“The Cooler” is a romantic drama that tells about an unlucky man who works as a “cooler” in a Las Vegas casino. His fortunes take an unexpected turn when he meets and falls in love with a cocktail waitress and his luck begins to change. The movie captures the atmosphere of the Las Vegas casino scene and provides a unique perspective on the role of luck and human relationships. It was praised for its blend of romance and drama, and it garnered several award nominations. “The Card Counter” delves into themes of guilt, redemption, and the consequences of choices. It explores the psychological toll of past trauma and the search for purpose and justice.
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In Daniel Craig’s debut as a young James Bond, Casino Royale features 007 playing in a high-stakes Texas hold ’em poker tournament. He’s up against Mads Mikkelsen, who plays an international criminal with a questionable tell, risking the funds of the exact sort of people you don’t want to be on the bad side of. There’s nothing the casino can do if someone’s playing hot and winning a lot of money—unless they send in “The Cooler,” anyway. Played with a timid, nervous energy by William H. Macy, “The Cooler” is naturally unlucky, and he works for the casino by jinxing players and spreading his misfortune. 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.
The 50 Best Casino Movies of All Time
During those eight years, he learned to count cards while serving time for his hand in torturing and abusing Abu Ghraib prisoners (a real tragedy that surfaced in 2004). Gambling can be an intense, life-destroying addiction that’s as far from funny as it gets. Mississippi Grind, however, features Ryan Reynolds—so, obviously, it’s going to have laughs. However, he was not alone in his endeavors, as he was also joined by his partner, Virginia Hill, played by Annette Bening. Bugsy met Virginia in Los Angeles and fell madly in love with her, which caused him to divorce his then-wife. One of the first things most gamblers learn is proper bankroll management to ensure their bankroll lasts throughout the season.
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Played by Jessica Chastain, Molly Bloom tries to keep her gambling empire afloat while the FBI investigates the massively illegal operation. 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 for thrillers, dramas, and action-packed adventures over the years. This Best Picture winner exudes pure pleasure … well, unless you run afoul of Shaw (Paul Newman) and Kelly (Robert Redford), that is. These two con men decide to take down a no-good mobster (Robert Shaw), and their elaborate grift involves card games and horse racing. Understanding the machinations of Shaw and Kelly’s plan doesn’t matter — it’s just a delight to watch the characters (and director George Roy Hill) turn The Sting into one big, electric narrative sport.
‘The Hustler’
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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Redford plays Johnny Hooker, a small-time con man whose partner gets killed by the dastardly Doyle Lonnegan, played by Robert Shaw. To avenge his partner’s death, Hooker teams up with the best grifter in the game, Henry Gondorff, played by Paul Newman. The pair set in motion a massive con with more twists and turns than even the highly intelligent Doyle Lonnegan can keep up with. Charlie Waters and Bill Denny are gamblers who come together through a mutual appreciation of their hobby. 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. Both men are granted lucky wins here and there, but a series of downturns and unfortunate mishaps threaten to destroy their gambling streak.
- In this film, the three casinos are owned and operated by scum-bag tycoon Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia).
- Its story of two professional grifters who team up to con a mob boss and avenge the death of their mutual friend.
- Bugsy is a great watch for anyone wanting to learn more about how the Strip was created or if you enjoy gangster movies with lots of drama.
- Bob Montagne, the main character of the film, is known as an extremely lucky gambler who’s a big hit amongst the populace.
- With gambling being so prevalent in the Western world for many years, it’s no surprise that it has made its way to Hollywood films.
- 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.
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So go back and rewatch Croupier, where all that promise was laid out fairly magnificently. He’s Jack, an aspiring novelist desperate for money — soon, he’s a croupier getting to know the world of casino gambling. Pitched like a hard-boiler noir — Jack has the blasé seen-it-all vibe of a private dick — Croupier explores the sweaty anxiety and crippling sadness of those who have thrown their lives (and money) away at the tables. If the plot complications aren’t always satisfying, the film’s vivid recreation of dingy casino life is utterly intoxicating. “Casino Royale” is an action James Bond spy movie inspired by the old version released many years earlier.
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Through the journey of the two brothers, the film sheds light on the challenges and strengths of individuals on the autism spectrum and the challenges for their families. Gambling in the movie is one of the tools for human connection between the two brothers. The very first original movie shot back in 1960, Ocean’s Eleven became a foundation for the three famous movies about Ocean’s friends.
The Captive City
But for a brief moment, before Spacey is being kidnapped and beaten in a hotel room, it’s an interesting look at the science behind smart gambling. Movies about gambling have an inherent drama because, by definition, they’re about risk. The world of high-stakes gambling has long been an enticing playground for filmmakers, inspiring a plethora of stunning films that immerse audiences into the exhilarating casino atmosphere. These movies often feature intricate storylines, captivating characters, and thrilling twists that keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
Casino
- 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.
- Shade received some mixed reviews and feedback from critics and the public, but it is a good movie with style and intricate card tricks.
- To do this, the Kid must outdo Lancey, considered one of the best poker players in the era.
- Molly’s Game is based on the true story of Molly Bloom, a world-renowned Olympic-class skier.
- 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.
- “Casino Royale” redefined the Bond franchise with its intense action and psychological depth.
