But he does have some gems, like this 1999 cult classic about a croupier who spins roulette tables by night, writes novels by day. With seven wins at the Academy Awards out of ten total nominations, The Sting (1973) is perhaps the most acclaimed film of the entire list. It also holds a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and has been selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry. And one could argue that the bulk of its admiration from fans and critics alike stemmed from the chemistry of its cast. As one of the more well-known entries of the James Bond film franchise, Casino Royale (2006) stands out much as the most action-packed project ever made about gambling.
Bets picture: The 25 greatest gambling movies
The drama surrounding the professor’s debts and the ways in which his young protégés attempt to wipe them way makes this film a supremely absorbing experience. Bernie Lootz is very efficient at what he does – he works at a Las Vegas casino as a sort of “bad luck bringer” that goes out of his way to jinx gamblers into losing. Shelly Kaplow, the casino’s boss lady, appreciates him and his ability to keep her casino on the winning end of things. But Bernie’s “cooler” abilities start to falter when he comes across a waitress named Natalie Belisario, who he falls head over heels for. Once Shelly takes notice of Bernie’s changed behavior, the plotline within The Cooler blossoms into something you’ll become heavily invested in as it unfolds. Robert De Niro, Adam Sandler, George Clooney, Tom Cruise and a host of other world-class actors have appeared in some of the greatest https://true-fortune.us/ ever put on the big screen.
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From owing the mob millions to Elvis impersonators and underground poker parties, movies about gambling include a host of genres and award-winning talent. Below we will explore the best gambling movies of all time (and which made box office history). Maverick is a 1994 Western comedy film starring Mel Gibson, directed by Richard Donner, gaining a 7/10 IMDb rating and 68% Rotten Tomatoes. As in other best casino films about gambling, Maverick explores Bret Maverick, a gambler requiring money to join a poker tournament. Based on a 1950s television series created by Roy Huggins, earning a box office of $183,000,000.
Rounders ( – The Underworld of Poker
Both characters create an intense scene that keeps viewers glued to the screens. The movie follows his story as he rises to the top of the gambling world, but it also shows the darker side of the industry with its portrayal of greed, violence, and betrayal. Making $116.1 million at the box office, it stars Robert De Niro in the lead role, while both Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci play prominent roles in the Martin Scorsese-directed film.
“Mississippi Grind” ( – IMDb Rating: 6.3
Gerry and Curtis, while united by their love for gambling, each bring their own layered emotional and psychological baggage to the trip, adding depth and nuance to their characters and the storyline. What is distinct about “Mississippi Grind” is its careful avoidance of moralizing or providing easy answers about gambling addiction. The viewers are not merely spectators to a progressive downfall or redemption but are instead immersed in the experiences, choices, and consequences that evolve naturally from the characters and their journey.
The Card Counter (
But as you will find out from the film this doesn’t come without some serious consequences. So, our list has something for everyone, whether you are a fan of classic casino games like poker, blackjack, or roulette or prefer to explore the darker side of the casino world. You can trust us to provide a fair and honest review of each movie and accurately portray the gambling world. As one of the best casino movies out there, “Casino” got several nominations for Oscars and Golden Globes. It earned a 79% rating from critics and a whopping 93% from audience members on Rotten Tomatoes. Another great documentary series on Netflix, Untold takes a good hard look at some of the biggest scandals in sports – from match-fixing to doping and performance-enhancing substances.
How Your Mind Can Influence Your Winning Potential
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. When two soon-to-be empty nesters want to help their daughter pay for college, they decide to turn their friend’s house into a local gambling den.
High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story
He doesn’t even seem interested in casinos, which is weird since the movie is called Casino . The result is California Split (1974), a wonderful character study that delves deep into the dangers of gambling addiction. There’s no denying this entry as a classic of the gambling movie ilk, and although it hasn’t aged as well as some of its older counterparts, it will forever be remembered for its tangible tone and rock-solid narrative. 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.
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There were also a flush and two full houses–all in the same round– which is close to mathematically impossible to achieve in the first place. Such scenarios, though exceptional for creating cinematic suspense, could mislead audiences about the real odds and strategies involved in poker. A deeper look into the mechanics of the games depicted in gambling movies reveals another layer where fiction often diverges from reality.
HIGH ROLLER: THE STU UNGAR STORY (
He encounters Vincent Lauria, a talented & green player, proposing a partnership. Check a 1988 American road drama film and one of the best casino movies of all time starring Tom Cruise for comedy. Charlie Babbit, a selfish, debt-laden car salesman, learns his wealthy father passed, leaving millions to his autistic brother in a trust fund. He breaks his brother out of a mental institution, using savant-level math skills to win while gambling in Las Vegas.
