The 26 Best Movies About Gambling and Poker, Ranked

The Ocean’s 11 targets three of Vegas largest casinos – the MGM Grand, the Mirage and Bellagio. In this film, the three casinos are owned and operated by scum-bag tycoon Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia). Ace (de Niro) is a Vegas casino operator with mob connection but he lives a seemingly normal and civilized life with his family. It follows a mishap-filled story of Doug (played by Justin Bartha) and his 3 friends – Alan (Ed Helms), Stu (Zach Galifianakis), and Phil (Bradley Cooper). The odd crew decides, 2 days before Doug’s wedding, to make a trip to Las Vegas for a bachelor party.

‘The Hustler’

Part of the James Bond saga, ‘Casino Royale’ chronicles the beginning of Bond’s career as Agent 007, as he takes on a mission to pull back a mob banker from winning a high stakes poker game. ‘Casino Royale’ is one of the best James Bond flicks and features an iconic performance by Daniel Craig who took the Bond character to another level, portraying him as a tough yet vulnerable man. The film is gritty, entertaining and visually mesmerizing and is just the kind of stuff to watch if you’re in the mood for some pure, classy, adrenaline pumping fun. Clive Owen stars as Jack Manfred, a wannabe novelist who takes up a job as a croupier, both because he needs the money and because he believes it will make for good research for the book he’s writing. The line between himself and the main character of his novel begins to blur as he leans more and more into his constructed persona as a croupier. Alex Kingston as Yani de Villiers makes for a great femme fatale in the classic neo-noir tradition, while the film’s smokey cinematography and hard-boiled voice-over narration complete the noir stylings.

The Captive City

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.

High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story

The movie is very lighthearted and entertaining and features clever plot twists and witty dialogues. One of the most satisfying aspects of it is the power of wit demonstrated by the protagonist. Despite formally moderate success, “A Big Hand for the Little Lady” is considered a charming Western comedy with decent humor and suspense.

Best Gambling Movies of All Time

‘Mississippi Grind’ must be watched for its honest approach and the simple but universal message that it tries to convey. It’s a film that has good intentions, but unfortunately that alone doesn’t guarantee the quality of the film. ‘Even Money’ focuses on several seemingly unrelated people whose lives are ruined by gambling addiction. It’s one of those movies where you understand what the filmmaker is trying to convey or express right from the first scene.

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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.

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Fans of the films have come to adore Craig’s portrayal of the British secret agent, and that all started here with Casino Royale. This is one of the lesser-known films on the list from a modern perspective — and that isn’t to say that The Cooler (2003) was well-received upon release with millions of dollars accrued in theaters. In fact, Alec Baldwin and Maria Bello were nominated at several respectable award associations for Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress, respectively.

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After moving from the big city to Hollywood, Bugsy ends up finding love and success from his underground gambling rackets. Soon after, he develops an idea around a gambling epicenter that people from all over the US could come and place their bets. That gambling haven ends up being Las Vegas, a place that’s attributed to Bugsy’s forward-thinking approach.

• 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.
• The Cincinnati Kid shows that there’s an honor to be had, even in the high-stakes world of big-money poker games.
• ‘Mississippi Grind’ is a film that gets all its basic elements right and manages to transcend the genre trappings.
• Ocean’s Eleven isn’t just one of the greatest gambling movies, it could appear on lists for the best heist movies, best George Clooney movies, best movies from Las Vegas, and even best movies snubbed by the Academy Awards.
• The drama surrounding the professor’s debts and the ways in which his young protégés attempt to wipe them way makes this film a supremely absorbing experience.

Molly’s Game

Molly just so happened to be running an exclusive poker game ring for an entire decade that welcomed celebrities, business tycoons, and even mobsters. After being arrested during a massive FBI sting, Molly comes into contact with a criminal defense lawyer and relays more of her enthralling life story to the viewing audience. 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.

Johnny O’Clock

‘Hard Eight’ isn’t close to Anderson’s greatest works but this is just as exciting and inspiring a debut can ever get and features some of the most compelling characters ever written on-screen. One of the most underrated movies of the 90s, ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’, directed by Guy Ritchie, is one of the finest comedies I’ve ever seen. The film revolves around Ed who, after losing a crucial poker game against deadly mobster, needs to pay back 500,000 pounds in a week’s time.

The Card Counter

Gerry hopes that with Curtis by his side, he’ll be able to hit it big at a high-stakes poker game in New Orleans. 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. Poker extraordinaire Eric Stoner has made it his mission to become the best poker player in town. Known around the local poker scene as “The Cincinnati Kid,” Eric decides to challenge someone even better than him – a fellow poker master by the name of Lancey “The Man” Howard. After getting set up with Howard for a winner takes all poker games, Eric discovers that the odds are being fixed in his favor. This revelation pushes Eric to defy such a dishonorable victory and show everyone that he can win the match through his skills alone.

