10 Must-Watch Crime Films About Famous Heists

Description: Directed by Stanley Kubrick, this film details an elaborate racetrack robbery, showcasing the planning and execution of the heist through non-linear storytelling.

Fact: The film was one of Kubrick's early works, and its influence can be seen in many subsequent heist films. The heist itself was inspired by Lionel White's novel "Clean Break."

Description: A sophisticated art theft where the titular character, Thomas Crown, orchestrates a bank heist for the thrill of it, leading to a game of cat and mouse with an insurance investigator.

Fact: The film was remade in 1999 with Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo, updating the heist to an art theft. The original film's famous chess game scene was replaced by a game of cat and mouse with art.

Description: A group of thieves plan to steal gold from a heavily guarded convoy in Turin, Italy. The film is renowned for its iconic Mini Cooper chase scene and its clever use of traffic jams to their advantage.

Fact: The film was remade in 2003 with a different plot but retained the famous Mini Cooper chase. The original film's ending was left open-ended, leading to speculation about the fate of the gold.

Description: Inspired by a real-life bank robbery in Brooklyn, this film captures the tension and desperation of a botched heist that turns into a media circus.

Fact: The film was based on a Life magazine article, and the real-life robber, John Wojtowicz, received $7,500 for the rights to his story.

Description: While not solely about a heist, this film features one of the most meticulously planned bank robberies in cinema, showcasing the cat-and-mouse game between a master thief and a relentless detective.

Fact: The bank heist scene was filmed in one continuous shot, which took days to perfect. The film also inspired numerous other heist movies with its realistic portrayal of criminal life.

Description: Based on the 1971 Baker Street robbery in London, this film delves into the political and criminal intrigue surrounding the heist, where robbers tunneled into a bank vault.

Fact: The real-life robbery was rumored to involve compromising photos of a member of the British Royal Family, which adds a layer of mystery to the film's plot.

Description: A slick, stylish heist film where Danny Ocean and his team plan to rob three Las Vegas casinos simultaneously. It's a modern classic that blends humor with high-stakes crime.

Fact: The film was a remake of the 1960 Rat Pack film of the same name, but with a significantly different plot and updated for contemporary audiences.

Description: Set in Boston, this film follows a group of bank robbers who plan their final score, but complications arise when one of them falls for a bank manager they took hostage.

Fact: The film was based on the novel "Prince of Thieves" by Chuck Hogan, and the real-life Charlestown neighborhood in Boston was used for filming, known for its high rate of bank robberies.

Description: Robert De Niro plays a master thief who comes out of retirement for one last score, involving the theft of a priceless scepter from a Montreal Customs House.

Fact: This was Marlon Brando's last film before his death, making it a poignant watch for fans of the legendary actor.

Description: This film recounts the infamous 1963 train robbery in England, where a gang of robbers stole £2.6 million from a Royal Mail train. It's a classic heist film that showcases the meticulous planning and execution of one of the most audacious crimes in British history.

Fact: The film was based on the book by Michael Crichton, who also wrote the screenplay. The real-life robbers were never caught, adding to the mystique of the heist.