Let's Rob A Bank
The Top Bank Robbing Films of All Time according to TheAnimalMother
All the films selected have at least one bank robbery scene in the film, that is the simple criteria to make the list. The films are then ranked as overall films in my opinion. The ratings are not based on the robberies themselves, but the films themselves.
All the films selected have at least one bank robbery scene in the film, that is the simple criteria to make the list. The films are then ranked as overall films in my opinion. The ratings are not based on the robberies themselves, but the films themselves.
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- DirectorKathryn BigelowStarsPatrick SwayzeKeanu ReevesGary BuseyAn F.B.I. Agent goes undercover to catch a gang of surfers who may be bank robbers.Still a highly underrated film by many, but this adrenaline filled thrill fest also has a large legion of cult followers who swear by it. According to me, this is the best bank robbing film of them all. Kathryn Bigelow has since directed an Oscar winning Best Picture, The Hurt Locker. While that film was good, to me it really isn't nearly as good of an overall film as this one is. 9.5/10
- DirectorJames WhaleStarsClaude RainsGloria StuartWilliam HarriganA scientist finds a way of becoming invisible, but in doing so, he becomes murderously insane.How can a 1933 film have better special effects than many films being made over 80 years later? I'm not sure exactly, but this one definitely does out do many films being made today in multiple areas, including special effects. The H.G. Wells story along with James Whale's (Frankenstein) direction combine here to create one of the greatest sci-fi films of all time. Personally I like this Whale film a lot more than his version of Frankenstein. In my view where Frankenstein lags a bit here and there with its melodrama, this film has you laughing and/or eagerly anticipating what is yet to come. Of note for this list, there is one bank robbing scene in the film. 9/10
- DirectorMichael MannStarsAl PacinoRobert De NiroVal KilmerA group of high-end professional thieves start to feel the heat from the LAPD when they unknowingly leave a verbal clue at their latest heist.Mann has directed a few pretty darn good films. None however are better than this intense tale of professional thieves and an obsessive detective hot on their trail. 8.5/10
- DirectorSidney LumetStarsAl PacinoJohn CazalePenelope AllenThree amateur bank robbers plan to hold up a bank. A nice simple robbery: Walk in, take the money, and run. Unfortunately, the supposedly uncomplicated heist suddenly becomes a bizarre nightmare as everything that could go wrong does.Dog Day is pretty much as gritty of a film as has ever come out of Hollywood. Lumet is a wonder, and a blessing in cinematic history no doubt. Not only is this one of Hollywood's first ever in depth looks from the so called "bad guys" perspectives; But also told so rawly and honestly to the true life events, and acted so authentically that almost everyone who saw this film found themselves relating to, or at least feeling some compassion for a couple of gay crooks. In 1975, this was a landmark film. No matter what happens in the world, this will always be a classic. 8.5/10
- DirectorArthur PennStarsWarren BeattyFaye DunawayMichael J. PollardBored waitress Bonnie Parker falls in love with an ex-con named Clyde Barrow and together they start a violent crime spree through the country, stealing cars and robbing banks.One of the most famous crime duos in American culture. This is still definitely the best version of their story. 8.5/10
- DirectorDaryl DukeCurtis HansonStarsElliott GouldChristopher PlummerSusannah YorkA timid bank teller anticipates a bank robbery and steals the money himself before the crook arrives. When the sadistic crook realizes he's been fooled, he tracks down the teller and engages him in a cat-and-mouse chase for the cash.This little known hidden gem out of Canada boasts an early and notable small role by the late great John Candy. It's also one of the most non-traditional Christmas films in existence. This one is not for the faint of heart, it does get fairly violent and even a little sleazy at times. Nonetheless, it's a damn good film. 8.5/10
- DirectorGeorge Roy HillStarsPaul NewmanRobert RedfordKatharine RossIn 1890s Wyoming, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid lead a band of outlaws. When a train robbery goes wrong, they find themselves on the run with a posse hard on their heels. After considering their options, they escape to South America.The funnest 'Old West' bank robbing film of the lot. 8/10
- DirectorMichael MannStarsJames CaanTuesday WeldWillie NelsonAn ace safe cracker wants to do one last big heist for the mob before going straight.Almost like an early version of Heat from Mr.Mann. 8/10
- DirectorDennis HopperStarsDon JohnsonVirginia MadsenJennifer ConnellyUpon arriving to a small town, a drifter quickly gets into trouble with the local authorities - and the local women - after he robs a bank.In my view, this is a very underrated and well paced steamy hot sizzler directed by the legend that was Dennis Hopper. Virginia Madsen, Jennifer Connelly and Don Johnson heat up the screen. 8/10
- DirectorAlejandro G. IñárrituStarsEmilio EchevarríaGael García BernalGoya ToledoAn amateur dog fighter, a supermodel, and a derelict assassin, all separately struggling to find love, find their lives transformed by a devastating car wreck in Mexico City.Not a banking robbing film really, but there is one scene that allows this film to qualify for my list here. It's a very strong film, well worth a watch. 8/10
- DirectorMarlon BrandoStarsMarlon BrandoKarl MaldenPina PellicerAfter robbing a bank in Mexico, Dad Longworth absconds with the loot leaving his partner Rio to be captured by the Rurales. Rio escapes prison but struggles with his conflicting desires to love Dad's stepdaughter Louise and to get revenge.One of the greatest slow burn westerns of them all.
