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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.
Quick Change
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.
Killing Zoe
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.
Heat
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.
Inside Man
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.
Set It Off
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.
The Killing
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.
3000 Miles
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?
Dick
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.
Reservoir Dogs
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.
Kansas City
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.
Sugar and Spice
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.
Dead Presidents
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.
Dark Knight
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).
Point Break
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.
