Movies About Scamming

From Christopher Nolan, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Elliot Page, Ken Watanabe
Rated PG-13

Inception is a science fiction action thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, and Ken Watanabe. The story follows Dom Cobb (DiCaprio), a professional thief who specializes in stealing secrets from people's minds by entering their dreams. Cobb is enlisted by a wealthy business magnate to plant an idea in the mind of his rival, a process known as "inception". To complete the dangerous mission, Cobb assembles a team of experts including a forger, an architect, and a chemist, and they must navigate the layers of their target's subconscious. Along the way, Cobb struggles with the repercussions of his past and how the mission may impact his future. Inception is a complex and ambitious film that features thrilling action sequences and mind-bending visuals, making it one of the most acclaimed films of the decade.

From Bryan Singer, starring Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri, Stephen Baldwin
Rated R

The Usual Suspects, directed by Bryan Singer and released in 1995, follows the story of five criminals who are brought together by a mysterious figure known as Keyser Söze. After being arrested for a crime they did not commit, the five criminals decide to team up and pull off a heist to get revenge. With the help of a shady lawyer, they are able to execute the plan and make off with the loot. However, their plan takes an unexpected turn when they find out that Söze is actually a notorious criminal mastermind with a hidden agenda. As the story unravels, the men realize they have been set up and must now face the consequences of their actions. The film is acclaimed for its twist ending, which has been praised as one of the best in cinema history.

From Quentin Tarantino, starring Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn
Rated R

Reservoir Dogs is a 1992 crime film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The plot follows a group of criminals hired by a crime boss, Mr. White, to carry out a diamond heist. After the successful heist, the group of criminals meets at a warehouse to figure out how to split the loot, unaware that their boss has tipped off the police. Things quickly spiral out of control as the criminals begin to suspect one another of being a police informant, leading to a violent and chaotic confrontation. The film features an ensemble cast, including Harvey Keitel, Steve Buscemi, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, and Christopher Penn. Reservoir Dogs has been met with critical acclaim since its release and has gone on to become a cult classic.

From Michael Mann, starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, Jon Voight
Rated R

Heat is an American crime film written, produced and directed by Michael Mann, and starring Robert De Niro and Al Pacino as two men on opposite sides of the law. It follows Lt. Vincent Hanna, a veteran LAPD robbery-homicide detective, as he tracks a group of professional bank robbers, led by Neil McCauley. The crew is highly organized and efficient in the way they carry out their heists, but tensions between members of the group run high. Meanwhile, Hanna is struggling with his own personal demons, including a failing marriage and an addiction to gambling. As the investigation continues, the lives of both men become ever more intertwined, leading to a tense and thrilling climax.

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

The Sting is a 1973 American caper film set in 1936. It tells the story of two professional grifters, Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford) and Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman), who seek revenge on the ruthless crime boss Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw). To do this, they devise an elaborate con to scam Lonnegan out of a large sum of money. Along the way, they enlist the help of a variety of colorful characters, and ultimately succeed in their attempt. The film is noted for its intricate story, witty dialogue and its soundtrack by Scott Joplin.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey
Rated R

The Wolf of Wall Street is a 2013 American black comedy biographical film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio as stockbroker Jordan Belfort. Based on Belfort's memoir of the same name, the film chronicles Belfort's rise to a wealthy stockbroker living the high life and his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government. The film follows Belfort and his merry band of brokers as they partake in a wild and outrageous lifestyle of sex, drugs, and debauchery, all while manipulating the stock market for their own financial gain. However, Belfort and his cohorts eventually become embroiled in corruption and illegal activities that threaten to take them down. In the end, Belfort must face the consequences of his actions and make amends with the people he has hurt along the way.

From John McTiernan, starring Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson
Rated R

Die Hard is an action-packed, thrilling adventure film directed by John McTiernan and starring Bruce Willis. It follows NYPD officer John McClane as he travels to Los Angeles to reconnect with his estranged wife at a Christmas party hosted by her company. However, when a group of terrorists, led by the charismatic Hans Gruber, take over the building and take hostages, McClane is forced to take matters into his own hands and single-handedly battle the terrorists. With his wits and determination, McClane is able to outwit Gruber and his henchmen and save the day.

