O K H O V A T
(818) 918-2766 info@drneurola.com Mon - Fri: 9.00am - 5.00pm

Bets picture: The 25 greatest gambling movies

gambling movies

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.

Gambling Heists: 10 Top Casino Caper Movies

In a decade that saw Robert Altman make “MASH,” “McCabe & Mrs. Miller,” “The Long Goodbye,” “Nashville” and “3 Women,” it makes sense his gambling drama “California Split” has gone relatively unseen since its 1974 release. It may not have the ensemble dynamics or the psychological hold of his other titles, but “Split” is an assured two-hander between stars Elliot Gould and George Segal and an efficient beginner’s course to many of Altman’s auteur tendencies. Eschewing much of a traditional plot, the drama is a study of behaviors chronicling the freindship between rookie Bill Denny (Segal) and his mentor Charlie Waters (Gould), a wisecracking pro. The two’s bond grows deeper over the course of the film, as Bill becomes more addicted and finds himself in hot water with rival players and hotheaded bookies.

Mo’ Better Blues (

The Cincinnati Kid shows that there’s an honor to be had, even in the high-stakes world of big-money poker games. 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.

gambling movies

Color of money

gambling movies

1986 American drama directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Paul Newman, Tom Cruise, Helen Shaver & Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. It is a sequel to the 1961 movie ‘The Hustler’ with a 7/10 rating on IMDb and 88% on Rotten Tomatoes. Following Fast, Eddie Felson, a former pool hustler, decides to admit a pupil & return after retirement.

Storyline

  • “Mississippi Grind” does not serve its audience a straightforward narrative of downfall or triumph but rather a textured portrayal of two lives intertwined by fate, choice, and the tantalizing allure of fortune.
  • While it is true that most of these movies tend to romanticize gambling, we maintained our standards of accuracy and realism, just as we do when reviewing US based online casinos.
  • This movie is sure to delight those who have seen  “Cards, Money, and Two Guns”.
  • In order to regain his wealthy status, Bob maps out a plan to rob a casino during a, particularly important weekend.
  • The 1970 gambling movie you’re referring to is probably “The Cincinnati Kid”.
  • This is every poker player’s favourite film and one most can quote from endlessly.
  • The character of Natalie ignites a spark of introspection within Bernie, compelling him to grapple with the ethical quandaries that envelop his peculiar occupation.
  • Bugsy tells the story of Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel, played by Warren Beatty.

The plot centers on the Hyakkaou Private Academy, which, as noted, is all about teaching its students to gamble. Uncut Gems is perhaps one of the most gutting dramas on the big screen which goes to show how successful people, through bad judgment calls, can end up in bad situations caused by gambling. So far as gambling movies on Netflix go, this one is a fair warning to everyone who hopes to turn gambling into a full-time job and highlights the dangers that the activity invites. The Cooler embeds itself into the casino milieu, showing the techniques that casinos use to get all the money they can from gamblers. In addition, the film sheds a light on the change in casino policies as the movie’s setting is forced to undergo changes to keep up with modern casinos. The charm of the 1950 crime noir film Dark City is how quickly a movie about gambling can turn into a murder mystery revenge flick.

Bullsh*t The Gameshow

gambling movies

Betting has never seemed as bitterly hopeless as it does in the Safdie Brother’s intense farce about a jeweler (Adam Sandler), the mob, and Kevin Garnett. 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. Although the MCU and DCEU exist separately from each other, there are instances where each studio has referenced the other in their movies. The ’90s were the Wild West of fantasy films, rife with experimentation before the genre found its way to Middle Earth. It had a similar narrative to Scorsese’s other Mafia movies like Mean Streets (1973) and Goodfellas (1990), but wasn’t quite as revered as those two were upon release. Its performances were, though, particularly from Joe Pesci and Sharon Stone — the latter of whom was nominated for Best Actress at the Academy Awards, and won in the same category at the Golden Globes.

First trailer for Prime Video series ‘Cross’ with Aldis Hodge

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. A great buddy film—and Robert Altman’s most underrated classic—California Split stars Elliot Gould and George Segal, both performing incredible feats of stoic face-acting. Part of the fun lies in trying to figure out if Segal hit it big or lost thousands, because his worrying expression never changes. The reality is probably not as glamorous, but the reason why these films have been selected is also because of their deep psychological backdrops. There are so many options for watching movies these days, so you may be wondering how to watch A Big Hand for the Little Lady.

‘The Cincinnati Kid’

The 2001 version of the 1960 Rat Pack film ends up being a far superior rendition that features a who’s who of Hollywood A-listers. George Clooney stars as Dapper Danny Ocean, a thief who’s up to no good just hours after being released from his parole. He puts his big casino heist plan into motion alongside a top-notch crew. That ragtag group of fellow thieves consists of familiar faces such as Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mack, etc.

The Color of Money

  • They crack down on card-counters, have a mob boss on their radar, earn rugged reputations around town, and get raided by the FBI — all with hilarious twists and side-splitting performances from the cast.
  • In “Uncut Gems,” Adam Sandler takes on a non-comedic role to embody a character consumed by the thrill of gambling.
  • The advantage is that this motion picture is based on the real story of a group of students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
  • The heist is shown on screen, but things get interesting when Pitt’s character, a hitman named Jackie Cogan comes into play.
  • In the meantime, Tepper is also part of a bizarre poker game in which the players agree to each purchase a lottery ticket and throw it in the pocket.
  • He finds himself in over his head and his wife has to step in, though all may not be as it seems.
  • He’ll bet good money on a poker game in Las Vegas, on a professional football championship with his friends, or on a pickup game of basketball he stumbled upon during his afternoon stroll through the park.
  • The former gambling addict works a thankless job at the Shangri-La Casino, where he is indebted to its hard-lined owner Shelly Kaplow, played by Alec Baldwin in an Oscar-nominated performance.

