Sba.edu.vn
Content
“Two for the Money” delves into the high-stakes world of sports betting, with Al Pacino, Matthew McConaughey, and Rene Russo leading the cast. The film explores the relationship between a former college football star, who becomes a sports handicapper, and his boss, a betting agency magnate. It’s a tale of greed, integrity, and the risky game of predicting sports outcomes, highlighting the psychological and emotional rollercoaster of gambling addiction and the high-pressure world of sports betting.
‘High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story’
During those eight years, he learned to count cards while serving time for his hand in torturing and abusing Abu Ghraib prisoners (a real tragedy that surfaced in 2004). Gambling can be an intense, life-destroying addiction that’s as far from funny as it gets. Mississippi Grind, however, features Ryan Reynolds—so, obviously, it’s going to have laughs. However, he was not alone in his endeavors, as he was also joined by his partner, Virginia Hill, played by Annette Bening. Bugsy met Virginia in Los Angeles and fell madly in love with her, which caused him to divorce his then-wife. One of the first things most gamblers learn is proper bankroll management to ensure their bankroll lasts throughout the season.
Atlantic City (
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.
- After suffering a severe injury, Ko Chun loses his memory and most of his mental faculties.
- There is a trove of exceptional movies about gambling that match Peaky Blinder’s level of entertainment.
- And they’re all portrayed by talented thespians, most of whom shine particularly bright within comedic roles — Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, and Heather Graham, for example.
- Sure, it’s a heist film as well, but the featured location of said robbery is of course a Las Vegas casino.
- A whole lot of big bets, plus plenty of surprising twists and turns come to pass in this film that’s all about pulling one over on an unsuspecting victim.
The Color of Money (
- There was a time that Mel Gibson was considered such a light and lively leading man that a big-budget studio movie could coast on his charm as a card shark and con man.
- ‘Even Money’ focuses on several seemingly unrelated people whose lives are ruined by gambling addiction.
- After experiencing such a devastating loss, Mike leaves the poker scene behind due to his girlfriend’s pleas to leave the game behind.
- Jessica Chastain delivered one of the strongest, most dynamic female performances of the year as she showed how one woman stood up to the most powerful men in the world without flinching.
- Years later, in a remote town, the players mysteriously start getting murdered one by one.
- However, he was not alone in his endeavors, as he was also joined by his partner, Virginia Hill, played by Annette Bening.
- French auteur Jean Pierre Melville was one of cinema’s finest filmmakers whose favorite arena was the crime thriller genre.
- The result is California Split (1974), a wonderful character study that delves deep into the dangers of gambling addiction.
- 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.
Unforgettable gambling films offer electrifying narratives and memorable characters, reflecting the allure and rich complexity of the casino world. These cinematic achievements are just a few examples of the great films that transport viewers into the world of gambling. Rather than spending most of his time in a casino like most of the other gambling addicts in the movies included on this list, Howard prefers to get his rush out of betting on sports. Gambling hasn’t lost its cultural vitality over decades, and the same is true for great gambling films like 1974’s The Gambler.
Storyline
Gambling can encompass poker and other card games, of course, but also sports betting, the lottery, and anything else of that ilk you could muster. Nothing captures the stress of a gambling addiction more than Uncut Gems, the Adam Sandler-starring film about a New York City jewelry dealer who can’t stop himself from chasing the big win. He owes money to everyone in town, including the mob, bookies, watch salesmen, his own brother-in-law, and basketball legend Kevin Garnett.
Hard Eight (
This movie adds a compelling layer to our understanding of gambling, moving beyond the casino and card games to the equally complex domain of sports. Matt Damon plays Mike McDermott, a reformed gambler who finds himself drawn back into the game to help a friend pay off dangerous debts. Alongside Edward Norton, Damon delivers a memorable performance that highlights the psychology and strategy behind poker, rather than just the thrill of winning or losing. The film emphasizes loyalty and redemption, while giving audiences a realistic look at the risks of gambling addiction.
All In: The Poker Movie
Since the film is based in reality, it’s fitting that “Owning Mahowny” is also one of the most realistic portrayals of gambling addiction ever seen in a movie. Matt Damon stars as Mike McDermott, a man with serious poker skills but life elements that keep him away from the game, namely a disapproving girlfriend, an attachment to law school, and a failed attempt at a big win looming over him. Mike is drawn back to the game when his trouble-making friend named Worm, played by Edward Norton, puts a debt on both of their heads. John Turturro has a memorable supporting role as Joey Knish, and John Malkovich makes for a fun villain named Teddy KGB with an over-the-top Russian accent.
