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The Best Heist Movies of All Time

The perfect-plan canon: every heist film in our library ranked by composite score across 20+ lists, awards and polls.

The heist film is cinema's most watchmaker form: assemble the crew, rehearse the plan, watch it come apart. Huston's The Asphalt Jungle wrote the rules in 1950, Dassin's Rififi perfected them with its half-hour silent robbery, and Melville's Le Cercle Rouge gave the form its austere French apotheosis. The American line runs from Kubrick's The Killing through Lumet's Dog Day Afternoon — the heist as social breakdown — to Mann's Heat and the Ocean's-era puzzle pictures.

The Sting (1973) leads with a composite score of 2.37.

Masters of the genre

  1. 1
    The Sting1973 · George Roy Hill · United States · crime, comedy, drama
    2.37

    Oscar Best Picture winner 1973 · Kinema Junpo Best Ten (International) 1974 #4 · National Film Registry (inducted 2005)

  2. 2
    The Wild Bunch1969 · Sam Peckinpah · United States · crime, western
    2.30

    Sight & Sound 2022 critics' poll #136 · AFI 100 (2007) #79 · AFI 100 (1998) #80

  3. 3
    Bande à part1964 · Jean-Luc Godard · France · crime, romance, drama
    2.05

    Cahiers du Cinéma annual top 10 1964 #1 · TIME All-TIME 100 · Scorsese's 39 essential foreign films

  4. 4
    Dog Day Afternoon1975 · Sidney Lumet · United States · crime, action, drama
    2.04

    Oscar Best Picture nominee 1975 · Kinema Junpo Best Ten (International) 1976 #5 · National Film Registry (inducted 2009)

  5. 5
    Die Hard1988 · John McTiernan · United States · action, thriller, crime
    1.81

    Kinema Junpo Best Ten (International) 1989 #1 · Empire 500 (2008) #29 · National Film Registry (inducted 2017)

  6. 6
    House of Games1987 · David Mamet · United States · film-noir, crime
    1.58

    Ebert's annual top 10 1987 #1 · Siskel's annual top 10 1987 #3 · NYT Best 1,000 Movies

  7. 7
    Wanda1970 · Barbara Loden · United States · crime, drama
    1.49

    Sight & Sound 2022 critics' poll #48 · Sight & Sound 2022 directors' poll #93 · National Film Registry (inducted 2017)

  8. 8
    Trouble in Paradise1932 · Ernst Lubitsch · United States · comedy, romance, crime
    1.36

    Sight & Sound 2022 critics' poll #136 · Kinema Junpo Best Ten (International) 1933 #9 · National Film Registry (inducted 1991)

  9. 9
    Inception2010 · Christopher Nolan · United Kingdom / United States · crime, sci-fi, thriller
    1.25

    Oscar Best Picture nominee 2010 · Kinema Junpo Best Ten (International) 2010 #10 · National Film Registry (inducted 2025)

  10. 10
    Reservoir Dogs1992 · Quentin Tarantino · United States · crime, thriller, drama
    1.11

    Kinema Junpo Best Ten (International) 1993 #6 · Kehr's annual top 10 1992 #3 · Empire 500 (2008) #97

  11. 11
    The Lavender Hill Mob1951 · Charles Crichton · United Kingdom · crime
    1.04

    BFI Top 100 British films #17 · BAFTA Best Film nominee 1952 · Vatican film list

  12. 12
    Heat1995 · Michael Mann · United States · thriller, drama, crime
    1.01

    Sight & Sound 2022 critics' poll #169 · Empire 500 (2008) #38 · Letterboxd Top 250 #151

  13. 13
    Point Blank1967 · John Boorman · United States · crime, film-noir, drama
    0.99

    National Film Registry (inducted 2016) · Sarris's annual top 10 1967 #4 · NYT Best 1,000 Movies

  14. 14
    Jackie Brown1997 · Quentin Tarantino · United States · crime, drama, thriller
    0.93

    Cahiers du Cinéma annual top 10 1998 #10 · Ebert's annual top 10 1997 #5 · Empire 500 (2008) #215

  15. 15
    Grisbi1954 · Jacques Becker · France / Italy · crime, film-noir, drama
    0.93

    Cahiers du Cinéma annual top 10 1954 #2 · Criterion Collection spine #271 · Roger Ebert's Great Movies

  16. 16
    Casino1995 · Martin Scorsese · United States / France · crime, drama, biography
    0.87