This comedy-drama follows a group of struggling actors trying to navigate the dating scene in Los Angeles, seeking romantic and social success. “Swingers” captures the spirit of the 1990s and explores themes of friendship, love, and the struggles of young adulthood. Due to its relatable depiction of the era and characters, this movie was called a defining one of its time.
- The movie is known for the protagonist’s outstanding performance and is a nice representative of the heist genre.
- The “color of money” just to happens to match the hue of a pool table, devouring the duo into a blinding world of green.
- That’s pretty smart if you think about it, with casinos holding as much cash as a bank probably does, but also louder, busier, and easier to slip through undetected.
- This film tells the story of two friends who play poker as they are in dying need for some cash in order to pay off their debts.
- Everything changes when the young craps player falls in love with Clementine (Gwyneth Paltrow), forcing him to break some of his mentor’s rules to disastrous effects.
- Perhaps it’s not surprising then that filmmakers have returned to the well as inspiration for thrillers, dramas, and action-packed adventures over the years.
- To prove himself, Eddie challenges top dog Minnesota Fats (played by Jackie Gleason) to a high-stakes game of pool.
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While certainly dramatized and not exactly accurate, “Rounders” offered a more realistic portrayal of poker than most movies before it had shown. In the tradition of his earlier gangster film “Goodfellas,” Scorsese brings together Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in a pair of roles that allow them to showcase everything they are capable of. De Niro plays Sam “Ace” Rothstein, a meticulous gambler-turned-casino-owner with a penchant for showmanship, while Pesci plays Nicky Santoro, a ruthless gangster who uses brazen violence to get anything he wants.
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William H. Macy stars as the titular character Bernie Lootz — and as a cooler in a casino, he acts as bad luck for the other gamblers, placed there by the casino themselves as a sort of negative presence. And it actually explores its characters to a meaningful extent while also showcasing the inner workings of Vegas. 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.
- The Mafia then hires him to run a casino in Las Vegas, where he meets Ginger McKenna, portrayed by Sharon Stone, and falls for her.
- 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.
- Directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck take us all across the South, from Memphis to Mississippi, as they piece together bits, blues, and bumbling characters.
- 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 movie is very lighthearted and entertaining and features clever plot twists and witty dialogues.
- The film was widely praised at the time of its release and was rated as one of the greatest sports dramas ever made.
- Unfortunately, Eddy (the leader of the group) loses everything to Harry, who by the way cheated.
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.
- After burning through his life-savings of $65,000 at the poker table, Jack who’s about to get married to Betsy (Sarah Jessica Parker) is forced to lend his fiancée to the winning opponent and con artist, Tommy Korman (James Caan).
- Little Knife is responsible for the accident and takes it upon himself to help Ko Chun, who can no longer care for himself.
- Happening in the stylish 1930s setting during the Great Depression, the plot is about two con artists seeking revenge for the murder of their mutual friend.
- Gambling in the movie is one of the tools for human connection between the two brothers.
- To do it, he calls on his old gangster contacts and puts together a team of experts to pull off a heist.
The film intricately portrays how the mob infiltrated Vegas casinos, while Sharon Stone’s dazzling performance as Rothstein’s troubled wife adds layers of drama. Scorsese’s signature cinematic style—sharp dialogue, epic storytelling, and vivid violence—elevates Casino to a classic. And what materializes from its slick style and intelligent script is a career-defining performance from English actor Clive Owen that dives deep into the intricate nature of the human condition.
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. Nothing captures the stress of a gambling addiction more than Uncut Gems, the Adam Sandler-starring film about a New York City jewelry dealer who can’t stop himself from chasing the big win. He owes money to everyone in town, including the mob, bookies, watch salesmen, his own brother-in-law, and basketball legend Kevin Garnett.
- Set in the glamorous backdrop of the French Riviera, “The Good Thief” follows the story of a retired master thief and gambling addict.
- Perhaps the most heartwarming story is that of Ben Campbell (played by Jim Sturgess), a gifted student and an aspiring medical doctor.
- 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.
- 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.
- This is a classic American film noir crime drama about a cynical gambler who becomes involved with a corrupt casino owner and then meets a woman and falls in love with her.
- 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.
- It’s a film that has good intentions, but unfortunately that alone doesn’t guarantee the quality of the film.
Essential Gambling Movies Every Gambler Should See Once
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.
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Mississippi Grind probably slipped under your radar, but all critics can agree it’s a hidden gem.
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. 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. An odd little comedy about a perpetual loser gambling addict (Richard Dreyfuss) who, for one day, hits on every single bet at the horse races.
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.
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 Ocean’s Eleven team is made up of con men, mechanics, surveillance experts, pickpockets, and even an acrobat. Well, it’s not exactly easy, but a team of pros who have lots of previous heist experience should be able to pull it off. Gambling movies and caper movies often overlap, and that’s certainly the case with The Sting. Starring Paul Newman—man, he sure likes to hustle—The Sting follows two pro grifters who try to con the mob. Based on Walter Tevis’s 1984 novel, The Color of Money is a kind of sequel to The Hustler (also written by Tevis and starring Newman). Directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck take us all across the South, from Memphis to Mississippi, as they piece together bits, blues, and bumbling characters.
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, https://crazystar-casino.com/ 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.
With strong performances, excellent action sequences, and a tight script, “Casino Royale” shines as one of the finest films in the lengthy James Bond series and as one of the overall best gambling films out there. 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.
