9 Best Con Artist Movies Like The Hustle

Con Artist Movies Like The Hustle

“The Hustle” stands out as a renowned movie celebrated for its comedic narrative featuring two astute con artists. Audiences gravitate toward it due to its abundant humor, shrewd stratagems, and captivating characters.

The film’s immense popularity can be attributed to several compelling factors. Firstly, it unfolds a distinctive storyline wherein two cunning individuals employ their wits to outmaneuver affluent targets, sustaining a riveting narrative.

Secondly, it spotlights formidable and ingenious female protagonists, subverting conventional gender roles and resonating with diverse viewers. Furthermore, “The Hustle” garners acclaim for its sharp, amusing dialogues that induce laughter and sustained engagement. The movie’s capacity for plot twists keeps audiences on tenterhooks, enhancing its allure.

Additionally, it boasts visually striking settings and elegant attire, enhancing its aesthetic appeal. “The Hustle” addresses universal themes, rendering it accessible to a broad spectrum of viewers.

Notably, the film features a talented ensemble cast whose chemistry heightens the overall viewing experience, leaving audiences entertained and uplifted.

Supplementary details regarding “The Hustle” encompass multiple adaptations and iterations, with distinct actresses assuming the lead roles in varying versions. Drawing inspiration from classic con artist movies, the film infuses a contemporary twist into the genre.

While critics’ opinions diverge, the movie consistently garners favor with audiences, evident in its box office triumphs, underlining its extensive popularity and commercial success.

If you enjoyed “The Hustle” and are looking for similar movies with clever cons, humor, and intriguing plots, here are nine films you might like:

  1. “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” (1988) – This classic comedy features two con artists, played by Steve Martin and Michael Caine, competing to swindle a wealthy heiress.
  2. “Matchstick Men” (2003) – Starring Nicolas Cage and Sam Rockwell, this film follows the lives of two con artists and the unexpected changes they face.
  3. “Ocean’s Eleven” (2001) – A group of talented thieves, led by George Clooney and Brad Pitt, plan an elaborate heist in this stylish caper film.
  4. “The Italian Job” (2003) – Featuring Mark Wahlberg and Charlize Theron, this movie revolves around a group of thieves seeking revenge through an elaborate gold heist.
  5. “American Hustle” (2013) – Set in the 1970s, this film showcases a brilliant cast, including Christian Bale, Amy Adams, and Jennifer Lawrence, as they navigate a world of con artists and FBI agents.
  6. “Focus” (2015) – Will Smith and Margot Robbie star in this movie about a veteran con artist who takes a young woman under his wing, leading to complex twists and turns.
  7. “The Brothers Bloom” (2008) – Two con artist brothers, played by Adrien Brody and Mark Ruffalo, orchestrate one last elaborate con job with a mysterious heiress.
  8. “Now You See Me” (2013) – A group of illusionists, including Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson, pull off bank heists during their performances, keeping both the FBI and the audience guessing.
  9. “The Thomas Crown Affair” (1999) – A remake of the classic film, this stars Pierce Brosnan as a wealthy businessman who masterminds a heist and René Russo as the investigator determined to catch him.

These movies offer a mix of cons, humor, and engaging storytelling, making them enjoyable for fans of “The Hustle.”

1. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)

This funny movie is about two guys who trick rich ladies for a living. They’re Freddy Benson (Steve Martin) and Lawrence Jamieson (Michael Caine). But when they meet a young American woman, Janet Colgate (Glenne Headly), they decide to see who can trick her out of her money first.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a hilarious comedy with smart tricks and funny moments, a lot like The Hustle. Steve Martin and Michael Caine are awesome as two con men with different styles. Martin’s Freddy is silly, while Caine’s Lawrence is smooth. Their competition to outsmart each other is really fun to watch.

The story has unexpected surprises, just like The Hustle, so you never know what’s coming next. The actors and the beautiful French Riviera setting make it even more enjoyable. If you liked the humor and cleverness in The Hustle, you’ll love Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

2. Matchstick Men (2003)

Matchstick Men is a movie about Roy Waller (Nicolas Cage), who’s a bit of a strange con artist. He has obsessive-compulsive disorder. He and his partner Frank (Sam Rockwell) trick people to get money. But Roy’s life gets complicated when he discovers he has a teenage daughter named Angela (Alison Lohman) who wants to join in on their cons.

Matchstick Men is a mix of humor and serious moments, just like The Hustle. Nicolas Cage does an amazing job as Roy, who’s a bit odd. The film shows how Roy deals with his OCD and his new relationship with his daughter.

This makes it interesting and emotional, kind of like The Hustle. The tricks in the movie are clever, and the surprises in the story keep you hooked. If you liked the characters and humor in The Hustle, you’ll enjoy Matchstick Men.

