Overview
A retired cat burglar must clear his name while navigating a world of deception and romance.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- glamorous
- playful
- classic movie night
- date night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Cary Grant and Grace Kelly, the Riviera setting, visual elegance, and witty entertainment while noting that the film delivers less suspense and has weaker plotting than Hitchcock's finest thrillers.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
John Robie applies his former cat-burglar expertise to identify the copycat stealing jewels in his style.
John Robie and Frances Stevens pursue attraction amid jealousy, suspicion, and Riviera wealth.
The French Riviera, villas, hotels, expensive restaurants, fireworks, and Technicolor VistaVision presentation dominate the film's visual identity.
Robie lives among affluent American and European visitors whose villas, jewelry, and social rituals provide the crime's setting.
Films like To Catch a Thief, and why
Charade
glamorous romantic suspense, witty repartee, and elegant crime plotting centered on charismatic leads
The Trouble with Harry
sophisticated romance blended with playful mystery, mistaken suspicion, and polished international settings
North by Northwest
classic Hollywood crime romance driven by charm, deception, and stylish upper-class intrigue
Movie Details
- Director
- Alfred Hitchcock
- Release Date
- 1955-08-03
- Runtime
- 106 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (1724)
Cast
- Cary Grant
- Grace Kelly
- Jessie Royce Landis
- John Williams
- Charles Vanel
- Brigitte Auber
- Jean Martinelli
- Georgette Anys
- René Blancard
- William 'Wee Willie' Davis
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is To Catch a Thief about?
- A retired Riviera cat burglar turns detective when a copycat thief revives his signature crimes and threatens his freedom, reputation, and romance.
- What is To Catch a Thief like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of To Catch a Thief as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is To Catch a Thief violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in To Catch a Thief.
- What did critics think of To Catch a Thief?
- Critics broadly praised Cary Grant and Grace Kelly, the Riviera setting, visual elegance, and witty entertainment while noting that the film delivers less suspense and has weaker plotting than Hitchcock's finest thrillers.
- Which films are like To Catch a Thief?
- Films with a similar feel include Charade, The Trouble with Harry, and North by Northwest.
- How long is To Catch a Thief?
- To Catch a Thief runs 106 minutes.
- Where can I watch To Catch a Thief?
- In United States, To Catch a Thief is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
