20 tense and confusing robbery movies

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Crime stories from Guy Ritchie and Quentin Tarantino, as well as the vivid roles of Al Pacino and Audrey Hepburn.

20. The Thomas Crown Scam

• USA, 1999.
• Melodrama, crime.
• Duration: 109 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 8.

A remake of the 1968 film of the same name tells the story of a multimillionaire who, out of boredom, steals from the museum Monet's painting "San Giorgio Maggiore at dusk" worth 100 million dollars. Insurance company detective Katherine Banning is sent to investigate this case. But the meeting between the two heroes turns into a very emotional game.

The new version of the familiar story turned out to be no worse than the classics. In many ways, the picture was a success thanks to the excellent cast: the charming criminal was played by Pierce Brosnan, and the role of the detective went to Rene Russo. Well, the staging of the final robbery looks just exciting.

19. Bad Santa

• USA, Germany, 2003.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 91 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 0.

Inveterate criminal Willie works as Santa Claus in shopping malls every Christmas. He uses this opportunity to rob the establishment. But one day Willie meets a fat, stupid and very lonely boy Thurman, who still believes in Santa. And this meeting becomes fateful for both.

"Bad Santa" quickly became a real legend of black humor, and the image of a charming bastard became attached to Billy Bob Thornton for a long time.

18. Italian work

• Great Britain, 1969.
• Crime, comedy.
• Duration: 99 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 3.

Charlie Crocker has just been released from prison, but is already planning a daring robbery of the collector's car. Having won the support of the king of the underworld, he gathers a team of professionals and dashingly turns the case. But it turns out that hiding from the police is much more difficult than just stealing gold.

Although the film received mixed reviews at first (largely due to its open ending), over time it has developed into an established movie classic. And in 2003, a remake of the same name was shot in the United States with Mark Wahlberg and Charlize Theron in the lead roles.

17. Illusion of deception

• USA, France, 2013.
• Thriller, crime, detective.
• Duration: 115 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 3.

An unknown customer gathers a group of four illusionists who put on an amazing show for the audience, and at the same time rob several banks. FBI agent Dylan Rhodes is taken to investigate a complex case.

The painting by the creator of The Transporter, Louis Leterrier, came out not only intricate and dynamic, but also very beautiful. Against the backdrop of the success, the sequel was also filmed. However, although he collected a good box office, critics rated the sequel much lower.

16. Not caught is not a thief

• Thriller, drama, detective.
• USA, 2006.
• Duration: 129 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

A bank robbery takes place in downtown New York. The criminals arranged everything in such a way that the police do not know their faces, number, or purpose. However, detective Fraser is trying to figure out the head of the gang and gradually realizes that the attackers were not interested in money.

The collaboration between director Spike Lee and one of his favorite actors, Denzel Washington, began with the 1990 film Better Life Blues. "Not caught - not a thief" became their fourth joint work. And this time, the author stunningly combined a confusing detective story with an important social theme.

15. How to steal a million

• USA, 1966.
• Melodrama, comedy, crime.
• Duration: 123 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

The renowned collector Charles Bonnet secretly trades in counterfeiting famous works of art. But one day the statuette he created appears at an exhibition in Paris, and an examination can reveal his fraud. Then Charles' daughter Nicole decides to steal a fake, and Simon Dermot, who turns out to be a detective, helps her.

This picture was glorified not only by the witty plot filled with humor, but also by the stunning dresses of the main character. Hubert de Givenchy created them for Audrey Hepburn.

14. Baby on the drive

• USA, UK, 2017.
• Drama, crime, action.
• Duration: 113 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

The kid is an amazing driver. That is why he is hired by criminals to help hide from the scene of the robbery. On the road he has no equal, but in ordinary life the Kid has a lot of difficulties: as a child he had an accident, his parents died, and the boy himself earned ringing in his ears for life, which had to be muffled with loud music.