The Hustler
Those penalties come after the veteran was flagged six times in last week’s loss to the Vikings. The Texans had 12 penalties for 93 yards Sunday to give them 35 penalties combined in their past three games. They have 40 overall this season, which is the most in the NFL through Sunday’s games. Collins has remained Stroud’s favorite option this season despite the blockbuster offseason trade for four-time Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs. Stroud recalled the first time he worked out with the receiver after being drafted second overall by the Texans last year.
Besides a stellar cast including The Goodfellas’ Paul Sorvino and American Gigolo’s Lauren Hutton, The Gambler is a psychological thriller masked as a gambling movie. Few gambling movies portray gambling less as a talent and more as a coping mechanism, like Paul Schrader’s 2021 crime drama The Card Counter. Oscar Issac plays card counting wizard William Tell who teaches himself how to count cards in a military prison to practice the patience and restraint from succumbing to the darker impulses that landed him in prison in the first place. Throughout the film, this control of one’s decisions central to gambling is what he tries to instill in a Cirk Baufort (Tye Sheridan) seeking to avenge his father’s death lethally. 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.
- Dinner Rush delves into one particularly busy evening at Louis’ restaurant when those two gangsters and a host of other eccentric personalities converge there all at once.
- Its compelling plot becomes a character study of sorts, and Jack Manfred should by dint of that go down as the single most compelling protagonist to ever be featured in a gambling movie.
- 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.
- As in the best films about gambling and casino, famous saying is, ‘See, life is a people game too.’ The rating is 6/10 on IMDb and 55% on Rotten Tomatoes.
- The movie showcases elaborate poker matches where James Bond coolly assesses his opponents amidst the luxury of an exclusive gambling venue.
- James Cann as gambling addict Axel Freed is obsessed with the thrill of gambling, even if it ends in self-destructive losses, and director Karel Reisz depicts the downward spiral of addiction with depressing accuracy.
The billion-dollar franchise – spinning off three sequels at last count – may be a superstar take on the casino heist theme, but there are plenty of other legendary films. Casino is the test of a friendship, a marriage, and a cutthroat businessman, and every minute of it will have you on the edge of your seat. Starring The Sopranos alum Michael Imperioli, High Roller is a triumphant, harrowing, and downright interesting take on this legend’s life, perfect for any game-lover out there. If you like Molly’s Game, Follow the Bitch (1996, Michael Cudlitz) depicts single guys at an all-night poker game and the woman who shows up. Familiye is a black-and-white film that depicts the story of a family of three brothers, the eldest of whom has just got out of prison.
- The Hangover’s casino scene is a sly tribute to Rain Main, particularly as (Alan) Zach Galifianakis and Phil (Bradley Cooper) descend the escalator into their Rain Man chic suits.
- Four years before the WSOP was even a thing, Warner Brothers released A Big Hand for the Little Lady, also known as Big Deal at Dodge City.
- It’s gritty, and like all gambling stories does not always have a happy ending.
- Billy made bets because his identity is inextricable from his gambling addiction.
- Essentially it’s a story of a guy who is down on his luck and finds a bag of money and proceeds to rinse through it at a rate of knots before trying to “win it all” back.
- 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.
- Evan, however, comedically feuded with Richie over the money as he believed he deserved of half the jackpot.
#1: “The Hustler” (
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. Is a movie about two friends who need to make some quick cash and decide to gamble on high-stakes poker games. The film follows the two friends as they go from one game to the next, trying to win enough money to stay afloat. Along the way, they run into some colourful characters and learn a few lessons about life and gambling. A 2003 biopic based following Stu Ungar, an American professional poker & gin player.
The Color of Money
- Throughout the film, viewers will get to see Eddie play against a billiards champion, fall in love with a woman with plenty of emotional baggage and come into contact with an experienced gambler who wishes to take Eddie under his wing.
- They are an excellent way to experience the joy of gambling without risking money.
- He goes up against Mads Mikkelsen’s character, Le Chiffre, a formidable player who finances terrorist organizations.
- In this article, we will be discussing the best gambling movies that are produced in the last few years, and you can find them on Netflix.
- If you want to chill at home with a good movie about sports betting or gambling, we’ve curated a great selection of films that are currently on Netflix, as well as a few options that might make their way to the platform at some point.
- It would be difficult to refrain from asking for a portion of the winnings.
- Cheaters jumps from casino locale to locale, showing elegant locations and high-stakes roulette games in contrast to the undercurrent of the intense desperation of Elric and Suzie in each scene.
