On their path of high-stakes poker playing, they experience various twists and unexpected obstacles. Shade received some mixed reviews and feedback from critics and the public, but it is a good movie with style and intricate card tricks. Through a series of comedic and often outlandish situations, “The Grand” offers a humorous take on the world of professional poker. Made in the heat of the now-mercifully-cooled World Series of Poker craze, the late Curtis Hanson put an immediate halt to his terrific L.A. We have seen that story a million times in a million better sports movies — this even has a Big Game at the end — but both Bana and Duvall find some truth in their characters regardless.
The 26 Best Movies About Gambling
Rounders has become a cult favorite, particularly within the poker community, for its authenticity. 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. There are several movies that revolve around the theme of winning money at a casino, often with high-stakes gambling and big payouts as central plot elements.
Molly’s Game
The Color of Money takes place 25 years after Robert Rossen’s 1961 drama, with retired pool hustler „Fast Eddie“ (played by Paul Newman) teaching Vincent (played by Tom Cruise) how to finesse the game of life. 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. With Zach Galifianakis, Bradley Cooper, Justin Bartha, and Ed Helms in the leading roles, this movie guarantees a good laugh. The plot of California Split revolves around a gambler, Charlie, who befriends a fellow gambler named Bill. Their pranks, pick-ups, games, and misadventures ultimately lead them to a big win in Reno. But his best friend, a poker player named Worm, needs McDermott’s gift to help him pay off a dangerous debt.
Where to Watch
Along the way the pair ingest epic amounts of drugs and come across a cast of bizarre characters. The further they descend into their drug-induced haze, the more surreal and nightmarish their journey becomes. Though not a traditional gambling film, Ocean’s Eleven is a favorite casino movie. In Croupier, which translates to „dealer,“ Clive Owen plays a struggling novelist who gets a job at the casino. Using the position as research for a new book, he finds himself getting pulled deeper and deeper into gambling-based crime. Whether you want to learn card counting in “21” or explore addiction’s dark side in “Owning Mahowny,” these films showcase the enduring appeal of risk and reward in the casino world.
Atlantic City (
Inspired by true events, 21 tells the story of a group of MIT students who use their math skills to count cards and win millions at blackjack tables in Las Vegas. Led by their professor (Kevin Spacey), the group devises an intricate system to outsmart casinos. The film balances the allure of easy money with the moral complexities of bending the rules.
The Best Casino Movies of All Time
This seedy, ’50s gambling noir was the Hollywood debut for actor Charlton Heston, who would go on to star in Planet of the Apes and The Ten Commandments. In Dark City, he plays an underground casino owner based in Los Angeles who must deal with patrons who won’t pay their dues. “Rain Man” is a drama movie that explores themes of family, love, and acceptance.
- “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.
- Sam soon discovers their affair, confronts Ginger, and ends his friendship with Nicky.
- That’s why we urge all our readers to only bet with the money they’re willing to lose.
- Shade received some mixed reviews and feedback from critics and the public, but it is a good movie with style and intricate card tricks.
- Today, the legalization of gambling has become a Hail Mary last-ditch effort for many financially eroding urban areas like Detroit, St. Louis, and others — but Atlantic City did this first.
- “House of Games” became known for its complicated and twisted plot and sharp dialogue.
- With Matt Damon and John Malkovich in one movie, you know the film will be worth your time.
What is the Difference Between Casinos with Fast Payouts?
Everything about the Safdie brothers‘ crime-thriller is high-wire and frenzied, just like its haphazard protagonist. And, of course, being a Safdie movie, it was produced by A24, so expect a lot of visceral neon lights that illuminate its dark themes. Robert Altman exposes the grim underbelly of the Vegas scene, where cocaine, violence, and prostitution tangle with roulette tables and betting booths to destroy lives. The „color of money“ just to happens to match the hue of a pool table, devouring the duo into a blinding world of green. Rupert Wyatt’s 2014 remake of The Gambler received indifferent reviews because it pales in comparison to the taut 1974 classic. Karel Reisz directed the original movie, in which James Caan’s strong central performance was nominated for a Golden Globe.
Cast & Crew
Newman’s Fast Eddie Felson is like a more interesting version of Cruise’s character, and his battle to take down Jackie Gleason’s Minnesota Fats follows a more human, soulful narrative than a typical sports-movie arc. It’s better the https://thebescasino-login.com/ less it is about the pool hustling … which is great, but keeps it lower on this list. An odd little comedy about a perpetual loser gambling addict (Richard Dreyfuss) who, for one day, hits on every single bet at the horse races.
5 Card Stud
- John Dahl’s crime-drama narrates the thrill and addiction of playing from Mike’s point of view, even if it just looks like a bunch of guys sitting around a table for hours on end.
- The 1961 original is less concerned with a swaggering Tom Cruise–Paul Newman movie-star face-off and more focused on loyalty and integrity and ambition.
- Played with a timid, nervous energy by William H. Macy, „The Cooler“ is naturally unlucky, and he works for the casino by jinxing players and spreading his misfortune.
