Robert De Niro’s Overlooked Heist Movie Surges on Streaming Despite Rotten Tomatoes Score

Robert De Niro heist movie streaming resurgence is making headlines as his 2015 crime thriller, Heist, which barely made a mark in theaters, rapidly climbs the Paramount+ charts in June 2024. Despite a modest theatrical life and poor critical reception, De Niro’s lesser-known project is experiencing renewed interest from streaming audiences in the United States.

Heist Finds Unexpected Success on Paramount+

Although De Niro is celebrated for his performances in classics such as The Godfather: Part II and Heat, Heist was relegated to a limited run and direct-to-video release by Lionsgate Premiere in 2015. With a reported $15 million budget and earning less than $5 million globally, the film seemed destined for obscurity. However, as of June 20, FlixPatrol reports that Heist reached the number eight spot among the most-watched movies on Paramount+, beating out titles like Here After and Flight 7500. The platform’s list was dominated by blockbuster hits, with Gladiator II and Top Gun: Maverick leading the way. This unexpected resurgence highlights shifting viewer interests and the influence of streaming platforms on a movie’s lifecycle.

Mixed Reception and Notable Cast Members

While Heist is now surging on streaming, its critical and audience reception remains largely unimproved. Rotten Tomatoes designated it a “rotten” 30% score, and the site’s consensus states,

“Heist stacks its deck with an all-star cast but this humorless action potboiler doesn’t give them a good hand to play.”

—Rotten Tomatoes Critics. On top of the weak critic reviews, audiences gave it a 41% rating. Alongside De Niro, the film stars Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who by then was already recognized from his roles in Grey’s Anatomy and Watchmen, just before his landmark appearance as Negan in The Walking Dead. Former wrestler Dave Bautista was also among the cast, prior to his major roles in blockbusters such as Guardians of the Galaxy, Spectre, and Blade Runner 2049. The ensemble also includes Kate Bosworth and Morris Chestnut, both contributing to the star-studded lineup.

De Niro’s Career: Recent Highs and Lows

Regarded as one of the greatest male actors—bolstered by his two Academy Awards—Robert De Niro’s recent projects have delivered mixed results. He made his streaming series debut with Zero Day on Netflix, which received poor reviews, and played a dual role in The Alto Knights earlier in the year, a film that struggled to achieve strong box office numbers. Contrasting these efforts, De Niro secured a Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for his role in Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, reaffirming his legacy within Hollywood. His recent feature, Tin Soldier, found a more receptive audience on Prime Video, demonstrating his continued relevance across genres and platforms.

The Role of Streaming in Reviving Overlooked Films

The unexpected popularity of Heist on Paramount+ underscores the influence streaming services have on cinematic rediscovery and appreciation. Projects that experienced lackluster box office performance or limited critical praise, such as Heist, now have the opportunity to reach new audiences and, in some cases, enjoy a second life. This trend benefits both established stars like De Niro and emerging talents, reflecting a broader evolution in how viewership patterns develop in the streaming era. Heist’s rise also points to the unpredictability surrounding what captures the public’s attention online, regardless of earlier critical or commercial reception.