One of Al Pacino and Robert De Niro‘s most iconic movies is getting a new streaming home soon. Pacino rose to fame portraying the youngest son of the Corleone family in The Godfather trilogy. His follow-up performances in Scarface and Dog Day Afternoon further cemented his status as a formidable actor. De Niro’s career formed along similar genre lines with gritty roles in mob films like Goodfellas, while winning Best Actor for his gripping portrayal of Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull. The two have thus defined the crime genre with unparalleled talent and their brooding on-screen presence in action-packed dramas.
Though the two legends have often worked separately, their collaborations have nonetheless brought about some significant films. Their time in The Godfather Part II, where De Niro plays a young Vito and father to Pacino’s Michael, solidified both actors’ reputations as masters of the crime and gangster genres, with their respective performances elevating Francis Ford Coppola’s film to an award-winning masterpiece. Later, Righteous Kill and The Irishman would continue their fierce chemistry. Now, one of their most celebrated collaborations is finding new life on streaming with a chance to revisit the film before its long-awaited sequel.
Heat Finds A New Home On Hulu
A Crime Drama Classic Returns To Mark Its 30th Anniversary
Michael Mann’s Heat will begin streaming on Hulu starting January 1, just in time to celebrate its 30th anniversary. This large-scale action thriller is considered a masterpiece of its genre, with its 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes serving as a testament to its enduring appeal. The film follows De Niro as a meticulous master thief planning an ambitious bank robbery, while Pacino portrays a driven and frenetic detective determined to bring him down. The two create a palpable tension, culminating in an electrifying scene at a bustling Los Angeles diner.
Did You Know? The infamous diner scene in Heat was filmed without practice rehearsals since De Niro wanted the lack of familiarity between his and Pacino’s characters to feel more authentic.
Beyond its riveting performances, Heat is packed with expertly crafted action sequences, including a legendary shootout that remains one of the best in film history. While the narrative of Mann’s crime drama isn’t overly complex, the intricate action, relentless pacing, and immersive atmosphere make multiple viewings incredibly rewarding. Heat is widely regarded as one of the best films in both De Niro and Pacino’s illustrious careers, solidifying its place as a must-watch classic. The script for Heat 2 is currently in development, but it’s yet to be announced whether the crime drama’s leading actors will reprise their roles.
For Fans Of…
- Crime dramas with deep character exploration and thrilling action
- A legendary actor pairing between Robert De Niro and Al Pacino
- Michael Mann’s sleek, atmospheric direction
- 1990s Los Angeles action movies like L.A. Confidential or Speed
Why Heat Deserves Your Time
A Crime Drama Masterpiece Worth Revisiting
There’s a reason Heat continues to be held in such high regard. At nearly three hours, Mann’s sprawling crime epic never wastes a second, drawing viewers into its intricate narrative and high-stakes tension. De Niro delivers a fantastic performance as the ambitious heist master Neil McCauley, while Pacino’s portrayal of LAPD Detective Vincent Hanna is loud, dynamic, and endlessly compelling.
The centerpiece of Heat is its legendary downtown Los Angeles shootout, a visceral, impeccably staged sequence that stands as one of the greatest action scenes ever put to film. Beyond its titanic clash, though, Mann’s direction offers a nuanced exploration of loyalty, ambition, and the moral gray areas that define its characters. The immersive atmosphere and relentless pacing ensure that every viewing feels fresh, no matter how many times you’ve watched it before.
What Screen Rant has said about Heat:
Michael Mann’s epic crime thriller cast Pacino as a cop chasing De Niro’s expert thief, but the film is also a rich ensemble with its bank heist setpiece being one of the best screen gunfights. Heat is endlessly quotable, features many memorable sequences and performances and is about as good as action thrillers can get. — Every Al Pacino & Robert De Niro Movie Ranked, Worst To Best
With Heat arriving on Hulu on January 1, this is the perfect opportunity to experience—or revisit—a film that remains as vital and rewarding today as it was in 1995. Its return is an invitation to delve into the genre-defining elements that have inspired countless homages through later action films like The Dark Knight and Den of Thieves. The streaming release not only serves as a tribute to the film’s legacy but also rekindles excitement for what lies ahead in the sequel, ensuring that Heat continues to burn brightly in the cultural zeitgeist.
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Heat Key Facts |
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Box Office |
$187 million |
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Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score |
83% |
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Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
94% |
5 Other Great Crime Dramas On Hulu Right Now
- Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (2019)
- Die Hard (1988)
- Capone (2020)
- The Heat (2013)
- Sleeping Dogs (2024)