Bandits

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Bandits

PG-13

Released Oct 12, 2001

2h 2m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

64%

Tomatometer

135 Reviews

58%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Joe (Bruce Willis) and Terry (Billy Bob Thornton) have escaped from prison. Cutting a swath from Oregon through California, these fugitives rob banks in order to finance their scheme for a new -- and somewhat legitimate -- life south of the border. Unfortunately, things get more complicated when they meet Kate Wheeler (Cate Blanchett), who runs into Terry with her car. Kate joins the bandits on their cross-country spree, and eventually she steals something, too: their hearts.

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Critics Consensus

The story may not warrant its lengthy running time, but the cast of Bandits makes it an enjoyable ride.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Adults will get this movie, but kids won't.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 22, 2010

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Keith Uhlich

ToxicUniverse.com

Bandits' most intriguing plot line, the three-way love story, merely hints at the complexity of a two-man/one-woman relationship and never moves past the initial stages of cuteness and adolescent eroticism.

Rated: 1.5/5

Sep 30, 2003

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Jeff Strickler

Minneapolis Star Tribune

Thornton and Willis save the day with their performances.

Rated: 3/4

Nov 6, 2002

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

[UPDATED 2025 BLU-RAY REVIEW] Tries hard to be a quirky comedy -- God, does it try.

Rated: 1.5/4

Mar 26, 2016

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Mark Halverson

Sacramento News & Review

Rated: 3/5

Aug 7, 2008

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Christopher Smith

Bangor Daily News (Maine)

Terrible. A substitute for sleep medication that's so self-indulgent and plodding, it drove four people out of my screening midway through.

Rated: D

Aug 5, 2007

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Amir M.

In my top 10 favorite films! Great cast, writing, and acting!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/08/25

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Melvin L

It's a buddy movie that I just can't get into

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/13/25

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alan g

Should have been called Bonnie and Clods. Bad acting bad plot. Care Blanchet slumming. Bruce Willis suave as never.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/25

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Jace E

I remember a VHS copy of Bandits sitting on our movie shelf growing up. I was always so intrigued by it and wanted to pop it in the VCR (I don't know why) but never did. Now as an adult, this showed up on Max and I had to jump on the chance to give it a watch. Bandits is an interesting crime drama with some likeable characters, a little bit of anxiety and some unique relationships. I particularly liked Billy Bob Thornton's character and each of the different dynamics with Kate.. There aren't a lot of memorable moments in this film, but it was a simple, enjoyable watch. Best Character: Terry Collins Best Quote: "One, I had no choice, two, I may have suffered a slight concussion and three, she is mentally imbalanced to a spectacular degree." - Terry Best Scene: Each of the robberies. Note: Like a true baldy, Bruce Willis' hair was out of this world.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/16/24

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Jon Z

Doesn't hold up well. Inane dialog. 40 minutes too long. The stunt man character is horrible. Hung around to see the ending but was watching the clock through the body of the movie.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

08/23/24

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Alec B

A potentially fun concept that's crippled by poor pacing. Levinson never really gets the tone right and I think the movie could stand to lose about 20 minutes.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/13/23

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Barry Levinson

Director

Bruce Willis

Joe Blake

Billy Bob Thornton

Terry Collins

Cate Blanchett

Kate Wheeler

Troy Garity

Harvey Pollard

Brian F. O'Byrne

Darill Miller

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Synopsis

Joe (Bruce Willis) and Terry (Billy Bob Thornton) have escaped from prison. Cutting a swath from Oregon through California, these fugitives rob banks in order to finance their scheme for a new -- and somewhat legitimate -- life south of the border. Unfortunately, things get more complicated when they meet Kate Wheeler (Cate Blanchett), who runs into Terry with her car. Kate joins the bandits on their cross-country spree, and eventually she steals something, too: their hearts.

Director: Barry Levinson
Producer: Michael Birnbaum, Michele Berk, Gary Levinsohn, Paula Weinstein, Ashok Amritraj, David Hoberman, Arnold Rifkin
Screenwriter: Harley Peyton
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Hyde Park Entertainment, Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Studio Canal, Empire Pictures, Lotus Pictures, Cheyenne Enterprises
Rating: PG-13 (Some Sexual Content|Language|Violence)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 12, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $41.5M
Runtime: 2h 2m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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