31 Best Gambling Movies of All Time Ultimate Gamblers’ Watchlist

California Split follows both men on their wild journey as they look to truly hit the jackpot. Bleek’s right-hand man, Giant, played by Lee himself, is in deep with his bookie for gambling debts, putting his best friend in jeopardy. The film comments on the themes of friendship and loyalty, no more evident than in the relationship of Bleek and Giant.

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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.

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The Ocean’s 11 targets three of Vegas largest casinos – the MGM Grand, the Mirage and Bellagio. In this film, the three casinos are owned and operated by scum-bag tycoon Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia). Ace (de Niro) is a Vegas casino operator with mob connection but he lives a seemingly normal and civilized life with his family. It follows a mishap-filled story of Doug (played by Justin Bartha) and his 3 friends – Alan (Ed Helms), Stu (Zach Galifianakis), and Phil (Bradley Cooper). The odd crew decides, 2 days before Doug’s wedding, to make a trip to Las Vegas for a bachelor party.

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The movie revolves around a gambling addict whose life takes a shocking turn after he meets a new bookie who introduces him to a special game which seems highly lucrative but has its own dangers. The story is a little too simplistic and its exploration of addiction is a little one-dimensional but nevertheless, the attempt is commendable, and the performances lift the film beyond the realms of mediocrity. The title can be translated as either “Bob the High-Roller” or “Bob the Gambler.” The titular Bob, played by Robert Duchesne, is a former gangster with a life-consuming gambling addiction. To do it, he calls on his old gangster contacts and puts together a team of experts to pull off a heist.

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• Rather than spending most of his time in a casino like most of the other gambling addicts in the movies included on this list, Howard prefers to get his rush out of betting on sports.
• The movie follows two fellow conmen that decide to get revenge on a crime boss who’s responsible for the death of their mutual acquaintance.
• Everything about the Safdie brothers’ crime-thriller is high-wire and frenzied, just like its haphazard protagonist.
• Matt Damon stars as Mike McDermott, a man with serious poker skills but life elements that keep him away from the game, namely a disapproving girlfriend, an attachment to law school, and a failed attempt at a big win looming over 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.
• The drama surrounding the world of gambling can suck you in with its tales of big wins, devastating losses and criminal masterminds.
• “Poker Queens” offers an insightful look into the lives of these remarkable women who have significantly impacted the world of poker.
• “Molly’s Game” was positively assessed for its dynamic directing style and strong performance.

A nickname like “Worm” is itself a red flag for a person, and it’s made even worse when that person has served time. Played by Edward Norton, Worm is one of those characters whom you hate to love, as his gambling habits tear Mike’s world down in a matter of days. William Tell (played by Oscar Isaac) lives a sad life, moving from one motel to the next, living out of suitcases and covering all the furniture in bedsheets. 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.

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It presents a humorous and satirical portrayal of the gambling culture, with colorful characters and comical situations. While “Let It Ride” received both positive and negative reviews upon its release, it was praised for its comedic approach to the world of gambling and the highs and lows of real-money betting. “Poker Queens” is a documentary released in 2020 that explores the world of professional female poker players.

Best Gambling Movies of All Time

This biopic delves into everything that made Bugsy what he was and how he helped develop Las Vegas into what it is today. Possibly Paul Thomas Anderson’s least known film, Hard Eight tells the story of a veteran gambler who teaches stranger John the tricks of the trade. “Atlantic City” portrays the changing landscape of gambling in the titular city through the eyes of an aging gangster. The film, starring Burt Lancaster and Susan Sarandon, offers a gritty, romantic vision of a bygone era.

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In reality and in the film, Dan Mahowny, whose real name was Brian Molony, per the Toronto Star, was a manager at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce with an all-consuming gambling addiction. He used his position as a bank manager to gamble with money belonging to the bank’s clients in excess of $10 million. If you’re looking for a gambling film that has a lighter edge to it, then this pick should elicit a few laughs. Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels is a British crime/comedy that stars Jason Statham and Vinnie Jones. The plot revolves around four friends who decide to put all their cash together and enter a major poker game against a big-time crime boss. That crime boss takes the win under dubious means, which forces the main man who convinced his crew to enter the game to pay up or be forced to give up his father’s pub as collateral.

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“The Gambler” tells a story of a literature professor with a severe gambling addiction, trapped in a dangerous cycle of compulsive gambling, debt, and self-destruction. In addition to the bright and outstanding gambling scenes, the movie also skillfully shows the psychological aspects of addiction and the emotional turmoil that comes with it. He steals funds from the bank to fuel his habit and begins a downward spiral of risk-taking.

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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.