- DirectorDavid MackenzieStarsChris PineBen FosterJeff BridgesToby is a divorced father who's trying to make a better life. His brother is an ex-con with a short temper and a loose trigger finger. Together, they plan a series of heists against the bank that's about to foreclose on their family ranch.Where's my bailout?
- DirectorUlu GrosbardDustin HoffmanStarsDustin HoffmanTheresa RussellGary BuseyThe difficulties of a career burglar to reinsert himself after being released on parole.A Hoffman Stanton classic. 7.5/10
- DirectorMichael CiminoStarsClint EastwoodJeff BridgesGeorge KennedyWith the help of an irreverent young sidekick, a bank robber gets his old gang back together to organize a daring new heist.The Deer Hunter was Michael Cimino's second writer/director effort. This was his first.
- DirectorTom TykwerStarsFranka PotenteMoritz BleibtreuHerbert KnaupAfter a botched money delivery, Lola has 20 minutes to come up with 100,000 Deutschmarks.A very good film. 7.5/10
- DirectorFritz LangStarsMarlene DietrichArthur KennedyMel FerrerAfter the murder of his fiancée, a Wyoming ranch hand sets out to find her killer.A strong Fritz Lang western with one bank robbery scene.
- DirectorShawn LevyStarsRyan ReynoldsJodie ComerTaika WaititiWhen Guy, a bank teller, learns that he is a non-player character in a bloodthirsty, open-world video game, he goes on to become the hero of the story and takes the responsibility of saving the world.Funny and somewhat thought provoking as well. This film is basically as if a very modern Philip K. Dick met romantic comedy. 7.5/10
- DirectorSam PeckinpahStarsSteve McQueenAli MacGrawBen JohnsonA recently-released ex-con and his loyal wife go on the run after a heist goes awry.Boasting many strong performances, including the 60's and 70's Mr.Cool, Steve McQueen; The Getaway is a classic to be sure. 7.5/10
- DirectorEmilio EstevezStarsEmilio EstevezDemi MooreTom SkerrittUnable to find work after a past felony, graduate John Wisdom and his girlfriend embark on a cross-country bank-robbing spree in order to aid American farmers.In the beginning this film may appear to be an average and somewhat cheesy 80's film. However, give it some time. There are actually a lot of good scenes here and overall, it becomes a very thought provoking piece of cinema. 7.5/10
- DirectorSam MendesStarsTom HanksTyler HoechlinPaul NewmanA mob enforcer's son in 1930s Illinois witnesses a murder, forcing him and his father to take to the road, and his father down a path of redemption and revenge.Hanks and Newman, who can not like this film? 7.5/10
- DirectorJoel CoenEthan CoenStarsNicolas CageHolly HunterTrey WilsonWhen a childless couple--an ex-con and an ex-cop--decide to help themselves to one of another family's quintuplets, their lives become more complicated than they anticipated.A Coen Bros offbeat farce with a young Nick Cage. Goofy, wacky fun is certain. 7.5/10
- DirectorPaul SchraderStarsNatasha RichardsonWilliam ForsytheVing RhamesIn the 1970s, Patricia Hearst is abducted by American revolutionaries, but eventually joins their cause instead.Schrader's film is a pretty interesting meditation on the whole SLA Patty Hearst mystery. 7.5/10
- DirectorSpike LeeStarsDenzel WashingtonClive OwenJodie FosterA police detective, a bank robber, and a high-power broker enter high-stakes negotiations after the criminal's brilliant heist spirals into a hostage situation.After Malcolm X, this is my favorite Spike Lee film. 7.5/10
- DirectorRoger DonaldsonStarsJason StathamSaffron BurrowsStephen Campbell MooreMartine offers Terry a lead on a foolproof bank hit on London's Baker Street. She targets a roomful of safe deposit boxes worth millions in cash and jewelry along with a treasure trove of dirty secrets.Im not really a Statham fan. This true story however is very good. 7.5/10
- DirectorDavid LoweryStarsRobert RedfordCasey AffleckSissy SpacekBased on the true story of Forrest Tucker and his audacious escape from San Quentin at the age of 70 to an unprecedented string of heists that confounded authorities and enchanted the public.Redford rarely lets me down in all honesty. So many good films in this guy's career. Even as an old man in 2018, he's still turning out good stuff.
