Bets picture: The 25 greatest gambling movies

casino movies

Part II is the best example of a sequel outperforming its predecessor, making it one of the best films of all time. The film also depicts America’s corruption accurately while providing a glimpse into New York City’s underground. Furthermore, the film’s usage of Vegas as a plot device is clever, standing out from other places in the film. In 1970s Las Vegas, Sam “Ace” Rothstein is riding high as front man for the mob’s multibillion-dollar casino operation. It’s a winning hand—Ace’s brains and Nicky’s muscle—until wild card hustler Ginger McKenna gets between them.

The 18 Best Gambling Movies

Over one weekend they make $400,000 and one player has stated that personally he made around $2 during the years they were playing. It ended with them being banned from casinos all over and the team being disbanded after a poor run resulted in losses. From the glamour of Las Vegas to the realities of gambling addiction, these films offer a true journey into the world of gambling. Each concludes that the choices and risks one takes have consequences, but if you can handle those, you might just pull off a casino heist. The film is particularly interesting for gambling fans as it features William’s internal monologue, where he provides his thoughts on casino game strategy, including card counting in blackjack, and poker.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (

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. By exploring themes like obsession, addiction, deceit, and redemption, some of the top movies about gambling reveal the complex nature of human beings and the consequences of their actions.

  • It’s fascinating to see how involved the scheme is and how complex and serious a business card counting can be and the filmmakers do a great job of keeping the pace up and letting the story unfold.
  • Check a 1988 American road drama film and one of the best casino movies of all time starring Tom Cruise for comedy.
  • Vegas is so vibrant and adventurous that it can play a lead character, a supporting one, or merely a backdrop that helps to enhance the plot.
  • The Cooler is a well-constructed feature with strong performers and exquisite photography.
  • There are many trends affecting the Polish gambling scene and the creation of video games from movies is just an example.
  • Though gambling acts as something of a backdrop in some, there are other movies where a specific game is at the center of the story.

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And since they’re so much fun, you’ll definitely want to see as many of these movies as you can this year. Directed by Mike Hodges and starring Clive Owen, “Croupier” is a stylish and atmospheric thriller set in the world of London’s casinos. Owen plays Jack Manfred, a struggling writer who takes a job as a croupier to make ends meet.

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Some of those movies even won awards for the way they represented the stories of different gamblers, their struggles, and their obsession. Although “Ocean’s Eleven” isn’t technically a gambling movie, it earns its spot on the list because it really feels like a gambling movie. That is to say, everything about this movie drips with elegance and glamour, coupled with high stakes, bluffing, and gambling-esque tactics. Jumping into the movie is like jumping into a casino, full of tension and excitement.

The 5 Best Gambling Movies of All Time!

As these films continue to shape public perceptions, they also spark important conversations about the ethics of gambling, the lure of the casino lifestyle, and the fine line between risk and reward. It follows the story of two poker players as they circle each other looking for an opening or a tell. They compete for the best odds, but sometimes it’s not the right answer.

The Gambler ( ‍

In addition to being a classic film in the gangster genre, Martin Scorsese’s Casino also expertly portrays the spirit and energy of Las Vegas. So, whenever fans seek Vegas movies that beautifully translate the essence of the city to the screen, they can get their recommendations here. If any of the tickets is a winner, the person who has won the pot gets to keep the winnings. Tepper looks into the wallet he found and realizes he already has a lottery ticket. He volunteers the ticket but soon discovers that that is the winning ticket of a $6 million jackpot, putting him in a difficult spot.

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Jeweler Howard Ratner, played immaculately by Adam Sandler, will gamble anything away to crawl out of a never-ending debt spiral, including Boston Celtics Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett’s 2008 NBA Championship and mobster money. The film is an uncompromising look into how much gambling is truly a disease that can destroy a gambler’s life and the lives of nearly anyone who touches him. The lasting phrase from the film may be a delusionally confident Howard exclaiming, “This is how I win,” but the tragic irony of it all, gambling is ultimately how he loses everything. Paul Newman may seem like the greatest billiards player of all time in The Hustler, but that doesn’t make his high stakes pool games feel any less like he’s about to lose it all. His rival is Minnesota Fats, one of the coolest named characters in gambling film history. In this action-packed heist film, Danny Ocean, played by George Clooney, gets a skilled group together to rob the biggest casinos in Las Vegas.

