Updated on Jul 14, 2023

8 TV Shows Centered Around Heists That Are A Must Watch

Criminals are the heroes of their own story.

by Shamindri De Sayrah

Community Contributor

BuzzFeed Community Team

Approved and edited by BuzzFeed Community Team

I guess you could call this one a heist in reverse since, technically, Prison Break sees us watching more break-outs than heists. Due to a political conspiracy, an innocent man is sent to death row, and his only hope is his brother Michael, an engineer, who makes it his mission to deliberately get himself sent to the same prison in order to break the both of them out from the inside.

We get to see the wild amount of planning and ingenuity that goes into orchestrating one of his escapes. I mean, tattooing a map onto your body — that was some of the best writing on TV. Michael Scofield breaks out of numerous prisons throughout the course of the series and the accompanying movie. And in Season 4, we get to see that genius brain of his put to use for a well-crafted heist. — Fox / Via youtube.com

I guess you could call this one a heist in reverse since, technically, Prison Break sees us watching more break-outs than heists. Due to a political conspiracy, an innocent man is sent to death row, and his only hope is his brother Michael, an engineer, who makes it his mission to deliberately get himself sent to the same prison in order to break the both of them out from the inside.

We get to see the wild amount of planning and ingenuity that goes into orchestrating one of his escapes. I mean, tattooing a map onto your body — that was some of the best writing on TV. Michael Scofield breaks out of numerous prisons throughout the course of the series and the accompanying movie. And in Season 4, we get to see that genius brain of his put to use for a well-crafted heist.

Fox / Via youtube.com

I guess you could call this one a heist in reverse since, technically, Prison Break sees us watching more break-outs than heists. Due to a political conspiracy, an innocent man is sent to death row, and his only hope is his brother Michael, an engineer, who makes it his mission to deliberately get himself sent to the same prison in order to break the both of them out from the inside.

We get to see the wild amount of planning and ingenuity that goes into orchestrating one of his escapes. I mean, tattooing a map onto your body — that was some of the best writing on TV. Michael Scofield breaks out of numerous prisons throughout the course of the series and the accompanying movie. And in Season 4, we get to see that genius brain of his put to use for a well-crafted heist.

Money, drugs, alcohol, sex, heists, and family — that about sums up the Cody family. The series centers on 17-year-old Joshua "J" Cody, who moves in with his freewheeling relatives in their Southern California beach town after his mother succumbs to an overdose. Headed by boot-tough matriarch Janine "Smurf" Cody and her right-hand Baz, who runs the business and calls the shots, the clan also consists of Pope, the oldest and most dangerous of the Cody boys; Craig, the tough and fearless middle son; and Deran, the troubled, suspicious "baby" of the family. J soon realizes their excessive lifestyle is fueled by their criminal activities.

Throughout the series, we get to see a number of different well-planned heists, and for the Codys, a heist is just another day for them. There are turf wars, romantic entanglements, power struggles, cancer, murders, and even arrests. But at the very heart of the show is family. — TNT / Via youtube.com

Money, drugs, alcohol, sex, heists, and family — that about sums up the Cody family. The series centers on 17-year-old Joshua "J" Cody, who moves in with his freewheeling relatives in their Southern California beach town after his mother succumbs to an overdose. Headed by boot-tough matriarch Janine "Smurf" Cody and her right-hand Baz, who runs the business and calls the shots, the clan also consists of Pope, the oldest and most dangerous of the Cody boys; Craig, the tough and fearless middle son; and Deran, the troubled, suspicious "baby" of the family. J soon realizes their excessive lifestyle is fueled by their criminal activities.

Throughout the series, we get to see a number of different well-planned heists, and for the Codys, a heist is just another day for them. There are turf wars, romantic entanglements, power struggles, cancer, murders, and even arrests. But at the very heart of the show is family.

