If you want cheap thrills, heist movies are probably your best option. When jewelry stores or banks are broken into, tensions get out of hand. In the end, the criminals either completely ruin the scheme or escape with the reward in an almost unbelievable feat. Heist thrillers are popular right now, regardless of the result, especially with series like “Money Heist” dominating online streaming rankings. We have compiled a list of the best heist films available on HBO Max for your consideration if you’ve been searching for some.
Tell (2014)
The protagonist of the crime thriller “Tell” is Ethan Tell, a small-time criminal who, after snatching up $1 million, pulls off the robbery of a lifetime. Despite how happy he is, he discovers that practically everyone he knows, including his wife, is for the money. He must continue to tell other prisoners that he lacks the funds even after being caught in order to protect himself. Where is the money, I wonder? Is it secure? When he’s free, will he return to it? The entertaining film, which stars Milo Ventimiglia as Ethan Tell, adds to the overall impression by humorously examining a world ruled by lies and treachery. “Tell,” which is directed by JMR Luna, co-stars Alan Tudyk, Robert Patrick, Jason Lee, and Katee Sackhoff. It is available for streaming here.
Wanda (1970)
Barbara Loden plays the lead in her well-known independent heist drama, “Wanda.” The film offers a current look at how women are typically portrayed in movies while documenting a small-town atmosphere. Additionally, it emphasizes its point by elevating Wanda’s predicament to a new level. She has relinquished custody of her children to their father because she feels inadequate to care for them, and she lives as a vagrant in a barren Rust Belt town. When Wanda eventually runs up Norman Dennis, a small-time crook, they plot an unsuccessful theft. It is one of the few female-focused films on the list that hides a theft in the plot, even though it isn’t quite a heist film. The movie is available to stream online.
The Hobbit Trilogy (2012-2014)
Peter Jackson is the director of the epic fantasy-adventure film series known as “The Hobbit.” The show centers on hobbit Bilbo Baggins, who sets off on an unexpected quest to retake their country from the terrifying dragon Smaug with a band of dwarves and the wizard Gandalf. Their ultimate objective is to steal the Arkenstone from Smaug’s cave, but they must first navigate the perilous Middle-Earth, teeming with legendary creatures and confronting formidable obstacles. Richard Armitage plays Thorin Oakenshield, Ian McKellen plays Gandalf, and Martin Freeman plays Bilbo Baggins. While “The Hobbit” isn’t quite a heist picture, it does center on a bold quest to recover a valuable relic, which is a common theme in heist movies. This cinematic masterpiece is deserving of a place on this list because of its breathtaking images, engrossing narrative, and unforgettable performances. “The Hobbit” is available for viewing here.
No Sudden Move (2021)
Steven Soderbergh is the director of the captivating crime thriller “No Sudden Move.” A bunch of small-time thieves are hired for what appears to be a straightforward task in the 1950s, but they soon become caught in a complicated web of peril and treachery. Their lives grow more and more entangled with strong forces that will do all it takes to keep their secrets safe as they negotiate unforeseen turns and turns.
Julia Fox, Don Cheadle, Benicio Del Toro, Frankie Shaw, Ray Liotta, and Brendan Fraser are among the film’s outstanding cast members. Because of its captivating plot and outstanding performances from an all-star ensemble, this movie is unquestionably worth seeing, regardless of your preference for suspenseful movies or brilliant storytelling. The movie is available for viewing here.
Triple 9 (2016)
John Hillcoat is the director of “Triple 9,” which stars Casey Affleck, Anthony Mackie, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Aaron Paul. The action thriller revolves around a bunch of dishonest police officers and criminals who devise a 999 scenario as part of their attempt to clear the charges against a Jewish-Russian Mafia boss. The police will be diverted away from the crew by using the number 999, which stands for “officer down.” However, a police detective and an unreliable crew member cause everything to go wrong. More than its plot, “Triple 9” dazzles with its performances and images. Nonetheless, it is a classic heist movie, and a fun one at that. It is available to view here.
The Bling Ring (2013)
The Bling Ring is a crime thriller directed by Sofia Coppola and is based on the robberies committed by the Bling Ring gang between October 2008 and August 2009, as detailed by Nancy Jo Sales in the 2010 Vanity Fair story “The Suspects Wore Louboutins.” The main focus is on the group of fame-obsessed teens who find celebrities and loot their mansions when they are away. This flirting approach to money, status, and morality shows us how they got into this situation and what fate has in store for them. “The Bling Ring,” which stars Emma Watson, Israel Broussard, Katie Chang, and Taissa Farmiga, is a unique heist story that is worth watching in one sitting. You can watch it live here.
Good Time (2017)
“Good Time,” an underappreciated crime thriller directed by Josh and Benny Safdie, centers on Connie, a small-time thief played by Robert Pattinson, who attempts to free his younger brother Benny, who has a developmental impairment, from prison. After a successful bank heist, Benny tried to escape from a suspicious police officer and was taken into custody. A series of events ensue as Connie tries to find a means to obtain the funds to free Benny without getting caught, knowing that he is not safe inside. “Good Time,” which was an official selection at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival and finished for the Palme d’Or, is a visually spectacular and captivating film that goes beyond the heist genre and is emphasized by a stellar performance by Pattinson. It is available to view here.
The Bank Job (2008)
The Bank Job, a gripping heist thriller by Roger Donaldson, is a reenactment of the 1971 Baker Street robbery. It centers on a gang of thieves who rob the Lloyd’s Bank on Baker Street and discover compromising photos of Princess Margaret in the safety deposit boxes. They are unaware that the MI5 wants the photos and would stop at nothing to obtain them. There are gangsters who become involved for their own reasons, which heightens the drama. At the conclusion of the high-stakes drama, which provides suspenseful entertainment from beginning to end, we learn how things turn out for each of these parties. You can stream the film, which stars Jason Statham, Saffron Burrows, Keeley Hawes, Stephen Campbell Moore, David Suchet, and Peter de Jersey, here.
