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The 15 Best Movies About Gambling and Casinos, Ranked

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October 14, 2024

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George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon lead a supporting crew that consists of actors like Julia Roberts, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac, Casey Affleck, and Elliot Gould. It’s easily the most well-assembled cast any gambling film has to offer, even if all its characters in the end stifle the overall pacing (and realism, for a different time) of the film itself. Along with The Hangover and a select couple of others, Ocean’s Eleven (2001) by Steven Soderbergh is one of the most popular gambling movies ever made. Sure, it’s a heist film as well, but the featured location of said robbery is of course a Las Vegas casino. The main characters in these films are upping the ante by risking their lives on the big score, falling into debt or addiction—or trying to game the system. Sometimes, they’re running underworld operations; sometimes those involved are super spies.

( Casino Royale (Martin Campbell,

• Tom Cruise appears in his second gambling movie role as car dealer Charlie Babbitt, who doesn’t have the best relationship with his now-deceased father.
• Gambling movies are so remarkably tense for viewers because the stakes of casino games are already inherently high.
• The conflux of luck, skill, danger, and, in some cases, cheating is what makes these top gambling films so memorable.
• Clooney and Pitt’s chemistry is electric, and their camaraderie adds to the charm of the film.
• The movie received commercial success and won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.
• In dire straits, Gerry pairs up with the charismatic Curtis on a road trip across the American South to win back what they have lost in their poker gambling in Mississippi Grind.
• One of the most underrated movies of the 90s, ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’, directed by Guy Ritchie, is one of the finest comedies I’ve ever seen.

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. 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.

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“Two for the Money” delves into the high-stakes world of sports betting, with Al Pacino, Matthew McConaughey, and Rene Russo leading the cast. The film explores the relationship between a former college football star, who becomes a sports handicapper, and his boss, a betting agency magnate. It’s a tale of greed, integrity, and the risky game of predicting sports outcomes, highlighting the psychological and emotional rollercoaster of gambling addiction and the high-pressure world of sports betting.

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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.

Film Reviews

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.

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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. 21 offers a sleek, modern take on casino movies, blending intellect with suspense in the neon-lit world of Vegas. 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.

Win It All (

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. With 8.2 stars at IMDb, it’s one of the highest-rated gambling-related movies, and it definitely lives up to the hype. Newman plays the part of former pool hustler “Fast Eddie” Felson, who decides to make a comeback to the game he once dominated. However, he does so by taking on the role of a teacher as he leads a young pool player to greatness. That player is Vincent Lauria (played by Tom Cruise), who goes on to learn the in’s and out’s of proper pool playing and scamming. But when Eddie and Vincent’s partnership falls apart, they eventually end up on opposite ends and confront each other in the game they both love so much.

( Rounders (John Darl,

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.

( Croupier (Mike Hodges,

The film was directed by Mike Hodges, who was best known for films like “Flash Gordon” and the Michael Caine classic “Get Carter.” “Croupier” was one of Hodges’ final films. “Hard Eight” was the debut feature film from writer and director Paul Thomas Anderson, the filmmaker behind movies like “There Will Be Blood,” “Boogie Nights,” and “Punch-Drunk Love,” amongst others. The title refers to a particular dice roll in the game of craps; two fours equal a hard eight. Craps and other casino games play a significant role in the film, but the story is just as much about romance and murder as it is about gambling. With violent loan sharks coming after him, Howard is in a tight spot and needs to come up with money as quickly as possible.

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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.

The Card Counter

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.

• Gambling is an integral part of each story’s unfolding, whether through the gamblers’ pursuit of fortune, the excitement of outwitting adversaries, or the psychological battles they wage against themselves.
• 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 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.

House of Games

Tense, entertaining, and carried by incredible performances, Molly’s Game has everything a good crime-drama needs. 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. Here are my picks for the best movies about gambling that capture the thrills and falls that come with the territory. I’m Eva, the opinionated voice behind every online casino review we make here on CasinosHunter. I’ve been working as a copywriter for 10+ years, half of the time in the online gambling niche, among others. Here on CasinosHunter, I write reviews, guides, all cornerstone content, and also make sure that every text on the site or our social media is well-written and correct.

