Heist movies and series have been a popular part of cinema and TV for decades. These productions usually center on a big plan to steal something valuable, whether it is money, art, jewels, or even information. Viewers get to watch the planning, the team coming together, the tension of the job itself, and the fallout when things go wrong, or surprisingly right.

Over time, filmmakers and TV creators have found ways to refresh the basic heist formula. Some focus on style and clever editing, while others highlight character drama, humor, or social commentary. Many of the best heist movies stand out because they add something new: a different setting, a fresh tone, or a unique motive behind the crime.

Below is a guide to some of the most notable heist stories in film and TV.

'Rififi' (1955) and 'The Italian Job' (1969)

Jules Dassin's "Rififi" is often cited as one of the most influential heist films. It is especially known for its long, nearly silent robbery sequence, where the characters carry out a jewelry store break-in with extreme care and precision. The film's focus on the procedure helped define the "heist as a meticulous operation" style.

"The Italian Job," starring Michael Caine, took a lighter and more playful approach. It focuses on a plan to steal gold in Turin, Italy, using Mini Coopers in an elaborate getaway. The film is remembered for its car chases and cliffhanger ending. It introduced a more stylish and cheeky version of the heist movie, mixing crime with humor, memorable one-liners, and a strong sense of British cool.

'The Taking of Pelham One Two Three' (1974) and 'Dog Day Afternoon' (1975)

In the 1970s, some heist-related films leaned toward realism and urban tension. "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three" revolves around a group that hijacks a New York City subway train and demands ransom. The movie pays close attention to logistics, timing, and the negotiations between the criminals and the authorities.

"Dog Day Afternoon," based on a real bank robbery in Brooklyn, focuses heavily on character and media attention. Al Pacino plays the robber whose attempted heist quickly turns into a public spectacle. The film stands out for showing how a robbery can spiral out of control, and how crowds, police, and television cameras can turn a crime into a strange, chaotic event.

'Heat' (1995)

Michael Mann's "Heat" is often mentioned as a high point in modern crime cinema. The film follows a professional crew of bank robbers and the detective determined to catch them, played by Robert De Niro and Al Pacino.

What makes "Heat" distinct is its equal attention to both sides of the law. The film shows the personal lives and codes of honor of the criminals and the cops.

'Ocean's Eleven' (2001)

A remake of the 1960 film, "Ocean's Eleven" stars George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and an ensemble cast as a group planning to rob multiple Las Vegas casinos at once. This film emphasizes the "putting the crew together" segment of a heist, giving each character a specific skill and personality. It also uses misdirection, where the audience only learns the full plan after the fact. This approach inspired a wave of similar ensemble-driven crime comedies in the 2000s.

'Money Heist' (2017-2021)

While "Money Heist" (originally titled "La Casa de Papel") is a television series rather than a film, it is essential to mention because of its massive impact on the genre. The Spanish series became a global phenomenon after arriving on Netflix. It follows a mysterious figure known as "The Professor" who recruits a group of eight robbers, all using city names as aliases, to carry out an ambitious plan to print billions of euros at the Royal Mint of Spain.

The show expanded the heist format into long-form storytelling. Because it had more time than a standard two-hour movie, it could dive deeply into the emotional lives, relationships, and backstories of every team member. It also popularized the use of iconic visual symbols, such as the Salvador Dalí masks and red jumpsuits.

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