    Cahiers du Cinéma annual top 10 1996 #3 · Ebert's annual top 10 1995 #5 · Empire 500 (2008) #395

  17. 17
    The Usual Suspects1995 · Bryan Singer · United States · crime, film-noir, mystery
    0.86

    Kinema Junpo Best Ten (International) 1996 #7 · Empire 500 (2008) #61 · NYT Best 1,000 Movies

  18. 18
    Before the Devil Knows You're Dead2007 · Sidney Lumet · United States · crime, film-noir, drama
    0.83

    Kinema Junpo Best Ten (International) 2008 #7 · Ebert's annual top 10 2007 #3 · Film Comment year-end poll 2007 #15

  19. 19
    Rififi1955 · Jules Dassin · France · crime, film-noir, drama
    0.77

    Letterboxd Top 250 #206 · NYT Best 1,000 Movies · Criterion Collection spine #115

  20. 20
    American Hustle2013 · David O. Russell · United States · crime, comedy, drama
    0.68

    Oscar Best Picture nominee 2013 · Film Comment year-end poll 2013 #19

  21. 21
    Big Deal on Madonna Street1958 · Mario Monicelli · Italy · crime, drama, comedy
    0.67

    Scorsese's 39 essential foreign films · NYT Best 1,000 Movies · Criterion Collection spine #113

  22. 22
    The Asphalt Jungle1950 · John Huston · United States · crime, film-noir, drama
    0.67

    National Film Registry (inducted 2008) · NYT Best 1,000 Movies · Criterion Collection spine #847

  23. 23
    Pickup on South Street1953 · Samuel Fuller · United States · crime, thriller, film-noir
    0.67

    National Film Registry (inducted 2018) · NYT Best 1,000 Movies · Criterion Collection spine #224

  24. 24
    Rainbow Kids1991 · Kihachi Okamoto · Japan · crime
    0.63

    Kinema Junpo Best Ten (Japanese) 1991 #2

  25. 25
    The Mastermind2025 · Kelly Reichardt · United States / United Kingdom · thriller, drama, crime
    0.63

    Film Comment year-end poll 2025 #2

  26. 26
    Out of Sight1998 · Steven Soderbergh · United States · crime, comedy, romance
    0.61

    Sarris's annual top 10 1998 #2 · Empire 500 (2008) #326 · Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  27. 27
    A Fish Called Wanda1988 · Charles Crichton, John Cleese · United States / United Kingdom · crime, comedy
    0.57

    BFI Top 100 British films #39 · Ebert's annual top 10 1988 #6 · Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  28. 28
    Hell or High Water2016 · David Mackenzie · United States · crime, drama, western
    0.56

    Oscar Best Picture nominee 2016 · Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  29. 29
    The Grifters1990 · Stephen Frears · United States · crime, film-noir, drama
    0.54

    Ebert's annual top 10 1990 #4 · NYT Best 1,000 Movies · Criterion Collection spine #1246

  30. 30
    The Killing1956 · Stanley Kubrick · United States · crime, film-noir, drama
    0.52

    Criterion Collection spine #575 · Roger Ebert's Great Movies · Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  31. 31
    The Ladykillers1955 · Alexander Mackendrick · United Kingdom · crime
    0.51

    BFI Top 100 British films #13 · Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  32. 32
    Point Break1991 · Kathryn Bigelow · United States / Japan · crime, thriller, action
    0.47

    Empire 500 (2008) #197 · Kehr's annual top 10 1991 #7 · Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  33. 33
    Bob le flambeur1956 · Jean-Pierre Melville · France / Italy · crime, film-noir, drama
    0.46

    NYT Best 1,000 Movies · Criterion Collection spine #150 · Roger Ebert's Great Movies

  34. 34
    Charley Varrick1973 · Don Siegel · United States · action, crime, thriller
    0.46

    Sarris's annual top 10 1973 #6 · NYT Best 1,000 Movies · Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  35. 35
    Bound1996 · Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski · United States · thriller, crime, film-noir
    0.45

    Ebert's annual top 10 1996 #6 · Criterion Collection spine #1220 · Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  36. 36
    Gun Crazy1950 · Joseph H. Lewis · United States · crime, film-noir, drama
    0.45

    National Film Registry (inducted 1998) · Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies · Rosenbaum's Essential Cinema