The Card Counter
- 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.
- Shade received some mixed reviews and feedback from critics and the public, but it is a good movie with style and intricate card tricks.
- To avenge his partner’s death, Hooker teams up with the best grifter in the game, Henry Gondorff, played by Paul Newman.
- To do this, the Kid must outdo Lancey, considered one of the best poker players in the era.
- Whether you enjoy gambling yourself or prefer to let fictional characters make the bets, the best gambling movies are always good for a rush of adrenaline.
- Molly’s Game is based on the true story of Molly Bloom, a world-renowned Olympic-class skier.
But Croupier (1998) also provides great insight into the ins and outs of casino work, with technical jargon around every corner of the British gambling house in which the film is set. The project follows the aftermath of a robbery that took place within a Mafia poker game. Pale Flower is Japanese film about a yakuza hitman drawn to gambling by a beautiful woman who is constantly losing large sums of money. The ’60s noir expertly captures the intensity of the game despite the audience never learning how to play the tile-based Hanafuda.
5 Card Stud
Tense, entertaining, and carried by incredible performances, Molly’s Game has everything a good crime-drama needs. John Dahl’s crime-drama narrates the thrill and addiction of playing from Mike’s point of view, even if it just looks like a bunch of guys sitting around a table for hours on end. Here are my picks for the best movies about gambling that capture the thrills and falls that come with the territory. I’m Eva, the opinionated voice behind every online casino review we make here on CasinosHunter. I’ve been working as a copywriter for 10+ years, half of the time in the online gambling niche, among others. Here on CasinosHunter, I write reviews, guides, all cornerstone content, and also make sure that every text on the site or our social media is well-written and correct.
‘House of Games’
- Gambling can be an intense, life-destroying addiction that’s as far from funny as it gets.
- 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.
- 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 movie was loved by the public due to its humorous take on the Western genre and unexpected twists.
- Understanding the machinations of Shaw and Kelly’s plan doesn’t matter — it’s just a delight to watch the characters (and director George Roy Hill) turn The Sting into one big, electric narrative sport.
- And although that film was well-acclaimed in itself, The Hustler (1961) has almost gone down as a classic.
- Vincent and Eddie embark on a road trip to all the pool halls, betting and scamming their way to the big bucks.
- 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.
A film cynical in nature, the beguiling use of the spiraling roulette wheel is meant to represent the randomness and transience of life. “Win It All” is a Netflix original comedy about a small-time gambler who gets in over his head when he’s entrusted with a bag full of cash. It’s a heartfelt and humorous look at the struggles of addiction and the quest for redemption. Directed by Martin Scorsese, “Casino” is a grandiose depiction of the glitz, glamour, and corruption that defined Las Vegas in the 1970s and 80s. Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone deliver stellar performances in this epic story of a gambling empire’s rise and fall.
- These movies often feature intricate storylines, captivating characters, and thrilling twists that keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
- “The Gambler” was remade in 2014 with Mark Wahlberg in the lead role, but that updated telling was far less well-received by critics and audiences alike, per Rotten Tomatoes.
- It’s a slick action thriller that gets all its basic genre elements right, with no narrative hiccups.
- These two con men decide to take down a no-good mobster (Robert Shaw), and their elaborate grift involves card games and horse racing.
- The drama story revolves around a talented poker player and law student pulled into the underground poker world.
- Along with The Hangover and a select couple of others, Ocean’s Eleven (2001) by Steven Soderbergh is one of the most popular gambling movies ever made.
- The script brims with wit until the final hand is dealt, and the poker players themselves are portrayed wonderfully by each respective performer.
- His financial misfortune forces him to become a croupier (dealer) at a London high-street casino.
The Best Casino Movies: From ‘Casino’ to ‘Ocean’s Eleven,’ Here Are The Must-See Classics
This is a biographical drama that depicts the life and career rise and fall of Stu Ungar, one of the most renowned and talented professional poker players in history. However, the movie also delves into the darker aspects of Ungar’s life and explores the toll that his gambling addiction takes on his relationships, his health, and his professional success. ‘Mississippi Grind’ tells the story of Gerry, a gambling addict, who happens to meet a young traveler named Curtis. Gerry believes that Curtis is his good-luck charm and soon sets out on a road trip with him to New Orleans where the duo needs to play a high stakes poker game. ‘Mississippi Grind’ is a film that gets all its basic elements right and manages to transcend the genre trappings. It is essentially a film about finding one’s own identity and it brilliantly manages to explore the intricacies of human relationships.
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.
