Bandits

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Bandits

PG-13

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

12/22/2010

4/5

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

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Keith Uhlich

ToxicUniverse.com

09/30/2003

1.5/5

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.

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Jeff Strickler

Minneapolis Star Tribune

11/06/2002

3/4

Thornton and Willis save the day with their performances.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 18

1.5/4

Tries hard to be a quirky comedy -- God, does it try.

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Mark Halverson

Sacramento News & Review

08/07/2008

3/5

Christopher Smith

Bangor Daily News (Maine)

08/05/2007

D

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

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Kim P

@RT98672688 Apr 20

Barry Levinson is up to his old tricks, taking a flimsy plotline and onflating the story to last 30 minutes longer than it should be. If the characters were less neurotic, obnoxious, officious, etc., it wouldn't be so unbearable but alas, they are annoying and obnoxious in low-key passive-aggressive ways. Thornton's hypochondriac character is a hoot at times and displays a gift for physical comedy but the movie itself? Not good. And too long which makes it even less good. Play solitaire. It's more rewarding.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Nov 23

Funny in 02 hours, 03 minutes, and 00 seconds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG-13 for Some Sexual Content, Language and Violence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $41,500,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Amir M.

@amehranf Jul 8

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

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Melvin L

@RT53388370 02/12/2025

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

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alan g

@agenser 01/25/2025

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

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Jace E

@thefilmguy 09/16/2024

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.

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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)