Explore our curated list of the best gambling movies of all time, featuring classics and hidden gems that capture the thrill and drama of the casino world. From high-stakes poker to the glitz of Las Vegas, these films offer a captivating glimpse into the world of gambling. 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. 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.

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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. 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 less it is about the pool hustling … which is great, but keeps it lower on this list. “The Hustler” drama delves into themes of ambition and addiction and depicts the world of pool halls with the tense atmosphere of the game. It earned multiple Academy Award nominations and won two Oscars – for Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography.

• The movie named after that important position follows an aspiring writer who takes on that role in order to support his ambitions.
• Everything about the Safdie brothers’ crime-thriller is high-wire and frenzied, just like its haphazard protagonist.
• 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.
• The drama surrounding the world of gambling can suck you in with its tales of big wins, devastating losses and criminal masterminds.
• If you are looking for a casino movie jam-packed with murder, power, money, deception, and greed, Casino will simply knock your socks off.
• “Molly’s Game” was positively assessed for its dynamic directing style and strong performance.

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The Ocean’s Trilogy is one of the most iconic casino heist movie series and includes Ocean’s Eleven, Ocean’s Twelve, and Ocean’s Thirteen. All movies star George Clooney as Danny Ocean, an aspiring criminal who wants to complete the largest heist in history. Arguably the most popular film on this list, Martin Scorsese’s follow up to the iconic ‘Goodfellas’ was another tale of friendships, betrayal, greed, violence and morality. Only this time, the setting shifted from the mean streets of New York to the infamous Casino world of Las Vegas. Scorsese has always been fascinated by the glamour world and exposing the dark sides of success and prosperity. The film was widely criticized for its unrestrained use of violence and thematic resemblance to ‘Goodfellas’ but over the years, people have been more vocal in its praise and it is now regarded as one of Scorsese’s better works.

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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.

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Known mostly for its intricate storytelling, nonlinear narrative structure, and stylized visuals, “Revolver” received mixed reviews upon its release but has since gained a cult following. Through a series of comedic and often outlandish situations, “The Grand” offers a humorous take on the world of professional poker. Bugsy was an American mobster and one of the most important people behind the Las Vegas Strip.

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He got the idea to build a hotel and casino resort, the Flamingo, during one of his trips to Vegas to check up on a gambling joint. If you’re up for a unique Netflix gambling movie that combines casino heists, tons of action, https://crazystar-casino.com/ and zombies, then you should definitely give Army of the Dead a shot. Through her charismatic personality, she attracts higher caliber players and eventually starts running her own games, which gained her a lot of money.

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• “Owning Mahowny” offers a gripping portrayal of the destructive power of high-stakes gambling.
• In this comedy, Nicolas Cage plays a man who loses a high-stakes poker game and his fiancée (Sarah Jessica Parker) as collateral.
• The film is a relentless, anxiety-inducing journey through New York’s diamond district.
• That’s the greatest gross differential from any gambling movie ever released, and that commercial appeal is in large part due to its star-studded cast.
• “Let It Ride” is a lighthearted comedy that explores themes of luck, risk-taking, and the charms 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.

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He eventually succumbs to his dark desires and ends up in a situation far worse than he could have ever imagined. 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 gambling movies ever put on the big screen.

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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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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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As he immerses himself in this world of deceit, Victor begins to question the moral implications of his actions and the consequences they may have on his relationships and future. The movie addresses the themes of ethics and ambition, and despite its age, is known for high-quality performance. 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. He now has to care for his two brothers, one who suffers from compulsive gambling and is in massive debt and another with Down syndrome. The movie is a great watch both alone and with company, but gambling scenes are few and far between, with most of them bunched up during the latter parts of the film. Although not a particularly accurate representation of the actual MIT Blackjack Team story, 21 is still a great watch for anyone who enjoys the game of blackjack.

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• The premise of the film revolves around 4 English friends who decide to pool money to beat a gangster named Hatchet Harry in 3-card brag (UK’s version of poker).
• 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.
• “Atlantic City” portrays the changing landscape of gambling in the titular city through the eyes of an aging gangster.
• McDermott sees inside the mind (and hand) of a diabolically stoic Russian mobster by watching how he eats Oreos.
• 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.
• It explores the psychological toll of past trauma and the search for purpose and justice.
• Soon after, he develops an idea around a gambling epicenter that people from all over the US could come and place their bets.

