heist movies best:
- High stakes: Heist movies typically involve a high-risk operation that requires careful planning, precise execution, and a significant reward.
- Complex characters: The characters in heist movies are usually well-developed and multi-dimensional, with their motivations and backstories.
- Intricate planning: A key aspect of heist movies is the intricate planning that goes into pulling off the job.
- Action-packed scenes: Heist movies are known for their intense and exciting action scenes, such as car chases, gunfights, and explosions.
- Twists and turns: Heist movies often feature unexpected plot twists and turns, which keep the audience on the edge of their seats.
- Tension and suspense: Heist movies are designed to create tension and suspense, with the audience wondering whether the team will be successful in their mission.
- Smart dialogue: Heist movies often feature sharp and witty dialogue, with characters using clever banter and one-liners to convey their personalities and motivations.
Serial Number | Movie Name | IMDb Rating | Budget (in $) | Total Worldwide Collection (in $) |
1 | Inception (2010) | 8.8 | 160 M | 836.8 M |
2 | Heat (1995) | 8.3 | 60 M | 187.4 M |
3 | The Sting (1973) | 8.3 | 5.5 M | 159.6 M |
4 | Ocean’s Eleven (2001) | 7.7 | 8 M | 450.7 M |
5 | Baby Driver (2017) | 7.6 | 34 M | 226.9 M |
6 | Inside Man (2006) | 7.6 | 45 M | 184.4 M |
7 | The Town (2010) | 7.5 | 37 M | 154 M |
8 | Bank Job (2008) | 7.2 | 20 M | 66.1 M |
9 | Italian Job (2003) | 7 | 60 M | 176.1 M |
10 | Oceans’s Twelve (2004) | 6.5 | 110 M | 362.9 M |
10. Oceans Twelve (2004)

“Ocean’s Twelve” is a 2004 heist movie directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring an ensemble cast including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Julia Roberts. It is the sequel to the 2001 film “Ocean’s Eleven”. One of the top heist movies begins with Terry Benedict, the owner of the three casinos robbed in the previous movie, tracking down the members of Danny Ocean’s crew and demanding they pay him back the money they stole plus interest. The group decides to pull off another heist to pay off their debt, this time in Europe.
Their target is a Faberge egg owned by Francois Toulour, a skilled thief who has challenged Ocean’s crew to a contest to see who can steal it first. The crew travels to Amsterdam, where they encounter Europol detective Isabel Lahiri. As they attempt to pull off the heist, the group faces numerous obstacles and setbacks. In the end, they manage to successfully steal the egg, but not without revealing a few surprises along the way. Overall, “Ocean’s Twelve” is a fast-paced and entertaining heist movie with plenty of twists and turns to keep viewers on the edge of their seats and these make the Heist movies Best.
9. Italian Job (2003)

“The Italian Job” is a 2003 heist movie directed by F. Gary Gray and starring an ensemble cast including Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Edward Norton, and Seth Green. It is a remake of the 1969 film of the same name. One of the best heist movies follows Charlie Croker, a professional thief who plans to steal $35 million worth of gold bars from a safe in Venice, Italy. Charlie recruits a team of fellow thieves, including his mentor John Bridger, computer expert Lyle, explosives expert Left Ear, and getaway driver Handsome Rob.
The team travels to Los Angeles, where they plan and execute a heist to steal the gold back from Steve. With the help of Bridger’s daughter Stella, who is a safecracker, they can break into Steve’s safe and steal the gold once again. In the end, they use mini-Coopers to escape from Steve and the police. “The Italian Job” is a thrilling and action-packed and one of the top heist movies with a great ensemble cast, exciting car chases, and plenty of twists and turns. The film’s stylish direction and clever use of mini-Coopers add to its overall appeal.
8. Bank Job (2008)

“The Bank Job” is a 2008 crime thriller directed by Roger Donaldson and starring Jason Statham, Saffron Burrows, and Stephen Campbell Moore. The film is loosely based on the true story of a 1971 robbery of a bank in London’s Baker Street. It follows Terry Leather, a small-time criminal who is approached by an old flame, Martine Love, with a proposition to rob a bank. Martine has insider information about the bank’s security system and contents, and she recruits Terry and his team to carry out the heist which makes it into the top heist movies.
As the group tries to sell off the contents of the safe deposit boxes, they find themselves pursued by both the police and the criminals whose secrets they have uncovered. Terry and his team must stay one step ahead of their pursuers and find a way to turn the tables on those who would see them dead or imprisoned. “The Bank Job” is a gripping and suspenseful thriller with a clever and unpredictable plot. The film’s cast delivers strong performances, and it effectively captures the gritty and dangerous atmosphere of 1970s London.
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7. The Town (2010)

“The Town” is a 2010 crime drama directed by and starring Ben Affleck, alongside an ensemble cast including Jeremy Renner, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, and Blake Lively. The film is based on the novel “Prince of Thieves” by Chuck Hogan. The movie follows Doug MacRay, a career criminal and leader of a group of robbers from Charlestown, a neighbourhood in Boston known for producing bank robbers. Doug and his team pull off a successful bank heist, but their escape is complicated when they take a hostage, bank manager Claire Keesey.
As the FBI closes in on the crew, tensions rise and Doug is forced to make difficult choices to protect his friends and his relationship with Claire. The film culminates in a high-stakes heist at Fenway Park during a Red Sox game, with the FBI and the crew in a tense standoff. “The Town” is a well-crafted and intense crime drama with strong performances from its cast, particularly from Affleck and Renner. The film skillfully balances the action and suspense of heist scenes with the emotional complexities of the characters’ relationships and loyalties and makes it one of the best heist movies.
6. Inside Man (2006)

