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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 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
LCLeslie Cheung
Leslie Cheung
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

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Chinese Folklore
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Bulletproof Monk
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2003 · 5.5
Look Back at TVB Anniversary Awards Over the Years
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1968
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1976
See all fromChow Yun-Fat

More from Leslie Cheung · Co-star actor

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1997 · 7.6
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1993 · 8.0
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1980
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1980
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1994 · 7.1
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1993 · 6.5
See all fromLeslie Cheung

More from John Woo · Director

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2000 · 6.1
Face/Off
Face/Off
1997 · 7.1
Hard Target
Hard Target
1993 · 6.5
Silent Night
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2024 · 6.3
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2002 · 6.4
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1996 · 6.1
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1986 · 7.4
Hard Boiled
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1992 · 7.5
Paycheck
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2003 · 6.2
See all fromJohn Woo

More like this

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2000 · 6.4
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2017 · 6.0
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1998 · 7.1
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1998 · 7.2
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1995 · 6.9
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Police Story 4: First Strike
1996 · 6.5
Tai-Chi Master
Tai-Chi Master
1993 · 7.2
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1994 · 7.1

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 October 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.