The Town (2010)
Kernel Score: 83% · 5,521 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Released: 2010-09-15
Runtime: 125 minutes
Is The Town worth watching?
Worth watching. A well-made Boston heist thriller about a thief who falls for the bank manager he took hostage. The heists are tense and the cast is solid. It's familiar but well executed.
Watch it if you
- like heist films
- enjoy gritty crime drama
- want strong ensemble acting
Skip it if you
- want a twisty plot
- dislike heavy Boston accents
Best for: Thriller night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The Town
- Stream: HBO Max, Cinemax Apple TV channel
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Doug MacRay is a longtime thief, who, smarter than the rest of his crew, is looking for his chance to exit the game. When a bank job leads to the group kidnapping an attractive branch manager, he takes on the role of monitoring her – but their burgeoning relationship threatens to unveil the identities of Doug and his crew to the FBI Agent who is on their case.
The Town parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that this R-rated crime thriller centers on bank heists and includes violent shootouts.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — Bank robberies, a police chase, and a violent shootout drive the plot.
- Language: Moderate — Strong language typical of an R-rated crime thriller.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Town
If you liked The Town, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Heat (1995) — 89%: The gold standard for heist thrillers.
- The Departed (2006) — 96%: Boston crime story with tough men.
- Gone Baby Gone (2007) — 82%: Boston crime drama, directed by the same filmmaker.
- Argo (2012) — 82%: Another tense film from Ben Affleck as director.
- Dog Day Afternoon (1975) — 89%: Classic crime story of a robbery that goes wrong.
- Miller's Crossing (1990) — 85%: Stylish gangster film with great performances.
Director
Cast
- Ben Affleck as Doug MacRay
- Jeremy Renner as James "Jem" Coughlin
- Rebecca Hall as Claire Keesey
- Jon Hamm as FBI S.A. Adam Frawley
- Blake Lively as Krista Coughlin
- George Carroll as Albert "Gloansy" Magloan
- Pete Postlethwaite as Fergus "Fergie" Colm
- Owen Burke as Desmond "Dez" Elden
- Titus Welliver as Dino Ciampa
- Chris Cooper as Stephen MacRay
The Town FAQ
Is The Town worth watching?
Worth watching. A well-made Boston heist thriller about a thief who falls for the bank manager he took hostage. The heists are tense and the cast is solid. It's familiar but well executed.
Where can I watch The Town?
In the US you can stream The Town on HBO Max and Cinemax Apple TV channel and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Town OK for kids?
The Town is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that this R-rated crime thriller centers on bank heists and includes violent shootouts.
What movies are like The Town?
If you liked The Town, try Heat, The Departed, Gone Baby Gone and Argo.