• Two con men get revenge for a fallen friend in this buddy comedy starring Robert Redford and Paul Newman.
• One of James Caan’s best movies, The Gambler focuses on a literature professor with a gambling vice who must avoid loan sharks when they begin to circle.
• The showdown unfolds right before your eyes, with lots of table banter and poker bluffing strategies.
• Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck star in “Runner Runner,” a thriller that explores the dangerous and deceitful world of online gambling.
• Paul Thomas Anderson’s debut, “Hard Eight,” tells the story of a professional gambler who takes a young protégé under his wing.
• The 2001 version of the 1960 Rat Pack film ends up being a far superior rendition that features a who’s who of Hollywood A-listers.

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. He gathers his team of accomplices, including Hollywood stars Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Julia Roberts, and attempts to rob some of the biggest casinos in Las Vegas.

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These films, with their unique perspectives on the world of gambling, offer a wide range of emotions, from the thrill of victory to the despair of defeat. Whether you’re a fan of the glitz and glamour of casino life, the tension of the poker table, or the drama of a life changed by a single bet. Richard Dreyfuss stars in “Let It Ride,” a comedy about a day at the races that turns into an unbelievable winning streak. It’s a light-hearted look at the dream of the big win, filled with quirky characters and comedic situations. A classic of French cinema, “Bob le Flambeur” combines the elegance of noir with the thrill of the heist genre, telling the story of an aging gambler planning one final score at the Deauville casino. Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck star in “Runner Runner,” a thriller that explores the dangerous and deceitful world of online gambling.

The story follows Bond as he gets assigned to a bankrupt terrorist financier in a high-stakes poker game. The film features intense action sequences, high-stakes gambling, and a compelling storyline in the context of stylish gambling glamor. “Casino Royale” remains a popular entry in the James Bond film series due to its fresh take on the character.

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.

‘Holy Rollers: The True Story of Card Counting Christians’

“Casino Royale” redefined the Bond franchise with its intense action and psychological depth. It won two of its nine nominations at the 34th Academy Awards, and has since been selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry. And as Fast Eddie seeks to test his pool hustling aptitude against the professional player “Minnesota Flats”, the stars of this sports show in Newman and George C. Scott lead the project to utter greatness. Directed by Robert Altman, this gambling saga tells the tale of its two primary characters, Bill Denny and Charlie Waters — played by George Segal and Elliot Gould, respectively. A friendship between the two blossoms after a fellow gambler gets angry at them for beating him and taking their money.

Essential Gambling Movies Every Gambler Should See Once

The script for the upcoming Peaky Blinders movie is nearly done, according to creator Steven Knight, and fans couldn’t be more excited to see the Shelby boys back on screen. Although Peaky Blinders would not be the first TV show or movie to show gambling in all its complicated glory, it has been lauded as one of the best. These movies are near perfection, though one annoying character has left a negative impression on some fans. Eric Stoner (played by Steve McQueen), also known as The Cincinnati Kid, is the young, cocky, and eager-to-card-duel newbie on the block who’s dying to try his luck against the master. 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.

This moment then leads to a change in character for Charlie that makes this film a real tearjerker that’s bound to hit you right in the feels. Matt Damon stars in this movie all about placing big bets and fighting to escape crippling debt. Matt’s character (Mike McDermott) ends up losing a ton of money during a poker game against a Russian gangster. After experiencing such a devastating loss, Mike leaves the poker scene behind due to his girlfriend’s pleas to leave the game behind. But the game comes calling once more when Mike finds out his friend Lester “Worm” Murphy needs to pay off a huge debt to the same Russian mobster that Mike took a major loss to. Rounders follows Mike and Lester as they try to work the system to their advantage and find a way to get one over on the man who’s responsible for their financial misfortunes.

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. Casino is one of Scorcese’s epic American tragedies exposing the human core of the gambling illusion to unparalleled effect in terms of scope and story. Rothstein comparing running a casino to “selling people dreams for cash” is one of the most concise ways of encapsulating all that gambling is to the world. 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.

With a star-studded cast that includes Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Julia Roberts, Ocean’s Eleven seamlessly blends comedy, action, and clever twists. Clooney and Pitt’s chemistry is electric, and their camaraderie adds to the charm of the film. 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. 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.

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.

The main character of Axel’s weakness for gambling ranges from betting on basketball to hot shot casino games, showing that the protagonist is entrenched too deep in his addiction to think logically. 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. Oscar Isaac delivers a compelling performance in “The Card Counter,” portraying a gambler with a troubled past seeking redemption through a series of high-stakes poker games.

