Entertainment
Jason Statham’s James Bond-Like Heist Saga Is a Free Streaming Hit
Before cinematic universes and endless spy franchises took over multiplexes, mid-budget action thrillers like The Italian Job ruled weekend movie nights — and now one of the slickest is making a comeback on free streaming. The 2003 remake updates the classic British caper with a glossy Hollywood edge, centering on a team of professional thieves pulled back together for one last job — this time, for revenge.
The story kicks off with a gold heist in Venice that goes sideways when one of the crew betrays the rest and vanishes with the loot. A year later, the surviving members regroup to track him down in Los Angeles and pull off an elaborate plan to steal back what’s theirs. That setup may be familiar heist territory, but the execution is where The Italian Job finds its groove.
The film stars Mark Wahlberg as Charlie Croker, Charlize Theron as Stella Bridger, Jason Statham as Handsome Rob, Edward Norton as Steve Frazelli, Seth Green as Lyle, Mos Def as Left Ear, Donald Sutherland as John Bridger, and Franky G as Wrench. Long before he was headlining franchises, Statham was already radiating the cool intensity that would make him feel like a rougher, street-level cousin to James Bond. As Handsome Rob, he’s the team’s wheelman and resident ladies’ man, all sharp suits and sharper driving skills, even if he has a surprising amount of hair on that dome that we’ve become accustomed to.
Is There a Sequel to ‘The Italian Job’?
Sadly, as of 2026, there are no more Italian Job films. Back in 2009, director F. Gary Gray spoke with Collider’s Steve Weintraub about the prospects of a sequel, but those appear to have fallen by the wayside:
“You know I’d love it if they were to come up with a concept that tops the first movie. That’s the goal, to make sure that whatever the sequel is that it’s as inventive, as creative as the original….if not better. That’s where all the energy is being spent, making sure you don’t do a sequel for the sake of doing a sequel. You want to make sure you top it.”
The Italian Job is streaming for free on Tubi.
- Release Date
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May 30, 2003
- Runtime
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111 minutes