Films About Con Artists
Films about con artists often delve into the intricate and deceptive world of swindlers, tricksters, and fraudsters. These movies captivate audiences with their tales of clever schemes, daring heists, and the psychological games played by those who deceive others for profit. Whether focusing on small-time grifters or elaborate cons that span continents, these films offer a thrilling look at the darker side of human ingenuity and ambition.
Notable Films About Con Artists
“The Sting”, 1973
Director: George Roy Hill
This classic film follows two grifters in 1930s Chicago who team up to pull off an elaborate con against a ruthless crime boss. The film is known for its intricate plot and surprise twists.
Starring: Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Robert Shaw, Charles Durning, Ray Walston, Eileen Brennan, Harold Gould, John Heffernan, Dana Elcar, Jack Kehoe;
Production year: 1973;
Genre: drama, comedy, crime;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 129 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,3;
More information about the film “The Sting” on the website imdb.com
“Catch Me If You Can”, 2002
Director: Steven Spielberg
Based on a true story, this film tells the tale of Frank Abagnale Jr., a master of deception who successfully performed cons worth millions of dollars before his 19th birthday. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks.
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen, Nathalie Baye, Amy Adams, James Brolin, Brian Howe, Frank John Hughes, Steve Eastin;
Production year: 2002;
Genre: crime, biography, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 141 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
More information about the film “Catch Me If You Can” on the website imdb.com
“Ocean's Eleven”, 2001
Director: Steven Soderbergh
A stylish heist film where Danny Ocean and his eleven accomplices plan to rob three Las Vegas casinos simultaneously. The movie is known for its star-studded cast and clever plot.
Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, Andy Garcia, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Elliott Gould, Bernie Mac, Don Cheadle;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: crime, thriller;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 116 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Ocean's Eleven” on the website imdb.com
“The Usual Suspects”, 1995
Director: Bryan Singer
This film revolves around the interrogation of a con artist who recounts the events that led to a deadly and mysterious crime, culminating in one of the most famous plot twists in film history.
Starring: Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Byrne, Benicio Del Toro, Kevin Pollak, Kevin Spacey, Chazz Palminteri, Pete Postlethwaite, Suzy Amis, Giancarlo Esposito, Dan Hedaya;
Production year: 1995;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 106 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,5;
More information about the film “The Usual Suspects” on the website imdb.com
“American Hustle”, 2013
Director: David O. Russell
Set in the 1970s, this film is a fictionalized account of the real-life FBI ABSCAM operation. It follows two con artists forced to work with a federal agent to expose political corruption.
Starring: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Jeremy Renner, Louis C.K., Alessandro Nivola, Jack Huston, Robert De Niro, Michael Peña;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: drama, comedy, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 138 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
“The Grifters”, 1990
Director: Stephen Frears
This noir film follows a young con artist torn between his allegiance to his professional grifter mother and his girlfriend, both of whom are also involved in the criminal world.
Starring: Anjelica Huston, John Cusack, Annette Bening, Jan Munroe, Robert Weems, Stephen Tobolowsky, Jimmy Noonan, Richard Holden, Henry Jones, Michael Laskin;
Production year: 1990;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
More information about the film “The Grifters” on the website imdb.com
“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”, 1988
Director: Frank Oz
A comedy about two rival con men who compete to swindle an heiress out of $50,000. The film is known for its humor and the chemistry between its leading actors, Steve Martin and Michael Caine.
Starring: Steve Martin, Michael Caine, Glenne Headly, Anton Rodgers, Barbara Harris, Ian McDiarmid, Dana Ivey, Meagen Fay, Frances Conroy, Nicole Calfan;
Production year: 1988;
Genre: comedy, crime;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” on the website imdb.com
“Focus”, 2014
Director: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
This film stars Will Smith as a seasoned con artist who takes a novice under his wing, only for their past romance to complicate their latest, high-stakes scam.
Starring: Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Adrian Martinez, Gerald McRaney, Rodrigo Santoro, B.D. Wong, Brennan Brown, Robert Taylor, Dotan Bonen, Griff Furst;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 104 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,6;
More information about the film “Focus” on the website imdb.com
“Now You See Me”, 2013
Director: Louis Leterrier
This film follows a team of illusionists who pull off bank heists during their performances, rewarding their audiences with the money. The FBI tries to bring them to justice as the plot unfolds.
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, Mélanie Laurent, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Michael Kelly, Common;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: crime, thriller, detective;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 115 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
“Matchstick Men”, 2003
Director: Ridley Scott
A psychological thriller about an obsessive-compulsive con artist whose life is thrown into turmoil when he discovers he has a teenage daughter, who then wants to learn the tricks of his trade.
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell, Alison Lohman, Bruce Altman, Bruce McGill, Jenny O'Hara, Steve Eastin, Beth Grant, Sheila Kelley, Fran Kranz;
Production year: 2003;
Genre: thriller, drama, comedy, crime;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 116 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Matchstick Men” on the website imdb.com
In conclusion, films about con artists offer a captivating exploration of the human psyche, delving deep into themes of deception, trust, and the blurred lines between right and wrong. These films not only entertain but also challenge viewers to question their own moral compasses and the lengths they'd go to achieve their aspirations. From the charming escapades in “Catch Me If You Can” to the treacherous schemes in “The Sting,” con artist films continually enthrall audiences with their clever plot twists and complex character studies, securing their place as a riveting and thought-provoking genre in cinematic history.