While not considered a standout in either genre, it provides an entertaining and suspenseful viewing experience, especially for fans of classic Western movies. Long before Paul Thomas Anderson became the modern master that he is today, he built an idea on telling a story about five people whose lives are connected through a 20$ bill. This idea was further built up and expanded as it ended up being his debut feature film, ‘Hard Eight’ — an outstanding neo-noir crime thriller that portrays the relationship between a professional gambler and his protege.

The film’s main point revolves around the involvement of the mob in the Vegas casinos of the ’70s and ’80s. The film goes from casino to casino when the World Series of Poker becomes a beacon for the main characters, making poker the poison of the protagonist’s choice. From director Paul Schrader, the writer behind Taxi Driver, The Card Counter is a dark and intense ride through the ideas of redemption and the tight grip of the past. The gambling in the film is more of a backdrop to Hard Eight’s character study of an assortment of interesting figures. Hard Eight is Paul Thomas Anderson’s directorial debut, showing the early talents of one of the best directors of his generation. Philip Seymour Hoffman stars in “Owning Mahowny” as a bank manager embezzling funds to feed his gambling addiction.

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Gambling is typically portrayed in films as a boys’ club, but Aaron Sorkin’s Molly’s Game shows how women can be even more adept at navigating the treacherous world of underground gambling. As with the best gambling movies, the poker table is only one arena where the stakes are high in Molly’s Game. She relies on gambling the people’s identities from her poker game to keep her money and avoid prison when the FBI comes knocking.

• And one could argue that the bulk of its admiration from fans and critics alike stemmed from the chemistry of its cast.
• Inspired by the true story of the MIT Blackjack Team, “21” is a thrilling tale of math, memory, and money, highlighting the strategy of card counting and the casinos’ efforts to stop it.
• 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.
• Kicking things off with a bit of an anomaly, The Hangover (2009) is the only clear-cut comedy movie on the entire list.
• 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.
• Louis’ fine dining establishment attracts a number of shady characters, including two gangsters whom one of Louis’ chefs is indebted to.
• 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.

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. And although that film was well-acclaimed in itself, The Hustler (1961) has almost gone down as a classic. Which makes sense, as lead actors Paul Newman and Robert Redford had previously worked with director George Roy Hill on Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969). The performers share a tangible chemistry with the filmmaker, and that dynamic pops out through the screen of every featured frame. Its story of two professional grifters who team up to con a mob boss and avenge the death of their mutual friend. And Uncut Gems (2019) as a whole made decent money in theaters — it was actually production company A24’s highest-grossing film at the time of release — on top of garnering great impressions from critics.

The film showcases the meticulous planning involved in prepping for the casino heist and goes to painstaking lengths to present the plan with utmost realism and plausibility. However, in the ultimate act of irony, the very same gambling addiction that got Bob into trouble in the first place rears its ugly head yet again. Rather than kicking off the heist, Bob begins gambling in the casino he was planning to rob and leaves his assembled team out to dry when the police swoop in. 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. Molly’s Game is based on the true story of Molly Bloom, a world-renowned Olympic-class skier. Molly’s athletic career is certainly noteworthy, but her side gig garnered even more interest once it was made public.

The film tells the true story of Molly Bloom, a former Olympic-class skier who becomes involved in hosting high-stakes poker games for wealthy and influential players. The main themes of this movie are power, greed, and the conflict between legality and morality. “Molly’s Game” was positively assessed for its dynamic directing style and strong performance.

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.

Indeed, Las Vegas (nicknamed Sin City) is best known for its casinos and all the gambling that happens therein. From comedic heist movies to dark crime dramas, there are all kinds of movies about the ups and downs and wins and losses of the gambling world. The film follows the story of a charismatic but compulsive New York City jeweler with a gambling addiction and immerses viewers in the frantic and chaotic world of gambling. This crime thriller skillfully captures the intensity, anxiety, and desperation of a man on the edge hoping for a big win. The story of “Finder’s Fee” revolves around a group of neighbors who gather for their regular poker game.

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. 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. The film holds an 83% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and it garnered $450.7 million on an $85 million budget. That’s the greatest gross differential from any gambling movie ever released, and that commercial appeal is in large part due to its star-studded cast.