This picture was shot by Edgar Wright, famous for the films "Zombie Named Sean" and "Scott Pilgrim Against All." The style of the director is not difficult to notice: here drama coexists with humor, and music often becomes an important part of the plot.

13. Drive

• USA, 2011.
• Drama, crime.
• Duration: 100 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 8.

The main character, whose name will not be named, works as a stunt driver in a movie. And the rest of the time he helps the robbers to hide from the crime scene. The Driver has strict principles: he never contacts the same customers twice and always waits only five minutes. But the desire to help his neighbor turns into a mortal danger for him.

The film by Nicholas Winding Refn has become one of the most stylish works of the 2010s. Neon colors and a dark tone of storytelling are combined with realistic brutality and intense pursuits. Later, many tried to copy Refn's style, but the original still remains unsurpassed.

12. Bonnie and Clyde

• USA, 1967.
• Thriller, drama, crime.
• Duration: 111 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 8.

Waitress Bonnie Parker falls in love with criminal Clyde Barrow. They go on a journey robbing shops, gas stations and banks. But gradually the couple becomes more and more brutal and arrogant.

This film became a symbol of the formation of New Hollywood, showing a very controversial story filled with cruelty and romance. At first, critics of the old school took it negatively, but gradually everyone recognized the value of the picture. As a result, Bonnie and Clyde received two Oscars in 10 nominations, and in total collected 17 different awards.

11. Ocean's Eleven

• USA, 2001.
• Crime, adventure, comedy.
• Duration: 116 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 8.

Danny Ocean is released from prison and immediately develops a plan to rob a major casino in Las Vegas. He assembles a team of 11 professionals and starts training. As it turns out, Danny has personal accounts with the owner of the casino, Terry Benedict.

A remake of the 1960 film of the same name was directed by the famous Steven Soderbergh, and his favorite actor George Clooney played the main role. Their work together has become one of the most famous paintings about the robbery. Subsequently, the film received two sequels, and then also a female spin-off about the sister of the protagonist Debbie.

10. All-in

• Poland, 1981.
• Comedy, crime.
• Duration: 109 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 9.

The famous safe cracker and excellent trumpeter Quinto, leaving prison, learns about the death of a friend. He invested all the money in a new bank, and then he was robbed, taking away the receipt, and in the end he allegedly jumped out of the window. Quinto realizes that the whole situation is rigged by the man, because of whom he once went to prison. Then the hero decides to rob his bank in revenge.

This Polish crime comedy was very popular in the USSR. The film combines a cheeky crime story with a great comedy, plus a jazz soundtrack. It is interesting that one of the final scenes, where the hero is dashingly dancing with a girl, was invented by the actor Vitold Pyrkosh on the move. He just showed up on set drunk.

9. Dog's noon

• USA, 1975.
• Drama, crime, biography.
• Duration: 130 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 0.

The criminals are sent to rob the bank, believing that they have worked out the plan perfectly. But one of the participants in the operation escapes. Left alone, Sunny and Sal find themselves in a difficult situation: there is almost no money in the safe, and an attempt to burn documents immediately attracts the police.

In the crime story of Sidney Lumet, based on real events, Al Pacino played the main role. Their collaboration earned the film five Oscar nominations and an award for Best Screenplay.

8. The intruders, as always, remained unknown

• Italy, 1958.
• Comedy, crime.
• Duration: 196 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 0.

The thief Cosimo is caught stealing a car. In jail, he gets a tip about a pawnshop robbery. In order to get out as soon as possible, the offender finds Pepe the slacker, who must serve him for him, having received compensation. However, he deceives the thief and decides to go into business himself.

Legendary actors such as Vittorio Gassman, Marcello Mastroianni and Claudia Cardinale played the leading roles in this crime comedy. And against the background of the popularity of the first part, the sequel "The attackers remained unknown again" soon came out.