Starring a restrained Oscar Isaac, The Card Counter marries both gambling and action in a film that never seems to take a breath. His character, “The Kid,” wants to prove himself against “The Man” – the best player around. But just because pool hustling has fallen out of fashion in recent decades doesn’t make this film any less worthy of a place on this list. Adam Sandler breaks away from his typically comedic roles to play Howard Ratner, a New York City jeweler who has an atrocious gambling habit.

Exploring Character Archetypes of Poker Players in Movies

The film is a masterpiece, and it deserves respect for the quality of drama created by such simple materials. But it isn’t long until Vegas’ seductive wiles charm Clark (and his underage son Rusty!) into gambling away the family’s fortune. See our Live Dealer Casinos page for the best places to play and improve your strategy with our guides for Roulette, Craps and Blackjack. Evan, however, comedically feuded with Richie over the money as he believed he deserved of half the jackpot. Matchbook offers unrivalled pre-match and in-play markets for bettors and traders. If you want a light-hearted knockabout with a guys getting dealt quads over quads this isn’t the film for you, but if you want a film about gambling warts and all then check it out.

Other Poker Movies

  • As such, we thought it’d be worthwhile to share a list of poker films you may want to watch.
  • It’s almost a road film of sorts, as Mendelsohn’s character — a gambling addict named Gerry — befriends Gosling’s character Curtis, and deems him a good luck charm.
  • The film features a high-stakes Texas Hold’em poker game at the Casino Royale in Montenegro, where Bond faces off against the villain Le Chiffre, played by Mads Mikkelsen.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • “Rounders” sucks viewers into the world of underground poker, where the rush of the bluff and the allure of the win reign supreme.
  • 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.

Critics loved the movie because it doesn’t celebrate or glorify the lifestyle of a high-stakes gambler, even if it occasionally gives you a sense of fantasy for the money and culture surrounding that scene. Mississippi Grind plays out like a gambling road trip tale that takes viewers on a wild ride through the South. When Gerry ends up meeting a gentleman by the name of Curtis (played by Ryan Reynolds), Gerry deems him his new lucky charm.

Vegas Vacation (

Directed by Robert Altman, “California Split” follows the friendship between two gamblers played by George Segal and Elliott Gould. The film is an insightful exploration of the gambling lifestyle and the different forms it can take. In “Uncut Gems,” Adam Sandler takes on a non-comedic role to embody a character consumed by the thrill of gambling. Sandler portrays a frenzied jewelry store owner whose gambling addiction puts him in a financially difficult situation. “Molly’s Game,” one of the best movies about poker (in our humble opinion), is a compelling journey into the clandestine world of high-stakes poker, showcasing the rush and pitfalls of hosting the world’s most exhilarating casino game.

Lights, Camera, Action: The 10 Best Casino Movies of All Time

While Rothstein’s role in running the Tangiers Casino pulls him into a vortex of systemic corruption and unchecked ambition, the film also subtly yet poignantly touches upon the personal and social repercussions of gambling and addiction. It elucidates how the individual’s entanglement in the world of gambling is not an isolated occurrence but is intrinsically linked to a broader, omnipresent network of societal and moral degradation. Rothstein, despite his numerical prowess and calculated exterior, becomes a pivotal figure, around whom whirlpools of personal and professional turmoil persistently revolve. Moreover, the film, through its carefully crafted narrative and emotionally resonant performances, particularly by Philip Baker Hall, excavates the multifaceted nature of addiction.

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. This process seems to go well at first, but things take a turn for the worst when both men come into contact with a local prostitute and a sketchy casino patron. God of Gamblers (1989) stars Chow Yun-Fat as a master gambler losing his memory, while Freeze Out (2005) includes Tom Sharpe in an ugly high-stakes poker game. It’s pretty cool seeing the mix, from old-school vibes to the new high-stakes dramas.

The movie named after that important position follows an aspiring writer who takes on that role in order to support his ambitions. During his time spent as a croupier, he tries his hardest not to get sucked up in the dark world of gambling and https://true-fortune.us/ fall for a more “attractive” temptation. He eventually succumbs to his dark desires and ends up in a situation far worse than he could have ever imagined. It’s always a rare case when the remake of a film ends up surpassing the original.

We had great times and heard few sour notes watching 26 acts at POP Montreal last week

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. But let’s just say they don’t show this one at Gamblers Anonymous meetings.

  • This biopic delves into everything that made Bugsy what he was and how he helped develop Las Vegas into what it is today.
  • Gould commands the screen with cocaine-fast charisma, while Robert Altman’s casual realism sucks you into every frame, casino, and horse race.
  • Ever hear about the underground gambling dens that were visited by multiple A-list celebrities?
  • When he comes across a rare, expensive opal that should pay off his debts, the protagonist gets involved in some dicey deals.
  • While not solely focused on poker, the movie centers around the game of blackjack, a popular casino card game, and is based on the true story of the MIT Blackjack Team.

The Sting ( – The Heist is On

Should you end up enchanted with the game of poker through the movie, make sure to check out our expert selection of 1 euro online casinos where you can indulge in your favourite game by depositing as little as 1 euro. Apart from Netflix’s large collection of gambling-themed movies, there are plenty of other excellent gambling films. Some have even been on Netflix before and may return at some point, while others are still waiting to make their Netflix debut. Bugsy tells the story of Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel, played by Warren Beatty.

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. 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. While not strictly a poker movie, the classic scene means Casino Royale has to make the list. The classic showdown between James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, and the villainous Le Chiffre, played by Mads Mikkelsen, has had poker players fantasizing about playing poker for the highest stakes—with millions of dollars on the line.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.