Cinema Review: 50 BEST CASINO MOVIES OF ALL TIME

01 Oct Cinema Review: 50 BEST CASINO MOVIES OF ALL TIME

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.

The 12 Best Las Vegas Movies Like ‘Casino’

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. “He had to stop gambling,” Scorsese said in Conversations With Scorsese. This isn’t one of Scorsese’s best movies — and as we said earlier, The Hustler is the better overall film — but it’s solid and despairing. Like with Scorsese’s mobsters, these are people who are magnetic but not ones you’d want to spend time with in real life.

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An origin story of Las Vegas, Bugsy is principally a study of Bugsy Siegel, a gangster who travels to the desert, convinced he’s seen the mob’s future. Bugsy is less about gambling — although Siegel surely takes some big chances — than it is about Sin City’s messy birth, which proves fascinating, even if the movie’s glitzy, prestige-picture trappings are a bit limiting. The duality of gambling movies reflects the multifaceted nature of casino culture itself—where the thrill of the game meets the reality of the risks involved.

The 75+ Best Movies About Gambling

It featured The Godfather star, James Caan, and directed by Karel Reisz. The most tragic story in My Hero Academia comes to a close in one of the most spectacular episodes of the series in years. From the Safdie Brothers, Uncut Gems follows fast-talking jeweler Howard as he tries to juggle family obligations, his mistress, angry collectors, and mounting debts on top of his insatiable thirst for gambling.

• If you happened to miss this critical darling from a few years back, it’s undoubtedly worth checking out.
• When films like The Card Counter uncover the psychological connection between being good at gambling and dealing with being a human, they create something truly magical that stands the test of time.
• Movies about gambling take audiences on exhilarating journeys with characters who face overwhelming odds, yet navigate through with luck, strategy, and skill.
• 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.
• If you are a fan of old classics and gambling movies, then you were waiting for this film’s name to appear on the list.
• As Sydney teaches John the tricks of the trade, their mentor-protege relationship is tested by the arrival of Clementine, a troubled waitress played by Paltrow.
• Four men – Doug, Alan, Stu, and Phil – go to Las Vegas for a stag night, awakening the next morning with the worst hangovers of their lives.
• Ocean’s Eleven is the first movie in the Ocean trilogy and a remake of the 1960 movie of the same name.

Casino (1995 film)

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. The film holds an 83% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and it garnered $450.7 million on an $85 million budget.

Eddie Should have set and stuck to his gambling budget

There are many trends affecting the Polish gambling scene and the creation of video games from movies is just an example. However, there is a depiction of a casino Hollywood experience listed above. From professional poker players to the mafia that once ruled the casinos, this list of top gambling movies showcases the very best films ever made about this thrilling and somewhat distant world of gambling. It offers insights into the psychology behind gambling and the people involved, a topic that fascinates many. Unforgettable gambling films offer electrifying narratives and memorable characters, reflecting the allure and rich complexity of the casino world. These cinematic achievements are just a few examples of the great films that transport viewers into the world of gambling.

The Color of Money

• If you’re looking for a movie that captures the essence of the casino, Rain Man is definitely the one for you.
• 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.
• Casino follows Sam “Ace” Rothstein (De Niro), a Jewish American gambling expert handicapper who is asked by the Chicago Outfit to oversee the day-to-day casino and hotel operations at the Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas.
• The nuanced performances by Philip Baker Hall and John C. Reilly add depth to the movie.
• A perennial down-on-his-luck guy works as a gambling jinx, known as a cooler, in an old school casino until his luck changes for the better when he becomes smitten with a cocktail waitress, much to his cutthroat boss’s frustration.

“Rounders,” directed by John Dahl and starring Matt Damon and Edward Norton, is a gripping drama that explores the underground world of high-stakes poker. Damon plays Mike McDermott, a reformed gambler who is drawn back into the game when his friend Worm, played by Norton, is released from prison. As part of the slick 30 for 30 ESPN documentary series this episode focuses on pro-bettor and one-time TV commentator James Snyder who was better known as Jimmy The Greek. After arriving in Vegas in the mid-50s he set up one of the first sports tipping lines on the then nascent NFL, which eventually led to him appearing on CBS to make predictions on upcoming games. This is every poker player’s favourite film and one most can quote from endlessly.

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In Australia, losing all your money gambling leads to drinking binges and fighting kangaroos, or at least it does in the eccentric psychological thriller Wake In Fright. If you’re feeling lucky and want to see what that luck can get you, put down the FanDuel app and check out the 20 best gambling movies you can watch to satisfy your hunger for more. Molly’s Game was the directorial debut for writer Aaron Sorkin, based on the alleged true story of a former Olympic skier who ran an international underground poker tournament for celebrities, high profile businessmen, and the Russian mob. Played by Jessica Chastain, Molly Bloom tries to keep her gambling empire afloat while the FBI investigates the massively illegal operation.

