This is the fourth in a series of articles where we’ll be covering the Top Heist Films. Films About Heists also include Films About Capers, Films About Thieves, Films About Bank Robberies, Films About Armored Car Robberies and Films About Bank Heists. In general, this subgenre covers anything to do with armed robbers or thieves.
This fourth article will cover the Top Heist Films You Haven’t Seen from 2000 – 2004 and you can check out additional articles by decade below. We are also going to include a Best Of subgenre article as a grand finale. There are so many great Heist films over the last 60 years that we felt it best to break down some of the subgenre’s forgotten and lesser-known gems by decade before we give you the Best Of list which will likely feature many films you’ve already heard of or have seen.
- Top Heist Films You Haven’t Seen – 1970’s
- Top Heist Films You Haven’t Seen – 1980’s
- Top Heist Films You Haven’t Seen – 1990’s
- Top Heist Films You Haven’t Seen – 2000 – 2004
- Top Heist Films You Haven’t Seen – 2005 – 2009
- Top Heist Films You Haven’t Seen – 2010 – 2014
- Top Heist Films You Haven’t Seen – 2015 – 2019
- Best Recent Heist Films
- Best Heist Films
The 2000’s saw such an increase in Heist Films that we had to split the decade in half to properly cover both classic films of the subgenre in addition to some great lesser-known films. There were also some new themes of the subgenre in the first half of the 2000’s including the emergence of teen-oriented Heist Films, a growing number of Techno Thrillers involving Heists, the birth of Heist Film franchises and a continuing evolution of Caper Comedies.
Though there had been a few notable Heist films involving young adults in previous decades, the 2000’s was the first decade where high school and college students featured more prominently in Caper and Heist films. Cheaters (2000) involved high school students cheating on an academic competition, Sugar & Spice (2001) featured cheerleaders resorting to bank robberies to help fund their teammate’s pregnancy, Better Luck Tomorrow (2002) told the story of Asian-American students who become involved in a robbery with tragic results and The Perfect Score (2004) starred a young Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson who work with other students to steal the answers for an upcoming SAT test.
Mirroring the growing dominance of technology in our lives, Caper & Heist films also started featuring more themes of hacking and electronic theft. These films often involved digital heists and robberies as opposed to physical bank break-ins. Examples of films that fit this mold included Takedown (2000) which covered the life and digital heists of hacker Kevin Mitnick and the digital theft of $9 billion in the film Swordfish (2001).
Like other subgenres, when that subgenre grows in popularity, franchise films inevitably start to appear. This was no different in the early 2000’s with the Steven Soderbergh remake of Ocean’s Eleven (1960). The remake tapped into the popular ensemble cast theme of Heist Films with a stunning lineup of George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, Andy Garcia, Bernie Mac, Elliott Gould and Don Cheadle. Most of this cast would return in the franchise sequels Ocean’s Twelve (2004) and Ocean’s Thirteen (2007). Other Heist films from this period of time that also launched franchises included The Fast and the Furious (2001) which would launch the Fast and Furious series of films and National Treasure (2004) which would also launch the National Treasure franchise with films, books and a TV series.
Humorous Heist Films and Caper Comedies would also prove to be an enduring theme of the subgenre during this period of time. Humor ranged from the Dark Comedy of Lucky Numbers (2000), Snatch (2000) and Buffalo Soldiers (2002) to the Quirky and Offbeat Comedy of Welcome to Collinwood (2002) and Scorched (2003). Other notable Heist Comedies of the early 2000’s included Ordinary Decent Criminal (2000), Where the Money Is (2000), Small Time Crooks (2000), The Parole Officer (2001), Bandits (2001), All About the Benjamins (2002), The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys (2002), Bad Santa (2003) and The Ladykillers (2004).
Our complete list of Caper and Heist Films features over 448+ films from 1956 – 2023. This collection features almost every film involving a caper, heist or robbery and films focused on thieves and burglars. If you don’t see a film in our collection, it might not have enough Heist Film elements to be included but is likely in our lists of Films About Con Artists, Films About Financial Fraud or Films About Fugitives which are all closely aligned with the Heist Film subgenre. Also, as we’re always updating our Heist Film collections and will be releasing additional articles of great Heist Films, subscribe to our newsletter for our latest updates as we post them.
