Gambling makes for compelling cinema material. Some of the biggest names in Hollywood have made that abundantly clear. Granted, not all movies about gambling are cinematic masterpieces. But from the wackiest flicks to gritty depictions of the casino underworld, countless filmmakers have approached that theme in style. So, here’s our selection of five must-see movies that touch upon gambling.
Casino
Directed by none other than visionary filmmaker Martin Scorsese, Casino puts Robert De Niro in the shoes of a mob associate assigned with supervising a mafia-controlled casino in Las Vegas. This classic 1995 crime drama draws inspiration from true events and larger-than-life characters.
With De Niro at the top of his game and a story that faithfully explores the web of corruption exposed by investigative journalist Nicholas Pileggi, who co-wrote the script, Casino is a gripping deep-dive into the seedy underbelly of Vegas. Surprisingly enough, Scorsese claimed it lacks a traditional plot and focuses mainly on high-octane action. In doing so, however, Casino perfectly captures the essence of Sin City. And being filmed in a real casino helps push realism to the max.
Rounders
Rounders follows the story of Mike McDermott, a gifted poker player with his eyes set on taking the prize at the World Series of Poker. After losing his entire bankroll at an underground den run by a Russian mobster, this young law student promises his girlfriend he will quit poker. But when an old hustler friend comes to him upon his release from prison, Mike reluctantly goes back to his old ways to help him pay off a debt.
Starring a strong cast comprising Matt Damon, Edward Norton, and John Turturro, Rounders was the first film to showcase Texas Hold’ em. Although this John Dahl movie didn’t make waves at the box office in 1998, it attained cult classic status during the golden era of poker in the 2000s.
Molly’s Game
The life of professional skier Molly Bloom takes a sharp turn when she sustains a career-ending injury during an Olympic qualification event. And from mogul skier, Molly ends up a gambling mogul. Molly’s Game depicts the true story of the Poker Queen, whose underground poker realm attracting the high and mighty ultimately lead to her downfall.
Based on Bloom’s memoir, this critically acclaimed biopic ranks among the most memorable poker films to date. Jessica Chastain delivers a standout performance in the lead role, supported by other A-listers like Kevin Costner and Idris Elba. And while Aaron Sorkin made a high-stakes gamble for his directorial debut, the Oscar-winning screenwriter delivers an immensely entertaining story boasting a strong female part to remember.
The Cincinnati Kid
The Cincinnati Kid is an unmitigated classic. This vintage gambling movie follows the story of up-and-coming poker player Eric “The Kid” Stoner, who seeks to make a reputation for himself in the Depression-era poker scene of New Orleans.
Despite its solid cast, featuring the “King of Cool” Steve McQueen in the titular role, this 1965 film directed by Norman Jewison prompted mixed reactions upon its release. This drama film was even regarded as a knockoff of 1961’s The Hustler. Five decades later, The Cincinnati Kid has stood the test of time in no small part due to its stylish realism and dramatic complexity.
The Hangover
The Hangover may not be a gambling movie per se. But has any movie come this close to encapsulating the Las Vegas experience? Plus, this goofy comedy’s casino scenes are too hilarious to ignore – if only for all the memes of Alan at the blackjack table. And there is no denying the influence of this unpretentious comedy turned unexpected worldwide hit, which even inspired the actual iGaming industry as gamers can try out machine slots like IGT’s The Hangover online.
Better still, top-rated platforms shower users with a lot of casino bonus. Newcomers can claim promotions like free spins as part of a welcome package upon registering. Some sites also complement their standard deposit bonus offers with extra spins to cater to slot players. Daily and monthly promotions make it easy to claim a range of bonuses round the clock, including no-deposit offers and cashback deals, and tap into an online casino’s extensive library.
That’s the five movies about gambling we can’t grow tired of watching. This is no exhaustive list, and we might have left out lesser-known gems like Hard Eight and award-winning retro films like The Sting. But it only goes to show that gambling stories are made for the silver screen.
