Monday Morning Maybe

Add your email and we'll match picks to the services you stream at home.

Poster for Thief

Thief

Seen it?

1981 | 123 min | Crime, Thriller, Drama

Saturday Special

Why it’s a Saturday Special

Critics loved it (94% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it's still drawing plenty of interest. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for crime-drama fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Sexy Beast or The Outfit, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Tense, dark and gritty.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 3 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated R: expect violence.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Frank is an expert professional safecracker, specialized in high-profile diamond heists. He plans to use his ill-gotten income to retire from crime and build a nice life for himself complete with a home, wife and kids. To accelerate the process, he signs on with a top gangster for a big score.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 78 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.2 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No real honors on record. Nominated for 1 Razzie, the "worst of the year" awards. Razzies don't count toward the rating.

  • Box office & staying powerSolid

    $11 million worldwide on a $6 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 326K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

More like this

Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks

Cast & crew

Directed by Michael Mann

  • James CaanFrank
  • Tuesday WeldJessie
  • Robert ProskyLeo Alderman
  • Willie NelsonDavid 'Okla' Bertinneau
  • Jim BelushiBarry Stratagakis
  • Tom SignorelliVincent Attaglia
  • Dennis FarinaCarl
  • Nick NickeasNick
  • W.R. BrownMitch Kanoff
  • Norm TobinGuido