  37. 37
    Thief1981 · Michael Mann · United States · crime, film-noir
    0.44

    Ebert's annual top 10 1981 #7 · Criterion Collection spine #691 · Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  38. 38
    Bottle Rocket1996 · Wes Anderson · United States · crime, comedy
    0.42

    Criterion Collection spine #450 · Kehr's annual top 10 1996 #9 · Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  39. 39
    The Italian Job1969 · Peter Collinson · United Kingdom · comedy, crime, action
    0.40

    BFI Top 100 British films #36 · Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  40. 40
    The Pink Panther1963 · Blake Edwards · United States · crime, comedy
    0.39

    National Film Registry (inducted 2010) · NYT Best 1,000 Movies

  41. 41
    Three Kings1999 · David O. Russell · United States · crime, comedy, drama
    0.36

    Ebert's annual top 10 1999 #3 · Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  42. 42
    The Delinquents2023 · Rodrigo Moreno · Argentina / Brazil / Chile · crime, comedy, drama
    0.36

    Cahiers du Cinéma annual top 10 2024 #6

  43. 43
    Le Cercle rouge1970 · Jean-Pierre Melville · France / Italy · crime, film-noir, drama
    0.34

    Empire 500 (2008) #298 · Criterion Collection spine #218

  44. 44
    High Sierra1941 · Raoul Walsh · United States · crime, drama, film-noir
    0.33

    NYT Best 1,000 Movies · Criterion Collection spine #1099

  45. 45
    Mission: Impossible1996 · Brian De Palma · United States / United Kingdom / Czech Republic · crime, action, thriller
    0.32

    Cahiers du Cinéma annual top 10 1996 #8

  46. 46
    Dillinger1973 · John Milius · United States · crime
    0.30

    Kinema Junpo Best Ten (International) 1974 #9

  47. 47
    The Driver1978 · Walter Hill · United States · crime, action, film-noir
    0.29

    Kehr's annual top 10 1978 #6 · Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  48. 48
    Danger: Diabolik1968 · Mario Bava · Italy / France · crime, action
    0.28

    Empire 500 (2008) #429 · Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  49. 49
    Topkapi1964 · Jules Dassin · United States · crime, comedy
    0.28

    NYT Best 1,000 Movies · Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  50. 50
    The Taking of Pelham One Two Three1974 · Joseph Sargent · United States · crime, action, thriller
    0.28

    NYT Best 1,000 Movies · Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  51. 51
    Sexy Beast2000 · Jonathan Glazer · United Kingdom / Spain · crime, drama, thriller
    0.28

    NYT Best 1,000 Movies · Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  52. 52
    Ocean's Eleven2001 · Steven Soderbergh · United States / Australia · crime, comedy, mystery
    0.28

    Empire 500 (2008) #500 · Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  53. 53
    Miami Blues1990 · George Armitage · United States · crime, drama
    0.26

    Kehr's annual top 10 1990 #9 · Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  54. 54
    The Great Train Robbery1903 · Edwin Stanton Porter · United States · crime, western, action
    0.23

    National Film Registry (inducted 1990)

  55. 55
    Public Enemies2009 · Michael Mann · United States · biography, crime, action
    0.22

    Film Comment year-end poll 2009 #21

  56. 56
    Inside Man2006 · Spike Lee · United States · crime, drama, thriller
    0.22

    Film Comment year-end poll 2006 #22

  57. 57
    Layer Cake2004 · Matthew Vaughn · United Kingdom · crime, drama
    0.18

    Empire 500 (2008) #276

  58. 58
    The Good Thief2002 · Neil Jordan · Canada / France / United Kingdom · crime, drama
    0.18

    Film Comment year-end poll 2003 #47

  59. 59
    The Criminal1960 · Joseph Losey · United Kingdom · crime, drama, film-noir
    0.18

    Sarris's annual top 10 1962 #6

  60. 60
    That Sinking Feeling1979 · Bill Forsyth · United Kingdom · crime
    0.18

    Sarris's annual top 10 1984 #6

  61. 61
    Any Number Can Win1963 · Henri Verneuil · France / Italy · crime
    0.18

    Kurosawa's 100 favorite films

  62. 62
    The General1998 · John Boorman · United Kingdom / Ireland · crime, drama, biography
    0.17

    NYT Best 1,000 Movies

  63. 63
    It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World1963 · Stanley Kramer · United States · crime, comedy, action
    0.16