Top 55 Casino/Gambling Movies
This is a classic American film noir crime drama about a cynical gambler who becomes involved with a corrupt casino owner and then meets a woman and falls in love with her. As the plot unfolds, the protagonist has to solve his problems trying to protect himself and those he cares about.”Dark City” is known for its dark and moody atmosphere with its shadowy visuals and morally ambiguous characters. The story of “5 Card Stud” begins with a poker game where one of the players is caught cheating. Years later, in a remote town, the players mysteriously start getting murdered one by one. The movie combines elements of the classic Western genre with a murder mystery plotline.
“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.
The drama story revolves around a talented poker player and law student pulled into the underground poker world. The movie smartly explores the themes of friendship and the blurred lines between game and law and offers an authentic picture of the poker subculture. “Rounders” has had a significant impact on popularizing poker and inspiring a new generation of players, and it remains one of the key movies for fans of the genre who enjoy its thrilling poker sequences. French auteur Jean Pierre Melville was one of cinema’s finest filmmakers whose favorite arena was the crime thriller genre.
The 15 Best Movies About Gambling and Casinos, Ranked
Keep in mind that while most of these films are widely available, others can only be found in specific countries. ‘Croupier’ is a criminally underrated film that has sadly slipped down into the forgotten corners of cinema over the years. ‘Croupier’ depicts the life of a writer who takes up a job as a croupier in a casino and soon meets a woman who teams up with him and plans to rob the entire casino. The film takes a very realistic look into the casino world and is highly stylised with utmost focus on characterisation and the setting. It takes the form of a dark thriller using noir-influenced techniques and crafts a truly refreshing piece of cinema that deserves the stature of a classic. Steven Soderbergh‘s highly stylised heist drama tells the story of a group of eleven people and a gangster who are looking to rob three popular casinos in Las Vegas.
A remake of the 1960 film of the same name, Soderbergh’s version almost edges out the original with its flamboyance and clinical execution. The film features one of the most famous robbery sequences of all time and has appeared on several best of lists, including Empire magazine’s list of “The 500 Greatest Movies of All Time”. This Steve McQueen starrer tells the story of Eric who longs to prove himself a champion in the poker game. His ambitions end up with him facing the best in the world as he fights out an epic battle with Lancey Howard, who is regarded as the greatest of the game. ’21’ is based on the true story of the MIT Blackjack Team, adapted from Ben Mezrich’s novel titled, ‘Bringing Down the House’.
Known mostly for its intricate storytelling, nonlinear narrative structure, and stylized visuals, “Revolver” received mixed reviews upon its release but has since gained a cult following. Through a series of comedic and often outlandish situations, “The Grand” offers a humorous take on the world of professional poker. Bugsy was an American mobster and one of the most important people behind the Las Vegas Strip.
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 https://crazystar-casino.com/ 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.
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.
Fans of poker, roulette, or just placing bets on sports teams understand the adrenaline and despair that can occur with the make-it-or-break-it atmosphere of gambling. Filmmakers from Spike Lee to Martin Scorsese understand this all-in mindset of gambling and infuse it into their awesome films. James Caan plays a university professor with a crippling gambling addiction in “The Gambler.” The film delves deep into the psyche of a man who risks everything on the turn of a card, showcasing the dark side of gambling addiction. Directed by Martin Scorsese, who’s rumored to be working on a biographical film about the punk band The Ramones, Casino is a gripping exploration of the rise and fall of a Las Vegas gambling empire. Robert De Niro stars as Sam “Ace” Rothstein, a casino operator tangled in a web of corruption, greed, and betrayal.
The movie received commercial success and won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. The comedy story follows a group of friends who travel to Las Vegas for a bachelor party to celebrate their friend’s upcoming wedding and experience a series of outrageous and comedic misadventures. The movie became a surprise hit upon release due to its humor and unexpected plot twists. Although, for some of these films, you might need to do some digging around to find which country they’re available in. The soundtrack and performances of the main cast are excellent and warrant a watch just for them.
From a cinematic standpoint, we’ve been treated to a host of films that delve into the inner workings of casinos, bookies, and pool sharks. There’s a lot of entertainment to be had when a movie is all about placing bets on horse races, boxing matches, and assorted sports games. And it’s easy to get caught up in the plight of the individuals who find themselves in the crosshairs of the bigwigs that run their own gambling underworld. Paul Thomas Anderson’s debut, “Hard Eight,” tells the story of a professional gambler who takes a young protégé under his wing. The film is a gritty, noirish tale of mentorship and redemption in the world of high-stakes gambling. This stylish heist movie follows Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and his crew of thieves as they plot to rob three Las Vegas casinos simultaneously.
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.