• After agreeing to keep an eye on a duffel bag full of money for a friend that’s heading to prison, Eddie gives in to his gambling demons and ends up using the money to indulge his addiction.
• After her career was derailed by a life-changing injury to her spine, Molly was then put in charge of an underground poker game within the Viper Room in Los Angeles.
• During his time spent as a croupier, he tries his hardest not to get sucked up in the dark world of gambling and fall for a more “attractive” temptation.
• 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 movie is still a very enjoyable comedy with decent suspense and a layered storyline.
• Loosely based on a true story, the movie tells of a married pair who exploited a fascinating flaw in a national lottery and reinvested the money they drifted off the system into their small Michigan town.
• If the plot complications aren’t always satisfying, the film’s vivid recreation of dingy casino life is utterly intoxicating.

At home, McDermott is being pressured by his girlfriend Jo to call it quits from gambling. “Croupier” also features what is undoubtedly one of the most realistic portrayals of gambling ever put to screen. OnlineCasinos.com even calls the film a convincing depiction of casinos and gambling “down to the smallest details.” As the first James Bond film featuring Daniel Craig, “Casino Royale” made a strong impression. Bond was darker and grittier than ever before, and with that extra edge came an added sense of realism that was lacking from some of the goofier Bond entries, such as those of the Roger Moore era.

The movie combines elements of a character study, a gripping thriller, and a contemplation on the nature of obsession. Known for its atmospheric and introspective storytelling, “The Card Counter” offers a slow-burning and thought-provoking narrative that examines the destructive power of vengeance. The plot explores the main protagonist’s self-destructive behavior, his complex relationships with his students and family, and his desperate attempts to find a way out of his predicament. “The Gambler” is full of gambling scenes and delves into themes of addiction, obsession, and the consequences of one’s choices, providing an intense portrayal of the protagonist’s downward spiral. Apart from Netflix’s large collection of gambling-themed movies, there are plenty of other excellent gambling films. Some have even been on Netflix before and may return at some point, while others are still waiting to make their Netflix debut.

Shade tells a story of a group of professional card cheats who are planning to pull off a major con in Los Angeles by outsmarting a gangster. 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. In its essence, Army of the Dead is a classic heist movie; a billionaire seeks to retrieve $200 million locked in a casino vault in Las Vegas, which is inhabited by zombies. He enlists mercenary Scott Ward, played by Dave Bautista, and his team to get back the money before the city is completely destroyed.

If you have 1hr 57min to spare, this is a casino heist movie that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. He comes across John, played by John C. Reilly, by chance after John has gone broke and takes pity on him. The two enter a mentor-mentee relationship centered around a Reno casino, and Sydney even becomes a father figure for John. “Rounders” not only made a big splash as a movie but was also hugely influential to the development and popularization of Texas Hold ’em poker in the real world. According to PokerListings.com, “Rounders” can be credited with elevating no-limit Texas Hold ’em to its current status as the most popular card game in the world.

If this list were ranking the most underrated gambling movies ever made, Hard Eight (1996) by Paul Thomas Anderson would undoubtedly come out on top. It stars Phillip Baker Hall along with a star-studded supporting cast of John C. Reilly, Gwyneth Paltrow, Samuel L. Jackson, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman, and they all play a meaningful role in the wide-ranging plot. Except for Hoffman, that is — although, his one scene in the film almost managed to steal the entire show.

Earning an outstanding 8 stars at IMDb, the film scores points on every front, from the cool gambling moves to action-packed scenes. If you are looking for a classic gambling film, look no further than The Cincinnati Kid. The movie walks us through the exploits of the Kid (played by Steve McQueen) as he https://crazystar-casino.com/ tries to cut a niche for himself in the gambling during the Great Depression. To do this, the Kid must outdo Lancey, considered one of the best poker players in the era. Despite the character’s crimes, Hoffman keeps Mahowny sympathetic and even tragic as he tries and fails to overcome his addiction.

The movie received commercial success and won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. The comedy story follows a group of friends who travel to Las Vegas for a bachelor party to celebrate their friend’s upcoming wedding and experience a series of outrageous and comedic misadventures. The movie became a surprise hit upon release due to its humor and unexpected plot twists. Although, for some of these films, you might need to do some digging around to find which country they’re available in. The soundtrack and performances of the main cast are excellent and warrant a watch just for them.

He, along with his friends, then comes up with a heist plan in order to pay off the debt. The film received positive reviews from critics for its smart script, consistent tone and unique approach to a seemingly formulaic plot. The movie was written and produced by Joseph Walsh in what would wind up being his only feature-film credit in either capacity, though he regularly worked as an actor from the late 1940s into the 1990s.