‘Ballad of a Small Player’ is just the latest Macao casino movie. Here are 10 more

Gambling movies are so remarkably tense for viewers because the stakes of casino games are already inherently high. Perhaps it’s not surprising then that filmmakers have returned to the well as inspiration https://true-fortune.us/ for thrillers, dramas, and action-packed adventures over the years. Chow would return to Macao again in 2023’s One More Chance in which he played against type by taking on the role of a deadbeat gambler.

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Steven Soderbergh’s use of Las Vegas also turns the city into a character in its own right, creating film magic at its best. WIth him at the helm, the film blends the classic thrill of a heist movie with that glamour of Las Vegas and the large sums from its gambling empire. James Bond appears to play a poker game against Le Chiffre, a brilliant, evil genius character. Both characters create an intense scene that keeps viewers glued to the screens. On the big screen, casinos are the backdrop for heists, personal journeys, glamorous nights, complex relationships and much more. From star-studded casts to award-winning stories, casino movies have it all.

Gambling Movies and Their Impact on Casino Culture

• Filmmakers from Spike Lee to Martin Scorsese understand this all-in mindset of gambling and infuse it into their awesome films.
• An autistic savant with an affinity to count cards, Raymond helps deeply indebted brother Charlie take the Vegas blackjack tables by storm.
• Watching the smartest people do the dumbest things could be enough to scare anyone away from gambling because winning is always enough until you want more.
• 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.
• Based on a true story but given the Hollywood treatment, the plot follows several MIT students who are too clever for their own good when the descend on Las Vegas as a crack team of expert card counters.
• Steven Soderbergh’s use of Las Vegas also turns the city into a character in its own right, creating film magic at its best.
• The performers share a tangible chemistry with the filmmaker, and that dynamic pops out through the screen of every featured frame.

As Jack becomes increasingly embroiled in the world of high-stakes gambling, he finds himself drawn into a web of deceit, danger, and betrayal. If you have not watched some of these yet, roll under your blanket and get ready for a thrilling ride full of gambling, betting, and drama. Blackjack remains one of the few “skill” games at the casino and one where given the right conditions and the ability to fly under the radar of the watching staff a skilled team can still beat the house. But as you will find out from the film this doesn’t come without some serious consequences. The shady world of professional tipsters is pretty well laid bare here, but it also conveys the tension, adrenaline rush and mentally bruising nature of sports betting with real heart.

How to Watch The Family Plan

To get away with your bulls in this game show, you must be able to put on a credible poker face. It is not enough to have a budget when you want to gamble at the casino. In a parlay bet, every selection in the wager has to win to secure a fast payout. We have paid partnerships with the online casino operators featured on our site. However, these partnerships do not affect our reviews, recommendations, or analysis.

Gambling Supervisors and Licenses

The Card Counter is a revenge thriller about an ex-military interrogator turned gambler who is haunted by his past. 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. A perennial down-on-his-luck guy works as a gambling jinx, known as a cooler, in an old school casino until his luck changes for the better when he becomes smitten with a cocktail waitress, much to his cutthroat boss’s frustration. 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.

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Suspenseful movies about gambling are a unique blend of excitement and drama. From the glitzy charm of Las Vegas to nerve-racking poker games, these films transport us to a universe where luck can change in the blink of an eye. Matt Damon stars as the poker-playing Mike McDermott, who falls in love with a Russian gambling baron and must beat him at high-stakes games to pay his college fees. If you are a fan of old classics and gambling movies, then you were waiting for this film’s name to appear on the list. In Robert Altman’s nightmarish drama-comedy, the great Elliott Gould and George Segal invite us to a world of night casinos, booze, and loose relationships. California Spirit is a full-fledged close-up not only of gaming as a way of life but also of the American culture of money and luck.

During the night out, one of the friends steals casino poker chips belonging to a gangster. However, they all request one of the friends who happens to be good at counting cards to help them win the money needed. The movie features Tom Cruise and his brother Dustin Hoffman who try to rebuild their relationship after the death of their father.

