The drama story revolves around a talented poker player and law student pulled into the underground poker world. The movie smartly explores the themes of friendship and the blurred lines between game and law and offers an authentic picture of the poker subculture. “Rounders” has had a significant impact on popularizing poker and inspiring a new generation of players, and it remains one of the key movies for fans of the genre who enjoy its thrilling poker sequences. French auteur Jean Pierre Melville was one of cinema’s finest filmmakers whose favorite arena was the crime thriller genre.
The Captive City
This older movie showcases the meticulous planning and execution of the elaborate heist, highlighting the group’s camaraderie and the twists and turns they encounter along the way. Bugsy is a great watch for anyone wanting to learn more about how the Strip was created or if you enjoy gangster movies with lots of drama. The Mafia then hires him to run a casino in Las Vegas, where he meets Ginger McKenna, portrayed by Sharon Stone, and falls for her. Casino combines the essence of a classic Mafia film with plenty of gambling elements and tons of drama. In order to pay his debt, Howard does precisely what every high-stakes gambler would do; he places an enormous bet that could help pay off his entire debt but could also destroy what’s left of his life if it fails. Based on a true story of one of the biggest one-man bank frauds in Canadian history, this film follows the ups and downs of Dan Mahowny, Toronto bank worker.
The Gambler
Keep in mind that while most of these films are widely available, others can only be found in specific countries. ‘Croupier’ is a criminally underrated film that has sadly slipped down into the forgotten corners of cinema over the years. ‘Croupier’ depicts the life of a writer who takes up a job as a croupier in a casino and soon meets a woman who teams up with him and plans to rob the entire casino. The film takes a very realistic look into the casino world and is highly stylised with utmost focus on characterisation and the setting. It takes the form of a dark thriller using noir-influenced techniques and crafts a truly refreshing piece of cinema that deserves the stature of a classic. Steven Soderbergh‘s highly stylised heist drama tells the story of a group of eleven people and a gangster who are looking to rob three popular casinos in Las Vegas.
‘House of Games’
With a weakness for betting on sports, no gamble is too big for the larger-than-life Howard, played gamely by Adam Sandler. The audience is along for the ride as they watch Howard succeed in his risks when they pay off and his failures when his gambling addiction overtakes him. Based on a true story, “Molly’s Game” stars Jessica Chastain as Molly Bloom, who runs the world’s most exclusive high-stakes poker game. The film follows Hall’s character Sydney as he takes Reilly’s character John under his wing and shows him the ropes of professional gambling in Las Vegas.
- “Poker Queens” is a documentary released in 2020 that explores the world of professional female poker players.
- Inspired by the true story of the MIT Blackjack Team, “21” is a thrilling tale of math, memory, and money, highlighting the strategy of card counting and the casinos’ efforts to stop it.
- Little Knife’s hustling mindset kicks in once he discovers Ko Chun’s supernatural abilities, and he puts them to use as the pair dive back into high-stakes gambling.
- Nothing brings together crime, mystery and comic relief quite like a good gambling film, and Guy Ritchie’s Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels is a classic example.
- It’s a film that is brutally honest in its exploration of the dirtiest sides of human nature, and while it may disturb a lot of the viewers, one cannot ignore the universally truthful message that it so brilliantly manages to convey.
- Recently, both actors made waves at the Venice Film Festival while promoting their latest collaboration, Wolfs, demonstrating that their on-screen magic continues to captivate audiences.
- During those eight years, he learned to count cards while serving time for his hand in torturing and abusing Abu Ghraib prisoners (a real tragedy that surfaced in 2004).
- So much so that Gerry takes Curtis on the road with him as he taps into his good luck during their gambling tour around the South.
What Scorsese Film Ranks Highest on IMDb?
This time around, the Western setting of «Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid» was traded in favor of 1936 Chicago. The most efficient British Secret Service agent the world has ever seen takes on an especially dangerous mission in Casino Royale – take down Le Chiffre, a man who’s actually a financier for terrorist organizations. James Bond goes undercover in order to infiltrate Chiffre’s major poker game, which is secretly being used as a way to acquire even more funds to support his terrorist dealings.
