A gold heist at Pearson airport inspires this list of top heist movies to watch this weekend

The mystery of how a $20-million gold heist unfolded at Toronto Pearson Airport this week is reminiscent of a movie plot that cinephiles would flock to see in theatres — or on their favourite streaming platforms.

Until police and investigators crack the case, here are some of the most popular heist movies to tide you over.

The Bling Ring (2013)

Inspired by a true story, “The Bling Ring” follows a group of teens in California who use their internet stalking skills to track celebrities’ locations. More than merely curious about what the stars are up to, the teens (played by Emma Watson, Katie Chang and others) use the locations to burgle the celebs’ homes.

Stealing roughly $3 million in handbags, jewelry, cash and cars from celebrities like Lindsay Lohan, Orlando Bloom and Paris Hilton, the real-life teens were arrested in 2010 and convicted of their crimes. They have since developed careers ranging from personal trainers to screenplay writers.

Tower Heist (2011)

Cheated out of their pensions by their boss at a Manhattan condo, workers in “Tower Heist” enlist some help to break into his apartment and steal back their money.

Starring Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Casey Affleck, Alan Alda and Matthew Broderick, “Tower Heist” is equal parts heist and comedy, and features a surprise car made of solid-gold parts and worth about $45 million.

Ocean’s (1960-2018)

Ocean’s, one of the most famous series of heist films, released its first “Ocean’s 11” in 1960 starring the famed Rat Pack. The remake and newer movies were released throughout the 2000s and feature George Clooney (Danny Ocean), Matt Damon (Linus Caldwell) and Brad Pitt (Rusty Ryan).

Most of the plots feature elaborate schemes in casinos, while “Ocean’s 8” (2018) has a female-led ensemble cast that sees the characters plan and execute a heist at the Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

The Italian Job (2003)

A movie that inspired a roller-coaster ride at Canada’s Wonderland — Backlot Stunt Coaster — “The Italian Job” (2003) follows the story of John Bridger (Donald Sutherland) and Charlie Croker (Mark Wahlberg) as they and their team plan to steal $35 million in gold bars from a safe in Venice.

After the heist, one team member (Edward Norton) plots to take the gold for himself, and returns to Los Angeles with it in hand.

What follows next is a plot of revenge by the other team members through the streets and subway system of Los Angeles — along with explosives and hacking.

Drive (2011)

“Drive,” an action-drama based on James Sallis’s 2005 novel of the same name, stars Ryan Gosling as an unnamed stunt driver by day — and a getaway car driver by night — in Hollywood.

After falling in love with his neighbour (Carey Mulligan), the unnamed man and his neighbour’s husband plot a million-dollar heist and unleash uncertainty and violence on all.

While incredibly stylized for an action and crime film, it also features a moody soundtrack with the Chromatics, Cliff Martinez and Kavinsky.

Heat (1995)

Like “The Bling Ring,” the true story that inspired “Heat” is also based in California. But instead of celebrity stalking and robbing, it follows a LAPD detective (Al Pacino) and a serial criminal (Robert De Niro) who is planning his last heist.

Among the chaos, details of their personal lives emerge and mutual understanding evolves.

What movies has the Star missed? Let us know in the comments.

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