The Greatest Casino Movies of All Time
Image: https://unsplash.com/photos/man-in-green-dress-shirt-sitting-on-chair-qtD-aRQtMuc
Casino movies combine the excitement of high-stakes gambling with drama, deception, and amazing visuals. Whether set in the allure of Las Vegas or the grimy underbelly of gambling, these films capture the casino world and the emotions that go with gambling.
1. Casino (1995)
Directed by the legend, Martin Scorsese, Casino is an intense film based on the mafia in Las Vegas. Robert De Niro plays Sam “Ace” Rothstein, a casino operator working for the mob. Nevertheless, Nicky (Joe Pesci) steals the show as the muscle and Rothstein’s old friend. The film also rejuvenated the career of Sharon Stone who plays Rothstein’s wife.
2. Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
One of the most stylish and fun casino heist movies ever made, Ocean’s Eleven follows Danny Ocean (George Clooney) as he puts together a team of expert criminals to rob three Las Vegas casinos. With an all-star cast including Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Julia Roberts, Ocean’s Eleven takes you on a real adventure with even a few laughs along the way.
3. Rounders (1998)
For poker fans, Rounders is a must-see. Starring Matt Damon and Edward Norton, it follows a talented poker player (Damon) who plays in the underground poker scene to help his friend pay off a debt. The movie is credited with causing the poker boom of the early 2000s and has some of the most realistic card-playing sequences in a film.
4. The Cincinnati Kid (1965)
A classic gambling movie, The Cincinnati Kid, is set in the 1930s and stars Steve McQueen as a young punk poker player trying to prove himself against a master (Edward G. Robinson). The Cincinnati Kid does a great job of capturing the tension and strategy of high-stakes poker games.
5. 21 (2008)
Based on the true story of the MIT Blackjack Team, 21 follows a group of students who use card counting to beat Las Vegas casinos. It stars Kevin Spacey, who plays the professor leading the team of students. However, playing at online casinos is the norm today rather than in Las Vegas. Sites help with a recommended casino list with all the latest bonuses and impartial reviews.
6. The Gambler (1974 & 2014)
Both the original with James Caan and the remake starring Mark Wahlberg explore the dark side of gambling addiction. The Gambler follows a literature professor whose gambling habit gets out of control leading to dramatic and intense moments throughout the movie.
7. Molly’s Game (2017)
Molly’s Game is a biographical drama based on the true story of Molly Bloom, a former Olympic-level skier. She runs exclusive, high-stakes poker games for celebrities, athletes, and business tycoons. It’s a movie directed by Aaron Sorkin and stars Jessica Chastain as Molly.
8. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
This cult classic, starring Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro, is not a traditional casino movie. Instead, it explores the surreal, drug-fueled madness of 1970s Las Vegas. While the film is more about excess than gambling strategy, it perfectly captures the chaos and atmosphere of Sin City.
9. The Cooler (2003)
The Cooler stars William H. Macy as a man with really bad luck. Therefore, he’s hired by the casinos to “cool” down winning streaks at the tables. When he falls in love his luck starts to change which starts to cause problems for the casino boss played by Alec Baldwin.
10. Hard Eight (1996)
Paul Thomas Anderson’s Hard Eight is an underrated gem that follows a veteran gambler (Philip Baker Hall) who takes a young drifter (John C. Reilly) under his wing in the world of professional gambling. It’s a slow-burn drama with great performances and a gripping story.