Some had to rewatch their most favorite film about casinos, such as poker movies. All too often women in gambling movies are limited to love interests, or that classic cliché – a prostitute with a heart of gold. Apart from a love of literature, Freed also has a debilitating gambling addiction.
- Things finally fell into place when Martin Scorsese came aboard as an executive producer.
- 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.
- Campbell quickly finds out that by counting cards he can win hundreds of thousands of dollars – enough to pursue his medical studies and not have to worry about the money coming in.
- No, you can have the same fun when you try the Polish online casino sites that offer a variety of games.
- As the film unfolds, so do the layers of the scam, with the audience finally being let in on the very complicated con.
- The film became a massive hit, with its fans quoting and re-watching it repeatedly with their friends and family.
- Those penalties come after the veteran was flagged six times in last week’s loss to the Vikings.
Using the position as research for a new book, he finds himself getting pulled deeper and deeper into gambling-based crime. Martin Scorsese takes us to the Las Vegas of the ’70s and ’80s where the mafia still dominated the casinos. “Casino” features glamour, glitter, brutality, crime, romance, and drugs. We meet Ace Rothstein and Nicky Santoro, both deeply embedded in the mafia world, making fortunes in casinos before it all goes wrong in a spiral of power, love, greed, drugs, and violence. “The Cooler” elegantly intertwines themes of love, morality, and luck, enabling viewers to explore the inner workings and ethical dilemmas faced by those who populate and perpetuate the gambling world.
Thankfully, this list goes through the trouble of finding 30 of them and are required viewing for movie buffs everywhere. The discrepancies between movie portrayals and real gambling do more than just entertain; they shape perceptions. Viewers may come away with distorted views on the ease of beating the house, the prevalence of monumental wins, or the effectiveness of certain gambling strategies. Next time you want to take a break from online gambling and try another form of entertainment, check out some great movies about gambling.
- The Cincinnati Kid shows that there’s an honor to be had, even in the high-stakes world of big-money poker games.
- Memorable lines, moments, people…It really is the gambling movie all others will be measured against.
- He eventually comes up against the best in the game, Lancey Howard, and the threat of a fixed game.
- Give it a spin and try and resist opening up an online poker table immediately after it finishes.
- Another pool-based good gambling film about casinos is The Color of Money.
- Most gambling movies focus on the casino’s glamor and excitement, but what about the unsung heroes that work the tables?
- 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.
There is a thin line between a con-man and a gambler, and the Best Picture-winning The Sting is one of the best films in both genres. From a phony off-track betting parlor and waitresses doubling as assassins to fake FBI agents and real murder, The Sting is the benchmark of great gambling movies. Ocean’s Eleven isn’t just one of the greatest gambling movies, it could appear on lists for the best heist movies, best George Clooney movies, best movies from Las Vegas, and even best movies snubbed by the Academy Awards. In gambling, the house always wins until the perfect hand comes along.
You can always try to find a copy on DVD, but in the age of streaming services, here’s what you need to know. The film was released the same year Johnny Moss won his last WSOP Main Event (1974). It’s a comedy-drama directed by Robert Altman, and while on its face it may seem lighthearted, California Split cuts much deeper. The movie is based on a book of the same name, written from Bloom’s perspective, so there may be an expected bias toward her side of the story. If you’re wondering how to watch Mississippi Grind, it’s available on DVD and Blu-Ray, and several streaming options exist, including an HBO Max subscription.
This scheme soon leads to Charlie taking his autistic brother on the road with him for a life-changing excursion. All the while, Charlie relies on his brother’s amazing mathematical skills to help him win big at every gaming table they come across during a stop in Las Vegas. 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. Ever hear about the underground gambling dens that were visited by multiple A-list celebrities? Writer and director Aaron Sorking tells the tale of Molly Bloom, the queenpin behind the exclusive and illegal underground ring of high-stakes poker games.
Although subjective, Rounders (1998) is widely considered the quintessential poker movie due to its realistic poker action, memorable characters and influence on poker culture during the poker boom of the early 2000s. All of those are among the best poker movies of all time, and if this article was “Top 10” instead of “Top 5 Poker Movies,” chances are they’d make the final list. However, the PokerNews crew got together, along with input from social media, to determine the top five must-watch poker movies of all time. Over the decades, poker fans have been treated to a plethora of poker movies, some good and others not so much.
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. In order to pay that debt, the four friends get in way over their heads when it comes to acquiring those funds through illegal means. While gambling movies often provide a window into a world of high stakes and high drama, their commitment to factual accuracy varies widely. As historical documents, they offer a filtered lens—colored by the needs of drama and audience engagement.