5 best heist movies of all time

There’s a hero, there’s a conflict, a crew, a plan and then the master plan to rob an institution or the person that’s wronged them. One of the reasons why we love the heist genre is because we are always at the edge of our seats—in all the plotting, scheming, hiding, chasing, and everything in between, they make us feel a range of emotions. The build-up is often more exciting than the plan seeing the light of day and being executed to perfection. Honestly, we couldn't care less about who they’re robbing, we’re most interested in the 'how'. As long as we’ve got that, heist movies will always catch our fancy. 

Here’s a list of some terrific heist movies. 

Reservoir Dogs (1992)

This movie piqued my interest in the genre. For one, it doesn't show the heist in the first place. We see six criminals, who are named after colours (Mr. Pink, Mr. White, etc), attempt to pull off a diamond heist only for the police to show up. The team suspects a rat among them, and what follows is paranoia and rising tension. It's the director's first movie and it can't get any better than this. The film was an absolute masterpiece by Quentin Tarantino. PS Bollywood got its own version of the movie: Kaante.

Ocean's 11 (2001)

There’s no way we can have a list of heist movies and not talk about a movie that went on to become a franchise. Danny Ocean (played by George Clooney) is hung up on his ex (Julia Roberts), and recruits his pals to rob three Vegas casinos run by the man (Andy Garcia) who stole his girl. It’s got the perfect blend of comedy, action, suspense, and star power, you name it. The dapper-looking men—Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and the others have great fun in their heist and they went on to give us Ocean's Twelve, Ocean's Thirteen, and Ocean's 8, a spin-off with an all-female lead cast, in 2018.

Heat (1995)

Any movie that stars acting legends such as Robert De Niro and Al Pacino deserves a mention on any list. It may be close to 30 years since the film's release, but it is still considered a classic in the genre. The movie is an engrossing cat-and-mouse hunt between an LAPD detective (Pacino) and a seasoned criminal (De Niro) pulling his last heist. You witness their admiration for each other, and it makes the watching experience only better. The scene at the diner that brings the two together in the same frame should framed! 

Baby Driver (2017)

A heist movie with fantastic soundtracks and high-octane car chase sequences, sign me up! This action-packed, romantic story, revolves around the life of a getaway driver (Ansel Elgort) who wants to escape the life of crime and working for a dangerous mobster (Kevin Spacey). Just when you think he has it all sorted, he gets blackmailed to take part in a job. At stake is his girlfriend's (Lily James) safety and life. The movie is peppered with double crossing, plot twists, and constant music in the background. It’s a heist unlike any heists you’ve seen before. 

Inside Man (2006)

Director Spike Lee was in top form showing audiences no one knows the city of New York better than him. Be it the cops and federal officers making their way to the bank, or food vendors watching helplessly from their carts, Lee captured every nuance of people living here and every vibe of the city. It also had Denzel Washington, the actor starred as the NYPD's hostage negotiator, who works to undermine a heist at a Wall Street bank. Clive Owen stars as Dalton Russell, the mastermind up against Washington. The movie is terrific, and one of the best heist movies that shouldn’t be missed.