3. Ocean’s Eleven (2001)

Danny Ocean (George Clooney) gathers a group of thieves and con artists to pull off a big heist. They want to steal money from three big casinos in Las Vegas owned by Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia). The plan is tricky, daring, and full of surprises.

Ocean’s Eleven is a cool heist movie with clever cons and fun characters, much like The Hustle. George Clooney and Brad Pitt lead a group of talented actors, each with their own special skills. The movie has smart talk, fancy schemes, and a stylish look.

It keeps you interested with its tricky story and surprises, just like The Hustle. If you enjoyed the team spirit and clever cons in The Hustle, Ocean’s Eleven will give you an exciting experience in the world of big-time heists.

4. The Italian Job (2003)

Charlie Croker (Mark Wahlberg) and his team of thieves plan to steal a lot of gold bars from a safe in Venice. They succeed, but then things go wrong within their own group. To get back at the traitor and keep the gold, they have to plan an even riskier heist.

The Italian Job is a fast and fun heist movie, similar to The Hustle. It mixes action with clever cons and schemes. Mark Wahlberg is the leader of a cool cast, including Charlize Theron and Edward Norton.

The story is complex and full of surprises, just like The Hustle. If you liked the excitement and plot twists in The Hustle, you’ll enjoy The Italian Job.

5. American Hustle (2013)

American Hustle is a movie set in the 1970s. It’s inspired by real events. The story follows con artist Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), his partner Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams), and FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper). They get mixed up in a sting operation involving political corruption and a fake Arab sheikh.

American Hustle explores cons and deception, similar to The Hustle. It has a great ensemble cast, with Christian Bale and Amy Adams giving outstanding performances. The ’70s setting adds a stylish touch to the complex plot filled with twists and surprises.

If you liked the mix of comedy and crime in The Hustle, American Hustle offers an engaging story of deceit and ambition.

6. Focus (2015)

Focus is about Nicky Spurgeon (Will Smith), an experienced con artist, and Jess Barrett (Margot Robbie), a newcomer. They start a romantic relationship while working on cons. But their love life and cons get complicated when they meet again in Buenos Aires, and secrets from their pasts come up.

Focus combines romance, humor, and clever cons, much like The Hustle. Will Smith and Margot Robbie have great chemistry, making their characters’ relationship interesting. The movie looks stylish, and it surprises you with unexpected twists.

If you enjoyed the mix of romance and deception in The Hustle, Focus gives you a similar blend with a bit of mystery.

7. The Brothers Bloom (2008)

The Brothers Bloom follows two brothers, Stephen (Mark Ruffalo) and Bloom (Adrien Brody), who are skilled in pulling off elaborate cons. They decide to undertake one last, grand con involving a wealthy heiress named Penelope (Rachel Weisz), but the plan doesn’t go as expected.

This film is a mix of comedy and adventure, much like The Hustle. Mark Ruffalo and Adrien Brody play charismatic and complex characters, and Rachel Weisz adds a charming quirkiness to the story.

The cons in the movie are imaginative, and the plot takes unexpected turns, keeping the audience engaged. If you enjoyed the dynamic between con artists and the element of surprise in The Hustle, The Brothers Bloom offers a fresh and quirky take on the genre.

8. Now You See Me (2013)

Now You See Me introduces a group of illusionists known as the Four Horsemen, led by J. Daniel Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg) and Merritt McKinney (Woody Harrelson). They execute daring bank heists during their magic performances while staying one step ahead of FBI agents.

Now You See Me combines the world of magic and illusion with heists and cons, making it an intriguing choice for fans of The Hustle. The film boasts a talented ensemble cast, including Isla Fisher and Dave Franco, who bring their characters to life with flair.

The movie’s fast-paced plot and unexpected twists make it an exciting watch. If you appreciated the elements of deception and humor in The Hustle, Now You See Me offers a unique blend of magic and crime.

9. The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)

In this remake of a classic film, Thomas Crown (Pierce Brosnan) is a wealthy businessman who orchestrates a daring art heist at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Investigator Catherine Banning (Rene Russo) is determined to catch him, leading to a cat-and-mouse game of wit and attraction.

The Thomas Crown Affair blends romance with heist elements, making it a compelling choice for fans of The Hustle. Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo share great chemistry on screen, adding depth to their characters’ interactions.

The film’s stylish settings and art-focused cons provide a unique dimension to the plot. If you enjoyed the mix of romance and clever schemes in The Hustle, The Thomas Crown Affair offers a sophisticated and visually pleasing take on the genre.

These films, much like The Hustle, offer a combination of clever cons, humor, and intriguing plots that are sure to entertain fans of the genre. Each movie has its distinct style and characters, making them worthwhile choices for an enjoyable movie night.

Movie TitleIMDb Rating
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels7.3
Matchstick Men7.3
Ocean’s Eleven7.7
The Italian Job7.0
American Hustle7.2
Focus6.6
The Brothers Bloom6.8
Now You See Me7.3
The Thomas Crown Affair6.8
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