Edgar Wright was largely known for his hilarious and outrageous British comedies that make up the iconic Cornetto Trilogy. Baby Driver marked his first American-set film and proved he was one of the most exciting genre directors around, no matter where his films take place.
The movie is a wildly entertaining heist film set to its own fantastic soundtrack which gives the whole movie thrilling energy. Heists films have been popular for decades, and while some can entertain with a straight-forward crime tale, Baby Driver and a number of other films have shown that they can be just as effective with a bit of fun thrown in. Here are some stylish heists films to watch if you like Baby Driver.
The Town
Ben Affleck returned to Boston for his second directorial feature which cemented him as a real talent behind the camera. The Town stars Affleck as the leader of a band of thieves who pull off dangerous robberies while staying ahead of the authorities.
While the movie doesn’t provide as many laughs as Baby Driver and takes the story much more seriously, the heist sequences are still so much fun and incredibly well shot. With a stellar cast behind Affleck, this is an action-packed thriller.
Ant-Man
Many Marvel fans were considerably bummed out when Edgar Wright stepped down from directing Ant-Man due to creative differences. However, that move allowed him to go make Baby Driver while the Ant-Man film we did get proved to still be a very fun film.
Based on Wright’s original story, the film creates a unique heist film within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) becomes the titular shrinking hero in order to steal some valuable technology before it gets in the wrong hands. It’s a funny and thrilling approach to the superhero genre with some fun connections to the rest of the MCU.
Out Of Sight
Out of Sight is one of the coolest movies ever made as the whole thing just feels like a smooth and stylish romp. George Clooney stars as a career criminal who just escaped from prison and is planning his next big score. Jennifer Lopez plays the U.S. Marshal hunting him down. Of course, these two beautiful people begin falling for each other in the process.
Based on the novel by Elmore Leonard, the film is filled with witty and clever dialogue while always playing the crime aspects in a grounded way. It’s a simple yet engrossing story filled with memorable characters.
The Taking Of Pelham One Two Three
The Taking Of Pelham One Two Three is a heist film from the 70s that is well worth seeking out if you haven’t seen it already. Robert Shaw plays the leader of a band of criminals who take a subway car hostage in New York City and demand a ransom for the release of the passengers.
Though the crime is played quite seriously, the film is filled with hilariously colorful characters that add a great sense of humor to the story. Walter Matthau is wonderful as the transit cop who calmly attempts to deal with the outrageous situation. It is a movie that provides laughs and thrills from start to finish.
Inside Man
Spike Lee has made many hard-hitting dramas but Inside Man proved he is just as effective with big genre films as well. The film stars Denzel Washington as a detective who is called into to handle hostage negotiations when a group of thieves takes over a New York City bank.
The movie begins as if this is a typical heist film, but as we discover more and more about the crime and the various complications involved it becomes something different entirely. Washington is great as is Clive Owen as the leader of the thieves in the twisty and entertaining thriller.
The Italian Job
The stunt driving is a big part of what makes Baby Driver so much fun and The Italian Job is another car-centric heist movie that is wildly fun. Mark Wahlberg, Jason Statham, and Charlize Theron make on a crew of robbers who, after getting double-crossed by one of their partners (Edward Norton), seek payback.
Though the film it is based on is a classic, this remake is surprisingly effective thanks to its charming cast and some truly amazing action sequences. The Mini Cooper chase scenes are especially fun.
Ocean’s Eleven
Ocean’s Eleven is another remake for this list, this time a far superior update of its original source material. An all-star cast including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Don Cheadle lead this ultra-cool film about a gang of thieves who attempt to pull off a daring heist of three Las Vegas casinos in one night.
The star-power on screen is one draw for audiences, but the humor, stylish direction and clever script are what makes the film so special. It is a fun ride from beginning to end with lots of likable actors as a bonus.
Logan Lucky
After Ocean’s Eleven and Out of Sight, Logan Lucky is Steven Soderberg’s third film on this list. The man clearly enjoys the heist genre and seems to have fun finding new and interesting ways to explore these types of stories.
In Logan Lucky, Channing Tatum and Adam Driver star as two broke brothers who partner with an inmate (Daniel Craig) to rob a NASCAR race. The film is infused with plenty of Southern charm and some hilarious humor with Craig especially showing off his lighter side. It is another clever and fun ride from Soderberg.
Three Kings
David O. Russell is a very inventive creative mind which explains how he was able to envision this unique take on the heist genre. Set during the end of the Gulf War, a group of soldiers goes on an illegal mission to steal some of Saddam Hussein’s gold from a nearby bunker.
Three Kings stars George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and Ice Cube who all give wonderful performances in the wild, action-packed and funny adventure film. Though there are some unpleasant behind-the-scenes stories surrounding the movie, it is nonetheless a great movie.
Inception
When Christopher Nolan sets out to make a heist film, you can rest assured it will be an ambitious take on that type of movie. Inception stars Leonardo DiCaprio as a specialized thief who enters his target’s dreams and extracts their ideas. In order to return to the life he left behind, he is forced to carry out a far more dangerous task.
The movie’s premise is incredibly inventive, and Nolan builds a mesmerizing world to go along with these big ideas. The action sequences are like nothing that came before and the whole thing is an epic adventure that will leave you stunned.
