TOP TEN: Best Heist Films
They came, they saw, they stole yo shit!
 | The Thomas Crown Affair (1999) |
Yup, the 1999 version is the one I am singling out here. I know it is popular to say both the Pierce Brosnan and the 1968 Steve McQueen original are on equal footing, but personally I don't really like the McQueen version whatsoever. I simply have a hard time believing the hardened McQueen is some debonair millionaire. Brosnan, however, I completely believe and the light and entirely entertaining film is fantastic. From the clever ways Crown goes about stealing the paintings, the cat and mouse game and the tongue-in-cheek humor always manage to entertain me. Yeah, the logic is a bit silly, but that doesn't stop it from being fun.
 | The Asphalt Jungle |
Aside from the fact that it has a small role for Marilyn Monroe, The Asphalt Jungle is worthy of this list primarily for the cast of characters it places front and center. Primarily the likable hooligan Dix Handley played by Sterling Hayden and the mastermind behind the whole thing Doc Riedenschneider played by Sam Jaffe. The heist isn't the most exciting and action packed heist on this list, but the double cross and the back-story for each character add plenty to the plot to keep you intrigued. Also, the old school gangster-style dialogue adds to the intrigue.
 | Thief |
Here we have one of Michael Mann's first feature films and it stars James Caan as Frank, a professional thief that has caught the attention of a local gangster with the inside scoop on some major scores. After Frank agrees to a couple of jobs for the gangster he realizes he may be in way over his head. A great heist in the middle of a personal drama and a satisfying level of violence makes this a worthy entry.
 | The Killing |
It shouldn't come as any kind of surprise that Stanley Kubrick has himself a heist film, the guy has a film in pretty much every single genre, why not take a stab at one of the harder ones? The Killing is definitely not Kubrick's best work, but it is the $2 million racetrack robbery devised in the film that makes up for the rather shaky and obvious plot, which is primarily saddled by the narration, which I am not sure was entirely necessary. This is probably Kubrick's most obvious film in terms of what is going to happen, but it's the execution of the heist that saves it. This film also marks Sterling Hayden's second appearance on the list.
 | The Italian Job (2003) |
I have never seen the 1969 original The Italian Job and while I have heard it is quite good, the same people that tell me that also tell me this 2003 remake is just as good, if not better. Personally, I love, this film. I love the greed, love and revenge the plot relies on to move the story forward. The best part is that the love story comes as a result of the story and is actually far more believable than the typical cliché romance that springs up out of unconventional movie situations. Oh, and Charlize look gorgeous in this flick, that always counts for something.
Well Brad I'll have to say, this is the best Top Ten you've ever posted. I keep up with your articles on a daily basis and I've never read an earlier Top Ten word-to-word and placing 'Heat' at the no.1 spot just proved to that you're a guy of good taste and knowledge. Keep it up.
Dude, The Sting? Paul Newman AND Robert Redford, Robert Shaw, Ray Walston, a wonderful script and brilliant directing? What about Entrapment, which kept us guessing up until the very last minute? And Sneakers? Ronin?
Only problem is that The Sting isn't a heist film, it's a con. Also, I didn't think Entrapment, Sneakers or … forgive me … Ronin were all that good. I think Ronin may have been built up too much for me before I saw it, because when I finally did I didn't like it much at all. I will say Entrapment would win for best ass shot, Zeta owns that scene.
Pawned. But still: my money is a lot more better spent when I get to see Robert Redoford and Paul Newman chewing the screen and driving my eyes crazy for not knowing who to look at.
Zeta Jones, ok. Unlucky for her, she had to share the screen with Georgeous Sean, who at 113 years still runs circles around younger folk.
I have to admit I have not seen many of your top 10 but having Heat as your number one???? Al Pachino over acts in every scene and the ending is horrible. How can you have a Heist top 10 without Heist Gene Hackman, great movie and is worth a spot especially with Heat as your number 1..
First off, great list! I'm really glad to see you defining 'a heist' and then following through consistantly.
Can you explain your reasoning for R Dogs not being a heist film?
Best,
-j
what about the score? with robert deniro
nice list.. I added like half of these to my netflix queue. I have to say, though– as far as Italian Jobs go, you have got to see the original. It's, shall we say, well aged and thoroughly tongue in cheek but I think it's a much much better movie.
cheers!
What about the very best: Thief
You mean #8 on the list?
Of recent films I would have to include INSIDE MAN and definitely drop OCEAN'S 11 on the basis that it is totally improbable, filled with so many moments of suspension of disbelieve as to force it down to the #90 position or so.
Of older films I would have to add TOPKAPI (actually got some Academy nominations and a win or two)whose use of a acrobatic component has been copied endlessly, including by OCEAN'S 11, ENTRAPMENT, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE and a dozen others. Also in the older efforts I'd add Stanley Kubrick's THE KILLING with Sterling Hayden. And if one is adding CON MEN MOVIES, how can you leave out THE STING and DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS or RUTHLESS PEOPLE?
I'd also say that THIEF w/James Caan is superior to HEAT—-same director. THE GETAWAY with Steve McQueen, directed by Sam Peckinpah desires top 10 status. The "original" TAKING OF PELHAM 123 w/Walter Matthau and RobertShaw was very entertaining, and, of course, weren't DIE HARD (and DIE HARD 3) heist movies? Both VASTLY superior to many on your list. As a matter of fact AFI lists DIE HARD as the #1 action movie.
Worst reviewer ever. He'd never seen the original 'Italian Job,' yet has the gall to make a list of top 'Heist' films and put the remake in there. Then he puts "Rififi' at #3 and has the gall to say it's worth watching, 'if you don't mind reading subtitles.' This guy obviously checked out other 'top heist movies' lists and formed his own around that of real critics'. You have to admire this yet his repugnant and blaze stupidity is unmissable.