10 Must-Watch Films About Museum Heists

Description: The original film where a wealthy businessman steals a painting from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It's a classic heist film with a sophisticated edge.

Fact: The film was one of the first to use split-screen techniques extensively, and it was remade in 1999 with Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo.

Description: While not set in a museum, this film involves a heist of gold from a moving train, which is then hidden in a museum. It's a historical caper with a museum element.

Fact: The film is based on the real-life Great Gold Robbery of 1855, and Michael Crichton wrote and directed it.

Description: Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones star in this film where an insurance investigator and an art thief team up to steal a priceless Chinese mask from a museum. The film is known for its clever plot twists and stunning visuals.

Fact: The film's famous laser scene was inspired by the film "Mission: Impossible," and the mask stolen in the movie is a real artifact from the Ming Dynasty.

Description: This film features a suave billionaire who orchestrates an elaborate heist at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, stealing a priceless Monet painting. It's a stylish, cat-and-mouse game that showcases the allure of art theft.

Fact: The film was a remake of the 1968 film of the same name, and the chess game between the protagonists was inspired by a real match between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky.

Description: While not strictly a museum heist, this film involves a treasure hunt that leads to the National Archives, where the Declaration of Independence is stolen. It's a fun, family-friendly adventure with a museum twist.

Fact: The film's plot was inspired by the real-life mystery of the Knights Templar treasure, and the Freemasons' involvement in American history.

Description: This comedy features a bumbling detective trying to recover the Pink Panther diamond, which is stolen from a museum. It's a light-hearted take on the heist genre.

Fact: The film is a remake of the 1963 film of the same name, and Steve Martin took over the role of Inspector Clouseau from Peter Sellers.

Description: A group of art thieves plan to steal a valuable painting from a museum. The film combines humor with the tension of a heist, making it a unique entry in the genre.

Fact: The film was shot in Toronto, Canada, and features a real-life art forger, Kenneth Krayer, in a cameo.

Description: Although more about art recovery than theft, this film involves a group of art experts and historians tasked with rescuing art stolen by Nazis, often from museums.

Fact: The film is based on the true story of the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives program, and George Clooney directed and starred in it.

Description: While not a traditional museum heist, this film features a priceless painting stolen from a hotel, which serves as a sort of museum for art. It's a whimsical and colorful adventure.

Fact: The film's art direction was inspired by the works of Austrian painter Gustav Klimt, and it won four Academy Awards.

Description: Robert De Niro plays a master thief who plans to steal a priceless scepter from the Montreal Customs House, which is essentially a museum for customs artifacts. The film delves into the planning and execution of a high-stakes heist.

Fact: This was Marlon Brando's final film role, and the film was shot in Montreal, Canada.