TNT / Via youtube.com

Money, drugs, alcohol, sex, heists, and family — that about sums up the Cody family. The series centers on 17-year-old Joshua "J" Cody, who moves in with his freewheeling relatives in their Southern California beach town after his mother succumbs to an overdose. Headed by boot-tough matriarch Janine "Smurf" Cody and her right-hand Baz, who runs the business and calls the shots, the clan also consists of Pope, the oldest and most dangerous of the Cody boys; Craig, the tough and fearless middle son; and Deran, the troubled, suspicious "baby" of the family. J soon realizes their excessive lifestyle is fueled by their criminal activities.

Throughout the series, we get to see a number of different well-planned heists, and for the Codys, a heist is just another day for them. There are turf wars, romantic entanglements, power struggles, cancer, murders, and even arrests. But at the very heart of the show is family.

This captivating series will have you hooked from the very first episode. Netflix’s French crime drama Lupin is inspired by the adventures of Arsène Lupin. Gentleman thief Assane Diop sets out to avenge his father for an injustice inflicted by a wealthy family. He uses his skills, intelligence, and charisma to orchestrate a robbery against the man who wronged his father 25 years ago. You can't help but root for the thief in this case, even as he pushes his agenda further and further. — Netflix / Via youtube.com

This captivating series will have you hooked from the very first episode. Netflix’s French crime drama Lupin is inspired by the adventures of Arsène Lupin. Gentleman thief Assane Diop sets out to avenge his father for an injustice inflicted by a wealthy family. He uses his skills, intelligence, and charisma to orchestrate a robbery against the man who wronged his father 25 years ago. You can't help but root for the thief in this case, even as he pushes his agenda further and further.

Netflix / Via youtube.com

This captivating series will have you hooked from the very first episode. Netflix’s French crime drama Lupin is inspired by the adventures of Arsène Lupin. Gentleman thief Assane Diop sets out to avenge his father for an injustice inflicted by a wealthy family. He uses his skills, intelligence, and charisma to orchestrate a robbery against the man who wronged his father 25 years ago. You can't help but root for the thief in this case, even as he pushes his agenda further and further.

Snatch was one of the most entertaining heist shows on TV, perfectly blending elements of comedy into the crime drama as well. The story follows a group of up-and-coming hustlers who stumble upon a truckload of stolen gold bullion and are suddenly thrust into the high-stakes world of organized crime. The show deals out a lot in its two seasons: jewels, underground boxing, crooked politicians, turf wars, and much more. Not to mention gorgeous British accents. Short-lived but still very satisfying, the story along with the ensemble of characters made these two seasons memorable. — Crackle / Via youtube.com

Snatch was one of the most entertaining heist shows on TV, perfectly blending elements of comedy into the crime drama as well. The story follows a group of up-and-coming hustlers who stumble upon a truckload of stolen gold bullion and are suddenly thrust into the high-stakes world of organized crime. The show deals out a lot in its two seasons: jewels, underground boxing, crooked politicians, turf wars, and much more. Not to mention gorgeous British accents. Short-lived but still very satisfying, the story along with the ensemble of characters made these two seasons memorable.

Crackle / Via youtube.com

Snatch was one of the most entertaining heist shows on TV, perfectly blending elements of comedy into the crime drama as well. The story follows a group of up-and-coming hustlers who stumble upon a truckload of stolen gold bullion and are suddenly thrust into the high-stakes world of organized crime. The show deals out a lot in its two seasons: jewels, underground boxing, crooked politicians, turf wars, and much more. Not to mention gorgeous British accents. Short-lived but still very satisfying, the story along with the ensemble of characters made these two seasons memorable.

The Spanish TV series Money Heist (La Casa de Papel) first aired on Netflix in 2017. Since then, the show has become an international hit. This crime drama follows a criminal mastermind who goes by "The Professor" who has a plan to pull off the biggest heist in recorded history — which is to print billions of euros in the Royal Mint of Spain. To help him carry out the ambitious plan, he recruits eight people with certain abilities who have nothing to lose. The group of thieves takes hostages to aid in their negotiations with the authorities, who are strategizing a way to capture The Professor. As more time elapses, the robbers prepare for a showdown with the police.
The show allows us to see every intricate detail of the plan and get to know the characters better using flashbacks, while the heist takes place in real time. Season two sees the group reunited, but this time their goal is to use a heist on the Bank of Spain in order to save one of their own. — Netflix / Via youtube.com

