The Asphalt Jungle

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The Asphalt Jungle

1950

1h 52m

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

40 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Recently released from prison, Dix Handley concocts a plan to steal $1 million in jewels. Dix gathers a team of small-time crooks, including a safecracker and a lawyer, and the heist is a success until a stray bullet kills one of the men. As they scramble to pick up the pieces after the theft, the men let their greed get the best of them while entangling themselves in webs of deceit, treachery and murder.

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Critics Consensus

The Asphalt Jungle is an expertly told crime story with attention paid to the crime and characters in equal measure.

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Bob Thomas

Associated Press

Apr 1, 2019

Armed with a beautifully constructed screen play, John Huston has fashioned an exciting picture that avoids all the pitfalls of most crime movies.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Nov 3, 2008

The Asphalt Jungle is a study in crime, hard-hitting in its expose of the underworld. Ironic realism is striven for and achieved in the writing, production and direction.

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Paul Arendt

BBC.com

Nov 11, 2006

5/5

This tale of a jewel theft gone wrong is notable for its gritty procedural detail and an emphasis on the inner lives of the small time crooks, expertly played by Sterling Hayden and Sam Jaffe.

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

Jan 22, 2024

John Huston’s trend-setting 1950 heist flick...

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Nov 18, 2023

... essentially launched the heist film as a genre of its own and set the blueprint that all subsequent heist dramas built upon.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

May 8, 2023

3.5/4

This film noir beauty largely set the template for Rafifi, The Killing, and all of the other classic heist flicks that would follow in its wake.

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Blobbo X

@Blobbo Jul 23, 2026

Huston always good with greed: Treasure of Sierra Madre, Maltese Falcon, Prizzi's Honor, Asphalt Jungle.

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Kevin S

@SayHeyKid1230 Jul 18, 2026

Great film. Good day.

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Henry D

@Henry_Domke Jun 29, 2026

What a great film, and it was a great print too. Everything worked: a terrific story told efficiently, many fine actors in their prime, and rich black-and-white cinematography with plenty of deep tones that fit the story perfectly. It looked great from start to finish.

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Bill E

@Billwill Mar 12, 2026

Monroe does not have a big part. Worth watching the film just to see her.

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Farah R.

@Farah Mar 3, 2026

The Asphalt Jungle is a stellar heist noir, and one of the best films of its kind. The level of detail that went into developing the storyline and characters is incredible, making it feel real and believable. A couple of parts were slightly boring, but overall it was pretty good.

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Leaburn O

@RT35452347 Dec 6, 2025

A top heist noir made even better by the fleeting youthful appearance of Marilyn. Jeez she was incredible. A decent plot, easy enough to follow and a good ending. Watched on DVD.

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John Huston

Director

Sterling Hayden

Dix Handley

Sam Jaffe

Doc Erwin Riedenschneider

Marilyn Monroe

Angela Phinlay

Louis Calhern

Alonzo D. Emmerich

Jean Hagen

Doll Conovan

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Synopsis

Recently released from prison, Dix Handley concocts a plan to steal $1 million in jewels. Dix gathers a team of small-time crooks, including a safecracker and a lawyer, and the heist is a success until a stray bullet kills one of the men. As they scramble to pick up the pieces after the theft, the men let their greed get the best of them while entangling themselves in webs of deceit, treachery and murder.

Director: John Huston
Producer: Arthur Hornblow Jr.
Distributor: Criterion Collection, Warner Home Vídeo, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 23, 1950, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 4, 2008
Runtime: 1h 52m

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