Among all the film genres, gambling remains an extremely popular plotline. Daddy Skins casino experts in collaboration with Kristoff Bazel have compiled the list of the greatest gambling movies to watch.
But why did we choose movies about casinos? The explanation is simple — they are associated with glamor, real-life problems, and wealth. There is some “magic” in these movies, and since many people would love to become rich in a second, this interest is not surprising. Also, the characters tend to be classy, witty, and fearless (it does take courage to risk that much, doesn’t it?)
Gambling movies are often low-budget and do not become smash-hit immediately, but the situation changes over time, especially among those who love gambling. Some of them even become classics of the genre. You might have watched some of them, but we are sure that you won’t mind us reminding you about these masterpieces of the film industry.
So, let’s see what we have on our list.
Even Money
This movie is an interesting drama with several storylines, which make you watch it till the end. It is not the human tragedy that connects all the characters but gambling. There are three main characters with a gambling addiction. And we can see how their lives are intertwined in this film. None of them wins the money, and, except for Godfrey and Clyde, they are not worthy of empathy from the viewers’ side.
With Kim Basinger, Danny DeVito, Kelsey Grammer, and Nick Cannon, among others, starring in this film, you will definitely enjoy it till the last second.
The Sting
Here, you will see all-time favorite actors — Robert Redford and Paul Newman. They are two swindlers who joined hands to run the con. The actors have already worked together, and The Sting is another project they took part in.
This time everything is fixed, and the two are ready to hit a big jackpot. Being regarded as classic, the film won the Best Picture Oscar.
The Sting is full of unexpected twists because it features a lot of poker and scam wagering, so it is barely possible to avoid all traps. It is full of actions that are made quickly and keep viewers entertained.
The Cooler
Bernard Lootz (William H. Macy) is a professional loser. He plays with high rollers to ruin their stakes. The movie starts as a sad look at a recovering punter who is in debt to a big casino boss. While he is trying to get out of this difficult situation, there is a woman who can change his luck. When he starts dating her, the situation becomes very different because he finally starts winning.
Rounders
It is not that easy to find a film about gambling that has a lot of humor and inspiration. You can see a bit of all that in Rounders, which obtains everything from a star-studded cast to a high rating. The plot is built around Mike McDermott (Matt Damon). He is going to defeat a successful Russian punter, Teddy “KGB,” in real-money poker. His girlfriend insists on him quitting gambling, but he needs cash to pay for the college.
McDermott`s old friend served time in jail and must pay off his debt to the Russian gambler. The story unfolds in front of viewers with a variety of bluffing strategies and banter.
21
21 is based on real events, which happened when no one heard of shuffling machines. Six MIT students won millions in Las Vegas casinos, as they were trained to be professionals in card counting.
Here, you will see a math teacher Micky Rosa (Kevin Spacey), who educated a few students on how to use a winning blackjack strategy. The gambling movie was based on the book called Bringing Down The House, but the film itself is more entertaining as it is full of snappy and fast-paced scenes to make the big-budget project more exciting.
Casino Royale
Everyone might have heard of Casino Royale. In this classic gambling movie, you will enjoy the battle between James Bond and Le Chiffre, who is famous for financing terrorist organizations.
Le Chiffre intends to utilize high-stakes poker games to financially support terrorism, and James Bond is expected to beat him at the table. The super-agent manages to apply incredible bluffing strategies and ruin Le Chiffre`s organization.
This movie remains many people’s favorite and has a high rating, so it is definitely worth watching.
Ocean’s Eleven
If you like casino robbery movies, then you must see the amazing Ocean’s Eleven. Obviously, there is the main character played by George Clooney — Danny Ocean, who managed to build a team of cool guys ready to take risks. They are going to bring to life the most sophisticated casino robberies ever.
The team’s target is the three biggest gambling houses of Las Vegas, the owner of which is Terry Benedict, a dishonest tycoon. Although the team has thought everything through, they still have to face a few difficulties and unexpected turns.
The film is brilliant in terms of everything, including the plot itself, all-star cast, and rating. Ocean’s Eleven is also full of great humor, so it is definitely one of the masterpieces that you would watch to relax.
Summing Up
Of course, you can find many other movies that relate to gambling and casinos in one way or another. But we have tried to curate the list for you with absolute hits that are must-watch for every gambling enthusiast looking for some film to watch to be carried away in the world of high stakes and huge winnings.