Win it All

Gambling is typically portrayed in films as a boys’ club, but Aaron Sorkin’s Molly’s Game shows how women can be even more adept at navigating the treacherous world of underground gambling. As with the best gambling movies, the poker table is only one arena where the stakes are high in Molly’s Game. She relies on gambling the people’s identities from her poker game to keep her money and avoid prison when the FBI comes knocking.

casino movies

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While the casino isn’t the most glamorous location for a movie, it can be thrilling. In addition to the fact that you’ll never have to risk your own money, these movies are popular with both gamblers and moviegoers. They let you see the world of casinos through the eyes of the main character, and show you how you can gamble safely while still having a great time.

And although there are some questionable choices of editing with little to write home about in the technical departments of camerawork, the overall project was definitely a success. The film provides insight into the complexities of this underground world of power and wealth. This Aaron Sorkin directorial https://true-fortune.us/ doesn’t just revolve around poker; it encapsulates the compelling tale of one woman’s resilience, ambition, and grappling with alluring yet perilous casino culture. Even if it broke the box office, you might be surprised to see that your favourite gambling casino film is not on Netflix.

ATLANTIC CITY (

This film is shot beautifully and really captures the glamour of casinos back then. Going to a casino then was a reason to dress up and the suits and dresses in the movie show the lifestyle being lived by some of the gamblers or at least the lifestyle they aspired to. This is one of the most popular gambling movies on Netflix that you should watch. There is nothing that can describe the real experience or show risky and thrilling gambling can be like movies. You can find many casino movies on Netflix that are worth watching for educational purposes and entertainment as well.

Assuming you like your casino movies with a tinge of tragedy, Anderson’s debut feature, about a veteran card player and a lonely orphan, is a riveting exploration of the men who spend their lives in Vegas. California Split is the Citizen Kane of gambling movies, and Elliot Gould gives a career-best performance as Charlie Waters, the serial gambling addict who can literally bet on anything. Gould commands the screen with cocaine-fast charisma, while Robert Altman’s casual realism sucks you into every frame, casino, and horse race. Steve McQueen stars herein as Eric “The Kid” Stoner, an up-and-coming poker player in New Orleans.

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casino movies

The conflict makes for a great drama, as long as you’re watching the original ’70s film with James Caan and not the hated 2014 Mark Wahlberg remake. Despite 007’s legendary fondness for gambling, the James Bond movie franchise has only featured Macao twice over the course of its more than 60 years of history and 24 films. It nonetheless pays homage to the real life floating casino, Macau Palace, which makes its appearance in the ninth film, The Man with the Golden Gun.

In Atlantic City, the undefeated heavyweight champion, Lincoln Tyler, is defending his championship at a new casino, and Cage investigates the game’s seedy underbelly. Gary Sinise plays his best friend, and both actors play their roles well. With its sharp humor, playful banter, and thrilling poker sequences, “Maverick” offers a refreshing take on the classic casino movie genre. As Maverick bluffs, blusters, and charms his way to the final table, viewers are treated to a rollicking good time that is sure to leave them smiling. The feelings of a gambling addict are portrayed perfectly, as Toback himself has had gambling addictions in the past and tries to convey his feeling through the movie.

Caan manages to make his character, who steals from his own mother to pay his gambling debts, one that the audience can still root for. The Cooler embeds itself into the casino milieu, showing the techniques that casinos use to get all the money they can from gamblers. In addition, the film sheds a light on the change in casino policies as the movie’s setting is forced to undergo changes to keep up with modern casinos.

