Heist is a subgenre of crime films that showcases varied aspects associated with planning and execution of theft and the aftermath that follows. This article brings to life the best Hollywood heist movies.

Heist movies are exceedingly popular with fans of crime films and thriller movies. The twists and turns in heist movies give signature identity to the genre. Characters are portrayed heist films have become cult personalities among movie aficionados. Heist films often showcase characters who attempt to devise a plan, formulate a plan, carry out a plan, and escape clean with goods. It’s the presence of a nemesis that makes the plot in heist movies gather momentum. Typically, it’s a person with key authority or a former partner that turns on the group or specific members in a group.

What Makes Heist Movies Popular?

Classic heist formulas are often accomplished in movies with the three-act/part plot

The first part is associated with conspiracy and preparations where members of a group learn and gather information about layout and location to be robbed.

Members plan on how to disarm the security systems, alarm systems often with the use of technology or the help of an insider.

The second part comprises of the heist where a number of unexpected events occur and a backup plan needs to be implemented to carry out the mission. Often heists showcased in movies are unsuccessful attempts, however on few occasions members pull of a heist with grand success.

The third part is the process of the plot being unraveled. The characters associated with the heist turn up against one another or one of the characters sells out his group joining forces and making arrangements with a rival. While in many heist movies core characters that plan out the heist end up captured by police, end up dead or without any loot, an exceedingly high number of modern heist movies showcase conspirators being successful at carrying out the heist.

While heist plots were showcased in movies in the 1930s, the heist genre of films gained popularity in the 1940s and 1950s, and since has become popular with filmmakers. Heist associated with planning, conspiracy and execution of plans with a prominent comic element are referred to as caper movies. This style of movies have a light hearted- element associated with emotion and crime exploring dark elements with comical situations, humor and sarcasm. Different types of heist films are made bringing alive a range of analytical angles pertaining to the mind. The storytelling in heist movies is compelling and the events unfolding in these films take place at a rapid pace.  

The varied elements showcased in Hollywood heist movies often highlight the capabilities of the mind involved with crime or criminal activity. In certain films belonging to this genre the viewers are left to ponder over the integral missing element associated with in the heist.  

The different types of heist films are

• Heist Comedy
• Heist Action
• Western Heist Movies
• Casino Heist
• Bank Heist
• Spy Heist Movies
• Caper Heist

The plot twists in certain Hollywood heist movies have become epic among fans globally. While the heist genre may not reach the realms of mainstream, movies in this genre have made a huge impact among audiences, especially with their thought provoking elements pertaining to potential of the mind.

The lines below showcase a diverse list of heist movies from different sub-genres

100 Greatest Hollywood Heist Movies

1. The Killing (1956)
2. The Usual Suspects (1995)
3. Ocean’s 11 (1960)
4. Inception (2010)    
5. Rififi (1955)
6. How to Steal a Million (1966)
7. The Italian Job (1969)
8. Topkapi (1964)
9. Logan Lucky (2017)
10. Gambit (1966)
11. The Asphalt Jungle (1950)  
12. Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
13. The Town (2010)
14. Ninotchka (1939)
15. Reservoir Dogs (1992)  
16. The War Dragon (1967)
17. Heat (1995)
18. Outside the Law (1930)  
19. The Sting (1973)
20. Nine Queens (2000)
21. Inside Man (2006)
22. The Unholy Garden (1930)
23. Bottle Rocket (1996)
24. Who’s Minding the Mint? (1967)
25. The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)
26. Baby Driver (2017)
27. The Getaway (1972)
28. The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)
29. The Score (2001)
30. Ronin (1998)
31. Ocean’s Twelve (2004)
32. The Brain (1969)
33. Now You See Me (2013)
34. A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
35. Hell or High Water (2016)
36. The Lavender Hill Mob (1951)
37. Ocean’s Thirteen (2007)
38. Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974)
39. Blue Streak (1999)
40. Robot & Frank (2012)
41.  True Romance (1993)
42. Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (2015)
43. The Bank Job (2008)
44. Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
45. Fast Five (2011)
46. Kelly’s Heroes (1967)
47. Heist (2001)
48. Jackie Brown (1997)
49. Point Break (1991)
50. Sneakers (1992)
51. Quick Change (1990)
52. Thief (1981)
53. Dead Presidents (1995)
54. The Lookout (2007)
55. Set it Off (1996)
56. Takers (2010)
57. Out of Sight (1998)
58. Drive (2011)
59. Going in Style (2017)
60. Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
61. Stark Raving Mad (2002)
62. Three Kings (1999)
63. 2 Guns (2013)
64. The Hot Rock (1971)  
65. Bad Santa (2003)
66. Entrapment (1999)
67. Heaven’s Gate (1974)
68. The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015)
69. Die Hard (1988)
70. Bandits (2001)
71. Tower Heist (2011)
72. The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)  
73. The Spanish Prisoner (1997)
74. Ant Man (2015)
75. Mad Money (2008)
76. Seven Thieves (1960)
77. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
78. To Catch a Thief (1955)
79. American Hustle (2013)
80. St. Louis Bank Robbery (1959)
81. Small Time Crooks (2000)
82. Armored Car Robbery (1950)
83. Matchstick Men (2003)
84. Public Enemies (2009)
85. 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001)
86. Mission Impossible 3 (2006)
87. Thick as Thieves (2009)
88. Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol (2011)
89. The Driver (1978)
90. Reindeer Games (2000)
91. Masterminds (2016)
92. The Bling Ring (2013)
93. Office Space (1999)
94. Flawless (2007)
95. Mission Impossible (1996)
96. 5 Against the House (1955)
97. It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)
98. Armored (2009)
99. Money Train (1995)
100. The Suspect (2013)

Other Notable Heist Movies

• Bob le flambeaur (1956)
• Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
• Big Deal on Madonna Street (1958)
• The Thieves (2012)
• Lupin the 3 rd (2014)
• Snatch (2000)
• Danger: Diabolik (1968)
• City on Fire (1987)
• The First Great Train Robbery (1978)
• The Red Circle (Le Cercle Rouge) (1970)
• Band of Outsiders (Bande A Part) (1964)
• The Best Offer (2013)
• Sexy Beast (2000)
• The Good Thief (2003)
• The Brink’s Job (1978)
• The Sicilian Clan (Le clan des siciliens) (1969)
• Confidence (2003)
• The League of Gentlemen (1960)
• Giu La Testa (Duck, You Sucker) (1971)
• Die Hard With A Vengeance (1995)
• The Anderson Tapes (1971)
• Duplicity (2009)
• Intermission (2003)

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