20 amazing heist movies that are a delightful adrenaline rush 

Heist films are a joy to watch. They give you a thrill-inducing rush with their mindful plans and on-the-edge escape. Often, the bizarre plans these thieves come up with are not possible in real life, so watching them on screen is loved by the audience. They are a perfect combination of wit, thrill, action, and plot twists and show the audience the power of brilliant ideas. Here is a list of 20 amazing heist movies that are a delightful adrenaline rush.

20) Rififi (1955)

Rififi was a 1955 movie directed by Jules Dassin. It is about four criminals who make a plan to rob a bank. This movie is especially famous for featuring a 28-minute-long robbery sequence with perfect cinematography. It is filled with themes of Greed and Betrayal and, above all - Honour among Thieves. This movie perfectly illustrates how perfect and precise the planning behind a heist needs to be and has won various awards at the 1955 Cannes Film Festival.

19) The Vault (2021)

The Vault is a film about an engineer recruited on a mission to help break into a high-security vault in the Bank of Spain and steal the treasure within. Penetrating the vault is absolutely impossible, but that’s the fun about heist movies - they make the impossible feel possible. This movie portrays high technology security and a battle with the police forces that takes the audience on a thrilling chase.

18) Ocean’s Eight (2018)

The very famous Ocean’s Franchise has one of its spin-offs known as – Ocean’s Eight, which features a heist involving an all-female group. The movie is about Debbie Ocean, who wants to steal a 150 million dollar diamond necklace from the Met gala. This mastermind heist movie consists of actors – Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina, Helena Bonham Carter, and none other than the legendary singer – Rihanna.

17) Public Enemies (2009)

Public Enemies is a biographical film about the famous bank robber – John Dillinger. John Dillinger used to conduct daring heists to rob banks during the great depression of the 1930s. The film follows an FBI team trying to capture him as he conducts another historical heist. This film casts Actor Johnny Depp as John Dillinger and Christian Bale as the FBI agent trying to pursue him. The film is a clever portrayal of how the audience grows to love the masterminds behind heists.

16) Now You See Me (2013)

Now You See Me is a combination of thriller and magic. It is about a group of four street magicians hired by an unknown leader who guides them into conducting a heist through magic shows. They not only rob banks but also distribute that money to the audience. As the FBI tries and chases them, we see the thin line between illusion and reality blurring more. This movie is a clever take on deception and how magicians are well-trained in this art.

15) Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995)

Die Hard with a Vengeance is the third installment of the Die Hard Series. The movie features a gold heist taking place in the Federal Reserve Bank in New York City, but this time, we get to see the heist not from the perspective of the thieves but from the perspective of the NYPD officer - John McClane. The movie features - Bruce Willis and Samuel L Jackson and utilizes themes of revenge and family ties set amidst the background of the bustling New York City.

14) To Catch a Thief (1955)

The film – To Catch a Thief is definitely a thriller, but with undertones of romance, especially because of its setting in the French Riviera. The film is about a retired jewelry thief who, despite his constant efforts to keep a low profile, finds himself dragged into the chaos of a big robbery. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, the film is a masterpiece and is especially appreciated for its suspense and mystery, which is the signature style of its director.

13) Point Break (1991)

Point Break is a crime thriller about an FBI agent who infiltrates a gang to catch them. What is unique about these thieves is that they disguise themselves using masks of ex-presidents of the United States. As this group conducts various heists together, the FBI agent who was supposed to catch them gets his loyalties in a tough spot. Starring Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze, the film is very engrossing and will definitely leave you in an adrenal rush.

12) Out of Sight (1998)

Out of Sight is about Jack Foley, a bank robber who has just escaped from prison. To have leverage over the system, he kidnaps a Federal Marshall – Karen Sisco. As he plans a final great heist with his partner to steal uncut diamonds, a complication arises in the form of the kidnapped federal marshal. Starring George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez, this film builds not only thrill but also tension and chemistry.

11) The Italian Job (2003)

The Italian Job is a remake of the great 1969 film of the same name. The film is about a group of thieves who conduct a successful heist and steal gold bars worth 35 million dollars. But, their success lasts for a short period as their team leader is killed due to a betrayal. To exact revenge, these masterminds come together to conduct an even bigger heist. The film shows just how bad greed can be and how loyalty is actually the richest asset a person can have.

