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Heat

Play trailer 2:15 Poster for Heat R Released Dec 15, 1995 2h 50m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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84% Tomatometer 153 Reviews 94% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Master criminal Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) is trying to control the rogue actions of one of his men, while also planning one last big heist before retiring. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Hanna (Al Pacino) attempts to track down McCauley as he deals with the chaos in his own life, including the infidelity of his wife (Diane Venora) and the mental health of his stepdaughter (Natalie Portman). McCauley and Hanna discover a mutual respect, even as they try to thwart each other's plans.
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Heat

Heat

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Critics Consensus

Though Al Pacino and Robert De Niro share but a handful of screen minutes together, Heat is an engrossing crime drama that draws compelling performances from its stars -- and confirms Michael Mann's mastery of the genre.

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Critics Reviews

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Geoff Brown The Times (UK) Stripped to its bones, Heat may sound trite. But Mann puts so much flesh on his characters that you never feel hungry. Dec 21, 2023 Full Review Jonathan Romney Guardian Like Kubrick, Mann takes a genre premise that seems like no big deal, and expands it into a cosmos of its own. Heat might simply be the most spectacular B-movie ever made, but that’s impressive enough. Dec 21, 2023 Full Review Rick Groen Globe and Mail Dream match-ups on paper don't always succeed on the screen -- like twin fires fighting for oxygen, will they merely cancel each other out? Hardly. This is one titanic clash that actually lives up to the billing. Dec 21, 2023 Full Review Noah Gittell Washington City Paper The plotting in Heat is immaculate. Jul 3, 2025 Full Review Justin Brown Medium Popcorn This is one of the best crime films of all time for a reason. Rated: 5/5 May 9, 2025 Full Review Brandon Collins Medium Popcorn This is a crime classic. Between the cinematography, incredibly performances, Mann's attention to detail, and the pacing, this is a home run. Rated: 5/5 May 9, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ralph R Heat is one of those classics that still holds up perfectly on a rewatch. Michael Mann’s style is all over it, with sharp direction, big set pieces, and that sleek vibe of LA crime life. The length does feel heavy at nearly three hours, but the tension and build-up mostly carry it through. The performances are top notch, especially Pacino and De Niro, who give the movie its weight. The supporting cast pulls their part too, making every scene feel tight and purposeful. Add in crisp editing, precise pacing in the heist sequences, and beautiful cinematography, and you get why this film is so highly regarded. It’s a slow burn at times, but when the action hits, it hits hard. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/11/25 Full Review Thomas S For me, the screenwriting is flawless. Archetypes, revenge, money over love, love over money — it’s all there. Still, I never fully understood why Natalie Portman’s character tried to take her own life; was it simply to illustrate the mental toll of having a bad father? Either way, give Pacino a break — the man had a long day. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/30/25 Full Review Mackenzie A Dream match-ups on paper don't always succeed on the screen -- like twin fires fighting for oxygen, will they merely cancel each other out? Hardly. This is one titanic clash that actually lives up to the billing. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/28/25 Full Review Kevin L So close to great. But the Mann cheese is so there at times. Like that ending, when somehow Hanna knew Macauley's every move till his last hiding spot. Best b-movie ever? The pinnacle Mann flick? Remarkable cast, right down to Portman and my one-time fellow actor in a lame Rodriguez movie, Trejo. But Rollins is lame; and Tone Loc not much better. De Niro and Pacino ball out hard. It's their vehicle really, w/ Mann at the controls as the weave their ways, criminal and lawkeeping. On the cusp of 4 stars, but 3.8 for what it is. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/20/25 Full Review Gabriel H Functions as an action thriller but has such incredible dramatic depth, it’s more than a crime film but more an exploration of the human condition. You will pick up new details with every watch. Every scene feels essential and special, which for an almost three hour film says it all. One of the all time greats. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/19/25 Full Review Matheus F Powerful story and the best performance of Val Kilmer, stealing every scene... even in a movie with PACINO and DE NIRO. Val is one of the most underrated actors ever. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/17/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Heat

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Heat

Heat: Official Clip - Neil and Eady Heat: Official Clip - Neil and Eady 2:11 Heat: Official Clip - The Sun Rises and Sets With Her Heat: Official Clip - The Sun Rises and Sets With Her 1:42 Heat: Official Clip - Drive-In Shoot Out Heat: Official Clip - Drive-In Shoot Out 1:44 Heat: Official Clip - Look at Me Heat: Official Clip - Look at Me 1:25 Heat: Official Clip - Armored Van Heist Heat: Official Clip - Armored Van Heist 3:21 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis Master criminal Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) is trying to control the rogue actions of one of his men, while also planning one last big heist before retiring. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Hanna (Al Pacino) attempts to track down McCauley as he deals with the chaos in his own life, including the infidelity of his wife (Diane Venora) and the mental health of his stepdaughter (Natalie Portman). McCauley and Hanna discover a mutual respect, even as they try to thwart each other's plans.
Director
Michael Mann
Producer
Art Linson, Michael Mann
Screenwriter
Michael Mann
Distributor
Warner Bros.
Production Co
New Regency Productions, Forward Pass, Regency Enterprises, Warner Brothers
Rating
R
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 15, 1995, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 19, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$66.2M
Runtime
2h 50m
Sound Mix
Surround, Mono
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