Heist backdrop

Heist movies

A robbery/heist engine: planning, timing pressure, obstacles, misdirection, and the getaway fallout.

Fun with Dick and Jane

1. Fun with Dick and Jane

Comedy Crime Satire Heist
6.2
20051h 30min

Overview

After Dick Harper loses his job at Globodyne in an Enron-esque collapse, he and his wife, Jane, turn to crime in order to handle the massive debt they now face. Two intelligent people, Dick and Jane actually get pretty good at robbing people and even enjoy it -- but they have second thoughts when they're reminded that crime can hurt innocent people. When the couple hears that Globodyne boss Jack McCallister actually swindled the company, they plot revenge.

Themes

Economic precarity, Deception and manipulation, Job loss consequences, Desperation-driven crime, Wealth insecurity, Restitution and blame

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Ice Harvest

2. The Ice Harvest

Crime Comedy Drama Thriller Heist
6.2
20051h 28min

Overview

A shady lawyer attempts a Christmas Eve crime, hoping to swindle the local mob out of some money. But his partner, a strip club owner, might have different plans for the cash.

Themes

Deception and loyalty, Money as motive, Ambition and betrayal, Unreliable alliances, Power in crime, Violence as negotiation

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Chaos

3. Chaos

Drama Action Crime Epic Action Heist
6.4
20051h 46min

Overview

In Seattle, detective Quentin Conners is unfairly suspended and his partner Jason York leaves the police force after a tragic shooting on Pearl Street Bridge, when the hostage and the criminal die. During a bank heist with a hostage situation, Conners is assigned in charge of the operation with the rookie Shane Dekker as his partner. The thieves, lead by Lorenz, apparently do not steal a penny from the bank. While chasing the gangsters, the police team disclose that they planted a virus in the system, stealing one billion dollars from the different accounts, using the principle of the Chaos Theory. Further, they find that Lorenz is killing his accomplices.

Themes

Deception and manipulation, Loyalty under pressure, Power and control, Chaos vs order, Police accountability, Internal corruption, Evidence integrity

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Ocean's Twelve

4. Ocean's Twelve

Thriller Crime Heist Mind Game Thriller
6.5
20042h 5min

Overview

Despite pulling off one of the biggest heists in Las Vegas history and splitting the $160 million take, each of the infamous Ocean's crew have tried to go straight, lay low and live a legit life ... but that's proven to be a challenge. Casino owner Terry Benedict demands that Danny Ocean return the money, plus millions more in interest. Unable to come up the cash, the crew is forced to come together to pull off another series of heists, this time in Rome, Paris, and Amsterdam – but a Europol agent is hot on their heels.

Themes

Debt as leverage, Trust under pressure, Competition among thieves, Deception as strategy, Stock certificate leverage, Risk and reward, Faberge egg gambit

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

After the Sunset

5. After the Sunset

Action Comedy Crime Drama Heist
6.2
20041h 37min

Overview

An FBI agent is suspicious of two master thieves, quietly enjoying their retirement near what may - or may not - be the biggest score of their careers.

Themes

Deception in partnerships, Island enticement and crime, Suspicion and loyalty under pressure, Professional vs personal loyalties, Staged heists and control dynamics, Fake plans real stakes

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Killing Cabos

6. Killing Cabos

Comedy Action Crime Buddy Comedy Heist
7.4
20041h 38min

Overview

Two young men get involved with some criminals while trying to free the tycoon they kidnapped.

Themes

Tycoon kidnapping, Two young men deception, Kidnapped hostage chaos, Tycoon party disruption, Two young men alliance, Criminals involvement

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Ladykillers

7. The Ladykillers

Comedy Crime Thriller Dark Comedy Heist
6.2
20041h 44min

Overview

An eccentric, if not charming Southern professor and his crew pose as a band in order to rob a casino, all under the nose of his unsuspecting landlord – a sharp old woman.

Themes

Deception and disguise, Authority versus resistance, Class tensions, Greed and risk, Consequences of crime, Manipulation and loyalty

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Ruby & Quentin

8. Ruby & Quentin

Comedy Crime Buddy Comedy Heist
7.1
20031h 25min

Overview

After hiding his loot and getting thrown in jail, brooding outlaw Ruby befriends Quentin, a dim-witted and garrulous giant. After Quentin botches a solo escape attempt, they make a break together. Unable to shake the clumsy Quentin, Ruby is forced to take him along as he pursues his former partners in crime to avenge the death of the woman he loved and get to the money.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Power dynamics in crime, Jealousy and rivalry, Deception and alliance, Survival in confinement, Trust versus exploitation, Identity through disguise

Available on

Amazon Video
blue TV
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Stander

9. Stander

Action Crime Drama Heist Psychological Drama
7.0
20031h 56min

Overview

The life and career of Andre Stander, a South African police officer turned bank robber.

Themes

Deception and disguise, Crime and consequences, Systemic oppression, Police role conflict, Morality under pressure, Evasion and escape

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
The Roku Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Italian Job

10. The Italian Job

Action Crime Vehicle-Driven Action Heist
7.0
20031h 50min

Overview

Charlie Croker pulled off the crime of a lifetime. The one thing that he didn't plan on was being double-crossed. Along with a drop-dead gorgeous safecracker, Croker and his team take off to re-steal the loot and end up in a pulse-pounding, pedal-to-the-metal chase that careens up, down, above and below the streets of Los Angeles.

Themes

Deception during heist, Vengeance and retaliation, Mentor protégé relationship tensions, Chase dynamics, Gold as motive, Multi-step risk escalation

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
fuboTV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.