10 Best Movies Like Den Of Thieves 1 & 2

With Den of Thieves 2 finally showing in theatres across the US, it’s the perfect time to revisit some other classics of the action genre that both inspired and were inspired by the original film. Den of Thieves follows a group of expert police officers who are assigned to dismantle a dangerous conspiracy of heists and robberies in LA, leading them to discover a plot to steal from the Federal Reserve Bank. Den of Thieves 2 marks the beginning of a potentially great year for Gerard Butler in 2025, who reprised his lead role after seven years.

Both Den of Thieves and its sequel are very intense and high-octane films that make the most of their all-star cast, delivering all the action and violence you’d expect from this style of movie. They’re some of the best movies of Gerard Butler’s action filmography, using tight storytelling and dynamic set pieces to bring these narratives to life at a breakneck pace.

10

The Commuter (2018)

Directed By Jaume Collet-Serra

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The Commuter

PG-13

Action

Thriller

Mystery

ScreenRant logo

5/10

Release Date

January 11, 2018

Runtime

104 Minutes

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Released in the same year as the original Den of Thieves, Jaume Collet-Serra’s The Commuter stars Liam Neeson as an insurance agent who finds himself caught up in a deadly murder plot after meeting a mysterious woman on the subway. The film takes place mostly over the course of one afternoon, gradually building tension as the train races along to its destination with Neeson’s protagonist working against the clock to save the day.

Gerard Butler as Big Nick standing next to O'Shea Jackson Jr as Donnie Wilson in Den of Thieves 2 Pantera

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The Commuter is an extremely tense and blood-pumping narrative, which is something it shares with Den of Thieves. It’s not only one of Jaume Collet-Serra’s best movies, but one of the most unique action movies of the past decade in general. Although its second and third acts ultimately fail to live up to the expectations set up by its unique premise, The Commuter is still a great way to immerse yourself in a thrilling story for two hours.

9

The Town (2010)

Directed By Ben Affleck

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The Town

R

Drama

Crime

Thriller

ScreenRant logo

9/10

9.4/10

Release Date

September 17, 2010

Runtime

125 minutes

Cast

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Although he’s best known for his career as an actor, Ben Affleck has directed some of the most interesting films of the past decade. From sports dramas like Air to Oscar-winning thrillers like Argo, his filmography is filled with great movies- and The Town is one of the best. An intense heist movie about a group of criminals who kidnap a bank manager, the film quickly becomes something much more complex when the gang’s leader develops feelings for their hostage.

From fast-paced shootouts to adrenaline-infused car chases, there’s barely a moment of respite from this high-octane narrative.

While The Town has some messy storytelling and a lengthy runtime that often overstays its welcome, the film shines thanks to its dynamic visuals and unforgettable action sequences. From fast-paced shootouts to adrenaline-infused car chases, there’s barely a moment of respite from this high-octane narrative. The Town is often trending on streaming and makes for a perfect companion piece to Den of Thieves.

8

Wrath Of Man (2021)

Directed By Guy Ritchie

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Wrath of Man

R

Thriller

Action

Crime

ScreenRant logo

7/10

Release Date

May 7, 2021

Runtime

119 Minutes

Cast

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Although Wrath of Man has a much smaller scale than most other movies within its genre, that’s exactly what makes it so compelling. The story follows a mysterious driver named H who uses his combat and technological skills to neutralize robbers and prevent dangerous attacks – but his mission soon becomes personal when his family is dragged into his latest undertaking.

Wrath Of Man marked the fourth collaboration between Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham.

With Jason Statham in the lead role and Guy Ritchie behind the camera, it’s really no surprise that Wrath of Man was such an instant hit. The action is memorable, the writing is sharp and witty, and the narrative is written in such a way that it gradually reveals the truth as the film progresses, keeping the audience at a distance until the perfect moment to pull them into the story. Nobody writes or directs action like Ritchie, and Wrath of Man is just further proof.

7

Ambulance (2022)

Directed By Michael Bay

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Ambulance

R

Drama

Crime

Action

ScreenRant logo

6/10

Release Date

April 8, 2022

Runtime

136 minutes

Cast

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    Cedric Sanders

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    Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

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Another film that went criminally under the radar upon its release in 2022, Michael Bay’s Ambulance is one of the most inventive and creative action movies in recent memory. The movie follows a group of unlucky robbers whose dangerous heist goes wrong, forcing them to hijack an ambulance and escape the law enforcement that’s prowling the streets for them. Ambulance is filled with Michael Bay’s directorial trademarks, from fluid camera movements to melodramatic dialogue that really establishes the stakes of this story.

Ambulance pushes the boundaries of action filmmaking similarly to Den of Thieves, with extended car chases and drone shots that make everything feel truly continuous and non-stop. It’s also filled with hugely entertaining performances from Eiza Gonzalez, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Yahya Abdul Mateen II, among several other recognizable faces.

6

The Equalizer (2014)

Directed By Antoine Fuqua

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The Equalizer

R

Thriller

Action

Crime

11

9.4/10

Release Date

September 24, 2014

Runtime

132 Minutes

Cast

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    Denzel Washington

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In the years since its release, The Equalizer has developed a reputation as one of the most popular action franchises that deliver violent, captivating stories. While the first installment is far from perfect, its story is arguably the most engaging and inventive of the whole trilogy – and it pushed this genre forward in a way that its sequels didn’t quite manage.