This is pretty much a gambling epic, like a sprawling western directed by Sergio Leone or Howard Hawks with Robert De Niro playing the gunslinging head of the titular location in Casino (1995). And in this case, the epic was directed by Martin Scorsese in one of his most ambitious films to-date. Along with The Sting, this is the other film on the list that almost transcends the gambling ilk from a sheerly critical perspective.

casino movies

The group faces many obstacles and challenges which they, quite naturally, manage to get out of cleverly. Because they succeed in their exceptionally complex mission and deliver an unexpected twist in the end, this movie deserves its spot on the list of the best casino movies in the history of cinema. What makes Casino Royale so popular is the 007-style mixture of secret missions and high-class gambling.

Here’s our updated list of the best casino and gambling films around right now, including some new(er) titles to explore. If you enjoyed watching any of these top 5 casino-themed movies and want more similar suggestions, you’re in luck. These honourable mentions include a range of dramas, comedies, action & adventure, and rom coms. Although it revolves around the search for a missing groom-to-be, The Hangover still manages to be one of the best casino movies you must see. It portrays Las Vegas and its casinos in the most exaggerated way possible. With Zach Galifianakis, Bradley Cooper, Justin Bartha, and Ed Helms in the leading roles, this movie guarantees a good laugh.

  • And no, the list doesn’t end there, which is why we decided to share some of the all-time top-rated films with casino themes.
  • Sandler portrays a frenzied jewelry store owner whose gambling addiction puts him in a financially difficult situation.
  • As with the best gambling movies, the poker table is only one arena where the stakes are high in Molly’s Game.
  • A sequel to the 2003 James Bond parody, Johnny English Reborn stars Rowan “Mr.
  • Its basic tension arises from the question of why Sydney is starting to help John.
  • It’s not just a movie about gambling; it’s a story of regret, penance, and the search for forgiveness.
  • This Best Picture winner exudes pure pleasure … well, unless you run afoul of Shaw (Paul Newman) and Kelly (Robert Redford), that is.
  • Of course, there is also the fact that Garrett has no idea how much he actually lost, so he gets lucky winning a huge pot.

Directed by Steven Soderbergh and featuring an ensemble cast including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Julia Roberts, “Ocean’s Eleven” is a stylish and slick heist film set in the glamorous casinos of Las Vegas. Clooney stars as Danny Ocean, a charismatic ex-con who recruits a team of skilled criminals to pull off an ambitious robbery of three of the biggest casinos in Vegas. Gambling is the setting rather than the content of this story and it’s all the better for it with the casino giving the film its heart and its edge while the engaging story of those who try and make money from it plays out.

This summer, Macao is set to continue its long-running tradition as a popular film destination when the Netflix adaptation of the 2014 novel The Ballad of a Small Player begins shooting across the city’s various casinos. And a large part of that was due to its cast — aside from Newman, it also featured the likes of Tom Cruise, John Turturro, and Forest Whitaker. But it also had an intriguing premise, with Newman’s character now a retired pool hustler who takes a new gambler (Tom Cruise’s character, Vincent Lauria) under his wing. The result was an absolute pleasure of a plot that fully realizes its main players. “Mississippi Grind” tells the story of two gamblers on a road trip, playing risky games in the American South. This film delves into the psychological aspect of gambling, portraying the superstitions, fallacies, and the thrill of the game that keeps players coming back for more.

There is a trove of exceptional movies about gambling that match Peaky Blinder’s level of entertainment. Fans of poker, roulette, or just placing bets on sports teams understand the adrenaline and despair that can occur with the make-it-or-break-it atmosphere of gambling. Filmmakers from Spike Lee to Martin Scorsese understand this all-in mindset of gambling and infuse it into their awesome films.

Outside of Eddie’s hilarious misfortune and idiotic gambling logic, Win It All actually has an empathetic core and is a great advertisement for the benefits of addiction counseling. 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. The payoffs to the mafia, the politicized wranglings with the Nevada Gaming Board, the berated Blackjack dealers, and the showgirls are explored like parts of the blueprints of the Vegas gambling world.