We should all consider ourselves lucky that these tales didn’t stay in Vegas, as Sin City has produced some of the best and most underrated movies to ever grace the silver screen. Gambling can encompass poker and other card games, of course, but also sports betting, the lottery, and anything else of that ilk you could muster. Paul Thomas Anderson’s movie “Hard Eight” follows the story of a seasoned gambler who takes a young man under his wing, introducing him to the casino scene. The mentorship slowly evolves into a complex relationship as they navigate the unpredictable world of gambling. “Rounders” sucks viewers into the world of underground poker, where the rush of the bluff and the allure of the win reign supreme. Matt Damon gives a memorable performance as a talented poker player who, despite his attempt to turn his life around, returns to poker to help a friend pay off his debts.

You do not have to be a gambler or a frequent casino guest to enjoy these movies.

• Thus, grab some popcorn, get comfy on your couch, and get ready to have a blast watching these exciting casino movies on Netflix.
• When it initially came out, it caught the film industry and audiences by storm, propelling Favreau and Vince Vaughn to the pinnacle of their careers and successfully transforming Vegas into a very compelling character.
• Everything is going well at the academy until the day Yumeko Jabami, the main character transfers to the academy.
• And that’s hardly scratching the surface of what makes Croupier so great.
• 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.
• A chance encounter with La Linda, played by Tiffany Hadish, leads to joining the World Series of Poker Tour, and all is well until a mysterious young man shows up to remind William of his hidden past.

Our expert Jacek Michalski takes us through the eleven movies with realistic casino scenes. If you put all of the James Bond films in order of best to worst received, “Casino Royale” would come in at No. 4, according to Rotten Tomatoes. This beloved franchise gave us a mature, reinvented Bond with the introduction of Daniel Craig and his excellent poker face. He goes up against Mads Mikkelsen’s character, Le Chiffre, a formidable player who finances terrorist organizations. It’s easily one of the top casino movies you could watch, packed with action and thrills. While the casino isn’t the main theme of this movie, it still deserves a place on our list of top casino movies.

They set out to sharpen their skills, with Vincent eventually out-hustling the original hustler. Bolstered by an Academy Award-winning, tour-de-force performance by Newman, this Martin Scorsese film deftly navigates the dank pool halls with ease, ensuring the audience is racking up right beside his layered characters. Rosa himself is banned from entering casinos as his card counting skills are known to the establishments and they are not happy to be losing that much money to a trick. This gambling movie on Netflix is probably one of the most realistic ones as well, as card-counting systems in blackjack do exist and casinos need to be extra careful not to allow a player to take advantage of a weakness in their security.

Philip Baker Hall plays surly gambling pro Sydney; Gweneth Paltrow plays waitress/prostitute Clementine; John C. Reilly plays gullible loser John Finnegan; Samuel L Jackson plays slick-talking, no-nonsense casino security personnel Jimmy. For a little over 90 minutes, Hard Eight Sydney takes John under his gambling wing after helping his homeless protege get enough money for his mother’s funeral. 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.

New York becomes a manic monstrosity full of bookies, sad sacks, and noise; the entire city seems to reflect Sandler’s down-on-his-luck, out-of-options plunger. The ’90s were the Wild West of fantasy films, rife with experimentation before the genre found its way to Middle Earth. If you’re looking for thrillers, these underrated features on Netflix are guaranteed to deliver the tension you seek. And it was of course a massive success in theaters, raking in $469.3 million on a $35 million budget. It chronicles the tale of Phil, Alan, Stu, and Doug as they travel to Las Vegas for Doug’s bachelor party.

If you’re looking for the best movies about casinos to get ready for the slots and games, we’ve got you covered. The film is based on a true story of the MIT blackjack team, a group of college students who win millions of dollars from Las Vegas casinos by using their math skills and a card counting system. 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). And yet the two men’s rakish charm, in one of the high watermarks of ’70s hangout cinema, makes this not just a great buddy movie but a beautiful exploration of boys-will-be-boys friendship. And, of course, there’s a whole lot of gambling, which Altman films with casual mastery, letting us eavesdrop on the weird characters and dangerous oddballs who populate that world. California Split remains perhaps the director’s most underrated classic — and its gut-punch ending is so muted, yet so perfect.

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.

In the meantime, he convinces his wife, Julia, to place a parlay bet hoping that he will make enough money to repay everyone, and he does as the bet wins. In this movie Charlie (Tom Cruise) discovers he has a brother he knew nothing about and that his estranged father has left all his money to look after him. Charlie hatches a plan to take Raymond (who is an autistic savant) away from the hospital to try and force them to split the money with him. As the film goes on the unlikeable Charlie starts to understand Raymond more and discovers much about him but towards the end of the movie Charlie is in debt and his girlfriend has walked out over his treatment of Raymond. Disney+ is home to some great movies including animated classics, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, and so much more. A film cynical in nature, the beguiling use of the spiraling roulette wheel is meant to represent the randomness and transience of life.