The Spanish TV series Money Heist (La Casa de Papel) first aired on Netflix in 2017. Since then, the show has become an international hit. This crime drama follows a criminal mastermind who goes by "The Professor" who has a plan to pull off the biggest heist in recorded history — which is to print billions of euros in the Royal Mint of Spain. To help him carry out the ambitious plan, he recruits eight people with certain abilities who have nothing to lose. The group of thieves takes hostages to aid in their negotiations with the authorities, who are strategizing a way to capture The Professor. As more time elapses, the robbers prepare for a showdown with the police.
The show allows us to see every intricate detail of the plan and get to know the characters better using flashbacks, while the heist takes place in real time. Season two sees the group reunited, but this time their goal is to use a heist on the Bank of Spain in order to save one of their own.

Netflix / Via youtube.com

The Spanish TV series Money Heist (La Casa de Papel) first aired on Netflix in 2017. Since then, the show has become an international hit. This crime drama follows a criminal mastermind who goes by "The Professor" who has a plan to pull off the biggest heist in recorded history — which is to print billions of euros in the Royal Mint of Spain. To help him carry out the ambitious plan, he recruits eight people with certain abilities who have nothing to lose. The group of thieves takes hostages to aid in their negotiations with the authorities, who are strategizing a way to capture The Professor. As more time elapses, the robbers prepare for a showdown with the police.
The show allows us to see every intricate detail of the plan and get to know the characters better using flashbacks, while the heist takes place in real time. Season two sees the group reunited, but this time their goal is to use a heist on the Bank of Spain in order to save one of their own.

If you're looking for something a little more comedic and lighthearted, then meet Good Girls. When sisters Beth and Annie and their best friend Ruby become fed up with playing by the rules and not getting the respect they deserve, they band together to take control of their lives... by holding up a local grocery store. Beth's the perfect wife and mother, but her used-car-dealing, cheating husband has sent her family into financial ruin; Ruby is happily married to a policeman but can't afford the medical bills and experimental drugs to help her daughter; and Annie, a single mom, is caught in a nasty custody battle with her ex. In desperate need of money, the women plan the heist, expecting to ease their financial burdens. But new to the game of crime, they get pulled in deeper than they ever imagined, and the only way out of this will be together.

Even though this show's heists are a little less detailed than the others on this list, this crime comedy well earns its place on this list, following the three women and their hilarious escapades in the world of crime while also watching them navigate their lives at home. — NBC / Via youtube.com

If you're looking for something a little more comedic and lighthearted, then meet Good Girls. When sisters Beth and Annie and their best friend Ruby become fed up with playing by the rules and not getting the respect they deserve, they band together to take control of their lives... by holding up a local grocery store. Beth's the perfect wife and mother, but her used-car-dealing, cheating husband has sent her family into financial ruin; Ruby is happily married to a policeman but can't afford the medical bills and experimental drugs to help her daughter; and Annie, a single mom, is caught in a nasty custody battle with her ex. In desperate need of money, the women plan the heist, expecting to ease their financial burdens. But new to the game of crime, they get pulled in deeper than they ever imagined, and the only way out of this will be together.

Even though this show's heists are a little less detailed than the others on this list, this crime comedy well earns its place on this list, following the three women and their hilarious escapades in the world of crime while also watching them navigate their lives at home.

NBC / Via youtube.com

If you're looking for something a little more comedic and lighthearted, then meet Good Girls. When sisters Beth and Annie and their best friend Ruby become fed up with playing by the rules and not getting the respect they deserve, they band together to take control of their lives... by holding up a local grocery store. Beth's the perfect wife and mother, but her used-car-dealing, cheating husband has sent her family into financial ruin; Ruby is happily married to a policeman but can't afford the medical bills and experimental drugs to help her daughter; and Annie, a single mom, is caught in a nasty custody battle with her ex. In desperate need of money, the women plan the heist, expecting to ease their financial burdens. But new to the game of crime, they get pulled in deeper than they ever imagined, and the only way out of this will be together.