7. Catch me if you can

• USA, Canada, 2002.
• Biography, crime, drama.
• Duration: 141 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

Frank Abignale, in his youth, became famous for forging checks and documents. Soon he began to pose as a pilot, a doctor, a lawyer, taking advantage of all the benefits of employees. And at the same time, Frank wrote out false checks to himself and cashed them. FBI agent Karl Hanratty makes every effort to catch the fraudster, but each time he is one step ahead of him.

The film, which stars the stunning Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks, is based on real events. And the real Frank Abignale and Karl Henratty, after the events told in the picture, became friends and colleagues for many years.

6. Lock, money, two barrels

• UK, 1998.
• Comedy, crime.
• Duration: 107 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

Four heroes decided to play for a large sum with a professional sharper. Having lost all their money and getting into debt, they decide to commit a crime. The heroes want to rob the bandits, who, in turn, have just robbed four drug dealers. Only those, as it turned out, worked for an important criminal.

Director Guy Ritchie's debut film set the tone for his future work for a long time. These are vivid crime stories with many storylines that are intertwined in completely unexpected ways.

5. Scrum

• USA, 1995.
• Drama, thriller, crime.
• Duration: 171 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

The criminal Nick McCauley gathered old comrades and organized a very close-knit gang, where everyone helps each other. All of their robberies are successful, but after a particularly brutal crime, Los Angeles's best detective Vincent Hannah is taken to capture them. Meanwhile, McCauley falls in love.

In this film, Al Pacino and Robert De Niro featured one of the finest duos in film history. Later, famous actors met on the screen twice more: in the not very successful film "The Right to Kill" and in "Irishman" by the famous Martin Scorsese.

4. Scam

• USA, 1973.
• Drama, comedy, crime.
• Duration: 129 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 3.

The action takes place in the thirties. Crooks Johnny and Luther accidentally rob a courier working for a mafia boss. He directs the pursuit of them. As a result, Luther dies, and Johnny decides to take revenge on the culprit. He finds a new partner and comes up with the most difficult scam imaginable.

In 1969, director George Roy Hill had already released one of the best crime films of all time, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. And four years later, he again invited Robert Redford and Paul Newman for the main roles and created the witty and very dynamic "Scam". The result is seven Oscars. Including for "Best Film" and "Best Director".

3. Big jackpot

• UK, USA, 2000.
• Crime, comedy, detective.
• Duration: 104 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 3.

The criminals are robbing a Jewish jewelry store and taking away a lot of jewelry. Frankie Four Fingers, the leader of the gang, must transport a valuable diamond to the United States. But he bets on a boxing match and gets into trouble. Soon, three thugs are already involved in the showdown, the Russian bandit Boris Razor and many other businessmen.

Another crime film by Guy Ritchie, which brings together wonderful actors, including Brad Pitt as a gypsy. A very funny and dynamic plot, as always, comes to a witty denouement.

2. Reservoir dogs

• USA, 1991.
• Crime thriller.
• Duration: 100 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 3.

Six criminals are going to rob a jewelry store. The plan is worked out to the smallest detail, and the heroes do not even know each other's names. But suddenly things don't go as planned, and the robbery turns into a carnage.

Quentin Tarantino's debut film instantly made him a prominent representative of postmodernism in cinema. Firstly, this is a picture of a robbery, where the crime itself is hardly shown. And secondly, the action is filled with references to classic cinema. In addition, a rare debut boasts such a stellar line-up: Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen and Steve Buscemi starred in Reservoir Dogs.

1. Suspicious persons

• USA, Germany, 1995.
• Thriller, drama, detective.
• Duration: 106 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 5.

Police are investigating an explosion on the ship, which killed many people. As it turns out, the ship was carrying cocaine. The detective will have to find out all the details from the only survivor - a cripple nicknamed Chatterbox. And he talks about a large-scale robbery plan, behind which is a mysterious mafia boss.

One of the best crime films in history pleases at once for several reasons. It brought together excellent actors, and Kevin Spacey even received an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. In addition, the picture has a completely unpredictable denouement, which has become the standard of tangled stories.