From Guy Ritchie, starring Jason Statham, Brad Pitt, Stephen Graham, Vinnie Jones
Rated R

Snatch is an action-comedy crime caper film directed by Guy Ritchie. It follows the story of a group of small-time criminals in London as they try to make a big score. The group consists of Turkish (Jason Statham), Tommy (Stephen Graham), and Soap (Alan Ford). Things don't go as planned when they get mixed up in a robbery gone wrong and a very valuable diamond on the black market. The group soon find themselves in a battle to survive and gain the upper hand over a variety of powerful criminals, including Bullet-Tooth Tony (Vinnie Jones). As they fight to stay alive and gain control of the diamond, they must outwit and outmaneuver the gangs and their underworld contacts. In the end, the group must prove that they are the smartest, toughest, and luckiest criminals in town.

From Guy Ritchie, starring Jason Flemyng, Dexter Fletcher, Nick Moran, Jason Statham
Rated R

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels is a crime-comedy film directed by Guy Ritchie. The film follows a group of four east Londoners who become involved in a wild card game with a notorious crime lord. When the game ends in disaster, the four men are left with a large debt to pay back to the crime lord. With no other options, the four men embark on a series of daring and often humorous heists to pay off the debt. Along the way, they come across a wide variety of larger-than-life characters, each with their own agenda, while they try to keep one step ahead of the law. The film features an all-star cast and an innovative visual style that helped launch Ritchie's career.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, James Woods
Rated R

Casino is a 1995 film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci. The film is a fictionalized account of the operations of the Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas, which was owned by the real-life mobster, Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal. It is set in the 1970s and follows the story of Sam “Ace” Rothstein (De Niro), a Jewish-American gambling expert, as he manages the Tangiers for the mob. Ace's efforts bring in huge profits for the mob, but his relationships with the casino's volatile employees, his friend Nicky Santoro (Pesci) and his wife Ginger (Stone) eventually lead to his downfall. The film explores the darker side of the Las Vegas casino industry, and the consequences of greed, power and ambition.

From Peter Bogdanovich, starring Ryan O'Neal, Tatum O'Neal, Madeline Kahn, John Hillerman
Rated PG

Paper Moon is a 1973 American comedy-drama directed by Peter Bogdanovich and starring Ryan and Tatum O'Neal. Set in the Great Depression-era Midwest, the film follows a con-man (Ryan O'Neal) and a young girl (Tatum O'Neal) who may or may not be his daughter as they travel across the country scamming money from unsuspecting locals. Along the way, the two develop a bond and the girl discovers her true identity. The film earned three Academy Award nominations and won a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress.

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

Catch Me If You Can is a biographical crime drama film directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Frank Abagnale Jr., a real-life con artist and impostor. After running away from home at the age of 16, Abagnale successfully impersonates an airline pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer and passes more than $2.5 million in fraudulent checks around the world. Meanwhile, FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks) is determined to catch Abagnale and bring him to justice. The film follows Abagnale's escapades and his attempts to evade Hanratty, all while growing more and more entrenched in a life of crime. It ultimately culminates in a climactic confrontation between the two adversaries and a surprising twist ending.

From Jules Dassin, starring Jean Servais, Carl Möhner, Robert Manuel, Janine Darcey
Rated Not Rated

"Rififi" is a 1955 French film directed by Jules Dassin and starring Jean Servais, Carl Möhner, Robert Manuel, and Jules Dassin. The film is a crime drama about an ex-convict named Tony who assembles a team of experienced criminals to pull off a daring safe robbery. The heist is meticulously planned and executed with the utmost caution, ensuring that no one is left behind and no loose ends are tied up. However, Tony's past catches up to him and the team's loyalty is tested as the stakes become higher. The film is known for its suspenseful heist sequence that is highly influential in the crime genre, with its innovative use of silence and lack of music. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Story, and won the 1955 Cannes Film Festival's Best Director Award.

From Park Chan-wook, starring Kim Min-hee, Ha Jung-woo, Cho Jin-woong, Moon So-ri
Rated Not Rated

The Handmaiden is a 2016 South Korean period thriller film directed and co-written by Park Chan-wook. The film is set in 1930s Korea during the Japanese occupation and follows a young Korean woman named Sook-hee who is hired as a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress named Lady Hideko. Unbeknownst to Hideko, Sook-hee is part of a con man's plot to defraud her of her inheritance. Despite their different social statuses, the two women develop a bond and embark on a journey of sexual liberation and love. The film follows the two women as they battle social conventions, deceptions and unexpected turns of fate.