Donnie from Den of Thieves 2 and Merrimen from Den of Thieves

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The story of The Equalizer centers around Denzel Washington’s retired-from-violence protagonist Robert McCall, whose old life comes crawling back to him when he sees a young girl being controlled by violent gangsters. Unlike Den of Thieves, it’s a story about the power of justice and compassion in a world of violence; yet despite their opposing themes, the movies have a very similar filmmaking style that’s endlessly fun to watch. Fuqua is such a fluid director whose writing is just as sharp as his visuals, and that’s something that’s never been clearer than in The Equalizer.

5

Inside Man (2006)

Directed By Spike Lee

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Inside Man

R

Thriller

Drama

Crime

Mystery

9.3/10

Release Date

March 24, 2006

Runtime

129 minutes

Cast

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    Denzel Washington

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While Spike Lee isn’t typically known for his action movies, with social dramas like Do The Right Thing and Malcolm X standing out within his filmography, Inside Man is a brilliant example of the director’s ability to try out new genres and create something totally singular. Much like Den of Thieves, the film is an extremely lively and audacious thriller that’s filled with memorable set pieces and action scenes.

Inside Man follows Denzel Washington as a police detective named Keith Frazier, who is forced to negotiate a volatile hostage situation during a high-profile bank robbery. It’s filled with tension from start to finish, never giving the audience any clues about what’s going to happen until it’s too late. Denzel Washington and Spike Lee have collaborated numerous times, but this may be their best.

4

Sicario (2015)

Directed By Denis Villeneuve

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Sicario

R

Action

Crime

Thriller

ScreenRant logo

9/10

18

9.1/10

Release Date

September 17, 2015

Runtime

122 minutes

Cast

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    Benicio Del Toro

    Alejandro Gillick

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    Emily Blunt

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Denis Villeneuve isn’t particularly well-known for operating exclusively within the action genre, but his 2015 movie Sicario proves that he’s just as comfortable here as anywhere else, even though the film is not just pure action. It centers around a group of FBI Agents who are placed on the southern border to track down a notorious drug lord and cease their operations with the US. It’s an extremely tense and timely story that takes plenty of twists and turns throughout.

Denis Villeneuve’s Most Recent Movies

Release Year

Dune: Part Two

2024

Dune

2021

Blade Runner 2049

2017

Arrival

2016

Sicario

2015

Enemy

2013

The most exciting part of Sicario is the speed with which Villeneuve drives through this story; every moment feels earned and valuable, but it’s hard to take in the severity of the situation because it’s moving so fast. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though – it keeps the audience disoriented and confused just like the characters, and the story unravels around them and beyond their control. More than just an action movie, Sicario is one of Denis Villeneuve​​​​​​’s best movies.

3

Collateral (2004)

Directed By Michael Mann

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Collateral

R

Crime

Documentary

Drama

Thriller

ScreenRant logo

10/10

15

9/10

Release Date

August 6, 2004

Runtime

120 minutes

Cast

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    Tom Cruise

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As great as Den of Thieves is, it’s fair to say that it simply wouldn’t exist without Michael Mann’s works coming first. Traces of influence from Mann’s filmography can be found all throughout Gerard Butler’s iconic action movie, from the witty dialogue between characters to the high-stakes action that drives the narrative forward. These are also traits to be found in Collateral, which remains one of Michael Mann’s best movies.

The story of Collateral follows a mundane taxi driver whose life turns upside-down when his next client reveals himself to be a professional assassin, forcing the driver to deliver him to his next target and making him complicit in the crime. From there, a deadly chase ensues between Tom Cruise’s hitman and Jamie Foxx’s taxi driver, who follow each other through webs of crime and conspiracy in the gritty underworld of Los Angeles.

2

Hell Or High Water (2016)

Directed By David Mackenzie

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Hell or High Water

R

Crime

Documentary

Drama

Thriller

Western

ScreenRant logo

8/10

10

9.1/10

Release Date

August 12, 2016

Runtime

97minutes

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Gil Birmingham

    Gil Birmingham

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    Kristin Berg

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Hell or High Water is a very different kind of heist movie, blending the action and Western genres in a way that’s rarely done successfully in today’s cinematic climate. The story follows two brothers who rob banks to pay off their towering debts, but their criminal histories prove problematic when the law gets on their tail.

What’s so brilliant about Hell or High Water, beyond the captivating performances and striking cinematography, is David Mackenzie’s ability to effortlessly walk the line between high-stakes action spectacle and intimate family drama. The loving dynamic between these brothers is what really makes the film shine, the action and the intense moments are just as important. Ben Foster stands out among this excellent ensemble with one of his most vulnerable, empathetic performances to date.

1

Heat (1995)

Directed By Michael Mann

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Heat

R

Action

Crime

Documentary

Drama

Thriller

ScreenRant logo

10/10

9/10

Release Date

December 15, 1995

Runtime

170 minutes

Cast

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    Al Pacino

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    Robert De Niro

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Another of Michael Mann’s classics, Heat is essentially the blueprint for everything that follows in Den of Thieves. The movie follows a professional thief who attempts to pull off one more heist before his retirement, but his scent is soon caught by an ambitious detective looking to bring down the notorious criminal. Robert De Niro and Al Pacino’s two leads undergo an intricate game of cat-and-mouse as the narrative unfolds in the most exciting ways imaginable.

From the gritty visuals to the complex narrative subplots, the countless similarities between Heat and Den of Thieves give the latter a much-needed sense of nostalgia in the modern day. Nobody films action movies quite like Michael Mann, and his influence is felt all over Den of Thieves. Incidentally, Heat 2 is happening, and whether it will revitalize the action genre once more remains to be seen.

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Den of Thieves

R

Action

Crime

Drama

Mystery

Thriller

21

8.2/10

Release Date

January 18, 2018

Runtime

140minutes

Cast

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    Evan Jones

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