Films about art thieves are a thrilling and captivating genre that explores the world of high-stakes heists and stolen masterpieces. These films often delve into the cunning strategies, intricate planning, and daring escapades of individuals who specialize in stealing priceless works of art. From elegant museums to private collections, the settings provide a glamorous backdrop for these adrenaline-fueled stories.
Here is a list of films about art thieves, along with a brief description of each:
“The Thomas Crown Affair”, 1999
Director: John McTiernan
In this stylish remake of the 1968 classic, a wealthy businessman and art connoisseur, Thomas Crown, becomes bored with his luxurious lifestyle and decides to orchestrate a daring art heist. As he matches wits with an intelligent and determined detective, a thrilling game of cat and mouse ensues.
Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Rene Russo, Denis Leary, Faye Dunaway, Ben Gazzara, Frankie Faison, Fritz Weaver, Charles Keating, Mark Margolis, Michael Lombard, Bill Ambrozy, Michael Bahr, Robert D. Novak, Joe H. Lamb, James Saito, Esther Cañadas, Mischa Hausserman, Daniel Oreskes, Dominic Chianese Jr., Ritchie Coster, Gregg Bello, John P. McCann, Gino Lucci, George Christy, Mike Danner, James J. Archer, John Elsen, Robert Spillane, Daniel Jamal Gibson, Cynthia Darlow, Sherry Koftan, Jane DeNoble, Gene Bozzi, Ryan Hecht, Paul Simon, Tom Tammi, Mark Zeisler, Mark Zimmerman, Daniel Southern, James Yaegashi, Ira Wheeler, David Adkins, John McKay, Melissa Maxwell, Colleen Hamm, Timothy Wheeler, John Thrall Bush, Dominic Marcus, Robert Lewis Stephenson, David Toney;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: thriller, melodrama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 109 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “The Thomas Crown Affair” on the website imdb.com
“Entrapment”, 1999
Director: Jon Amiel
A skilled art thief, Virginia Baker, teams up with a cunning insurance investigator, Robert “Mac” MacDougal, to plan an audacious heist. As they navigate the treacherous world of art theft, their partnership blurs the lines between love, loyalty, and betrayal.
Starring: Sean Connery, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Ving Rhames, Will Patton, Maury Chaykin, Kevin McNally, Terry O'Neill, Madhav Sharma, David Yip, Tim Potter, Eric Meyers, Aaron Swartz, William Marsh, Tony Xu, Rolf Saxon, Tom Clarke Hill, David Howard, Stuart Ong, Ravin J. Ganatra, Rhydian Jai-Persad, Hari Dhillon, Coffeezilla, Harry Fielder, Craig Fong, Thuan Chye Kee, Anthony Maddalena, David Pinkus, Tina Simmons, Gareth Taplin;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: action, thriller, melodrama, crime;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 113 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,3;
More information about the film “Entrapment” on the website imdb.com
“The Italian Job”, 2003
Director: F. Gary Gray
While not solely focused on art theft, this action-packed film follows a team of skilled thieves who plan to steal gold bars worth millions of dollars in a daring heist. The plot takes an unexpected turn when they find themselves entangled in a revenge mission against a former teammate.
Starring: Charlize Theron, Mark Wahlberg, Donald Sutherland, Jason Statham, Seth Green, Yasiin Bey, Edward Norton, Fausto Callegarini, Stefano Petronelli, Fabio Scarpa, Cristiano Bonora, Tiberio Greco, Jimmy Shubert, Tammi Cubilette, Mary Portser, Shawn Fanning, Christopher Moore Jr., Terrelle Jones, Valentine Ebunilo, Joel Homan, Erik Walker, Scott Adsit, Boris Lee Krutonog, Julie Costello, Oscar Nuñez, Franky G, Marty Ryan, Aaron Speiser, Olek Krupa, Gawtti, Melanie Jayne, Gregory Scott Cummins, Thomas Alexander, Martin Morales, Frank Nyi, Simon Rhee, Merritt Yohnka, Ryan B. Adams, John Alden, Gloria O'Brien, Alfred Soltes, Kelly Brook, Alan Blackney, Mike Burnham, Spencer Kayden, John H. Tobin;
Production year: 2003;
Genre: action, thriller, crime;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 111 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “The Italian Job” on the website imdb.com
“Ocean's Twelve”, 2004
Director: Steven Soderbergh
In this star-studded sequel to “Ocean's Eleven,” Danny Ocean and his crew reunite for another audacious heist. This time, they must steal valuable artwork to repay a debt owed to a ruthless casino owner. The film combines clever plot twists, comedic moments, and a touch of romance.
Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Julia Roberts, Don Cheadle, Vincent Cassel, Carl Reiner, Elliott Gould, Scott Caan, Casey Affleck, Bernie Mac, Eddie Jemison, Shaobo Qin, Andy Garcia, Robbie Coltrane, Bruce Willis, Albert Finney, Eddie Izzard, Cherry Jones, Mattia Sbragia, Ed Kross, Don Tiffany, Ann Jacques, David Sontag, Larry Sontag, Dina Connolly, Nelson Peltz, Mini Anden, Jennifer Liu, Leah Zhang, Jared Harris, Craig Susser, James Schneider, Nerissa Tedesco, Nichelle Hines, Michael Van Der Heijden, Jeroen Krabbé, Johan Widerberg, Jeroen Willems, Chris Tates, Michael DeLano, David Lindsay, Al Faris, Candice Azzara, Youma Diakite, Andrea Buhl, Sylvia Kwon, Francesca Lancini, Raquel Faria;
Production year: 2004;
Genre: thriller, crime;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,5;
More information about the film “Ocean's Twelve” on the website imdb.com
“The Maiden Heist”, 2008
Director: Peter Hewitt
This lighthearted comedy revolves around three security guards at an art museum who become infatuated with certain paintings scheduled for relocation. Fearing they will never see their beloved artworks again, they hatch a plan to steal the pieces, leading to hilarious and unexpected consequences.
Starring: Christopher Walken, Morgan Freeman, William H. Macy, Marcia Gay Harden, Breckin Meyer, Joseph McKenna, Wynn Everett, Patricia B. Till, Bhavesh Patel, Todd Weeks, Philip Dorn Hebert, Jim Chiros, Stephen Stapinski, Bates Wilder, Anthony Cascio, Naheem Garcia, David J. Curtis, Bart A. Piscitello Jr., James Welu, Christy Scott Cashman, Peter Darrigo, Douglass Bowen Flynn, Ellen Becker-Gray, Eric Bruno Borgman, Joshua Brown, Gail Bugeja, Burke Bryant, Tori Clay, Desiree April Connolly, Michael Coppola, Victoria Cyr, Elisangela, Roger Dillingham Jr., Beau Douglas, Vincent J. Earnshaw, Scott C England, Keith Fluker, Shawn Fogarty, Jim Ford, Dave Julian Garfield, Albert Gornie, Sophya Gudelman, Patrick Mel Hayes, Mark Hemphill, Eric Hofer, Lawrence Hollie, Edmund J. Janas, Marcela Jaramillo, Kimmie Johnson, Haytham Kandil;
Production year: 2008;
Genre: comedy, crime;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 90 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6;
“American Heist”, 2014
Director:
While not specifically centered on art theft, this action-packed film follows two brothers, James and Frankie, who plan a daring heist to save Frankie from a life of crime. As they navigate the dangerous world of robbery, their bond is tested, and unexpected alliances are formed.
Starring: Hayden Christensen, Adrien Brody, Jordana Brewster, Akon, Tory Kittles, Luis Da Silva Jr., Lance E. Nichols, John McConnell, Joe Chrest, Aaron V. Williamson, Rachel Bilson, Laura Cayouette, Carol Sutton, Elena Sanchez, Judd Lormand, Stefan Solea, Kaden Washington Lewis, Tyler Humphrey, Christopher Ramage, Rod Maiorano, Kyla O'Deay, John L. Armijo, Robert Segari, Elton LeBlanc, Cynthia LeBlanc, Jon Arthur, Joseph Fischer, Jesse Yarborough, Kenneth Kynt Bryan, Michael David Smith, James Dean Smith;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: thriller, crime, drama, action;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 91 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5;
More information about the film “American Heist” on the website imdb.com
These films about art thieves offer audiences a thrilling combination of suspense, action, and intrigue. From elaborate heists to unexpected plot twists, they provide an exciting glimpse into the clandestine world of those who seek to steal the world's most valuable treasures.
In the world of cinema, films about art thieves have consistently captivated audiences with their thrilling heists, charismatic characters, and intricate plots. From classic capers to modern masterpieces, these films have not only showcased the allure of high-stakes theft but have also delved into the minds of the thieves, their motivations, and the art they seek to possess. Whether it's the suave sophistication of “The Thomas Crown Affair,” the high-octane action of “Entrapment,” or the clever twists of “The Thomas Crown Affair,” these films have left an indelible mark on the genre, proving that the allure of art theft continues to inspire captivating storytelling on the silver screen.