- DirectorJohn McTiernanStarsBruce WillisJeremy IronsSamuel L. JacksonJohn McClane and a Harlem store owner are targeted by German terrorist Simon in New York City, where he plans to rob the Federal Reserve Building.To me, the second best Die Hard film.
- DirectorChristian GudegastStarsGerard ButlerPablo SchreiberO'Shea Jackson Jr.An elite unit of the LA County Sheriff's Dept. and the state's most successful bank robbery crew clash as the outlaws plan a seemingly impossible heist on the Federal Reserve Bank.A solid addition to the crime thriller genre. 7.5/10
- DirectorJean-Luc GodardStarsMaruschka DetmersJacques BonnafféMyriem RousselA woman involved with a terrorist group becomes dangerously close to the police officer guarding the bank they plan to rob.Definitely not for everyone. French New Wave film that is not entirely successful, but not entirely a failure either. 7/10
- DirectorSergio LeoneStarsClint EastwoodLee Van CleefGian Maria VolontèTwo bounty hunters with the same intentions team up to track down a gang of outlaws led by a psychotic Mexican bandit, who is plotting an audacious bank robbery.My second fave old west bank robbing film.
- DirectorChuck RussellStarsJim CarreyCameron DiazPeter RiegertBank clerk Stanley Ipkiss is transformed into a manic superhero when he wears a mysterious mask.The preview left me saying, "What"? So I didn't end up watching this until years and years after its release. I had heard over and over again that it was really funny so finally I watched it and I must admit, I shouldn't have waited so long. Somehow, this crazy little film works!
- DirectorDominic SenaStarsJohn TravoltaHugh JackmanHalle BerryA covert counter-terrorist unit called Black Cell led by Gabriel Shear wants the money to help finance their war against international terrorism, but it's all locked away. Gabriel brings in convicted hacker Stanley Jobson to help him.Travolta is great as the villain as he has been in a few other films as well. I'm pretty big on this film actually, it has some great elements. 7/10
- DirectorMalcolm VenvilleStarsKeanu ReevesVera FarmigaJames CaanReleased from prison for a crime he didn't commit, an ex-con targets the same bank he was sent away for robbing.A quirky crime dramady. Underappreciated in my view. It's not a masterpiece by any means, but I feel it's a good film.
- DirectorMichael MannStarsChristian BaleJohnny DeppChristian StolteThe Feds try to take down notorious American gangsters John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson, and Pretty Boy Floyd during a booming crime wave in the 1930s.Another Mann film that fits the list. This one is more of a fun romp of a film. Not nearly as seriously delivered as Heat or Theif. This is more sensationalized for sure, but that is basically how Dillinger was perceived through the press at the time. He achieved almost a Robin Hood of sorts reputation, at least in the early parts of his crime spree. 7/10
- DirectorRoger AvaryStarsEric StoltzJulie DelpyMartin RaymondThe cab driver sets American Zed up with Zoe in his Paris hotel. Despite FFR1000 charged, she's an art student with day jobs e.g. bank. Safecracker Zed meets his junkie friend after 11 years to rob a bank.Another under appreciated film. Julie Delpy and Eric Stoltz are great here. 7/10
- DirectorWalter HillStarsNick NoltePowers BootheMichael IronsideA Texas Ranger and a ruthless narcotics kingpin - they were childhood friends, now they are adversaries...
