After the success of The Wolf of Wall Street, Margot Robbie made waves on the big screen. Two years later, when she starred in Focus with Will Smith, it became one of her best performances early on, next to Naomi. If Focus took your fancy, I’ve collated ten movies that are like it.
Smith and Robbie were electric and had incredible chemistry to pull off the heists in this film. In the midst of veteran con man Nicky’s latest scheme, a woman from his past – now accomplished femme fatale — shows up and throws his plans for a loop.
Smith and Robbie would go on to work together again in Suicide Squad, and the pair continued to have that chemistry to make their characters the most likable in the film. When it comes to con movies, you need to have a great duo leading the film to hold the attention of the viewers.
The films on the list below all have well-written cons and great performances from each cast member. Executing the perfect heist is important because it depends on how intricate the story is and how the directors can deceive their audience. It can never be predictable, and the films below are full of surprises.
Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
From director Steven Soderbergh comes a heist film for the ages. The original Ocean’s Eleven (1960) had a wonderful cast known as the Rat Pack. They were all notable faces back in the 60s, and for a remake, they needed the best actors for this remake. George Clooney, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Brad Pitt, and Julia Roberts are excellent in this film. The banter between all of them was entertaining as Danny Ocean (Clooney) and his ten accomplices plan to rob three Las Vegas casinos simultaneously.
Ocean’s Eight (2018)
Cut to seventeen years later, director Gary Ross delivered a different heist film that was female-centric. Danny Ocean’s sister, Debbie (Sandra Bullock), gathers her crew to attempt an impossible heist at New York City’s annual Met Gala. The location was genius because it was an opportunity for all of these women to perform the ultimate con while looking fabulous. Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, and Rihanna round out the star-studded cast.
Now You See Me (2013)
Co-writers Ed Solomon, Boaz Yakin, and Edward Ricourt bring together magic tricks and the ultimate con to make one of the most surprising films of 2013. An FBI agent and an Interpol Detective track a team of illusionists who pull off bank heists during their performances and reward their audiences with money. It’s a unique film because it brings in magic, which is the surface-level con that people make fun of.
Ant-Man (2015)
Why is Ant-Man on this list if it’s a Marvel movie? Well, the beauty of this film is that it’s a heist film wrapped inside of a Marvel movie. Armed with a super-suit with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, cat burglar Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), pull off a plan that will save the world.
The Sting (1973)
The Sting won Best Picture at the Academy Awards in 1973. This film stars the dynamic duo of Paul Newman and Robert Redford as two grifters who team up to pull off the ultimate con. The dup of Newman and Redford can make any movie 10x better. The way they bounce off of each other and have such a natural screen presence that any audience member would be on board with what they’re doing, even conning people.
The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)
Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo star in this romance thriller directed by John McTiernan. A very rich and successful playboy (Pierce Brosnan) amuses himself by stealing artwork but may have met his match in a seductive detective (Rene Russo). Brosnan was at his peak after starring as James Bond in the 90s and this was near the end of his run. He was the most popular actor and stole the hearts of many.
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
From director Steven Spielberg comes a crime thriller based on a true story. Barely 21 yet, Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a skilled forger who has passed as a doctor, lawyer, and pilot. FBI agent Carl (Tom Hanks) becomes obsessed with tracking down the con man, who only revels in the pursuit. DiCaprio and Hanks had a great back and forth and to find out that Frank Abagnale Jr. actually did what he did was shocking to watch.
Tower Heist (2011)
In this comedy, Eddie Murphy, Ben Stiller, and Matthew Broderick all find out that they’ve fallen victim to their wealthy employer’s Ponzi scheme, they conspire to rob his high-rise residence. Surprisingly, this mix of actors worked well together and delivered some great laughs. It’s a film from the 2010s that you can’t believe was even made because of who they cast in it.
Rounders (1998)
Poker games can get spicy, and Rounders shows just how intense the game can get. A young, reformed gambler must return to playing high-stakes poker to help a friend pay off loan sharks while balancing his relationship with his girlfriend and his commitments to law school. Matt Damon and Ed Norton star in this wildly entertaining drama that will make you want to pick up a deck of cards and start practicing.
The Italian Job (2003)
The original film starring Michael Caine was released in 1969 when the minicoopers came on the scene. Sixteen classic Minis were used in the original rendition of the movie. The remake in 2003 was surprisingly true to the original and reintroduced the story to new audiences. After being betrayed and left for dead in Italy, Charlie Croker (Mark Wahlberg) and his team plan an elaborate gold heist against their former ally.
Do you have any other recommendations for movies like Focus? Let us know in the comments.
