Movies Like Once a Thief (1965)

Once a Thief is a 1965 crime, drama, thriller film from Ralph Nelson with a MovieMagicScore of 6.4/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with Odds Against Tomorrow and The Killing.

Crime Drama Thriller

Odds Against Tomorrow

1959

An old-time crook plans a heist. When one of his two partners is found out to be a black man tensions flare.

6.8

MagicScore

The Killing

1956

Career criminal Johnny Clay recruits a sharpshooter, a crooked police officer, a bartender and a betting teller named George, among others, for one last job before he goes straight and gets married. But when George tells his restless wife about the scheme to steal millions from the racetrack where he works, she hatches a plot of her own.

7.6

MagicScore

The Usual Suspects

1995

Held in an L.A. interrogation room, Verbal Kint attempts to convince the feds that a mythic crime lord, Keyser Soze, not only exists, but was also responsible for drawing him and his four partners into a multi-million dollar heist that ended with an explosion in San Pedro harbor – leaving few survivors. Verbal lures his interrogators with an incredible story of the crime lord's almost supernatural prowess.

8.2

MagicScore

Dhoom 2

2006

Jai and Ali return, this time on the trail of an international thief who steals priceless artifacts and has chosen Mumbai as his next target.

6.6

MagicScore

Son of a Gun

2014

Locked up for a minor crime, 19 year old JR quickly learns the harsh realities of prison life. Protection, if you can get it, is paramount. JR soon finds himself under the watchful eye of Australia's most notorious criminal, Brendan Lynch, but protection comes at a price.

6.4

MagicScore

Heist

2015

A father is without the means to pay for his daughter's medical treatment. As a last resort, he partners with a greedy co-worker to rob a casino. When things go awry they're forced to hijack a city bus.

6.1

MagicScore

Best Seller

1987

Hit man Cleve approaches writer/cop Dennis about a story for his next book: How Cleve made a living, working for one of the most powerful politicians in the country. To get the story right, they travel around the country to gather statements and evidence, while strong forces use any means they can to keep the story untold.

5.9

MagicScore

Armored

2009

A crew of officers at an armored transport security firm risk their lives when they embark on the ultimate heist against their own company. Armed with a seemingly fool-proof plan, the men plan on making off with a fortune with harm to none. But when an unexpected witness interferes, the plan quickly unravels and all bets are off.

5.7

MagicScore

White Heat

1949

A psychopathic criminal with a mother complex makes a daring break from prison and then leads his old gang in a chemical plant payroll heist. After the heist, events take a crazy turn.

7.6

MagicScore

#10

5 Against the House

1955

Former war-time Army buddies now students in college decide to rip off a Reno casino.

5.9

MagicScore

#11

Heat

1995

Obsessive master thief Neil McCauley leads a top-notch crew on various daring heists throughout Los Angeles while determined detective Vincent Hanna pursues him without rest. Each man recognizes and respects the ability and the dedication of the other even though they are aware their cat-and-mouse game may end in violence.

7.9

MagicScore

#12

Le Deuxième Souffle

1966

A gangster escapes jail and quickly makes plans to continue his criminal ways elsewhere, but a determined inspector is closing in.

7.6

MagicScore

#13

Stealing Raden Saleh

2022

To get his father out of prison, a master forger assembles a diverse team of specialists to steal a priceless painting.

7.5

MagicScore

#14

The Driver

1978

The Driver specializes in driving getaway cars for robberies. His exceptional talent has prevented him from being caught yet. After another successful flight from the police a self-assured detective makes it his primary goal to catch the Driver. He promises pardons to a gang if they help to convict him in a set-up robbery. The Driver seeks help from The Player to mislead the detective.

7.2

MagicScore

#15

The Getaway

1972

A recently released ex-convict and his loyal wife go on the run after a heist goes wrong.

7.1

MagicScore

#16

Crime 101

2026

When an elusive thief whose high-stakes heists unfold along the iconic 101 freeway in Los Angeles eyes the score of a lifetime, with hopes of this being his final job, his path collides with a disillusioned insurance broker who is facing her own crossroads. Determined to crack the case, a relentless detective closes in on the operation, raising the stakes even higher.

7.0

MagicScore

#17

The Aura

2005

A quiet, epileptic taxidermist plans the perfect crime. All he needs is the right opportunity. An accident, perhaps…

6.9

MagicScore

#18

Bottle Rocket

1996

Upon his release from a mental hospital following a nervous breakdown, the directionless Anthony joins his friend Dignan, who seems far less sane than the former. Dignan has hatched a harebrained scheme for an as-yet-unspecified crime spree that somehow involves his former boss, the (supposedly) legendary Mr. Henry.

6.7

MagicScore

#19

Seven Thieves

1960

A discredited professor and a sophisticated thief decide to join together and pick a team to pull off one last job--the casino vault in Monte Carlo.

6.6

MagicScore

#20

NOKAS

2010

On the 5th of April 2004, the greatest bank robbery in Norwegian history was carried out in Stavanger. The events are seen through the eyes of those who were directly involved – the bank robbers, police officers and employees of the firm. The film is based on testimonies of eye-witnesses and unfolds in the places where the attack took place.

6.2

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like Once a Thief?

The top films similar to Once a Thief by MovieMagicScore are Odds Against Tomorrow (6.8), The Killing (7.6), The Usual Suspects (8.2). Each shares crime/drama/thriller themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is Once a Thief worth watching?

Once a Thief holds a MovieMagicScore of 6.4/10 from 25 viewer ratings.

What kind of movie is Once a Thief?

Once a Thief (1965) is a crime, drama, thriller film directed by Ralph Nelson, starring Alain Delon, Ann-Margret, Van Heflin.

Where can I find more recommendations like Once a Thief?

Browse the full ranked list above, or explore more crime recommendations on MovieMagicScore, where every list is ordered by genuine viewer ratings.

Keep exploring

Movies like Odds Against Tomorrow Movies like The Killing Movies like The Usual Suspects Movies like Dhoom 2 Movies like Son of a Gun Movies like Heist

About movies like Once a Thief

This ranked list pairs Once a Thief (1965), a crime and drama and thriller film from Ralph Nelson, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Alain Delon take note). Unlike critic-driven sites, every position here is ordered by MovieMagicScore — a rating built only from real viewers, with no studio marketing or paid placement. Scores update as more people rate, so the list stays current.

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