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| Best Movies Like How to Rob a Bank. |
How to Rob a Bank has all the ingredients of an entertaining crime caper: ambitious criminals, daring bank robberies, elaborate escape plans and a social media following that makes keeping a low profile practically impossible. The 2026 action-comedy takes the familiar bank heist formula and gives it a modern twist, turning a group of masked robbers into internet celebrities who broadcast their crimes for millions of viewers. Naturally, becoming famous for robbing banks comes with a few complications, particularly when the police are watching every upload.
Directed by David Leitch and written by Mark Bianculli, the film follows The Pack, an unconventional crew who transform their robberies into viral entertainment. Led by Ryan (Nicholas Hoult), the group embraces animal masks, carefully planned operations and online attention, building a following while challenging the power of wealthy financial institutions. Their growing popularity, however, makes them increasingly difficult to protect from law enforcement.
With an old-school FBI investigator and a talented software engineer closing in, the crew find themselves caught between their ambitions, public attention and the consequences of their increasingly ambitious operations. Pete Davidson, Zoë Kravitz, John C. Reilly and Anna Sawai are among the cast members bringing this unusual criminal adventure to life.
What makes How to Rob a Bank particularly interesting is its combination of high-energy action, dark comedy, internet culture and the familiar appeal of an elaborate robbery. It is not simply about stealing money; it is about criminals who understand that attention can be just as valuable as the money itself.
If you enjoyed that combination, there are plenty of other films worth adding to your watchlist. From sophisticated criminal operations and ridiculous robbery schemes to getaway drivers and ambitious outsiders taking on powerful institutions, these 21 movies offer something similar.
Best Movies Like How to Rob a Bank
1. The Town (2010)
Directed by Ben Affleck, The Town follows a group of bank robbers operating in Charlestown, Boston, where organised heists have become almost an established tradition. Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck) leads the crew, whose carefully planned robberies begin to unravel when he develops feelings for a bank manager they previously encountered during a job.
Like How to Rob a Bank, the film explores the pressure of maintaining a criminal operation while the authorities gradually close in. Both stories feature organised crews, dangerous robberies and characters who discover that escaping the consequences of their decisions is considerably harder than planning the original crime. The Town takes a more grounded approach, but its tense atmosphere and strong action sequences make it an excellent choice.
2. Inside Man (2006)
Spike Lee's Inside Man centres on a carefully organised bank robbery led by Dalton Russell (Clive Owen). His crew takes control of a Manhattan bank, holding its employees and customers while negotiating with the police. Detective Keith Frazier (Denzel Washington) is assigned to handle the situation, but the robbery quickly becomes more complicated than anyone initially expects.
The similarity lies in the clever planning and the cat-and-mouse relationship between criminals and investigators. Like The Pack in How to Rob a Bank, Russell's crew understands that controlling the situation is about much more than simply getting inside a bank and taking its money. Both films also enjoy playing with audience expectations, although Inside Man leans more towards a traditional crime thriller than an action comedy.
3. Baby Driver (2017)
Baby Driver follows Baby (Ansel Elgort), a talented getaway driver who uses music to concentrate while helping criminals escape after their robberies. Although he wants to leave his dangerous work behind, his involvement with a demanding crime boss keeps pulling him back into increasingly difficult assignments.
Directed by Edgar Wright, the film shares How to Rob a Bank's energetic approach to criminal adventures. Both feature fast-moving operations, colourful personalities and action sequences that turn familiar robbery situations into entertaining spectacles. The emphasis on a younger criminal world also makes Baby Driver particularly appealing to viewers who enjoy modern crime stories rather than traditional gangster dramas. And if you thought escaping a bank robbery was difficult, try doing it while keeping perfect time with your playlist.
4. Logan Lucky (2017)
Logan Lucky introduces Jimmy Logan (Channing Tatum) and his brother Clyde (Adam Driver), who devise an ambitious plan to steal money from a major NASCAR event. With the help of their unpredictable accomplices, including an explosives expert, the brothers attempt a robbery that requires considerably more planning than their circumstances might suggest.