    Criterion Collection spine #692

  64. 64
    Le deuxième souffle1966 · Jean-Pierre Melville · France · crime, film-noir
    0.16

    Criterion Collection spine #448

  65. 65
    Catch Me If You Can2002 · Steven Spielberg · United States · crime, comedy, drama
    0.16

    Sarris's annual top 10 2002 #8

  66. 66
    Criss Cross1949 · Robert Siodmak · United States · crime, drama, film-noir
    0.11

    Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  67. 67
    The Window1949 · Ted Tetzlaff · United States · crime, drama, film-noir
    0.11

    Rosenbaum's Essential Cinema

  68. 68
    Odds Against Tomorrow1959 · Robert Wise · United States · crime, drama, film-noir
    0.11

    Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  69. 69
    The League of Gentlemen1960 · Basil Dearden · United Kingdom · crime, comedy
    0.11

    Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  70. 70
    Gambit1966 · Ronald Neame · United States · crime
    0.11

    Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  71. 71
    Robbery1967 · Peter Yates · United Kingdom · crime, drama
    0.11

    Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  72. 72
    The Thomas Crown Affair1968 · Norman Jewison · United States · crime, drama, romance
    0.11

    Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  73. 73
    Take the Money and Run1969 · Woody Allen · United States · crime, comedy
    0.11

    Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  74. 74
    The Anderson Tapes1971 · Sidney Lumet · United States · crime, drama
    0.11

    Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  75. 75
    The Getaway1972 · Sam Peckinpah · United States · crime, action, thriller
    0.11

    Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  76. 76
    The Hot Rock1972 · Peter Yates · United States · crime, comedy
    0.11

    Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  77. 77
    Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry1974 · John Hough · United States · action, crime, drama
    0.11

    Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  78. 78
    Thunderbolt and Lightfoot1974 · Michael Cimino · United States · crime, comedy, action
    0.11

    Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  79. 79
    The Silent Partner1978 · Daryl Duke · Canada · crime, drama
    0.11

    Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  80. 80
    The People Under the Stairs1991 · Wes Craven · United States · horror, comedy, crime
    0.11

    Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

  81. 81
    The Wrong Trousers1993 · Nick Park · United Kingdom · crime, comedy, animation
    0.11

    Edgar Wright's 1,000 favorite movies

The heist is the one crime genre that hands you its own blueprint. Every other kind of thriller withholds the plan; this one rehearses it in front of you, so that the pleasure is never surprise but watchmaking — the ticking of a scheme you were shown in advance and get to feel go wrong. That is really two pleasures, not one, and our list refuses to keep them apart.

What the tag collects

Membership on this page is not a hand-curated canon. The bucket is assembled from the Wikidata genre tags each film carries, mapped into a single heist category and then re-ranked by composite score — never by any outside list's order. The upside is honesty; the side effect is breadth. The vault procedural sits beside the caper comedy sits beside the long con, because all three answer to the tag. So The Lavender Hill Mob (1951) and Big Deal on Madonna Street (1958) — the genre laughing at itself — share the page with the grift picture House of Games (1987) and Jules Dassin's silent-robbery landmark Rififi (1955). It is also why films with a heist claim but a looser fit ride in: Die Hard (1988), Inception (2010) — a robbery staged inside a sleeping mind — and even Peckinpah's The Wild Bunch (1969) all carry the tag, and the ranking honours it rather than my taste.

How to read our list

The gap between historical primacy and accumulated weight is the whole story of this ranking, and it is stark. The list is led not by any of the films the histories credit with inventing the form but by George Roy Hill's The Sting (1973), at composite score 2.37 — a con, not a vault job, and a Best Picture winner whose reputation compounds well beyond its genre. Behind it come The Wild Bunch at 2.30 and Sidney Lumet's Dog Day Afternoon (1975) at 2.04: films long canonized as more than heists.

The founders sit far below. The standard account names John Huston's The Asphalt Jungle (1950) as the first true heist film, the one that fixed the shape of planning, flawed execution and ruinous aftermath — it scores 0.67. Rififi, whose half-hour wordless robbery is the sequence every later break-in answers to, scores 0.77. Stanley Kubrick's The Killing (1956), the racetrack job that taught the genre to fracture its own timeline, sits at 0.52. Three of the form's load-bearing pillars, all beneath a 1973 caper — a clean measure of the difference between who wrote the rules and whose reputation the decades have kept paying into. Read the top of this list for what the culture rewards; read the bottom for who the genre owes.