Classic Heist Films from 2000 – 2004: Nine Queens (2000), Gone in Sixty Seconds (2000), Snatch (2000), Sexy Beast (2000), Ocean’s Eleven (2001), 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001), The Fast and the Furious (2001), The Score (2001), Heist (2001), The Italian Job (2003), Matchstick Men (2003), Bad Santa (2003), Ocean’s Twelve (2004), Layer Cake (2004) and National Treasure (2004).
Lesser-known Heist Films from 2000 – 2004 that didn’t make our list: Ordinary Decent Criminal (2000), Reindeer Games (2000), Small Time Crooks (2000), Cheaters (2000), Antitrust (2001), Bandits (2001), Don’t Tempt Me (2001), Better Luck Tomorrow (2002), The Stickup (2002), Hard Cash (2002), All About the Benjamins (2002), Riders (2002), Paper Soldiers (2002), Box 507 (2002), Man on the Train (2002), Stealing Harvard (2002), Cradle 2 the Grave (2003), Foolproof (2003), g@me. (2003), Criminal (2004), The Perfect Score (2004), The Last Tunnel (2004), The Ladykillers (2004), Vinci (2004), Millions (2004) and After the Sunset (2004).
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Here is our list of the Top Heist Films You Haven’t Seen from 2000 – 2004:
#10
Jakarta
Plot: A heist movie about three groups of thieves who independently plan to rob the same bank on the same day, which causes no end of pandemonium and confusion, or does it?
KBZ’s Take: This South Korean Heist Film has heavy influences from Quentin Tarantino crime films of the time period. There are the quirky characters, some violent scenes and an entire second half of the film that is a timeshift that takes place before the heist. While timeshift mechanisms can often be overused and confusing, it works well in this film by severely altering what you watched in the first half of the film. Highly recommended for fans and completists of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://www.viki.com/videos/156254v
#9
Takedown
Plot: Kevin Mitnick is quite possibly the best hacker in the world. Hunting for more and more information, seeking more and more cyber-trophies every day, he constantly looks for bigger challenges. When he breaks into the computer of a security expert and an ex-hacker, he finds one – and much more than that…
KBZ’s Take: We mentioned earlier in this article how one of the themes of the subgenre involved Technology-oriented Heist Films. This is one of them and one of the better films covering the life of Kevin Mitnick. While it’s not your usual heist film filled with bank robbers breaking into a vault, it has the digital equivalent of heist sequences with the many scams Mitnick perpetrated on companies and individuals.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3X0yLYn
Plot: Five hapless inner-city lowlifes attempt to burgle a pawnbroker’s safe but end up being plagued by bad luck.
KBZ’s Take: The Russo Brothers are most famous for the one-two punch of Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019). If you’ve seen those films and enjoyed the lighthearted humor found throughout, then you’ll likely also enjoy Welcome to Collinwood.
The film is about a group of very inept bank robbers planning a heist. There are some hilarious moments in the film (especially from George Clooney) and the actual robbery sequence is one of the funniest of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/42Ds5AC
Plot: Henry Manning has come up with a new way to break out of prison: fake a stroke and get transferred to a nursing home. It’s a perfect plan, except for one thing: the woman assigned to take care of him at the nursing home, Carol Ann McKay, has a plan of her own.
KBZ’s Take: We don’t know why this film isn’t more well known as it’s a great ‘small’ heist film and a hidden gem of the subgenre. Even though it’s a low budget film, it has a great cast with Paul Newman, Linda Fiorentino and Dermot Mulroney. Newman (at 74 years old) shines in his role as the bank robber faking a stroke who teaches the young couple (Fiorentino, Mulroney) the tricks of the trade.
The film itself is a lighthearted caper involving an armored car robbery so if you enjoy rooting for criminals bumbling their way through their first heist, it’s worth checking out.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3P3GVx6
Plot: Local TV weatherman plots to rig the state lottery.
KBZ’s Take: This film definitely resides in the “love it or hate it” realm due to the dark comedic nature of its plot. As a pure heist film, it excels at showing the planning and execution phases of the heist. Where it turns a corner into darker Fargo-esque territory is after everything that can possibly go wrong, does goes wrong after the heist. Even if you’re not into dark comedy heist films, this film is worth watching if only for Bill Pullman’s detective who has an aversion to doing any actual police work.
Additional Lists: Top Caper & Heist Films You Haven’t Seen (Part 1) #5
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3VFTJtC
#5
Stander
Plot: The life and career of Andre Stander, a South African police officer turned bank robber.
KBZ’s Take: This is one of the more well-known films on our list, but we wanted to include it for fans of the subgenre who might have missed it (or are looking for Historical Biopic Heist films). Thomas Jane gives one of his best performances as the police officer turned bank robber and the film has some great, suspenseful bank heist sequences.
