10 Best Heist Movies of All Time

Michael Mann's masterpiece in which Robert De Niro and Al Pacino face off: one a perfectionist thief, the other a relentless detective. With the legendary downtown L.A. shootout and an ice-cold ending, Heat is the blueprint for every modern heist film.

A French noir classic with a roughly 30-minute, completely wordless break-in sequence that's still one of the best ever filmed. A group of thieves plans a precision robbery of a jewelry store, but as always, things don't go as planned. Stylish, patient and incredibly tense, Rififi is pure cinematic perfection.

Steven Soderbergh breathed new life into the genre with a slick, stylish and hugely entertaining heist film. George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon plan to rob three Las Vegas casinos at once. With its light tone, clever structure and tight pace, it's the coolest heist film of the 21st century.

An early noir in which a group of men pull off a jewel robbery, but their personal weaknesses lead to their downfall. John Huston's film was revolutionary in portraying the criminals as human and tragic, and it influenced almost every heist story that followed. Look out for an early role by Marilyn Monroe.

Spike Lee's intelligent, surprising take on the genre. Clive Owen plays a mysterious robber who takes a bank hostage with a brilliant plan, while Denzel Washington's detective tries to outsmart him. With social undertones and a rock-solid twist, it's a modern classic.

A British cult favorite in which Michael Caine plans a gold heist in Turin, complete with legendary Mini Cooper chases. Stylish, funny and iconic, it's as British as tea with milk, and it ends with one of cinema's most famous cliffhangers.

Not every heist goes smoothly. In this classic based on a true story, Al Pacino's character tries to rob a bank to pay for his partner's gender confirmation surgery, and it spirals into a hostage standoff. A chaotic, human drama about media, police and desperation, with a brilliant lead performance by Pacino.

A retired British gangster (Ray Winstone) living in Spain is pressured by the terrifying psychopath Don Logan (Ben Kingsley) into doing one last job. Kingsley steals the film as a ticking time bomb: violent, manipulative and unforgettable. A heist film driven by character rather than action.

Ben Affleck directs and stars in this raw, stylish drama about a crew of bank robbers from Charlestown, Boston. With tight action scenes, moral conflicts and a strong cast including Jeremy Renner, it's a contemporary classic with a conscience.

Steven Soderbergh's antithesis to Ocean's Eleven: a group of hapless misfits tries to rob a NASCAR speedway during a race. Funny, original and surprisingly heartfelt, especially thanks to Daniel Craig as explosives expert Joe Bang.