The 15 Greatest Heist Disguises

Image via Complex Original

Times are tough. Just ask the guys who robbed a bank in Chicago this past weekend dressed like nuns from the Ben Affleck movie, The Town. The economy’s still in the gutter, nobody’s hiring, and cash flow is scarce. We’re not saying that you should consider such extreme measures for your own financial benefit, were just saying that some of the heist disguises used in movies are sick. We pulled together the 15 Greatest Heist Disguises ever, so pay attention, because you might just find some inspiration.

Clown

Quick Change

1990


Dir: Hoard Franklin and Bill Murray



Turns our clowns are a popular choice. In this cult-classic remake of the French film, Bill Murray has no problem robbing a bank disguised as a clown, but his escape from New York City after the job turns out not to be so easy. Hilarity ensues.

Carnival Masks

Killing Zoe

1993


Dir: Roger Avary



An American named Zed comes to Paris in search of some thrills, and things get tricky when the call girl he just boned turns out to work at the same bank he was planning on robbing. Good thing he has this twisted-looking carnival mask to conceal his identity.

Hockey Mask

Heat

1995


Dir: Michael Mann



While this classic is best known for pitting Al Pacino against Robert Deniro, this Friday the 13th-style hockey mask disguise is pretty awesome.

Painters

Inside Man

2006
Dir: Spike Lee



Clive Owen and his crew ingeniously infiltrate a bank dressed as painters who were literally invited inside. Careful who you hire.

Clear Masks

Set It Off

1996
Dir: F. Gary Gray (clear masks)



Admit it. Queen Latifah would whoop your ass. That clear mask is straight gangster.

Clowns

The Killing

1956


Dir: Stanley Kubrick



We’re not saying that The Dark Knight jacked the creepy clown masks worn by crooks in its famous opening scene from this 1956 Stanley Kubrick classic. But uh, there are some striking similarities.

Elvis

3000 Miles to Graceland

2001


Dir: Demian Lichtenstein



Is there a better way to be anonymous while robbing a casino during an Elvis convention in Vegas than to go dressed as the King himself. What could possibly go wrong?

Sonny and Cher

Fun with Dick and Jane

2005


Dir: Dean Parisot



Jim Carrey and Téa Leoni flip the script in this movie about a down-on-their-luck couple who choose a life of crime. In one scene, Carrey dresses as Cher and Leoni disguises herself as Sonny Bono to pull off a caper.

Black Suits

Reservoir Dogs

1992


Dir: Quentin Tarantino



Ok, so the diamond thieves in this movie weren’t technically in disguise, but they looked sharp enough in those iconic, black suits with the skinny ties, and along with the color code names (Mr. Brown, Mr. Pink, etc.) the matching suits served the purpose of making the men anonymous.

Moleskin Masks

Kansas City Confidential

1952


Dir: Phil Carlson



The creepy, moleskin masks worn by criminals in this 1952 armored-car-robbery movie may not be all that elaborate, but they definitely work. The robbers made off with one million dollars—which in today’s money is Scrooge McDuck-type scrill.

Cheerleaders

Sugar and Spice

2001


Dir: Francine McDougall



After she gets knocked up by her boyfriend, high school cheerleader Diane needs money fast. While watching Point Break, she becomes inspired and convinces her fellow cheerleaders to don “Betty Jane” masks in order to rob a local bank. Not brilliant, but kinda hot.

Mimes

Dead Presidents

1995


Dir: Albert Hughes



A bunch of angry, deranged Vietnam War vets decide to dress up like mimes and rob banks. It doesn’t turn out so hot for them. And Jay-Z is not on the soundtrack.

Nuns

The Town

2010


Dir: Ben Affleck



Probably the best disguises worn in this instant-classic heist movie based in Charlestown, Massachusetts are the nun costumes the guys wear when they knock over a local bank. Also, the inspiration for a few enterprising real-life
robbers.

Clowns

Dark Knight

2008


Dir: Christopher Nolan



The Joker kills off his entire crew in the opening minutes of Dark Knight in maybe the greatest bank robbing scene in cinema history—even if the masks weren’t totally original (see #10).

Ex-Presidents

Point Break

1991


Dir: Kathryn Bigelow



Probably the all-time best group of bro bank robbers in one of the greatest bro movies ever made. The ex-president getup was a comment on corruption in the government and the capitalist system—looked awesome, too.