( Casino (Martin Scorsese,
After losing it all at the casino due to a lifelong addiction, Bob decides he’s going to get the old gang back together and rob the joint—if he can only keep himself away from the tables. No scientific studies have proven if Tom Cruise in the ‘80s could make anything cooler. Still, if there were, the magnetic bravado he brought to pool hustlers in the 1986 film The Color of Money would be all the evidence you need of his infectious coolness. There’s betrayal, enraptured Martin Scorsese directing, and enough banter between Newman and Cruise to make this a must-see classic, gambling or not. You could read up on the seedy history of Sin City, or you could spend close to three hours watching a Martin Scorcese masterpiece. Sam «Ace» Rothstein (Robert DeNiro) unofficially runs the Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas at the direction of the Chicago Mafia and acts as the viewers’ eyes and ears to the unseen machinations of running a casino in Las Vegas.
Best Gambling Movies of All Time
Life inside for him is utterly miserable and he is dying to liberate himself when he meets a gorgeous cocktail waitress and falls in love with her. ‘Cooler’ does not break any new grounds but is highly entertaining, replete with some fine performances from its leads. Influenced by Martin Scorsese‘s ‘Casino’, the film takes place, for the most part, inside the casino and tells quite an interesting story with well etched characters in a very unpretentious manner. Perhaps not among the best movies released in recent times, but ‘Flutter’ is a lovely little indie flick that makes a brave attempt at exploring the dangerous depths of gambling.
- We hope this list inspires you to explore these cinematic gems, each offering a unique perspective on the risks and rewards that define the gambling experience.
- There’s betrayal, enraptured Martin Scorsese directing, and enough banter between Newman and Cruise to make this a must-see classic, gambling or not.
- As a “film noir”, this movie skillfully portrays the protagonist’s descent into the world of gambling, with elements of suspense.
- However, he does so by taking on the role of a teacher as he leads a young pool player to greatness.
- Bugsy is not only a cinematic peek into the glitz and glamour seen within the world of gambling, but it’s also a fascinating biopic that’s all about legendary New York mobster Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel.
( Rounders (John Darl,
“The Cooler” is a romantic drama that tells about an unlucky man who works as a “cooler” in a Las Vegas casino. His fortunes take an unexpected turn when he meets and falls in love with a cocktail waitress and his luck begins to change. The movie captures the atmosphere of the Las Vegas casino scene and provides a unique perspective on the role of luck and human relationships. It was praised for its blend of romance and drama, and it garnered several award nominations. “The Card Counter” delves into themes of guilt, redemption, and the consequences of choices. It explores the psychological toll of past trauma and the search for purpose and justice.
The Color of Money (
This psychological thriller explores themes of manipulation, trust, and power dynamics within the con game. The viewers can enjoy the cat-and-mouse play between the characters who try to outsmart each other and deal with their own vulnerabilities. “Croupier” is a neo-noir drama about a struggling writer who takes a job as a croupier (dealer) at a London casino to make ends meet. The movie describes the seductive hidden side of the casino industry, the charm of chance and fate, and the adrenaline of risk-taking. “Croupier” was praised for its style and atmosphere and gives an unusual perspective on the gambling genre movies.
Early October Prime Day Deals Worth Your Money
Its compelling plot becomes a character study of sorts, and Jack Manfred should by dint of that go down as the single most compelling protagonist to ever be featured in a gambling movie. Steve McQueen stars herein as Eric “The Kid” Stoner, an up-and-coming poker player in New Orleans. It’s set during The Great Depression, and chronicles The Kid’s journey as he challenges a veteran card player in Lancey “The Man” Howard — played by Edward G. Robinson. The script brims with wit until the final hand is dealt, and the poker players themselves are portrayed wonderfully by each respective performer. Directed by Norman Jewison, many hardcore film fans would cite this as the greatest gambling movie, period. And while director Norman Jewison didn’t top the list with The Cincinnati Kid (1965), the number five spot is nothing to complain about.
‘Holy Rollers: The True Story of Card Counting Christians’
Because she was confident in betting on her preparation and smarts because it was a dream of hers. The charm of the 1950 crime noir film Dark City is how quickly a movie about gambling can turn into a murder mystery revenge flick. Somehow director William https://crazystar-casino.com/ Dieterle fits a romantic ending into a gambling film where lives are lost just as easily as money is. Trying to keep up with all of the twists in Lucky Number Slevin is almost as difficult as picking a winner in a horse race but just as entertaining.
