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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
WritersClifton Ko Chi-Sum·John Woo
ProducersTerence Chang·Linda Kuk Mei-Lai

Where to watch

Criterion ChannelCriterion ChannelShout! Factory Amazon ChannelShout! Factory Amazon ChannelTencent VideoTencent VideoKanopyKanopyYouTube FreeYouTube FreePlexPlex
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

Police Cadet
Police Cadet
1984 · 7.0
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
2007 · 7.3
A House is Not a Home
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1977
Chinese Folklore
Chinese Folklore
1974
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
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2000 · 7.4
Hotel
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1976
Look Back at TVB Anniversary Awards Over the Years
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1968
The Giants
The Giants
1978 · 10.0
Conflict
Conflict
1978 · 8.0
Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair
1978
See all fromChow Yun-Fat

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

Farewell My Concubine
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1993 · 8.1
Dynasty
Dynasty
1980
Crocodile Tears
Crocodile Tears
1978 · 8.0
Happy Together
Happy Together
1997 · 7.6
A Better Tomorrow
A Better Tomorrow
1986 · 7.4
Gone with the wind
Gone with the wind
1980
Days of Being Wild
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1990 · 7.3
Ashes of Time
Ashes of Time
1994 · 7.0
A Chinese Ghost Story
A Chinese Ghost Story
1987 · 7.3
The Fallen Family
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1985
See all fromLeslie Cheung Kwok-wing

More from John Woo · Director

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

More like this

Enter the Fat Dragon
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2020 · 6.3
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1997 · 6.8
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Born to Be King
2000 · 6.3
Double Tap
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2000 · 6.4
The Eagle Shooting Heroes
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1993 · 7.1
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1991 · 7.0
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2017 · 5.9
Kung Fu Cult Master
Kung Fu Cult Master
1993 · 6.7
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1998 · 7.2
Contract Killer
Contract Killer
1998 · 7.1
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 Tencent Video 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.