10 Must-Watch Safecracking Heist Films

Description: Directed by Stanley Kubrick, this film involves a racetrack robbery where safecracking plays a crucial role in the heist plan. The film's non-linear storytelling was groundbreaking at the time.

Fact: This was one of Kubrick's early films, showcasing his talent for complex narratives and character development.

Description: While not solely about safecracking, this Michael Mann film features a memorable scene where Robert De Niro's character uses his safecracking skills to break into a safe during a heist.

Fact: The famous coffee shop scene between De Niro and Al Pacino was improvised, adding to the film's realism.

Description: This film features Pierce Brosnan as a billionaire who orchestrates an art heist for the thrill of it. The safecracking scene is a highlight, showcasing the elegance and sophistication of the heist.

Fact: The film is a remake of the 1968 film of the same name, with Steve McQueen in the lead role.

Description: Based on a true story, this film details the 1971 Baker Street robbery in London. The plot revolves around a group of thieves who tunnel into a bank vault, showcasing the meticulous planning and execution of a safecracking heist.

Fact: The film's plot was inspired by the real-life unsolved robbery, and many details were changed or fictionalized to protect the identities involved.

Description: Featuring Robert De Niro and Edward Norton, this film focuses on a master safecracker who is lured out of retirement for one last job. The film delves into the psychological aspects of safecracking and the tension between the characters.

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

Description: A modern classic, this film follows a group of thieves who plan a gold heist in Venice, Italy, using Mini Coopers to navigate the city's narrow streets. The safecracking element comes into play with the elaborate plan to break into a safe deposit box.

Fact: The film was a remake of the 1969 British film of the same name. The iconic Mini Cooper chase scene was shot in real locations in Los Angeles, not Italy.

Description: Spike Lee's film involves a bank heist where the robbers use safecracking as part of their elaborate plan to confuse and outsmart the police.

Fact: The film features a unique narrative structure with multiple perspectives and flashbacks, adding depth to the heist plot.

Description: Set in Boston, this film follows a group of bank robbers, one of whom is an expert safecracker. The heists are meticulously planned, and the safecracking scenes are intense and detailed.

Fact: The film was based on the novel "Prince of Thieves" by Chuck Hogan, and Ben Affleck, who also directed, did extensive research on Boston's criminal underworld.

Description: A French film that has become a classic in the heist genre, featuring a nearly silent 30-minute safecracking sequence that is both tense and meticulously detailed.

Fact: The film was banned in France for a time due to its portrayal of crime, but it has since been recognized as a masterpiece of the genre.

Description: While primarily about a train robbery, this film includes safecracking as part of the elaborate plan to steal gold from a moving train in Victorian England.

Fact: Directed by Michael Crichton, this film was based on his own novel of the same name.