Smart Money
Set in New Orleans during the Great Depression, this classic American drama tells the story of a talented young poker player who aspires to be the best in the game. He gets the opportunity to prove his skills when he challenges the reigning poker champion to a high-stakes poker game. “The Cincinnati Kid” became famous for its impressive poker scenes and powerful demonstration of the psychology behind the game. Even today, despite the movie’s age, it is considered one of the key gambling movies of the time.
Directed by Robert Rossen and starring Paul Newman as “Fast Eddie” Felson, this is of course the film that sparked Scorsese and crew to create The Color of Money. And although that film was well-acclaimed in itself, The Hustler (1961) has almost gone down as a classic. Which makes sense, as lead actors Paul Newman and Robert Redford had previously worked with director George Roy Hill on Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969). The performers share a tangible chemistry with the filmmaker, and that dynamic pops out through the screen of every featured frame. Its story of two professional grifters who team up to con a mob boss and avenge the death of their mutual friend. And Uncut Gems (2019) as a whole made decent money in theaters — it was actually production company A24’s highest-grossing film at the time of release — on top of garnering great impressions from critics.
While not considered a standout in either genre, it provides an entertaining and suspenseful viewing experience, especially for fans of classic Western movies. Long before Paul Thomas Anderson became the modern master that he is today, he built an idea on telling a story about five people whose lives are connected through a 20$ bill. This idea was further built up and expanded as it ended up being his debut feature film, ‘Hard Eight’ — an outstanding neo-noir crime thriller that portrays the relationship between a professional gambler and his protege.
All In: The Poker Movie
The movie was made on a very small budget, and the great premise, along with excellent performances by Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, and Kevin Costner, makes it a great gambling movie to enjoy. To make matters worse, he has unfettered access to accounts with millions of dollars in them. If you love casino heist films, the chances are very good that you have watched Steven Soderbergh’s crown jewel Ocean’s Eleven. Rounders follows the story of Mike McDermott (Matt Damon) who must beat Teddy “KGB”, a Russian gambling baron in a high stakes poker.
Atlantic City (
This just inspires him to push harder and keep it going, and while this might turn out to be a disaster in a movie like, say, Uncut Gems, here, it’s just a wacky ’80s comedy. Let It Ride still gets a lot of comedic mileage out of Dreyfuss’s mania and goes a long way on some very fun supporting performances from Teri Garr, Jennifer Tilly, and David Johansen. What it does have, though, is Adam Sandler chaotically pawning Kevin Garnett’s NBA Championship Ring to place a six-way parlay on him winning the game. It gets to the point where Axel has to borrow thousands from his mother—and even bet his own life—in order to fund his gambling addiction.
- Brad Pitt and the late James Gandolfini briefly team up as Jackie and Mickey, two hitmen tasked with exacting some street justice on three men who perpetrated the robbery.
- Directed by Martin Scorsese, “Casino” is a grandiose depiction of the glitz, glamour, and corruption that defined Las Vegas in the 1970s and 80s.
- Directed by Norman Jewison, many hardcore film fans would cite this as the greatest gambling movie, period.
- A modern heist classic, “Ocean’s Eleven” combines high-stakes casino robbery with witty banter and a star-studded cast, including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Julia Roberts.
- Pale Flower is Japanese film about a yakuza hitman drawn to gambling by a beautiful woman who is constantly losing large sums of money.
- A great buddy film—and Robert Altman’s most underrated classic—California Split stars Elliot Gould and George Segal, both performing incredible feats of stoic face-acting.
Little Knife’s hustling mindset kicks in once he discovers Ko Chun’s supernatural abilities, and he puts them to use as the pair dive back into high-stakes gambling. Jessica Chastain gives a phenomenal performance in the lead role, and both Idris Elba and Kevin Costner shine in supporting roles. The drama surrounding the world of gambling can suck you in with its tales of big wins, devastating losses and criminal masterminds.
