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Once a Thief

6.919911h 48mRMovieActionComedyThriller

Three orphans grow up to become art thieves under the tutelage of a crime boss. Romance complicates matters when the trio are double-crossed.

DirectorJohn Woo
WritersJanet Chun Siu-Chun·John Woo
ProducersLinda Kuk Mei-Lai·Terence Chang

Where to watch

Criterion ChannelCriterion ChannelShout! Factory Amazon ChannelShout! Factory Amazon ChannelWeTVWeTVKanopyKanopyYouTube FreeYouTube FreePlexPlexPlex ChannelPlex Channel
Availability shown for United States · rights vary by country

Cast · Directed by John Woo

CYChow Yun-Fat
Chow Yun-Fat
Red Bean Puddin / Joe
LKLeslie Cheung Kwok-wing
Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing
James / Jim
CCCherie Chung Cho-Hung
Cherie Chung Cho-Hung
Red Bean / Cherie
PKPaul Chu Kong
Paul Chu Kong
Chu / Godfather
KTKenneth Tsang
Kenneth Tsang
Chow / Dad
WFWoo Fung
Woo Fung
Mr. Cheung
PB
Pierre Yves Burton
Mr. Burton
JYJohn Tang Yat-kwan
John Tang Yat-kwan
Young Red Bean Pudding / Young Joe
TKTong Ka-Fai
Tong Ka-Fai
Young James / Young Jim
LTLeila Tong
Leila Tong
Young Red Bean / Young Cherie
DWDavid Wu
David Wu
Auctioneer
JWJohn Woo
John Woo
Stanley Wu

More from Chow Yun-Fat · Lead actor

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
2007 · 7.3
Police Cadet
Police Cadet
1984 · 7.0
Chinese Folklore
Chinese Folklore
1974
A House is Not a Home
A House is Not a Home
1977
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
2000 · 7.4
Look Back at TVB Anniversary Awards Over the Years
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1968
The Giants
The Giants
1978 · 10.0
The Shell Game
The Shell Game
1980 · 5.3
Conflict
Conflict
1978 · 8.0
Everybody Loves Somebody
Everybody Loves Somebody
1989 · 9.0
See all fromChow Yun-Fat

More from Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing · Co-star actor

Farewell My Concubine
Farewell My Concubine
1993 · 8.0
Dynasty
Dynasty
1980
Crocodile Tears
Crocodile Tears
1978 · 8.0
Happy Together
Happy Together
1997 · 7.6
Gone with the wind
Gone with the wind
1980
A Better Tomorrow
A Better Tomorrow
1986 · 7.4
Days of Being Wild
Days of Being Wild
1990 · 7.3
A Chinese Ghost Story
A Chinese Ghost Story
1987 · 7.3
Ashes of Time
Ashes of Time
1994 · 7.1
Tai Chi Master (II)
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1981
See all fromLeslie Cheung Kwok-wing

More from John Woo · Director

Mission: Impossible II
Mission: Impossible II
2000 · 6.1
Face/Off
Face/Off
1997 · 7.1
Broken Arrow
Broken Arrow
1996 · 6.1
Hard Boiled
Hard Boiled
1992 · 7.5
Hard Target
Hard Target
1993 · 6.5
The Killer
The Killer
1989 · 7.6
Paycheck
Paycheck
2003 · 6.2
A Better Tomorrow
A Better Tomorrow
1986 · 7.4
Red Cliff
Red Cliff
2008 · 7.1
The Hire
The Hire
2001 · 7.7
See all fromJohn Woo

More like this

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1995 · 6.7
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2017 · 6.7
The Longest Nite
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1998 · 6.9
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2017 · 7.0
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Bodies at Rest
2019 · 6.3
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Young and Dangerous
1996 · 6.6
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Who Am I?
1998 · 7.2
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Contract Killer
1998 · 7.2
Kung Fu Cult Master
Kung Fu Cult Master
1993 · 6.7
Rumble in the Bronx
Rumble in the Bronx
1995 · 6.9
Police Story 4: First Strike
Police Story 4: First Strike
1996 · 6.5

Once a Thief — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams Once a Thief?

Once a Thief is streaming on Criterion Channel, Shout! Factory and WeTV in United States, and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. It's not currently on Netflix.

Is Once a Thief on Netflix?

No, Once a Thief is not on Netflix in United States as of November 2026. It's currently on Criterion Channel and Shout! Factory.

Is Once a Thief on Amazon Prime Video?

Once a Thief isn't included with a Prime Video subscription in United States, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video.

Where can I watch Once a Thief for free?

Once a Thief is available to stream free (with ads) on Kanopy and YouTube Free in United States.