10) Logan Lucky (2017)

Logan Lucky takes a comedic approach towards thrilling heists. The film is about the Logan siblings - Jimmy, Clyde, and Milie who devise a plan to rob NASCAR’s biggest event. As they work together on devising their plan, they actually end up getting close to each other. Things take a humorous tone when they hire a demolition expert called Joe Bang, played by the legendary actor -Daniel Craig. The film was widely appreciated especially because of its underdog spirit and because it reflects the economic struggles faced by a lot of Americans.

9) Hell or High Water (2016)

The film Hell or High Water is about two brothers - Toby Howard and Tanner Howard. This duo has successfully robbed various banks across West Texas, and as they conduct one last heist, they are pursued by two aging officers. Starring Chris Pine and Ben Foster as the Howard Brothers, this film shows the sacrifice family members are willing to make for each other and also brings up themes of justice and morality.

8) Ocean’s Eleven (2001)

Ocean’s Eleven is considered a legacy in the genre of heist films. It is about Danny Ocean, a con man who brings together a team of skilled criminals to rob three of Las Vegas's biggest casinos. This film is known for its ensemble cast, which includes – George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Julia Roberts, and a lot of others. The film shows how important teamwork is in achieving success and presents these master criminals stylishly.

7) Baby Driver (2017)

The 2017 film – Baby Driver, starring Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Lily James, and Jamie Foxx, is a thrilling heist film driven by music. The film is about a baby who is a getaway driver and is recruited by a criminal boss to conduct a heist. The film shows how, despite being such a successful criminal, Baby is adamant about cutting his ties with the criminal world. He has made music his anchor to the crime-free world as he pays the cost of his moral choices.

6) Inside Man (2006)

Directed by Spike Lee, Inside Man is yet another gripping story. The film is about Dalton Russell, who plans a heist to rob the Manhattan Trust Bank. The detective assigned to the case – Keith Frazier, soon realizes there is a deeper underpinning to the case. Featuring Denzel Washington and Clive Owen, this film challenges morality and justice while showcasing elements of power and corruption. The movie shows the importance of deception and strategy while conducting heists and what gives rise to these criminals.

5) Snatch (2000)

The 2000 movie – Snatch, directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Jason Statham and Brad Pitt, is a comedy crime film but inclining on the darker side. It is about an 84-carat diamond, which leaves in its wake a race between several mastermind criminals trying to get it in their clutches. Filled with shocking twists and unexpected double-crosses, this film is a successful tale of greed and chaos and how only the toughest can survive in the underworld.

4) Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Director Quintin Tarantino is famous in Hollywood because of his carefully planned, witty films. Reservoir Dogs is a film about a Diamond heist. It is about a group of criminals named after a color who come together to discuss how their well-planned heist went wrong. Slowly and gradually, they realize that there is an undercover cop hidden amongst them, and suddenly, the group finds itself in a violent stand-off as they cease trusting each other.

3) Heat (1995)

Released in 1995, the film Heat was appreciated for its star cast, which consists of – Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. This film has earned the title of an epic crime drama with its plot, which consists of a career thief and an unforgiving detective who is adamant about catching him. This film is a vivid portrayal of the duality of the lives of two humans, same at their core, but on opposite spectrums, where one is a thief and the other a cop.

2) The Usual Suspects (1995)

The plot twist in the film – The Usual Suspect is considered one of the best in cinematic history. It is about a con artist – Verbal Kint, who reveals his story to a US customs agent about five criminals and the deception and betrayal that involves them. This film questions the perspective of the audience in every scene. It has unreliable narration, which makes it even more iconic as a thriller. This film has won various Academy Awards and is considered a carefully crafted and compelling example of storytelling.

1) Inception (2010)

The Christopher Nolan-directed sci-fi film – Inception involves Leonardo DiCaprio conducting a lot of heists, but these heists are not for money or gold. They are for corporate espionage by stealing a person’s subconscious thoughts through their dreams. This group of dream stealers undertakes a project where, this time, they are not stealing a thought but rather planting one. This film is considered one of the most mind-bending science fiction thrillers, bordering on a carefully planned heist.