While filming, James Caan was battling his own addiction to drugs, and he used that to suffuse his character with a raw sort of desperation. Based on an older movie with the same name, this new variation of “Ocean’s Eleven” became the first in the popular trilogy of heist comedy movies with a charming group of thieves. The movie combines smart comedy, decent suspense, and very enjoyable styles of directing and performance. Upon its release, “Ocean’s Eleven” was a commercial success and received positive reviews and love from the viewers. ” (2020) with the lovable characters being offered $2.5 million for a single game of Texas Hold’em, which takes them to multiple locations by various means of travel to play the card turns- with absurd hilarity ensuing. The movie is delightful both for the fans of the first movie and for the new audiences due to its engaging events and charming characters.
This is a classic American film noir crime drama about a cynical gambler who becomes involved with a corrupt casino owner and then meets a woman and falls in love with her. As the plot unfolds, the protagonist has to solve his problems trying to protect himself and those he cares about.”Dark City” is known for its dark and moody atmosphere with its shadowy visuals and morally ambiguous characters. The story of “5 Card Stud” begins with a poker game where one of the players is caught cheating. Years later, in a remote town, the players mysteriously start getting murdered one by one. The movie combines elements of the classic Western genre with a murder mystery plotline.
It tells the story of a professor who recruits 5 exceptionally smart students and exploits their abilities to win millions via gambling. The melodramatic style works against its ambitions and the film comes off as a mere exercise in sentimentality. Nevertheless, it’s a movie that must be seen for the intriguing true story it is based on. How the movie unfolds can make you forget that it’s based on a true story of 6 MIT students who were taught by their unorthodox math professor Micky Rosa (played by Kevin Spacey) how to count cards. After several weekend trips to Las Vegas, they eventually took The Strip casinos for millions of dollars in blackjack winnings. «Croupier» is an understated film that simmers with quiet observations and a subtle neo-noir edge.
This movie adds a compelling layer to our understanding of gambling, moving beyond the casino and card games to the equally complex domain of sports. Matt Damon plays Mike McDermott, a reformed gambler who finds himself drawn back into the game to help a friend pay off dangerous debts. Alongside Edward Norton, Damon delivers a memorable performance that highlights the psychology and strategy behind poker, rather than just the thrill of winning or losing. The film emphasizes loyalty and redemption, while giving audiences a realistic look at the risks of gambling addiction.
But for a brief moment, before Spacey is being kidnapped and beaten in a hotel room, it’s an interesting look at the science behind smart gambling. Movies about gambling have an inherent drama because, by definition, they’re about risk. The world of high-stakes gambling has long been an enticing playground for filmmakers, inspiring a plethora of stunning films that immerse audiences into the exhilarating casino atmosphere. These movies often feature intricate storylines, captivating characters, and thrilling twists that keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
Mississippi Grind probably slipped under your radar, but all critics can agree it’s a hidden gem.
This thrilling and action-packed movie series showcases some great performances and highly stylized visuals that make it very worthwhile to watch. It isn’t as accomplished as his masterworks like ‘Nashville’ or ‘MASH’ but ‘California Split’ is still an inspiring work from a master craftsman at the peak of his powers. The film explores the relationship between two gamblers who bond over their love for the game and delves deep into the bizarre madness encircling the world of gambling. ‘California Split’ has an almost brutal quality to it that makes it feel so real, nuanced and fascinating that it manages to hold up brilliantly with every viewing.
“Honeymoon in Vegas” is a hilarious journey through the consequences of a bet gone wrong. Set in the world of professional poker, “Lucky You” stars Eric Bana as a talented player with personal issues that hamper his ability to win the big tournament. The film, featuring Drew Barrymore and Robert Duvall, explores themes of reconciliation and redemption. In “Mississippi Grind,” Ben Mendelsohn and Ryan Reynolds play two gamblers on a road trip through the South, betting on anything and everything in a bid to reclaim their lost fortunes. Paul Newman delivers a powerful performance as a small-time pool hustler in “The Hustler.” The film explores themes of ambition, pride, and redemption, making it a classic in the gambling genre. Inspired by the true story of the MIT Blackjack Team, “21” is a thrilling tale of math, memory, and money, highlighting the strategy of card counting and the casinos’ efforts to stop it.