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

Dec 22, 2010

4/5

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

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Keith Uhlich

ToxicUniverse.com

Sep 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

Nov 6, 2002

3/4

Thornton and Willis save the day with their performances.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 18, 2025

1.5/4

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

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Mark Halverson

Sacramento News & Review

Aug 7, 2008

3/5

Christopher Smith

Bangor Daily News (Maine)

Aug 5, 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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Jelisije J

@jjosifovic Jun 19, 2026

A light hearted comedy about two escape convicts deciding to rob banks in the meantime fall for a crazy women that can lead them to their downfall.

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Kim P

@RT98672688 Apr 20, 2026

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, 2025

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, 2025

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

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Melvin L

@RT53388370 Feb 12, 2025

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

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alan g

@agenser Jan 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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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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