- Rain Man is one of the movies you must watch because it tells us a lot about the importance of family, of differences in mental astuteness, and how easily one can cross the boundaries of what is legal.
- You can access a wide variety of games and claim bonuses directly from a smartphone or computer.
- In Croupier, Mike Hodges gives us a neo-noir take on gambling from the other side of the casino—one in which Jack Manfred (played by Clive Owen) is a dealer rather than a gambler.
- Set in the glamorous backdrop of the French Riviera, “The Good Thief” follows the story of a retired master thief and gambling addict.
Through the journey of the two brothers, the film sheds light on the challenges and strengths of individuals on the autism spectrum and the challenges for their families. Gambling in the movie is one of the tools for human connection between the two brothers. The story of “Tricheurs” revolves around a talented but rebellious student from a working-class background who becomes involved with a group of students who engage in cheating and fraud to achieve academic success.
- It tells the story of Charlie Babbitt (Cruise), a selfish and abrasive young man who discovers he has an older autistic brother named Raymond (Hoffman) after their father’s death.
- Another film noted for its realism is “Casino” (1995), directed by Martin Scorsese, which offers a gritty and detailed look at the operations of a Las Vegas casino during the 1970s.
- The movie artistically combines the elements of comedy, drama, and crime genres.
- Like with Scorsese’s mobsters, these are people who are magnetic but not ones you’d want to spend time with in real life.
- Tense, entertaining, and carried by incredible performances, Molly’s Game has everything a good crime-drama needs.
- Pale Flower is Japanese film about a yakuza hitman drawn to gambling by a beautiful woman who is constantly losing large sums of money.
Best Casino Movies to Watch: Top 10 Gambling Movies
The professor, played by Kevin Spacey, will later use the team’s skills to count cards at blackjack tables in Las Vegas. He has spent the magazine’s large cash advance on narcotics, which he indulges in liberally as he transforms his assignment into a search for the American Dream. Before they know it, the two friends are wrapped in a world of gamblers, dealers, druggies, and corrupt cops. Two con men get revenge for a fallen friend in this buddy comedy starring Robert Redford and Paul Newman.
Mississippi Grind probably slipped under your radar, but all critics can agree it’s a hidden gem. Gambling can be an intense, life-destroying addiction that’s as far from funny as it gets. Mississippi Grind, however, features Ryan Reynolds—so, obviously, it’s going to have laughs.
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Casino Royale truly is a classic that you have to watch at least once in your life – especially if you are a fan of James Bond and his legendary service to the British Secret Service. Rain Man is one of the movies you must watch because it tells us a lot about the importance of family, of differences in mental astuteness, and how easily one can cross the boundaries of what is legal. When it comes to choosing the best Vegas films of all times, it would be a crime to leave Rain Man off the list. Croupier describes this distinctive world from a professional dealer’s perspective. The film relates a story about the dark side of casinos, revealing what’s on the other side of the table. Whether you like the exciting stories, the great acting, or the glamorous casino settings, “Best Casino Movies to Watch” has something for everyone.
He steals $44,000 from his own mother and heads to Vegas, looking for a big score so he can settle all of his financial obligations. When you get Terry Gilliam to direct a biographical gambling movie based on a Hunter S. Thompson novel, it’s more than clear the result won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. But if you are open to a mix of scary, gross, hilarious, and bizarre elements, you’ll definitely love it. 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. Movies about gambling have been popular since the very beginning of cinematography.
Wahlberg’s performance captures the self-destructive nature of gambling, making this film a gritty and intense exploration of the darker side of the betting world. Gambling and casinos have always been closely tied to the allure of luxury and risk, especially in iconic destinations like Las Vegas and Monte Carlo. The opulent world of land-based casinos has inspired filmmakers to create unforgettable movies that delve into the high-stakes drama of the gambling world. From meticulously planned heists to intense poker showdowns, these films have become a staple of cinematic culture, capturing the essence of ambition, danger, and adrenaline. “Casino Royale” is an action James Bond spy movie inspired by the old version released many years earlier.
He’s up against Mads Mikkelsen, who plays an international criminal with a questionable tell, risking the funds of the exact sort of people you don’t want to be on the bad side of. There’s nothing the casino can do if someone’s playing hot and winning a lot of money—unless they send in „The Cooler,“ anyway. Played with a timid, nervous energy by William H. Macy, „The Cooler“ is naturally unlucky, and he works for the casino by jinxing players and spreading his misfortune.
- 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.
- Paul Newman won his only Oscar for The Color of Money, revisiting the character of Fast Eddie Felson, whom he played in 1961’s The Hustler.
- The viewers can enjoy the cat-and-mouse play between the characters who try to outsmart each other and deal with their own vulnerabilities.
- Through a series of comedic and often outlandish situations, “The Grand” offers a humorous take on the world of professional poker.
- Although initially detached from his surroundings, Jack becomes drawn into the world of gambling and the casino’s rather shady operations, and also gets involved in a love triangle.
- Whip it all up with a lot of gambling and you get one of the most popular gambling movies of all time.
- Director Steven Soderbergh takes us through all the intricate planning and execution, then wraps up with a satisfying ending.