“Inside Man” 2006, one of the top heist Movies directed by Spike Lee and starring Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, and Jodie Foster. The film follows a complex and multi-layered plot centred around a bank robbery in New York City, beginning with a group of robbers led by Dalton Russell who hold up a Manhattan bank, taking hostages and demanding a ransom. The police quickly surrounded the bank, led by Detective Keith Frazier, but the robbers seem to be always one step ahead.
The plot is further complicated by a series of flashbacks and multiple perspectives, as different characters offer their versions of events leading up to and following the robbery and thus makes the heist movies best. As the movie unfolds, the true nature of the robbery and the identities and motivations of the key players are gradually revealed. “Inside Man” is a smart and engaging heist thriller with a clever plot and a strong cast. The film’s use of multiple perspectives and nonlinear storytelling adds to its intrigue and complexity, while Lee’s direction effectively builds tension and suspense throughout the movie.
5. Baby Driver (2017)

“Baby Driver” is one of the best heist movies, a 2017 action crime film written and directed by Edgar Wright. The movie stars Ansel Elgort as the titular character, Baby, a talented young getaway driver who is coerced into working for a group of criminals led by Doc. Baby is a skilled driver and music lover who constantly listens to music on his iPod to drown out the tinnitus caused by a car accident in his childhood. He falls in love with a diner waitress, Debora, and tries to leave his criminal life behind.
The film’s driving scenes are expertly choreographed to the beat of the music, with Baby’s driving skills and musical choices playing a critical role in the action. The film also features a strong supporting cast, including Jon Hamm, Eiza González, and Jamie Foxx. Thus “Baby Driver” is a fast-paced and entertaining heist film with a unique style and impressive visuals. The most amazing and top heist movies’ use of music and driving scenes is both inventive and thrilling, while Elgort delivers a standout performance as the film’s protagonist.
4. Ocean’s Eleven (2001)

“Ocean’s Eleven” is a 2001 heist comedy directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring an ensemble cast led by George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon. One of the Top Heist movies, a remake of the 1960 film of the same name, but with a contemporary twist. The team works together to devise a complicated plan to pull off the heist, which involves several elaborate schemes, including creating a fake earthquake to disable the casinos’ security systems. Along the way, the team must navigate various obstacles, including casino owner Terry Benedict, who is dating Danny’s ex-wife Tess.
The film’s plot is laced with humour and witty banter between the characters, making it an entertaining heist film. The movie also features a memorable soundtrack and impressive performances from its star-studded cast. “Ocean’s Eleven” is a stylish and clever heist film that successfully updates the original while remaining true to its spirit which makes these heist movies best The movie’s combination of humour, action, and style makes it an enjoyable watch for audiences of all ages.
3. The Sting (1973)

“The Sting” is one of the amazing best heist movies, a 1973 crime-comedy film directed by George Roy Hill and starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. The movie is set in the 1930s and tells the story of two con artists, Johnny Hooker and Henry Gondorff, who plan an elaborate and complex long con against a powerful and dangerous mob boss, Doyle Lonnegan. The movie begins with Johnny Hooker and his partner Luther Coleman (Robert Earl Jones) stealing a large sum of money from a courier working for Lonnegan.
The film’s plot is full of twists and turns, as the con artists must stay one step ahead of Lonnegan and his henchmen which makes these heist movies best. The movie is also notable for its period detail, which captures the look and feel of 1930s America, as well as for its stylish direction and memorable score by Marvin Hamlisch. “The Sting” is a classic heist film that has endured as a favourite among audiences and critics alike. The movie’s intricate plot, charismatic performances, and stylish direction make it a timeless classic of the genre.
2. Heat (1995)

“Heat” is a 1995 crime-thriller film directed by Michael Mann and starring Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. One of the best heist movies, which tells the story of a professional thief, Neil McCauley, and a determined cop, Vincent Hanna, who are both obsessed with their work and locked in a game of cat and mouse. McCauley and his crew of skilled thieves are planning a series of heists around Los Angeles, while Hanna and his team of detectives are trying to stop them. As the two sides collide, Hanna becomes increasingly obsessed with catching McCauley, while McCauley is forced to make tough decisions to stay one step ahead of the law.
The film is known for its intense action sequences, including a thrilling shootout in the streets of downtown Los Angeles. It also explores the personal lives of its main characters, showing the toll that their obsessions take on their relationships and personal lives which makes this heist movie the best. The movie’s strong performances by Pacino and De Niro, as well as its stylish direction and cinematography, have made it a classic of the crime-thriller genre.
1. Inception (2010)

“Inception” is a 2010 science-fiction action-thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, and Tom Hardy. The movie is known for its intricate and mind-bending plot, which follows a team of “extractors” who enter people’s dreams to steal their secrets. The story centres on Dom Cobb, a skilled extractor who is hired by businessman Saito to perform “inception” – the act of planting an idea in someone’s mind. To do so, Cobb assembles a team of specialists, including Arthur and Ariadne, and enters the dream world of Saito’s competitor, Robert Fischer.
The movie’s innovative visuals and mind-bending plot have made it a critical and commercial success, earning it numerous awards and nominations. Its exploration of themes such as guilt, grief, and redemption has also resonated with audiences. Overall, “Inception” is a thought-provoking and visually stunning heist film that explores the boundaries of the human mind. Its impressive performances, intricate plot, and innovative special effects have cemented its place as a modern classic.