The connection to How to Rob a Bank is obvious: both films follow unconventional crews attempting ambitious criminal operations while dealing with unexpected complications. Logan Lucky also shares the lighter comedic approach, making its characters and questionable decisions part of the entertainment. Rather than relying entirely on polished criminal masterminds, it demonstrates that an unusual group of people can sometimes come up with surprisingly effective plans.
5. Ocean's Eleven (2001)
Danny Ocean (George Clooney) brings together a team of specialists to rob three Las Vegas casinos simultaneously. Each member has a particular skill, and the operation requires careful coordination, deception and an extraordinary amount of preparation.
Ocean's Eleven is an obvious recommendation for anyone who enjoys the planning side of How to Rob a Bank. Both films revolve around crews with different personalities and abilities working towards one enormous objective. However, Ocean's Eleven places greater emphasis on sophisticated tricks, disguises and teamwork than explosive action. It also understands that a good heist becomes considerably more entertaining when the audience is never entirely sure what the criminals are planning.
6. Den of Thieves (2018)
Den of Thieves follows an elite group of bank robbers preparing an ambitious operation involving the Federal Reserve. Their plans attract the attention of a determined Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department unit led by Nick O'Brien (Gerard Butler).
The film shares the central ingredients of How to Rob a Bank: organised criminal groups, complicated robbery plans and investigators determined to stop them. Both stories build their tension around the increasingly dangerous relationship between the people planning the operation and those attempting to uncover it. Den of Thieves is considerably more serious, with a heavier emphasis on tactical action, but it is a strong choice for viewers who want another ambitious robbery story.
7. The Italian Job (2003)
After being betrayed during a gold robbery in Venice, Charlie Croker (Mark Wahlberg) assembles a team to recover the stolen fortune. Their plan involves an elaborate operation across Los Angeles, supported by specially modified Mini Coopers and a collection of carefully timed manoeuvres.
Like How to Rob a Bank, The Italian Job celebrates teamwork, clever planning and the excitement of pulling off an apparently impossible robbery. Its characters each bring something different to the operation, while the action sequences provide plenty of entertainment. The film also balances comedy with criminal tension, making it a particularly enjoyable option for viewers who prefer their heist stories with a little personality.
8. American Animals (2018)
American Animals tells the story of four university students who become fascinated by the idea of stealing valuable books from their own institution's library. Inspired by stories of elaborate robberies, they begin developing a plan that quickly grows beyond their abilities.
The film is particularly relevant to How to Rob a Bank because it examines the influence of fame, ambition and the desire to become part of an extraordinary story. Its characters are not professional criminals, and their lack of experience creates problems at almost every stage. Both films explore what happens when people become too invested in the idea of pulling off something spectacular. American Animals also offers an interesting look at how real-life criminal ambitions can become much messier than the fantasies that inspire them.
9. Tower Heist (2011)
Tower Heist follows a group of employees at a luxury New York apartment building who discover that their wealthy employer has allegedly cheated them out of their savings. With their finances in trouble, they decide to organise an unlikely robbery to recover what they believe belongs to them.
The connection to How to Rob a Bank comes through its modern Robin Hood approach to crime. Both films present characters targeting wealthy individuals and institutions while questioning the fairness of the financial system. Tower Heist also combines criminal planning with comedy, relying on an inexperienced group whose enthusiasm occasionally exceeds their actual abilities. It is a lighter alternative for viewers who enjoyed the humour surrounding The Pack's increasingly complicated operations.
10. Widows (2018)
Directed by Steve McQueen, Widows follows four women who become involved in an ambitious robbery after their husbands, who were professional criminals, die during a failed operation. Veronica Rawlings (Viola Davis) takes charge and brings the remaining women together to complete an assignment that could change their circumstances.
Like How to Rob a Bank, the film focuses on a group of people navigating a dangerous criminal operation while dealing with personal pressures and unexpected obstacles. Both stories feature teamwork, strategic thinking and characters who cannot afford to make mistakes. Widows is more of a serious crime drama, with a strong emphasis on its characters and social environment, but its central robbery provides the same appeal for fans of carefully constructed heist stories.
