Movies About Con Artists

From George Roy Hill, starring Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Robert Shaw, Charles Durning
Rated PG

The Sting is a 1973 crime drama directed by George Roy Hill and starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. The film tells the story of two con men, Henry Gondorff (Newman) and Johnny Hooker (Redford) who team up to avenge the death of a mutual friend. After finding out that their friend was killed by infamous crime boss Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw), the two set out on a quest to scam Lonnegan out of a large sum of money. With the help of a gang of fellow con men, the two devise an elaborate plan in order to get revenge and steal the money from Lonnegan. In the end, their plan succeeds and the two of them ultimately get away with their crime unscathed. The Sting is a classic crime drama that is full of suspense and clever plotting.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen
Rated PG-13

Based on a true story, Catch me if You Can follows the adventures of Frank Abagnale Jr., a teenage con artist who, in the late 1960s, successfully posed as a Pan Am pilot, a doctor, and an attorney, and cashed millions of dollars in fraudulent checks across 26 countries. To evade capture by FBI agent Carl Hanratty and the US Justice Department, Frank must stay one step ahead of the law, using his wit and charm to elude capture. Along the way, Frank finds a kind of father figure in Hanratty, and discovers the importance of family, loyalty and integrity.

From Robert Rossen, starring Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason, Piper Laurie, George C. Scott
Rated Not Rated

The Hustler is a classic sports drama film directed by Robert Rossen and released in 1961. The film tells the story of small-time pool hustler “Fast” Eddie Felson (Paul Newman) who is determined to make it big in the pool halls. After Eddie is taken under the wing of gambler and entrepreneur Bert Gordon (George C. Scott), he embarks on a journey to become one of the best poolplayers in the country. Along the way, Eddie must battle his own demons, as well as the pressure of trying to win against the best player in the game, Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason). Despite numerous obstacles, Eddie finally meets with Fats at the championships, and the two have a legendary final match. The Hustler is a timeless exploration of ambition, pride, and the seduction of power.

From John Huston, starring Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Christopher Plummer, Saeed Jaffrey
Rated PG

The Man Who Would Be King is an American adventure comedy-drama film released in 1975 and directed by John Huston. It stars Sean Connery and Michael Caine as two British ex-soldiers, who travel to Kafiristan in search of adventure and precious jewels. With the help of a local ruler, they become successful and powerful, claiming to be gods, and planning to set up their own kingdom. However, their ambitions soon prove to be their undoing, as they are faced with betrayal, danger, and their own arrogance.

From Steven Soderbergh, starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon
Rated PG-13

Ocean's Eleven is a 2001 American heist comedy film directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring an ensemble cast including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Julia Roberts, and Don Cheadle. The film is a remake of the 1960 Rat Pack film of the same name. The plot follows Danny Ocean (Clooney) and his gang of criminals as they plan to rob three Las Vegas casinos—the Bellagio, the Mirage, and the MGM Grand—simultaneously during a popular fight. With help from the inside man, Rusty Ryan (Pitt), Ocean and his team successfully steal millions of dollars from the casinos and make off with the loot. Throughout the course of the movie, Ocean and his crew must also contend with a rival thief, Terry Benedict (Garcia), who is determined to get his money back. In the end, Ocean and his team are successful in getting away with their crime and return to their former lives with the spoils.

From John Landis, starring Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykroyd, Ralph Bellamy, Don Ameche
Rated R

Trading Places is a 1983 American comedy film directed by John Landis and starring Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy. The film tells the story of two wealthy and spoiled brothers, Randolph and Mortimer Duke (played by Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche), who decide to place a bet on whether a homeless street hustler named Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy) could become as successful as their own employee, Louis Winthorpe III (Dan Aykroyd). The brothers switch the two men's lives and see what happens. Through a series of comedic incidents, the two men learn to appreciate each other's lives while learning valuable lessons along the way. In the end, the two men outsmart the Dukes and win back their original positions.

From Martin Brest, starring Robert De Niro, Charles Grodin, Yaphet Kotto, John Ashton
Rated R

Midnight Run is a classic buddy-cop action-comedy film from 1988 directed by Martin Brest and starring Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin in the lead roles. The film follows the story of a bounty hunter, Jack Walsh (De Niro), who is hired by a bail bondsman to retrieve a criminal accountant, Jonathan “The Duke” Mardukas (Grodin), who has embezzled 15 million dollars from the mob. In order to keep his job, Jack must bring The Duke from New York to Los Angeles within five days or lose the money. Along the way, the two find themselves being chased by the FBI, the mob, and a rival bounty hunter, while they also forge an unlikely friendship. Through a series of hilarious and action-packed events, Jack and The Duke make it to Los Angeles with just hours to spare.

From Directors: Charles Crichton, John Cleese, starring John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, Michael Palin
Rated R

"A Fish Called Wanda" is a 1988 British comedy directed by Charles Crichton and John Cleese. The film follows a gang of four criminals – played by John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, and Michael Palin – who attempt to steal a valuable jewel in London. After their plan goes wrong, they are forced to flee the country. With the help of an animal-loving barrister, Wanda (Curtis), the gang attempts to double-cross each other and recover the loot. The film received several award nominations and won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (Kline). It is widely considered to be one of the funniest films ever made.

From Frank Oz, starring Steve Martin, Michael Caine, Glenne Headly, Anton Rodgers
Rated PG

From Ridley Scott, starring Nicolas Cage, Alison Lohman, Sam Rockwell, Bruce Altman
Rated PG-13

From David O. Russell, starring Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence
Rated R

From David Mamet, starring Lindsay Crouse, Joe Mantegna, Mike Nussbaum, Lilia Skala
Rated R

From David Mamet, starring Steve Martin, Ben Gazzara, Campbell Scott, Ricky Jay
Rated PG

From Louis Leterrier, starring Jesse Eisenberg, Common, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson
Rated PG-13

From Martin Scorsese, starring Paul Newman, Tom Cruise, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Helen Shaver
Rated R

From Stephen Frears, starring Anjelica Huston, John Cusack, Annette Bening, Jan Munroe
Rated R

From Directors: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly, starring Woody Harrelson, Randy Quaid, Bill Murray, Vanessa Angel
Rated PG-13

From Ron Shelton, starring Wesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson, Rosie Perez, Tyra Ferrell
Rated R

From Bill Condon, starring Helen Mirren, Ian McKellen, Russell Tovey, Jim Carter
Rated R

From James Foley, starring Edward Burns, Dustin Hoffman, Rachel Weisz, Andy Garcia
Rated R

From Gregory Jacobs, starring John C. Reilly, Diego Luna, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Mullan
Rated R

From J Blakeson, starring Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage, Eiza González, Dianne Wiest
Rated R

From David Mirkin, starring Sigourney Weaver, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Gene Hackman, Ray Liotta
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, starring Tom Hanks, Marlon Wayans, Irma P. Hall, J.K. Simmons
Rated R