28 Years Later, Robert De Niro’s “Action-Packed” Crime Thriller Is Making a Comeback on Free Streaming

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If you’re a fan of Robert De Niro’s action movies, especially those beyond Heat, you’ll want to know Ronin is now available to stream for free. Released three years after Heat, this 1998 thriller features De Niro in a fast-paced story that, while not as famous as his iconic films like Goodfellas and Taxi Driver, is still a really exciting watch and well worth checking out.

I was so excited to see that Ronin is now available to stream for free on Tubi! It’s actually doing really well over there, currently ranked fifth on their weekly most-watched list. I always forget how good this movie is – John Frankenheimer directed it, and the script is a collaboration between David Mamet and J.D. Zeik. We all know Robert De Niro as a tough guy, like in Heat, but in Ronin he’s playing a former intelligence officer. He gets pulled into a dangerous heist with a crew just as risky as he is. Basically, the movie is about Sam and his team… and the official story is:

Deirdre (Natascha McElhone) assembles a team of specialists to steal a mysterious, highly valuable briefcase. The team, which includes former intelligence officer Sam (Robert De Niro), along with Vincent (Jean Reno), Gregor (Stellan Skarsgård), and others, quickly discovers that trust is a rare commodity. As the heist unfolds, they realize they can’t rely on each other and must watch their backs to complete the mission.

While featuring a talented cast including Jean Reno, Sean Bean, and Robert De Niro, the movie Ronin wasn’t a commercial success. It earned $70 million despite costing $55 million to make. In Hollywood, films generally need to earn twice their budget to be profitable, and Ronin didn’t reach that goal. The reasons for its underperformance aren’t entirely clear, but reviews might offer some insight.

‘Ronin’ Was a Modest Critical Success… But Audiences Loved It

When Ronin came out in 1998, it didn’t receive harsh criticism, but it wasn’t a massive hit with critics either. It currently has a 69% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and critics generally agree that the film is reminiscent of The French Connection due to its intense action, exciting car chases, and strong acting.

With over 100,000 ratings, it’s clear that Ronin is a well-loved film, earning an 80% approval rating from users. One Rotten Tomatoes user praised it as “a fantastic, fast-paced movie with a great story and excellent performances by Robert De Niro, Jean Reno, and Natascha McElhone.” Another viewer shared that they’ve watched the film countless times and still discover new details with each viewing.

‘Heat’ and ‘Ronin’ Make for a Perfect Double Feature


MGM Distribution Co.

If you enjoyed Ronin and want another intense action thriller starring Robert De Niro, Heat would be a perfect movie to watch next. While Heat isn’t currently available to stream for free on Pluto TV or Tubi, you can watch it on Hulu if you have a Disney+ subscription.

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2026-02-08 22:18