11. The Bank Job (2008)
The Bank Job is inspired by the 1971 Baker Street bank robbery in London. Jason Statham plays Terry Leather, a small-time businessman who becomes involved in a seemingly straightforward operation to break into a bank vault. However, the contents of the safety deposit boxes introduce complications that nobody anticipated.
The film shares How to Rob a Bank's interest in elaborate criminal schemes and the unexpected consequences of a seemingly manageable robbery. Both stories show how a single operation can attract attention from powerful people and turn an ordinary criminal plan into something much bigger. The Bank Job also offers a period setting and a more grounded atmosphere, making it an interesting alternative for viewers who enjoy heist films with several layers of intrigue.
12. Now You See Me (2013)
Now You See Me follows four talented illusionists known as the Four Horsemen, who perform spectacular magic shows while carrying out seemingly impossible bank robberies. Their performances attract public attention and leave the authorities struggling to understand how the operations are being executed.
The similarity to How to Rob a Bank comes from the relationship between criminal activity, public entertainment and media attention. Both films feature people who turn their operations into spectacles, gaining an audience while making life difficult for the investigators pursuing them. The Four Horsemen also rely on teamwork and carefully coordinated tricks, although their methods are considerably more theatrical. If you enjoyed the idea of criminals becoming celebrities, this one should be high on your watchlist.
13. Pain & Gain (2013)
Pain & Gain follows Daniel Lugo (Mark Wahlberg) and his associates, who become involved in an increasingly ridiculous criminal scheme involving wealth, ambition and poor decision-making. Their desire to improve their lives leads them into a series of operations that quickly become difficult to control.
Although the film does not follow a conventional bank robbery, it shares How to Rob a Bank's interest in ambitious criminals whose confidence frequently gets ahead of their abilities. Both stories combine crime with dark comedy and feature characters who believe they are much better at planning than they actually are. Pain & Gain also offers a satirical look at the pursuit of wealth and the absurdity of people convinced that one enormous criminal operation will solve all their problems.
14. Good Time (2017)
Good Time centres on Connie Nikas (Robert Pattinson), who attempts to rescue his brother after a bank robbery goes badly wrong. What follows is a chaotic night involving desperate decisions, unexpected encounters and a growing number of problems.
The connection to How to Rob a Bank lies in the escalating pressure surrounding criminal activity. Both films show how one operation can trigger a chain of events that becomes increasingly difficult to control. Good Time is considerably more intense and less comedic, but its relentless pacing and urban setting make it an excellent recommendation for viewers who enjoy crime stories built around unpredictable situations. It also demonstrates that having a plan and successfully following it are two very different things.
15. Ambulance (2022)
Directed by Michael Bay, Ambulance follows two adoptive brothers, Will Sharp (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) and Danny Sharp (Jake Gyllenhaal), who become involved in a bank robbery that goes disastrously wrong. Their attempted escape leads them to hijack an ambulance, turning the city into the setting for a high-speed pursuit.
Like How to Rob a Bank, the film delivers large-scale action, criminal operations and escalating pressure from law enforcement. Both feature characters attempting to escape increasingly difficult situations while their original plans begin falling apart. Ambulance places much greater emphasis on spectacular action and vehicle pursuits, but its combination of crime and dark humour makes it a natural recommendation for viewers who want something equally energetic.
16. Triple Frontier (2019)
Triple Frontier follows five former special forces operatives who reunite to organise a robbery targeting a wealthy drug lord in South America. Their mission initially appears straightforward, but transporting their enormous haul creates problems that threaten the entire operation.
The similarity to How to Rob a Bank comes from its focus on a highly organised crew attempting an ambitious robbery. Both films explore teamwork, individual motivations and the difficulties of keeping a group together when the stakes become increasingly high. Triple Frontier is more of a military crime thriller, with less comedy and more emphasis on survival, but it delivers the kind of complicated criminal operation that heist enthusiasts will appreciate.
17. Emily the Criminal (2022)
Emily the Criminal stars Aubrey Plaza as Emily, a woman struggling with debt and limited employment opportunities who becomes involved in a credit card fraud operation. What begins as a way to earn quick money gradually pulls her deeper into a dangerous criminal environment.
