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Con artist movies

Charming liars, clever schemes and the question of who conned whom.

The con artist is crime cinema’s most charming lead — no break-ins, just persuasion. These are films about grifters who sell thin air, forge identities and run long cons in which the audience ends up among the marks. Breezy caper comedies sit next to true stories of some of the biggest frauds on record.

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Poster for “Focus”

Focus

2015IMDb 6.6
Poster for “Gambit”

Gambit

1966IMDb 7.1
Poster for “Heist”

Heist

2001IMDb 6.5

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Frequently asked

What are the best con artist movies?
The ones that con the viewer too: until the final scene you cannot tell who is on whose side. Watch closely — the details in the first few minutes are almost always part of the scheme.
How is a con movie different from a heist movie?
A heist takes by force and technique; a con takes by trust — the victim hands over the money and says thank you. For the crew-and-vault kind, see Heist movies.

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