A recent study by smart tech retailer Currys revealed best heist movies according to movie fans. Researchers also analysed the cast of over 196 heist movies to discover the actors that appear in the most films in this genre.
Rififi is the best heist film in cinema history
Currys compiled an index by comparing scores on Rotten Tomatoes, IMDB and Metascore of 138 heist films (which had scores on all three sites) to discover which are the best in cinema history.
In first place was the 1955 Rififi which has a combine score of 27.1 out of 30. In the film a meticulously planned heist unfolds as a group of ex-convicts embarks on a daring and suspenseful robbery, but internal conflicts and unforeseen complications jeopardise their meticulously laid plans. It stars stars Jean Servais, Carl Möhner, Robert Manuel, and Jules Dassin, who also directed the film.
In joint second place with a combined rating of 26.8 was The Wild Bunch (1969) and The Dark Knight (2008).
In The Wild Bunch a group of aging outlaws embarks on one last violent mission amidst the changing landscape of the American West, confronting their own mortality and the inexorable march of progress. The film’s cast includes stars William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, Robert Ryan, Edmond O’Brien, Warren Oates, Ben Johnson, and Jaime Sánchez, among others.
In the 2008 film “The Dark Knight,” Batman faces his greatest psychological and physical challenge yet, in the second film of the Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy, as he confronts the anarchic Joker, testing the limits of his morality and the heroism of Gotham City. The film stars Christian Bale, Gary Oldman and the late Heath Ledger, who gave an unforgettable academy award winning performance as the Joker.
The 20 best rated heist films of all time
| Title | Year of release | Total review score |
| Rififi | 1955 | 27.1 |
| The Wild Bunch | 1969 | 26.8 |
| The Dark Knight | 2008 | 26.8 |
| The Ladykillers | 1955 | 26.7 |
| The Red Circle (Le Cercle Rouge) | 1970 | 26.7 |
| The Killing | 1956 | 26.6 |
| The Lavender Hill Mob | 1951 | 26.5 |
| Band of Outsiders | 1964 | 26.3 |
| Goldfinger | 1964 | 26.3 |
| Dog Day Afternoon | 1975 | 26.2 |
| Hands Off the Loot (Grisbi) | 1954 | 26.2 |
| Hell Or High Water | 2016 | 26.1 |
| The Asphalt Jungle | 1950 | 26 |
| The Sting | 1973 | 25.9 |
| The Friends of Eddie Coyle | 1973 | 25.6 |
| Reservoir Dogs | 1992 | 25.4 |
| Bonnie and Clyde | 1967 | 25.3 |
| Baby Driver | 2017 | 25.3 |
| Bob the Gambler | 1956 | 25.3 |
| Nine Queens | 2001 | 25.1 |
Top heist actors
Study analysed the cast of over 196 heist movies to discover the actors that appear in the most films in this genre and British actors take the lead.
6. Brad Pitt
The heart throb fan favourite cements his place on the list as a regular for his features in Snatch and as a regular in the Ocean’s films. He broke onto the scene in 2000 with his iconic performance in Snatch as a Gypsy boxing legend who adds layers of problems to an already complex web of dilemmas.
The study revealed he has starred in a grand total of five heist films, including:
Snatch (2000)
Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
Ocean’s Twelve (2004)
Ocean’s Thirteen (2007)
5. George Clooney
The world class American actor and filmmaker George Clooney makes number five on the list thanks to his portrayal of master crook Danny Ocean in the Ocean’s saga. The heist classics helped propel Clooney’s already stellar career to the next level of stardom. The study revealed he has starred in a grand total of five heist films, including:
Out of Sight (1998)
Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
Ocean’s Twelve (2004)
Ocean’s Thirteen (2007)
4. Peter Sellers
One of the great all-time heist movie greats, managing to bat for both teams both as a criminal and a bungling copper. The study revealed he has starred in a grand total of six heist films in his career, including:
The Ladykillers (1955)
The Pink Panther (1963)
After the Fox (1966)
The Return of the Pink Panther (1975)
3. Jason Statham
You think British heist, you think Statham. The modern day cult favourite bringing that East London charm and taking everything you have. He rose to adoration in his appearances in Lock, Stock & two smoking barrells, Snatch, and for saying his pal Tommy was named after a gun.
Jason brings the shenanigans to the heist scene. The study revealed he has starred in a grand total of six heist films so far, including:
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
Snatch (2000)
The Italian Job (remake – 2003)
The Bank Job (2008)
2. Donald Sutherland
The Don hits our list at number 2 for his role in overseeing a $35 million plot in the reboot of the Italian Job.
The study revealed he has starred in a grand total of six heist films in his career, including:
Kelly’s Heroes (1970)
The (First) Great Train Robbery (1978)
Crackers (1984)
The Italian Job (remake – 2003)
1. Michael Caine
The ultimate silver screen thief. He led the best-known movie heist of all time in 1969, and was still robbing onscreen 48 years later. Over his heisting career, the British gent was involved in nicking over $152.8m, with the vast majority coming from Going in Style.
The study revealed the now retired actor has starred in a grand total of nine heist films in his career, including:
The Italian Job (1969)
Flawless (2007)
Now You See Me (2013)
Going in Style (2017)
You can find the full study and methodology here: https://www.currys.co.uk/techtalk/smart-tech/the-ultimate-movie-heists.html