Unlike How to Rob a Bank, the film focuses on financial fraud rather than spectacular bank robberies. However, both explore financial pressure, economic frustration and the appeal of making money outside conventional systems. Emily's growing involvement also reflects the risks of becoming too comfortable with criminal activity. Its contemporary setting and examination of financial inequality make it an especially relevant choice for anyone interested in the social themes behind How to Rob a Bank.
18. Point Break (1991)
Point Break follows FBI agent Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves), who goes undercover to investigate a group of surfers suspected of carrying out a series of bank robberies. Their leader, Bodhi (Patrick Swayze), introduces him to a lifestyle that gradually complicates his investigation.
The film shares How to Rob a Bank's combination of criminal crews, public personas and law enforcement investigations. Both feature unconventional criminals who operate according to their own beliefs, creating an interesting contrast with the authorities attempting to catch them. Point Break also delivers memorable action sequences and a strong cat-and-mouse dynamic. Its early 1990s setting gives it a different atmosphere, but the central conflict remains entertaining decades later.
19. Masterminds (2016)
Based on the 1997 Loomis Fargo robbery, Masterminds follows David Ghantt (Zach Galifianakis), an armoured truck driver who becomes involved in an enormous cash theft. After the robbery, the operation quickly descends into confusion as the people involved struggle to manage the consequences.
The film is a particularly good match for How to Rob a Bank because both feature criminals who turn an ambitious operation into a public spectacle of questionable decision-making. Masterminds takes a deliberately silly approach, with plenty of comedic misunderstandings and eccentric characters. It also explores the idea that an apparently simple robbery can become an absolute nightmare when the people involved are not nearly as organised as they imagine.
20. Heat (1995)
Michael Mann's Heat follows professional criminal Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) and determined detective Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino). Their paths cross as McCauley's crew carries out a series of sophisticated robberies while Hanna works tirelessly to bring them down.
Heat is a more serious and character-driven film than How to Rob a Bank, but its influence on the modern heist genre makes it essential viewing. Both films revolve around organised crews, carefully executed operations and investigators attempting to anticipate their next move. The contrast between the criminals and the authorities also creates an absorbing cat-and-mouse narrative. If you enjoy the strategic side of heist films, Heat remains one of the strongest examples of the genre.
21. The Bling Ring (2013)
Sofia Coppola's The Bling Ring follows a group of teenagers who become obsessed with celebrity culture and begin breaking into the homes of famous personalities. Their activities are driven by a desire for expensive possessions, social status and the glamorous lifestyle they see online.
This is perhaps one of the more unusual recommendations, but its connection to How to Rob a Bank is particularly relevant. Both films examine how internet culture, public image and the pursuit of attention can influence criminal behaviour. The Pack use online platforms to turn robberies into entertainment, while the characters in The Bling Ring are fascinated by the lifestyles they encounter through celebrity media. The film offers a more satirical and restrained perspective, but its exploration of fame and criminal ambition makes it a worthwhile addition.
Opinion
Honestly, How to Rob a Bank taps into something that makes heist films so enjoyable: watching a group of ambitious people attempt something outrageous while knowing that their carefully arranged plans will probably go wrong at some point. The social media angle also gives the 2026 film a distinctive identity, especially when compared with traditional robbery stories. From this list, Logan Lucky, Ocean's Eleven and Now You See Me are probably the strongest choices for viewers who want a similar balance of humour, clever planning and entertaining characters.
Meanwhile, The Town, Den of Thieves and Inside Man offer a more serious approach for anyone who prefers realistic criminal operations. What I particularly like about these recommendations is their variety. Not every robbery needs an elaborate disguise or a dramatic getaway, although having both certainly helps. Sometimes the biggest problem is simply getting everyone involved to follow the plan.
Whether you prefer sophisticated criminal masterminds, inexperienced thieves with questionable ideas or criminals who seem more interested in becoming famous than escaping the police, these 21 films offer plenty of reasons to keep your watchlist busy.
How to Rob a Bank may have brought a fresh social media twist to the heist genre, but there are plenty of other films that deliver the same combination of daring operations, unexpected complications and entertaining characters. Which of these movies would you watch first? Do you think another heist film deserves a place on this list? Share your favourites and let other viewers know what they should watch next.