Molly’s Game (

The Cincinnati Kid shows that there’s an honor to be had, even in the high-stakes world of big-money poker games. Our journey through the best gambling movies has taken us from the neon lights of Las Vegas to the intense quiet of the poker table, reflecting the broad spectrum of stories that this genre has to offer. Whether it’s the thrill of the win, the agony of defeat, or the human stories behind the bets, these films capture the essence of gambling in all its forms. 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. Gambling has always been a rich vein for filmmakers to mine, offering narratives filled with risk, high stakes, and the intriguing personalities drawn to this world.

George Clooney stars as Dapper Danny Ocean, a thief who’s up to no good just hours after being released from his parole. That ragtag group of fellow thieves consists of familiar faces such as Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mack, etc. On an annual basis, the town of Laredo, Texas becomes the epicenter for the most important poker game in the state. Five of the wealthiest men in the area come together to risk it all while an interested crowd watches them with bated breath. An ex-gambler ends up wandering into town in the midst of the big poker game and finds himself going right back to his former addiction. When things become too tough to bear for the latest addition to the game, the ex-gambler’s wife steps in to take his place and defy the odds as she takes on her wealthier opposition.

• The story of “Finder’s Fee” revolves around a group of neighbors who gather for their regular poker game.
• Her addiction not only jeopardizes her marriage but also puts her in dangerous situations.
• However, that’s not the case in Win It All, where Eddie Garrett, played by Jake Johnson, not only loses an entire bankroll in just a few seconds, but it’s not even his own money to begin with.
• These are the 15 best gambling movies ever made according to IMDb, which are calculated based on user-submitted ratings.
• Like most gamblers, Mike loses more than just his money—but that doesn’t stop him from driving towards the lights of Las Vegas for the World Series of Poker.
• The film dives into the grey areas of internet betting, with high stakes and higher risks.

After getting word that Le Chiffre wants to use high stakes poker to raise money for terrorist activities, MI6 enlists the help of Mr. Bond to try to beat him at the poker table. Not only does Bond show off amazing bluffing strategies but it also manages to break down Le Chiffre organization. This Robert Rossen film was an adaptation of the novel of the same name written by Walter Tevis, who also wrote “The Man Who Fell to Earth” and “The Queen’s Gambit,” two more novels to receive high-profile adaptations.

Poolhall Junkies

Molly’s Game is based on the real life of Molly Bloom, an Olympic-grade skier who suffered a serious and career-ending injury while preparing for the Winter Olympics in 2002. She then went on to host underground poker games that included several esteemed individuals on behalf of real estate developer Dean Keith. However, that’s not the case in Win It All, where Eddie Garrett, played by Jake Johnson, not only loses an entire bankroll in just a few seconds, but it’s not even his own money to begin with.

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• Adam Sandler delivers a career-best performance in “Uncut Gems,” playing a jeweler and gambler whose life spirals out of control.
• The Hustler should be seen first as it is the predecessor to that other highly recommended gambling film.
• 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.
• 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.
• When one of them finds a lost wallet with a winning lottery ticket inside, it sets off a chain of events that leads to unexpected twists and revelations.

It exudes a particularly anxiety-inducing tone to its general style of cinematography and sound design, which remains a main talking point among fans to this day. If you happened to miss this critical darling from a few years back, it’s undoubtedly worth checking out. The heist is shown on screen, but things get interesting when Pitt’s character, a hitman named Jackie Cogan comes into play. 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. Kicking things off with a bit of an anomaly, The Hangover (2009) is the only clear-cut comedy movie on the entire list. That said, this modern hit is in the end definitely a film of actual quality, with positive ratings from critics and even a win at the Golden Globes for Best Musical or Comedy.

