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White Heat

White Heat

Pick up the pieces folks, Jimmy's in action again!

19497.71h 54m

Overview

A psychopathic criminal with a mother complex makes a daring break from prison and then leads his old gang in a chemical plant payroll heist. After the heist, events take a crazy turn.

Directed by Raoul Walsh
Written by Ivan Goff, Ben Roberts, Virginia Kellogg
Produced by Louis F. Edelman
Box OfficeBudget: $1.3MRevenue: $3.5M

Top Cast

James Cagney

James Cagney

Arthur 'Cody' Jarrett

Virginia Mayo

Virginia Mayo

Verna Jarrett

Edmond O'Brien

Edmond O'Brien

Vic Pardo

Margaret Wycherly

Margaret Wycherly

Ma Jarrett

Steve Cochran

Steve Cochran

'Big Ed' Somers

John Archer

John Archer

Philip Evans

Wally Cassell

Wally Cassell

'Cotton' Valletti

Fred Clark

Fred Clark

Daniel Winston

Paul Guilfoyle

Paul Guilfoyle

Roy Parker (uncredited)

Ford Rainey

Ford Rainey

Zuckie

Themes & Keywords

prisonundercover agentparent child relationshipgangsterpsychopathmama's boyheistfilm noiron the runshootouttrainexplosionkillerinmatecriminal gangprison breakinfiltrateunfaithful wife

About White Heat

White Heat is a crime, drama, thriller film released in 1949 exploring themes of prison, undercover agent, parent child relationship, gangster, psychopath, mama's boy. Directed by Raoul Walsh, it stars James Cagney, Virginia Mayo, Edmond O'Brien. A psychopathic criminal with a mother complex makes a daring break from prison and then leads his old gang in a chemical plant payroll heist. After the heist, events take a crazy turn.

Movies Similar to White Heat

Discover titles like White Heat — ranked by similarity and community votes

We found 15 movies similar to White Heat

If you enjoyed White Heat, you'll love these handpicked recommendations. Each title below shares similar themes, tone, and storytelling style. Our algorithm analyzes genres, keywords, director filmography, and cast connections to find the closest matches. Whether you're looking for the same emotional depth, narrative structure, or visual style, these picks are curated to deliver the best viewing experience for fans of White Heat.

Raw Deal
27% Match

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The Asphalt Jungle
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The Hitch-Hiker
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Roy and Gilbert's fishing trip takes a terrifying turn when the hitchhiker they pick up turns out to be a sociopath on the run from the law. He's killed before, and he lets the two know that as soon as they're no longer useful, he'll kill again. The two friends plot an escape, but the hitchhiker's peculiar physical affliction, an eye that never closes even when he sleeps, makes it impossible for them to tell when they can make a break for it.

Caged
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Caged(1950)

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A single mistake puts a 19-year old girl behind bars, where she experiences the terrors and torments of women in prison.

Brute Force
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Shot Caller
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The Informer
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In New York, former convict Pete Koslow, related to the Polish mafia, must deal with both Klimek the General, his ruthless boss, and the twisted ambitions of two federal agents, as he tries to survive and protect the lives of his loved ones.

The Departed
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To take down South Boston's Irish Mafia, the police send in one of their own to infiltrate the underworld, not realizing the syndicate has done likewise. While an undercover cop curries favor with the mob kingpin, a career criminal rises through the police ranks. But both sides soon discover there's a mole among them.

Reservoir Dogs
21% Match

A botched robbery indicates a police informant, and the pressure mounts in the aftermath at a warehouse. Crime begets violence as the survivors -- veteran Mr. White, newcomer Mr. Orange, psychopathic parolee Mr. Blonde, bickering weasel Mr. Pink and Nice Guy Eddie -- unravel.

Bad Boys
21% Match

Bad Boys(1983)

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Mick O'Brien is a young Chicago street thug torn between a life of petty crime and the love of his girlfriend. But when the heist of a local drug dealer goes tragically wrong Mick is sentenced to a brutal juvenile prison where violence is a rite of passage and respect is measured in vengeance.

American Psycho
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A wealthy New York investment banking executive hides his alternate psychopathic ego from his co-workers and friends as he escalates deeper into his illogical, gratuitous fantasies.

Joker
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Joker(2019)

Movie8.1/10

During the 1980s, a failed stand-up comedian is driven insane and turns to a life of crime and chaos in Gotham City while becoming an infamous psychopathic crime figure.