- DirectorClark JohnsonStarsSamuel L. JacksonColin FarrellMichelle RodriguezAn imprisoned drug kingpin offers a huge cash reward to anyone that can break him out of police custody, and only the L.A.P.D.'s Special Weapons and Tactics team can prevent it.This film still holds up as a good action thriller. 7/10
- DirectorRichard LinklaterStarsMatthew McConaugheyEthan HawkeSkeet UlrichThe story of the Newton gang, the most successful bank robbers in history, owing to their good planning and minimal violence.One of the more under appreciated films from Linklater. It's a fun film nonetheless. 7/10
- DirectorGérard PirèsStarsSamy NaceriFrédéric DiefenthalMarion CotillardTo work off his tarnished driving record, a hip taxi driver must chauffeur a loser police inspector on the trail of German bank robbers.What can I say, Marion Cotillard is mesmerizing as usual. This French film is worth watching just for her parts alone. 7/10
- DirectorBasil DeardenStarsJack HawkinsNigel PatrickRoger LiveseyA disgruntled veteran recruits a group of disgraced colleagues to perform a bank robbery with military precision.A pretty cool film from way back in '60. 7/10
- DirectorMichaël R. RoskamStarsMatthias SchoenaertsAdèle ExarchopoulosEric De StaerckeSet against the background of a brutal crime gang in Brussels, a tragic love story between Gigi, a high-flying gangster, and Bibi, a young racing driver with very upper-class roots.Not for everyone, but I enjoyed it. 7/10
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsChristian BaleHeath LedgerAaron EckhartWhen the menace known as the Joker wreaks havoc and chaos on the people of Gotham, Batman must accept one of the greatest psychological and physical tests of his ability to fight injustice.Rated a 9.1 out of 10 on this site currently? The 3rd highest rated film on this entire site. You people must be doing a lot of very good drugs.
I fell asleep the first time I tried to watch this, which is extremely rare for me. Kind of tells how overblown with hype this mediocre film is though, doesn't it? It's not a bad film for sure, but it's also far, far from a great film.
According to children and the obsessed with multiple accounts, IMDb lists this as the 3rd highest rated film ever. Pathetic and laughable I know. This was just a few months back the 4th highest rated film on this site, so yes, thanks to the obsessed as I said, this damn film is still moving quite rapidly up the Top Rated board nearly 15 years after it's release. Let's be frank, this is not even close to believable. The IMDb ranking system is greatly flawed and has allowed kids mostly, to sabotage many of the highest rated films with continuous bombs of low ratings, and to load this one and others with more fake 10 ratings. It's a joke, the whole Top 250 Rated films on this site is not in anyway, shape or form a true reflection of film fans or the public's opinion anymore. Certain films have been overly bombed with low ratings. Most notably and noticeably is 2001: A Space Odyssey. Not so long ago, 2001 was rated just inside the Top 10, now, somehow, defying all common sense the film is rated #92. It seems that many Nolan films have been overly rated and many of Kubrick's have been bombed with unfair low ratings extensively, and this has been going on for well over a decade on this site. It's a sad thing, as this site has become in so many ways a mere shadow of what it once was.
What has happened with a few Nolan films and a few Kubrick films has been very obvious. Kubrick use to have more films than any director rated in the top 40 on this site, now, he doesn't even have one film left in the top 60! And most of that happened all within a few years on this site. Overall ratings don't normally change that drastically, and they certainly don't change that drastically, that quickly. I also suspect that there are quite a few other films that have been bombed, and others that have been boosted up unfairly. I'm pretty certain The Lord Of The Rings films have also experienced some of this massive vote stuffing. I mean for one thing, are they really all that good to this many people? I find it very difficult to believe. I mean hell, you'd have to pay me money for me to sit through that damn trilogy again. They were decent films, sure, but I hardly see them as anything special. If you look at the amount of ratings those 3 films have, they defy basic logic. As the second film, the slightly less respected film of the trilogy has over 200,000 less votes than the 1st and 3rd films do. This makes it seem pretty obvious that the two more loved films have been overly stuffed with illegitimate high ratings. It doesn't make sense for the 1st and 3rd films to have near the exact same amount of votes, yet the 2nd film in the middle of the trilogy has over 200,000 less? That's very telling, is it not? All 3 LOTR's films are likely stuffed with many, many fake votes, but the 1st and the 3rd with even far more than the slightly lesser regarded 2nd film. There's a lot of pretty obvious voting manipulation going on. Fight Club seems to be another. Sure, it's a well loved film by many, no doubt, but I really don't think it's nearly as loved overall by so many people as this sites ratings now claim. Over 64% of the just over 2 million votes on here now are either 9's or 10's. This seems very difficult to believe. It's a far more divisive film than that.
To me, at best, this is the 39th greatest film ever made that has a bank robbing scene in it, lmao. - DirectorBarry LevinsonStarsBruce WillisBilly Bob ThorntonCate BlanchettTwo bank robbers fall in love with the girl they've kidnapped.
- DirectorRichard FleischerStarsVictor MatureRichard EganStephen McNallyThree hoodlums carefully case a small town while planning to rob the bank on the upcoming Saturday. On Saturday, things turn violent and deadly.
- DirectorHoward FranklinBill MurrayStarsBill MurrayGeena DavisRandy QuaidThree thieves successfully rob a New York City bank, but making the escape from the city proves to be almost impossible.