It’s an action-packed and thrilling film that is a near classic of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3qHQW8S
#4
Scorched
Plot: Three mischievous employees of a bank in a small, deserted town all make plans to rob it at the same time, however none of them knows about the others.
KBZ’s Take: This is a very funny Heist film filled with Quirky and Offbeat Comedy. It was savaged at the time by critics and a box office flop. Our only guess is that most people (critics included) weren’t in tune with the very absurd comedy in the film.
The film has a great cast with Woody Harrelson, Alicia Silverstone, Rachel Leigh Cook, Paulo Costanzo and John Cleese. Harrelson has the funniest role in the film as a slacker with a pet duck. If you’re in the mood for a lighthearted and wacky Heist film, this is one of the better comedies of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/45SGyvn
Plot: A compulsive gambler plans the heist of his life – a priceless collection of art from the world-class Casino Riviera in Monte Carlo.
KBZ’s Take: Directed by Neil Jordan, The Good Thief is a forgotten film of the early 2000’s that has a unique heist plan led by some amazing performances.
The performances in this film are top notch from Nick Nolte’s drug-addicted gambler to Tchéky Karyo’s cop slowly uncovering the heist plan to Ralph Fiennes’ small role as a crooked art dealer. But the film’s most amazing performance is from Nutsa Kukhianidze as the drug addicted prostitute Nolte saves and becomes a surrogate father to.
As for the heist, it’s a unique plan involving quite a few twists and turns though the ending might be confusing for some people. All we can say is pay attention to the car towards the end as it helps explain things.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Nn9aFO
Plot: Every year, four ex-soldiers who call themselves Os Imortais (The Immortals), get together with four women to celebrate their war deeds and remember the old days, back in the war. On the summer of 1985, tired of their monotonous lives, they decide to rob a bank. Joaquim Malarranha, a chief inspector from the local police force who is about to retire, crosses their path and chooses to spend his last days of duty trying to solve the robbery. But as he carries on with his investigation, he discovers more than he could have ever imagined…
KBZ’s Take: Some films can play out like a great novel, and this is one of those films. The Immortals (Os Imortais) is considered one of the best Portuguese movies ever made and for good reason. While the film is about a heist, the heist elements are minor in the film. The film focuses almost entirely on the four ‘Immortals’ played by some of the best Portuguese actors of the time period including Joaquim de Almeida. You will likely recognize de Almeida as he has had a very prolific career in Hollywood starring in films such as Clear and Present Danger (1994) and Fast Five (2011). The film also stars the great French actress Emmanuelle Seigner (Frantic (1988) and Venus in Fur (2013)).
As for the film, there are jumps in time that help explain the motives of the characters and add to the mystery of the film. The heist happens offscreen near the beginning of the film but the ramifications of the heist aren’t felt until the end of the film after friendships dissolve and tragedy strikes.
It’s a hidden gem of the subgenre that every fan and completist should seek out. It’s that great of a film.
Note: Unfortunately, this film isn’t available anywhere in the U.S. on streaming or DVD. We’ve included a YouTube like below of the film, but it is not subtitled in English.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://youtu.be/8PODBY90Hwo
#1
Nine Queens
Plot: Two con artists try to swindle a stamp collector by selling him a sheet of counterfeit rare stamps (The Nine Queens).
KBZ’s Take: Most hardcore (and older) fans of the subgenre have likely seen Nine Queens. It’s a classic early 2000’s Heist film from Argentina that was remade as Criminal (2004) in the U.S. The remake starred John C. Reilly, Diego Luna and Maggie Gyllenhaal and featured a similar plot to the original. While both films have their merits, we would advise seeing the original as it’s a classic subgenre film for a reason.
The original film is focused more on the uneasy ‘partnership’ between con men Marco (Ricardo Darin) and Juan (Gastón Pauls). You’re never sure during the entire film who is conning who and how the long con might play out. There’s also the matter of the Nine Queens stamp collection that makes up the Heist element in the film. There’s a scene when both con men are attempting to sell knockoffs of the legitimate stamps while a shredder continually shreds paper in the background. It’s an excellent scene that adds to the suspense of the moment and the ‘out of their league’ situation both men have gotten themselves in to.
There are a lot of twists and turns in this film with some surprising revelations along the way. It’s one of the Con/Heist hybrid films of the subgenre on the level of classic films like The Sting (1973).
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3qBTNjY
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