Best Heist Film
Heists have been a part of cinema since at least 1903, when The Great Train Robbery became one of the most successful movies of its time. There’s something intrinsically compelling about people stealing things – the thrill of transgression, the desperation that leads to the act, the anxiety of getting caught. Heist films have changed tremendously over the intervening 120-plus years, but the best of them still retain that sense of excitement and danger, and in many cases have us actively rooting for the thief to win. So join the Great Pop Culture Debate as we attempt to name the Best Heist Film of all time – at least until mid-2026, when we’re recording this.
Movies discussed: Ocean’s 11 (2001), Baby Driver, Reservoir Dogs, The Thomas Crown Affair (1999), Heat, Inception, The Italian Job (2003), Point Break (1991), Three Kings, The Great Muppet Caper, Inside Man, Jackie Brown, Dog Day Afternoon, Now You See Me, A Fish Called Wanda, The Town
Join host Eric Rezsnyak, GPCD Panelists Karissa Kloss and Kevin Dillon, and special guest panelist Paul Caiola from the That Aged Well Podcast as they discuss and debate 16 of cinema’s most memorable heist films.
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Round 1 Match-Ups:
Play along with us at home by printing out and filling in this episode’s bracket:
Match-Up 1: Ocean’s 11 (2001) (1) vs. The Town (4)
Match-Up 2: Three Kings (3) vs. Point Break (1991) (2)
Match-Up 3: The Thomas Crown Affair (1999) (1) vs. Dog Day Afternoon (4)
Match-Up 4: Jackie Brown (3) vs. Heat (2)
Match-Up 5: Baby Driver (1) vs. A Fish Called Wanda (4)
Match-Up 6: The Great Muppet Caper (3) vs. The Italian Job (2003) (2)
Match-Up 7: Reservoir Dogs vs. Now You See Me (4)
Match-Up 8: Inside Man vs. Inception (2)
Want to play along at home?
Print out the Listener Bracket and see if your picks match up with ours!
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Episode Credits
Host: Eric Rezsnyak
Panelists: Karissa Kloss, Kevin Dillon
Special Guest: Paul Caiola, That Aged Well Podcast
Producer: Bob Erlenback
Editor: Bob Erlenback
Theme Music: “Dance to My Tune” by Marc Torch