From Sidney Lumet, starring Al Pacino, John Cazale, Penelope Allen, Sully Boyar
Rated R

Dog Day Afternoon is a 1975 American crime drama film directed by Sidney Lumet and written by Frank Pierson. The film stars Al Pacino, John Cazale, Charles Durning and Chris Sarandon. The story is based on the real-life events of the 1972 robbery at a Brooklyn bank by John Wojtowicz and Salvatore Naturile. The film follows Wojtowicz (Pacino) and Naturile (Cazale) as they attempt to rob a bank in order to pay for the sex reassignment surgery of Wojtowicz's male lover, Leon (Sarandon). The robbery goes awry when the police arrive and the two robbers quickly find themselves in a tense standoff. As the robbery progresses, news of the incident spreads and the two robbers become folk heroes to the crowd of bystanders outside. Dog Day Afternoon went on to become a critical and commercial success, receiving six Academy Award nominations, with Pacino and Durning both receiving nominations for their performances. It has come to be seen as a landmark in American cinema, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of the 1970s.

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

The Hustler is a 1961 American drama film directed by Robert Rossen and starring Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason. It tells the story of a small-time pool hustler, Fast Eddie Felson (Newman), who is determined to become the best pool player in the world. He comes up against a legendary pool shark, Minnesota Fats (Gleason), and is willing to risk everything to beat him. Along the way, Eddie must also deal with the temptations of alcohol and gambling. The film follows Eddie's journey as he struggles to prove himself and overcome his inner demons. It was nominated for nine Academy Awards, and won two (Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography). It is widely considered to be one of the greatest sports films of all time.

From George Roy Hill, starring Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Katharine Ross, Strother Martin
Rated PG

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is a 1969 western film starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford as the title characters, Butch and Sundance. The film follows their adventures as they rob banks and trains across the American West. In order to escape the law, they flee to South America, but eventually find themselves in a battle with a group of Bolivian bandits. Along the way, they encounter a variety of characters, such as a mysterious young woman (Katharine Ross) and a rival gang of outlaws. Despite their best efforts, they are eventually cornered in a standoff and left with no choice but to make a last stand. Through all their trials and tribulations, the two best friends remain loyal to one another, and the film ends with them side by side in a heroic last stand.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Sterling Hayden, Coleen Gray, Vince Edwards, Jay C. Flippen
Rated Approved

The Killing is a classic noir-style thriller directed by Stanley Kubrick and released in 1956. The film follows the story of a meticulously planned heist gone wrong. A group of small-time crooks, led by the ambitious ex-convict Johnny Clay (Sterling Hayden), devise a plan to rob a racetrack of $2 million. In the chaotic aftermath of the robbery, however, the criminals must contend with the violent and unpredictable behavior of their associates, not to mention the relentless pursuit of a relentless detective, Lt. Jim Anderson (Ted de Corsia). As their carefully laid plans unravel and the stakes become higher, the criminals must race against time to keep their secrets hidden and escape with the loot. As the tension mounts, it becomes clear that nobody will be able to cover up the truth for long.

From Jean-Pierre Melville, starring Alain Delon, Bourvil, Gian Maria Volontè, Yves Montand
Rated Not Rated

Le Cercle Rouge is a classic heist film from French director Jean-Pierre Melville. The film follows the journey of three criminals and their plan to pull off a daring robbery of a jewelry store in Paris. The three men, Corey (Alain Delon), Vogel (Gian Maria Volontè), and Jansen (Yves Montand) are all experienced criminals with different motivations, but all have the same goal: to get away with the crime. As the heist unfolds, the trio encounters obstacles and complications, including a mysterious figure known as “The Red Circle” who seems to be one step ahead of them. As the suspense builds, the trio must find a way to outwit their pursuers, as well as each other, in order to complete their mission and make off with the loot.