It’s not quite Goodfellas (although Joe Pesci does play a similar, psychotically inclined character in both films), but Casino is just as bold, stylish, and slick as any other Scorsese picture of its kind. Director Steven Soderbergh takes us through all the intricate planning and execution, then wraps up with a satisfying ending. It may not have been showered in Oscar nominations, but Ocean’s Eleven is undoubtedly the most famous heist movie of our age. 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.

Molly just so happened to be running an exclusive poker game ring for an entire decade that welcomed celebrities, business tycoons, and even mobsters. After being arrested during a massive FBI sting, Molly comes into contact with a criminal defense lawyer and relays more of her enthralling life story to the viewing audience. But his role in Uncut Gems reminded everyone that he’s a force to be reckoned with when he’s given incredible material to work with.

The team of highly gifted individuals is trained by a professor at MIT (although, in reality, the actual blackjack team wasn’t started by a professor) and has plenty of success in its escapades before things begin going south. One of my friends once said that ‘Bad Lieutenant’ was a film that shook him to the core and forever changed the way he looked at the world. While it didn’t affect me on a profoundly personal level, I can see how devastating the film could be for some people. 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.

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.

• Perhaps the most heartwarming story is that of Ben Campbell (played by Jim Sturgess), a gifted student and an aspiring medical doctor.
• George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon lead a supporting crew that consists of actors like Julia Roberts, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac, Casey Affleck, and Elliot Gould.
• 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.
• Pitt ends up getting the jobs done himself like an angel of death befallen anyone silly enough to gamble their lives away by messing with the mafia.
• Set in the glamorous backdrop of the French Riviera, “The Good Thief” follows the story of a retired master thief and gambling addict.
• But his role in Uncut Gems reminded everyone that he’s a force to be reckoned with when he’s given incredible material to work with.
• Whether characters ride the rush and win big or lose it all to a crippling addiction, these are the highest-rated gambling films of all time.
• 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.

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 https://crazystar-casino.com/ 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.

• The movie became a surprise hit upon release due to its humor and unexpected plot twists.
• However, he does so by taking on the role of a teacher as he leads a young pool player to greatness.
• Charlie goes out of his way to gamble as much as he can in a bid to win the biggest payday there is alongside Bill.
• If you love casino heist films, the chances are very good that you have watched Steven Soderbergh’s crown jewel Ocean’s Eleven.
• Through her charismatic personality, she attracts higher caliber players and eventually starts running her own games, which gained her a lot of money.
• Mississippi Grind, however, features Ryan Reynolds—so, obviously, it’s going to have laughs.
• The Great Recession of 2008 made many people take desperate measures to get money and Killing Them Softly punches you in the mouth with the harsh truth that robbing a mafia poker game isn’t the way to go.
• When a professional gambler by the name of Sydney runs into a fellow gambler named John, Sydney takes John under his wing and teaches him how to truly be successful in the world of gambling.

Translated as either “Bob the Gambler” or “Bob the High Roller,” Bob le flambuer is a cinematic breakdown of what happens when someone is forced to risk it all. Bob Montagne, the main character of the film, is known as an extremely lucky gambler who’s a big hit amongst the populace. But when things turn dour for him and his good luck subsides, the ones that once loved him the most decide to abandon him. In order to regain his wealthy status, Bob maps out a plan to rob a casino during a, particularly important weekend. The Sting is a classic film that’s the perfect onscreen representation of what it takes to pull off a major con job.

Gerry hopes that with Curtis by his side, he’ll be able to hit it big at a high-stakes poker game in New Orleans. Mississippi Grind is the perfect road trip film that just so happens to be tied to big money bets and a nail-biting poker game. Poker extraordinaire Eric Stoner has made it his mission to become the best poker player in town. Known around the local poker scene as “The Cincinnati Kid,” Eric decides to challenge someone even better than him – a fellow poker master by the name of Lancey “The Man” Howard. After getting set up with Howard for a winner takes all poker games, Eric discovers that the odds are being fixed in his favor. This revelation pushes Eric to defy such a dishonorable victory and show everyone that he can win the match through his skills alone.