Even though this show's heists are a little less detailed than the others on this list, this crime comedy well earns its place on this list, following the three women and their hilarious escapades in the world of crime while also watching them navigate their lives at home.

This British crime drama follows the story of a motley group of London con artists who pull off a series of daring and intricate stings. These elite con artists pull off a complicated scam with several twists each week. Mickey is the group's leader and comes up with the plans. Albert is a veteran con man who, in his later years, is a "roper," searching out suitable victims and introducing them to his cohorts. Ash comes up with all the locations and equipment needed for the cons. Stacie steps in whenever she needs to use her feminine wiles. The group is rounded off by Danny, a young amateur grifter who Mickey takes under his wing.
Using their different strengths, the crew goes after immoral and dishonest people. Once again, through the show's storytelling, you begin to feel sympathy for the characters, despite their being con men who follow a strong moral code. The show has a style of storytelling that is similar to Lupin. — BBC One / Via youtube.com

This British crime drama follows the story of a motley group of London con artists who pull off a series of daring and intricate stings. These elite con artists pull off a complicated scam with several twists each week. Mickey is the group's leader and comes up with the plans. Albert is a veteran con man who, in his later years, is a "roper," searching out suitable victims and introducing them to his cohorts. Ash comes up with all the locations and equipment needed for the cons. Stacie steps in whenever she needs to use her feminine wiles. The group is rounded off by Danny, a young amateur grifter who Mickey takes under his wing.
Using their different strengths, the crew goes after immoral and dishonest people. Once again, through the show's storytelling, you begin to feel sympathy for the characters, despite their being con men who follow a strong moral code. The show has a style of storytelling that is similar to Lupin.

BBC One / Via youtube.com

This British crime drama follows the story of a motley group of London con artists who pull off a series of daring and intricate stings. These elite con artists pull off a complicated scam with several twists each week. Mickey is the group's leader and comes up with the plans. Albert is a veteran con man who, in his later years, is a "roper," searching out suitable victims and introducing them to his cohorts. Ash comes up with all the locations and equipment needed for the cons. Stacie steps in whenever she needs to use her feminine wiles. The group is rounded off by Danny, a young amateur grifter who Mickey takes under his wing.
Using their different strengths, the crew goes after immoral and dishonest people. Once again, through the show's storytelling, you begin to feel sympathy for the characters, despite their being con men who follow a strong moral code. The show has a style of storytelling that is similar to Lupin.

Leverage was an action crime drama that followed a five-person team: a thief, a grifter, a hacker, and a retrieval specialist, led by former insurance investigator Nathan Ford, who used the group's skills to carry out heists to fight corporate and governmental injustices inflicted on ordinary citizens. They operate under the banner of Leverage Consulting & Associates, and their specialty is conning powerful groups and individuals. The series brings us many different schemes and plans throughout the show, all of which are masterfully planned. The underlying motive at the heart of the series is that the group continues to fight injustice, no matter the cost. — TNT / Via youtube.com

Leverage was an action crime drama that followed a five-person team: a thief, a grifter, a hacker, and a retrieval specialist, led by former insurance investigator Nathan Ford, who used the group's skills to carry out heists to fight corporate and governmental injustices inflicted on ordinary citizens. They operate under the banner of Leverage Consulting & Associates, and their specialty is conning powerful groups and individuals. The series brings us many different schemes and plans throughout the show, all of which are masterfully planned. The underlying motive at the heart of the series is that the group continues to fight injustice, no matter the cost.

TNT / Via youtube.com

Leverage was an action crime drama that followed a five-person team: a thief, a grifter, a hacker, and a retrieval specialist, led by former insurance investigator Nathan Ford, who used the group's skills to carry out heists to fight corporate and governmental injustices inflicted on ordinary citizens. They operate under the banner of Leverage Consulting & Associates, and their specialty is conning powerful groups and individuals. The series brings us many different schemes and plans throughout the show, all of which are masterfully planned. The underlying motive at the heart of the series is that the group continues to fight injustice, no matter the cost.

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