From Tony Scott, starring Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hopper, Val Kilmer
Rated R

True Romance is a 1993 film directed by Tony Scott and written by Quentin Tarantino. The story follows Clarence Worley (Christian Slater), a lonely comic book enthusiast, who goes to a movie theater on his birthday, only to find himself in a wild, passionate romance with a mysterious woman named Alabama Whitman (Patricia Arquette). After a night of passionate lovemaking, Clarence learns that Alabama is a call girl hired by his boss, and the two of them escape in order to start a new life together. However, their plans are quickly put on hold when Clarence discovers that Alabama is the target of a mob hit. Forced to take on the mob and their hired killers, the couple embarks on a violent and thrilling adventure in an attempt to survive and make a life together. Along the way, they encounter the colorful characters of Hollywood, including a drug-dealing pimp (Gary Oldman), a Hollywood producer (Dennis Hopper), and a corrupt police officer (Christopher Walken). True Romance is an adrenaline-filled crime thriller that is full of twists and turns, and keeps viewers on the edge of their seat until the very end.

From Fabián Bielinsky, starring Ricardo Darín, Gastón Pauls, Graciela Tenenbaum, María Mercedes Villagra
Rated R

Nine Queens is a 2000 Argentine heist film written and directed by Fabián Bielinsky. The film stars Ricardo Darín, Gastón Pauls, and Leticia Brédice, and follows the story of two con men who attempt to carry out an elaborate scheme involving a rare set of counterfeit stamps known as the Nine Queens. After meeting by chance in a convenience store, the two con artists, Juan (Darín) and Marcos (Pauls), join forces to pull off the scam, though each has their own hidden agenda. Through a series of hijinks and twists, the two must outwit other con men, the police, and a shady businessman in order to succeed. The film is considered to be a classic of Argentine cinema, and won numerous awards, including the Silver Condor for Best Film.

From Sam Peckinpah, starring William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, Robert Ryan, Edmond O'Brien
Rated R

The Wild Bunch is a 1969 American Western film directed by Sam Peckinpah about a gang of aging outlaws facing the arrival of industrial civilization in the American Southwest. The gang, led by Pike Bishop, is on its last big score when they come up against the new law enforcement in the form of an ambitious young railroad detective. The film follows the gang as they ride and rob their way through Texas and Mexico in search of one last great score. As they get closer to achieving their goal, they find themselves increasingly out of their depth and in conflict with the local factions and government forces. The Wild Bunch is a gritty exploration of morality and loyalty in the face of changing times and a powerful statement about the consequences of violence and the futility of war.

From John Huston, starring Sterling Hayden, Louis Calhern, Jean Hagen, James Whitmore
Rated Passed

The Asphalt Jungle is a 1950 American heist film noir directed by John Huston, based on the 1949 novel of the same name by W. R. Burnett. It follows a carefully plotted heist of a jewelry store by a team of professional criminals, with each team member providing his own unique set of skills. The leader of the gang, an aging criminal mastermind, attempts to ensure a smooth operation, but complications arise when one of the team members begins to develop a conscience. The film is renowned for its realistic portrayal of criminal life, as well as its tight suspenseful pacing. It was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Director, and was influential on later heist films such as Ocean's Eleven (1960).

From Giuseppe Tornatore, starring Geoffrey Rush, Jim Sturgess, Sylvia Hoeks, Donald Sutherland
Rated R

The Best Offer is a romantic thriller film directed by Giuseppe Tornatore and starring Geoffrey Rush, Jim Sturgess, and Sylvia Hoeks. It follows the story of Virgil Oldman, an eccentric and reclusive auctioneer who is hired by a young heiress to help her sell a collection of valuable antiques. Through his interactions with the mysterious woman, Virgil finds himself caught up in a complex web of love and betrayal that leads to a shocking conclusion. As Virgil digs deeper into the mystery surrounding the woman and her antiques, he begins to uncover a startling secret that threatens to change his life forever.

From Arthur Penn, starring Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, Michael J. Pollard, Gene Hackman
Rated R

Bonnie and Clyde is a 1967 crime film directed by Arthur Penn and starring Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway. The film follows the story of Bonnie and Clyde, two young and daring lovers who embark on a crime spree in the 1930s during the Great Depression. Along with their gang of outlaws, they rob banks, engage in shootouts with police, and escape capture time and time again. As the authorities become increasingly desperate to catch them, the media coverage of the couple's crimes skyrocket, making them American folk heroes. In the end, Bonnie and Clyde's crime spree comes to a bloody and tragic end.