Film Reviews

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.

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.

( Croupier (Mike Hodges,

• The simple definition of a croupier is an individual who’s in charge of running a gaming table.
• Casino combines the essence of a classic Mafia film with plenty of gambling elements and tons of drama.
• Both men are granted lucky wins here and there, but a series of downturns and unfortunate mishaps threaten to destroy their gambling streak.
• ’21’ is based on the true story of the MIT Blackjack Team, adapted from Ben Mezrich’s novel titled, ‘Bringing Down the House’.
• McDermott sees inside the mind (and hand) of a diabolically stoic Russian mobster by watching how he eats Oreos.
• 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.
• “Atlantic City” portrays the changing landscape of gambling in the titular city through the eyes of an aging gangster.
• 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.

We kick off our list with one of the most popular modern movies about sports betting, Uncut Gems. In this movie, Adam Sandler portrays Howard Ratner, a New York jeweler with a huge gambling debt that is rapidly catching up to him and ruining his life. 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. And with the rise of online streaming platforms, https://crazystar-casino.com/login/ on Netflix are literally just one click away. After losing the botched poker game, the quartet must raise £500,000 to pay off Harry’s gambling debt or Eddy will lose his dad’s pub. You have to see this thriller for yourself to discover the violence, heists and clowning these guys must go through to evade Harry’s wrath.

“California Split” is best known for its improvisational style of acting and accurate authentic portrayal of the gambling subculture of the 70s. These are the 15 best gambling movies ever made according to IMDb, which are calculated based on user-submitted ratings. Some of these movies revolve entirely around gambling, while others prominently feature casinos and games of chance but also explore other story directions. Variations of poker remain the dominant focus of most of these gambling movies, but this list is also populated with movies utilizing the games of blackjack, craps, roulette, billiards, sports betting, and more.

This moment then leads to a change in character for Charlie that makes this film a real tearjerker that’s bound to hit you right in the feels. Matt Damon stars in this movie all about placing big bets and fighting to escape crippling debt. Matt’s character (Mike McDermott) ends up losing a ton of money during a poker game against a Russian gangster. After experiencing such a devastating loss, Mike leaves the poker scene behind due to his girlfriend’s pleas to leave the game behind. But the game comes calling once more when Mike finds out his friend Lester “Worm” Murphy needs to pay off a huge debt to the same Russian mobster that Mike took a major loss to. Rounders follows Mike and Lester as they try to work the system to their advantage and find a way to get one over on the man who’s responsible for their financial misfortunes.

In Rounders, Matt Damon stars as a card-player-turned-law-student who’s trying to put his poker days behind him, but that proves almost impossible when Worm tornadoes back into his life. 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. One of the best things about “The Sting” is the viewers guessing until the final plot twist.

Because she was confident in betting on her preparation and smarts because it was a dream of hers. 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. Somehow director William Dieterle fits a romantic ending into a gambling film where lives are lost just as easily as money is. Trying to keep up with all of the twists in Lucky Number Slevin is almost as difficult as picking a winner in a horse race but just as entertaining.

With a star-studded cast that includes Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Julia Roberts, Ocean’s Eleven seamlessly blends comedy, action, and clever twists. Clooney and Pitt’s chemistry is electric, and their camaraderie adds to the charm of the film. Recently, both actors made waves at the Venice Film Festival while promoting their latest collaboration, Wolfs, demonstrating that their on-screen magic continues to captivate audiences. Gambling and casinos have always been closely tied to the allure of luxury and risk, especially in iconic destinations like Las Vegas and Monte Carlo.

Jeweler Howard Ratner, played immaculately by Adam Sandler, will gamble anything away to crawl out of a never-ending debt spiral, including Boston Celtics Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett’s 2008 NBA Championship and mobster money. The film is an uncompromising look into how much gambling is truly a disease that can destroy a gambler’s life and the lives of nearly anyone who touches him. The lasting phrase from the film may be a delusionally confident Howard exclaiming, “This is how I win,” but the tragic irony of it all, gambling is ultimately how he loses everything. Today, the legalization of gambling has become a Hail Mary last-ditch effort for many financially eroding urban areas like Detroit, St. Louis, and others — but Atlantic City did this first.

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.

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. “Eight Men Out” is a sports drama based on the true story of the 1919 Black Sox scandal caused by the eight players who wanted to make big money from sports bettors. It shows an impressive moral dilemma between personal choices and the impact on careers and reputations.

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.