'Perfect' thriller with Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino is now streaming on Netflix

A character driven thriller from 1995 that marked the first onscreen pairing of Robert De Niro and Al Pacino is now streaming on Netflix. With an 84% score on Rotten Tomatoes and 94% on Popcornmeter, this epic crime thriller follows the intertwining journeys of decorated LAPD Lieutenant Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino) and career-criminal Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro).

The star studded line up also includes Tom Sizemore, Jon Voight, and Val Kilmer. Heat was released by Warner Bros Pictures on December 15, 1995. It grossed $187 million on a $60 million budget. Widely regarded as one of the best American action-thrillers, this all time classic is now available on Netflix, 30 years after its acclaimed debut.

This isn't the first time Heat has been available on Netflix with it last departing on May 1 2024, before reappearing on the streaming giant on July 1 this year.

Just Watch Editor says there is "never a bad time to watch Heat".

He said: "If you've never seen Heat, watch it now and your life will improve dramatically. In fact, if you've seen Heat before, watch it again, and I guarantee everything will be better.

It's the kind of film that, if you're channel hopping and found it playing halfway through, you'd simply have to stop and watch it anyway; it's that good.

"Between the enthralling cat and mouse dynamic between Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, and the blistering support work from Val Kilmer, there's so much class oozing from Michael Mann's epic crime thriller. They really, truly don't make movies like this anymore."

What is Heat about?

The gripping plot follows McCauley, a professional thief who hopes to pull off one last heist before he retires. However, he is under the constant surveillance of a police detective, Hanna, who tries to thwart his plan.

McCauley and Hanna, despite trying to take one another out, form a sort of mutual respect, with De Niro and Pacino earning their stripes in brilliant portrayals.

It is widely believed that this engrossing crime drama has the best bank robbery scene ever filmed.

Those who do not have access to Netflix can catch Heat on ITVX, Amazon Prime, Google Play Store, Apple TV and Disney Plus.