- DirectorRobert AltmanStarsKeith CarradineShelley DuvallJohn SchuckWhen two men break out of prison, they join up with another and restart their criminal ways, robbing banks across the South.
- DirectorJonathan GlazerStarsRay WinstoneBen KingsleyIan McShaneBrutal gangster Don Logan recruits "retired" safecracker Gal for one last job, but it goes badly for both of them.
- DirectorJan KounenStarsVincent CasselTchéky KaryoMonica BellucciDobermann is the world's most ruthless bank robber and with his gang rob bank after bank, now in Paris. What can the police do but to let the mad, morally bankrupt police commissioner loose on him?6.5/10
- DirectorAllan UngarStarsJosh DuhamelElisha CuthbertNestor CarbonellAfter escaping a Michigan prison, a charming career criminal assumes a new identity in Canada and goes on to rob a record 59 banks and jewellery stores while being hunted by a police task force. Based on the story of The Flying Bandit.
- DirectorJack SholderStarsKyle MacLachlanMichael NouriClaudia ChristianA cop and an FBI agent race for answers after law abiding people suddenly become violent criminals.6.5/10
- DirectorBronwen HughesStarsThomas JaneDavid O'HaraDexter FletcherThe life and career of Andre Stander, a South African police officer turned bank robber.6.5/10
- DirectorLes MayfieldStarsColin FarrellScott CaanAli Larter5 Southern friends return home when the war ends 1865. But Yankee soldiers and Pinkerton are busy helping a railroad baron grab land from farmers along the planned railroad west. The 5 friends fight back.A fun, sensationalized but pretty good version of the Jesse James tale. Highlighted mostly by some good performances. 6.5/10
- DirectorPhil KarlsonStarsJohn PayneColeen GrayPreston FosterAn ex-con trying to go straight is framed for a million dollar armored car robbery and must go to Mexico in order to unmask the real culprits.
- DirectorSteven C. MillerStarsBruce WillisChristopher MeloniDave BautistaWhen a bank is hit by a brutal heist, all evidence points to the owner and his high-powered clients. But as a group of FBI agents dig deeper into the case - and the deadly heists continue - it becomes clear that a larger conspiracy is at play.
- DirectorKaryn KusamaStarsNicole KidmanToby KebbellTatiana MaslanyA police detective reconnects with people from an undercover assignment in her distant past in order to make peace.A pretty gritty story with a good main theme but it's just not told in a way that worked that well on screen. 6.5/10
- DirectorRussell MulcahyStarsKim BasingerVal KilmerTerence StampA woman is released from prison, an expert bank robber who wants to settle down and go straight, but her parole officer and her former employer try to get her to pull one more heist.A somewhat under-appreciated film in my view. It's worth a watch for many, and I know others who feel the same.
- DirectorUwe BollStarsBrendan FletcherShaun SiposMichael ParéA man with a thirst for revenge builds a full body armor from Kevlar and goes on a killing spree.Probably the best Boll film there is. Actually somewhat thought provoking. 6/10
- DirectorJohn McNaughtonStarsAshley JuddLuke PerryBruce A. YoungChris is young idealistic cop who falls in love and gets married to Pam, a beautiful but emotionally unstable woman who suffers from alcoholism and drug addiction. While Chris is trying hard to have a normal life and some money, Pam is big spender and their marriage is constantly troublesome with the financial situation getting worse and worse. The biggest blow comes after Chris loses his job. In the desperate situation Chris decides to use his police skills to rob banks.6/10
- DirectorGeorge GalloStarsNicolas CageJon LovitzDana CarveyResidents of a friendly Pennsylvania town foil three brothers' plan to rob a bank on Christmas Eve.
- DirectorStephen S. CampanelliStarsOlga KurylenkoJames PurefoyMorgan FreemanFour criminals steal diamonds from a safety deposit box in Cape Town, including a drive containing a US senator's evil plans. He'll do anything to get it back from Alexis.
- DirectorWoody AllenStarsWoody AllenJanet MargolinMarcel HillaireThe life and times of Virgil Starkwell, inept bank robber.It's good but it does get a little tiring by the end. It's just too one note. An early Woody film, far from his best work.
- DirectorRobert BudreauStarsEthan HawkeNoomi RapaceMark StrongBased on the absurd but true 1973 bank heist and hostage crisis in Stockholm that was documented in the New Yorker as the origins of the 'Stockholm Syndrome'.Worth watching for sure if you're a Hawke fan. The film overall is not great, it's missing a fuller story but Hawke is definitely strong as usual. 6/10