The 15 Best Movies About Gambling and Casinos, Ranked

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.

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The film was directed by Mike Hodges, who was best known for films like “Flash Gordon” and the Michael Caine classic “Get Carter.” “Croupier” was one of Hodges’ final films. “Hard Eight” was the debut feature film from writer and director Paul Thomas Anderson, the filmmaker behind movies like “There Will Be Blood,” “Boogie Nights,” and “Punch-Drunk Love,” amongst others. The title refers to a particular dice roll in the game of craps; two fours equal a hard eight. Craps and other casino games play a significant role in the film, but the story is just as much about romance and murder as it is about gambling. With violent loan sharks coming after him, Howard is in a tight spot and needs to come up with money as quickly as possible.

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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. 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.

Molly’s Game

At the end of life, Tevis followed up on the story of “The Hustler” with his final book titled “The Color of Money.” This 25-years-later sequel checked back in with Fast Eddie Felson in the later stages of his life. Martin Scorsese directed a film adaptation of “The Color of Money” (though changed much of the story), and Paul Newman reprised his role as Fast Eddie Felson. A Martin Scorsese gem, Casino is about the competition between best friends, one a Mafioso and the other a casino executive, for a gambling empire and a fast-living socialite. In dire straits, Gerry pairs up with the charismatic Curtis on a road trip across the American South to win back what they have lost in their poker gambling in Mississippi Grind.

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With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best casino-themed films that have become timeless classics, combining action, intriguing plots, and memorable characters. Directed by John Dahl, this is the only film on the list that has gone down as a true cult classic. It received lukewarm responses from critics upon release, and didn’t even double its $12 million budget when playing in theaters throughout the world. The debut film by Paul Thomas Anderson, Hard Eight starts off as a free-wheeling film about a casino pro (Philip Baker Hall) and his new protege (John C. Reilly), who start winning big at the casino. 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. 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 https://crazystar-casino.com/ you can watch to satisfy your hunger for more.

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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.

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The movie combines elements of a character study, a gripping thriller, and a contemplation on the nature of obsession. Known for its atmospheric and introspective storytelling, “The Card Counter” offers a slow-burning and thought-provoking narrative that examines the destructive power of vengeance. The plot explores the main protagonist’s self-destructive behavior, his complex relationships with his students and family, and his desperate attempts to find a way out of his predicament. “The Gambler” is full of gambling scenes and delves into themes of addiction, obsession, and the consequences of one’s choices, providing an intense portrayal of the protagonist’s downward spiral. 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.

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• I came across this film as part of research for this article and it was just the kind of stuff that completely took me by surprise.
• Along with The Sting, this is the other film on the list that almost transcends the gambling ilk from a sheerly critical perspective.
• This criminally underrated movie shows the intense highs and lows of the gambler’s mind, with the audience having a front-row seat.
• It features elaborate schemes, unexpected alliances, and the charismatic camaraderie between the characters.
• “Killing Them Softly” combines intense performances, stylish cinematography, and sharp dialogue to deliver a compelling and atmospheric crime drama.
• The Ocean’s 11 targets three of Vegas largest casinos – the MGM Grand, the Mirage and Bellagio.

This older movie showcases the meticulous planning and execution of the elaborate heist, highlighting the group’s camaraderie and the twists and turns they encounter along the way. 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. 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. Casino combines the essence of a classic Mafia film with plenty of gambling elements and tons of drama. In order to pay his debt, Howard does precisely what every high-stakes gambler would do; he places an enormous bet that could help pay off his entire debt but could also destroy what’s left of his life if it fails. Based on a true story of one of the biggest one-man bank frauds in Canadian history, this film follows the ups and downs of Dan Mahowny, Toronto bank worker.

