If you loved the gripping heist drama 'The Bank Job' (2008), you're in for a treat. This article explores 10 thrilling movies and shows that share its high-stakes tension, clever plotting, and gritty realism. Whether you're a fan of crime capers or true-story intrigue, these picks will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Description: A tense, character-driven crime drama based on a true story, featuring a botched bank robbery and the ensuing hostage situation, with a focus on the criminals' motivations.
Fact: The real-life bank robber, John Wojtowicz, whose story inspired the film, used his share of the movie's profits to fund his partner's gender confirmation surgery.


Heat (1995)
Description: A crime thriller that delves deep into the lives of both criminals and law enforcement, featuring intense action sequences and a cat-and-mouse dynamic.
Fact: The famous downtown shootout scene was filmed with live ammunition to create a more realistic sound, a rare choice in filmmaking.


The Usual Suspects (1995)
Description: A neo-noir crime thriller with a nonlinear narrative, revolving around a group of criminals brought together for a heist, culminating in a shocking twist ending.
Fact: The film's famous line, 'The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist,' is actually a quote from French poet Charles Baudelaire.


Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
Description: A darkly comedic crime film with a complex plot involving multiple factions, mistaken identities, and a series of escalating mishaps.
Fact: The film's title comes from a traditional English saying, 'Lock, stock, and barrel,' which means 'everything.' The 'two smoking barrels' refer to the guns used in the story.


Snatch (2000)
Description: A fast-paced crime comedy with multiple intersecting storylines, featuring colorful characters, sharp dialogue, and a chaotic yet clever plot.
Fact: The film's title refers to the act of stealing, but it also plays on the slang term for a quick, unexpected theft.


The Score (2001)
Description: A heist film that focuses on the meticulous planning and execution of a high-stakes robbery, with a strong emphasis on character dynamics and tension.
Fact: This film marks the only time Robert De Niro and Marlon Brando appeared together on screen, making it a unique collaboration between two acting legends.


Ocean's Eleven (2001)
Description: A stylish and sophisticated heist film with a charismatic ensemble cast, showcasing elaborate planning, witty dialogue, and a twist ending.
Fact: The film is a remake of the 1960 Rat Pack film of the same name, but with a modern twist and updated heist techniques.


The Italian Job (2003)
Description: A high-stakes heist movie with a focus on teamwork and intricate planning, featuring thrilling car chases and a revenge-driven plot.
Fact: The iconic Mini Cooper chase scenes were filmed in Los Angeles, but the movie is set in Venice and Los Angeles, blending European and American settings.


Inside Man (2006)
Description: A heist film with a clever plot twist, blending crime and suspense, featuring a meticulously planned robbery that keeps the audience guessing until the end.
Fact: The film was inspired by a real-life bank robbery in Stockholm, Sweden, known as the Norrmalmstorg robbery, which also coined the term 'Stockholm Syndrome'.


The Town (2010)
Description: A gritty heist film set in Boston, focusing on the personal lives of the criminals and the moral dilemmas they face, with intense action and emotional depth.
Fact: Ben Affleck, who directed and starred in the film, insisted on filming in actual Boston locations to capture the city's authentic atmosphere.