- “21” explores themes of greed, ambition, and the challenge of living on the edge.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Directed by Martin Scorsese, Casino includes an A-list cast led by Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and blonde bombshell Sharon Stone. Whip it all up with a lot of gambling and you get one of the most popular gambling movies of all time. When you think about the best movies for poker players, you have to start with Rounders.
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Like other gambling films, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas takes us into the rotten world of gamblers and drug dealers. Accompanied by his friend, the Samoan lawyer Dr. Gonzo, Hunter Thompson is headed to Las Vegas with a writing assignment to cover a motocross event for a magazine. If the answer is yes, Ocean’s Eleven is definitely one of the gambling movies you must see. Director Robert Altman must have recognised himself in the characters of Bill and Charlie, and we believe that’s what makes California Split one of the greatest casino movies of all time. Cruise is a spoiled businessman, Charlie Babbitt, who is perplexed and annoyed by his father’s will. He makes a series of hasty decisions in what can only be called one of the best gambling movies you’ll ever watch.
- To prove himself, Eddie challenges top dog Minnesota Fats (played by Jackie Gleason) to a high-stakes game of pool.
- Happening in the stylish 1930s setting during the Great Depression, the plot is about two con artists seeking revenge for the murder of their mutual friend.
- Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman gave the performances of their careers portraying brothers Charlie and Raymond in this emotionally charged drama.
- In “21,” a group of brilliant students use their math skills to count cards and win substantial money while playing blackjack in Las Vegas casinos.
- It presents a humorous and satirical portrayal of the gambling culture, with colorful characters and comical situations.
- The story goes that Robert Altman sent Elliot Gould the screenplay to California Split, hoping he’d play Charlie, a gambler who befriends fellow gambler Bill (George Segal).
- He steals $44,000 from his own mother and heads to Vegas, looking for a big score so he can settle all of his financial obligations.
- Axel Freed is an English professor from a family of established doctors and businessmen.
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. Hard Eight is a polished, expertly paced crime flick that began life as a 1993 short film called Cigarettes & Coffee. Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly, Gwyneth Paltrow, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Samuel L. Jackson comprise the impressive cast for this debut indie movie. After being robbed by a sore card loser, Bill Denny (played by George Segal) and Charlie Waters (played by Elliott Gould) bond over their mutual, dangerous love of gambling. In 1986, the bosses, finally fed up with Nicky’s recklessness and attempt on Sam’s life, order Frankie and his crew to kill Nicky and Dominick.
The movie follows the adventures of a charming and roguish gambler and gunslinger. It combines elements of comedy, action, and adventure, with the poker game serving as a central plot point. The movie was loved by the public due to its humorous take on the Western genre and unexpected twists. 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.
In The Gambler, Mark Wahlberg plays Jim Bennett, a literature professor with a dangerous gambling addiction. As his debts mount, Bennett finds himself in increasingly perilous situations, borrowing from loan sharks and crossing paths with criminals. The film delves into the psychological depths of addiction, focusing on the protagonist’s struggle for control as his life spirals out of hand.
This Best Picture winner exudes pure pleasure … well, unless you run afoul of Shaw (Paul Newman) and Kelly (Robert Redford), that is. These two con men decide to take down a no-good mobster (Robert Shaw), and their elaborate grift involves card games and horse racing. Understanding the machinations of Shaw and Kelly’s plan doesn’t matter — it’s just a delight to watch the characters (and director George Roy Hill) turn The Sting into one big, electric narrative sport. Spacey is particularly checked-out here, and the movie was criticized for “whitewashing” in its casting, turning the mostly Asian-American real-life players into generic white people. 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.
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. Casino depicts the epic story of the traditional casino gambling culture in Las Vegas. As it is based on a true story, Casino easily earns a place on the famous casino movies list. Thanks largely to Scorsese’s strong directing, this classic has contributed a great deal of popularity to the glamorous and mysterious Las Vegas lifestyle. The story of “Finder’s Fee” revolves around a group of neighbors who gather for their regular poker game.
That said, Manfred still ends up enveloped by the gambling world, which his girlfriend isn’t overly pleased about. Axel Freed is an English professor from a family of established doctors and businessmen. However, Axel’s not quite as successful as his loved ones believe, running up huge tabs to the ire of his mafioso bookie. Jessica Chastain delivered one of the strongest, most dynamic female performances of the year as she showed how one woman stood up to the most powerful men in the world without flinching. Directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck take us all across the South, from Memphis to Mississippi, as they piece together bits, blues, and bumbling characters.
Set against the backdrop of the 2008 financial crisis, “Killing Them Softly” follows a professional enforcer as he investigates the robbery of a high-stakes poker game. The movie is all about greed, capitalism, and disillusionment with the American Dream. “Killing Them Softly” combines intense performances, stylish cinematography, and sharp dialogue to deliver a compelling and atmospheric crime drama. Clive Owen has been such a familiar, somewhat disappointing, presence in films for the last two decades that it’s now hard to remember what a lightning bolt his arrival was. So go back and rewatch Croupier, where all that promise was laid out fairly magnificently.
