Top 10 Crime Films About Antique Smuggling

Description: This stylish remake of the 1968 film follows a billionaire who masterminds an art heist for the thrill of it, only to find himself in a cat-and-mouse game with an insurance investigator. The film's inclusion in this list is due to its focus on the art world and the sophisticated methods of smuggling.

Fact: The film features a famous chess scene where the characters play without a board, and the heist involves stealing a Monet painting from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Description: While primarily an action thriller, the film involves a plot where a UN agent must stop a conspiracy involving the smuggling of art and antiquities to fund terrorism.

Fact: Wesley Snipes stars as the UN agent, and the film was shot in Toronto, standing in for New York City.

Description: Robert De Niro plays a master thief who plans to retire after one last heist involving a priceless scepter from the Montreal Customs House. The film's focus on a high-stakes theft and the intricacies of the art world make it a compelling addition.

Fact: This was Marlon Brando's last film before his death in

Description: Based on the true story of Clifford Irving, who wrote a fake autobiography of Howard Hughes, this film explores the world of literary forgery and the lengths one goes to deceive the public, paralleling the deception in art smuggling.

Fact: Richard Gere plays Irving, and the film was shot in New York City and Los Angeles.

Description: While not directly about antique smuggling, this political thriller involves a ghostwriter uncovering secrets related to a former British Prime Minister, which includes dealings with art and antiquities.

Fact: The film was directed by Roman Polanski and stars Ewan McGregor and Pierce Brosnan.

Description: This film revolves around a group of art thieves who plan to steal a valuable painting from a museum. The plot thickens with double-crosses and the allure of the art world's underbelly, making it a perfect fit for this collection.

Fact: The film was shot in Philadelphia, and the heist scene was filmed at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Description: Based on true events, this film tells the story of an unlikely WWII platoon tasked with rescuing art masterpieces from Nazi thieves. While not strictly about smuggling, the film highlights the efforts to prevent the illegal transport of stolen art, making it a fitting addition to this list.

Fact: The film was inspired by the book "The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History" by Robert M. Edsel.

Description: While primarily a comedy, this Wes Anderson film includes a subplot involving the theft of a priceless painting, which ties into the theme of smuggling and the black market for art.

Fact: The film features an ensemble cast including Ralph Fiennes, Tilda Swinton, and Jeff Goldblum, and it won the Academy Award for Best Original Score.

Description: A former art prodigy, now a criminal, is released from prison to paint a copy of a Monet to save his son's life. While not directly about smuggling, the film deals with the illegal art trade and the creation of forgeries, which often go hand in hand with smuggling.

Fact: John Travolta plays the lead role, and the film was shot in Boston, Massachusetts.

Description: This adventure film follows explorers searching for the legendary city of gold, El Dorado, which involves smuggling artifacts and dealing with black market dealers.

Fact: The film was shot in Mexico, and it features a young Kiefer Sutherland.