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• Rigging slot machines, laundering money, and crippling cheating gamblers is all in a day’s work in “Casino.”
• And with the rise of online streaming platforms, gambling movies on Netflix are literally just one click away.
• 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.
• 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 film explores the relationship between a former college football star, who becomes a sports handicapper, and his boss, a betting agency magnate.
• These are the 15 best gambling movies ever made according to IMDb, which are calculated based on user-submitted ratings.

“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.

‘The Cincinnati Kid’

That’s enough to put Rounders on the shortest of shortlists of best gambling movies ever. The reason you know director Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham traces back to Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, a dark comedy that is one part heist film, one part gambling film, and two parts hijinks. As a gambling film, Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels succeeds at finding the humor in people trying to cheat their way into money, only to twist their lives around to wiggle their way out of debt. Clive Owen has been such a familiar, somewhat disappointing, presence in films for the last two decades that it’s now hard to remember what a lightning bolt his arrival was.

• “California Split” is best known for its improvisational style of acting and accurate authentic portrayal of the gambling subculture of the 70s.
• 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.
• 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.
• The movie was loved by the public due to its humorous take on the Western genre and unexpected twists.
• Vincent and Eddie embark on a road trip to all the pool halls, betting and scamming their way to the big bucks.
• That ragtag group of fellow thieves consists of familiar faces such as Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mack, etc.
• She’s a psychiatrist who recently finished a book on obsessive-compulsive disorder, and one of her patients seeks help from her regarding his involvement with and debt owed to the aforementioned crime lord.
• Led by their professor (Kevin Spacey), the group devises an intricate system to outsmart casinos.

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.

When one of them finds a lost wallet with a winning lottery ticket inside, it sets off a chain of events that leads to unexpected twists and revelations. The movie is known for its clever storytelling, intricate plot structure, and a series of suspenseful and thought-provoking moments. Casino is an excellent film depicting what happens behind closed doors in Las Vegas, away from the world of sports betting apps and online casinos. The 1995 gambling movie directed by Martin Scorcese stars Robert De Niro as Sam ‘Ace’ Rothstein, an oddsmaker from Chicago who attracts the attention of the Mafia for his skills with numbers.

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If you have 1hr 57min to spare, this is a casino heist movie that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. He comes across John, played by John C. Reilly, by chance after John has gone broke and takes pity on him. The two enter a mentor-mentee relationship centered around a Reno casino, and Sydney even becomes a father figure for John. “Rounders” not only made a big splash as a movie but was also hugely influential to the development and popularization of Texas Hold ’em poker in the real world. According to PokerListings.com, “Rounders” can be credited with elevating no-limit Texas Hold ’em to its current status as the most popular card game in the world.

“Owning Mahowny” offers a gripping portrayal of the destructive power of high-stakes gambling. Set in the glamorous backdrop of the French Riviera, “The Good Thief” follows the story of a retired master thief and gambling addict. It offers a stylish and atmospheric depiction of the criminal underworld, with a blend of crime, drama, and dark humor.

Molly’s Game

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.

• Years later, in a remote town, the players mysteriously start getting murdered one by one.
• 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.
• The Color of Money takes place 25 years after Robert Rossen’s 1961 drama, with retired pool hustler “Fast Eddie” (played by Paul Newman) teaching Vincent (played by Tom Cruise) how to finesse the game of life.
• Matt Damon stars in “Rounders” as a reformed gambler who must return to the high-stakes poker tables to help a friend pay off loan sharks.
• After experiencing such a devastating loss, Mike leaves the poker scene behind due to his girlfriend’s pleas to leave the game behind.
• Confidential/Wonder Boys/8 Mile/In Her Shoes run with this mostly hackneyed story of a superstar poker player (Eric Bana) with a complicated relationship with his even bigger superstar poker-player father (Robert Duvall).
• He, along with his friends, then comes up with a heist plan in order to pay off the debt.

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.

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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. Jessica Chastain gives a phenomenal performance in the lead role, and both Idris Elba and Kevin Costner shine in supporting roles. The drama surrounding the world of gambling can suck you in with its tales of big wins, devastating losses and criminal masterminds.