Content
James Cann as gambling addict Axel Freed is obsessed with the thrill of gambling, even if it ends in self-destructive losses, and director Karel Reisz depicts the downward spiral of addiction with depressing accuracy. Freed gambles with more than his and other people’s money; he gambles with his life, putting himself in dangerous situations for his sadistic enjoyment. Besides a stellar cast including The Goodfellas’ Paul Sorvino and American Gigolo’s Lauren Hutton, The Gambler is a psychological thriller masked as a gambling movie.
The Captive City
This film tells the story of two friends who play poker as they are in dying need for some cash in order to pay off their debts. ‘Rounders’ surprisingly comes off as a highly underrated film despite having a star-studded cast as it failed to make any significant impact during its release and wasn’t a huge box office success either. However, over the years, the film managed to garner some sort of a cult following, thanks to its storyline and the popularity of the poker games. “Molly’s Game” is a biographical crime drama based on the memoir of the same name by Molly Bloom.
The Gambler
This process seems to go well at first, but things take a turn for the worst when both men come into contact with a local prostitute and a sketchy casino patron. This criminally underrated movie shows the intense highs and lows of the gambler’s mind, with the audience having a front-row seat. Acting as a realistic portrayal of gambling addiction, Ben Mendelsohn’s performance as Gerry shows the misery and recklessness that comes with his type of dependency. There is a trove of exceptional movies about gambling that match Peaky Blinder’s level of entertainment.
Smart Money
‘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.
Even Money (
The 1961 original is less concerned with a swaggering Tom Cruise–Paul Newman movie-star face-off and more focused on loyalty and integrity and ambition. Newman’s Fast Eddie Felson is like a more interesting version of Cruise’s character, and his battle to take down Jackie Gleason’s Minnesota Fats follows a more human, soulful narrative than a typical sports-movie arc. It’s better the less it is about the pool hustling … which is great, but keeps it lower on this list. “The Hustler” drama delves into themes of ambition and addiction and depicts the world of pool halls with the tense atmosphere of the game. It earned multiple Academy Award nominations and won two Oscars – for Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography.
- Few gambling movies portray gambling less as a talent and more as a coping mechanism, like Paul Schrader’s 2021 crime drama The Card Counter.
- And with the rise of online streaming platforms, gambling movies on Netflix are literally just one click away.
- 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.
- Set against the backdrop of the 2008 financial crisis, “Killing Them Softly” follows a professional enforcer as he investigates the robbery of a high-stakes poker game.
- And although there are some questionable choices of editing with little to write home about in the technical departments of camerawork, the overall project was definitely a success.
- That said, this modern hit is in the end definitely a film of actual quality, with positive ratings from critics and even a win at the Golden Globes for Best Musical or Comedy.
‘The Hustler’
The film’s main point revolves around the involvement of the mob in the Vegas casinos of the ’70s and ’80s. 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. From director Paul Schrader, the writer behind Taxi Driver, The Card Counter is a dark and intense ride through the ideas of redemption and the tight grip of the past. The gambling in the film is more of a backdrop to Hard Eight’s character study of an assortment of interesting figures. Hard Eight is Paul Thomas Anderson’s directorial debut, showing the early talents of one of the best directors of his generation. Philip Seymour Hoffman stars in “Owning Mahowny” as a bank manager embezzling funds to feed his gambling addiction.
‘The Last Casino’
Mississippi Grind probably slipped under your radar, but all critics can agree it’s a hidden gem.
‘Molly’s Game’
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. Of course, it also features Bradley Cooper, which helped establish him as a juggernaut of the industry. Two con men get revenge for a fallen friend in this buddy comedy starring Robert Redford and Paul Newman. The Sting won the Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Director, and many more in 1974, as the smart but tense comedy keeps the audience guessing who will come out the better grifter. In this one, Paul Newman is cool as a cucumber as the younger version of Fast Eddie, still making a name for himself in the gangster-like world of gambling (for all its reputation and nicknames).
What Scorsese Film Ranks Highest on IMDb?
This thrilling and action-packed movie series showcases some great performances and highly stylized visuals that make it very worthwhile to watch. It isn’t as accomplished as his masterworks like ‘Nashville’ or ‘MASH’ but ‘California Split’ is still an inspiring work from a master craftsman at the peak of his powers. The film explores the relationship between two gamblers who bond over their love for the game and delves deep into the bizarre madness encircling the world of gambling. ‘California Split’ has an almost brutal quality to it that makes it feel so real, nuanced and fascinating that it manages to hold up brilliantly with every viewing.
Make Money
These films, with their unique perspectives on the world of gambling, offer a wide range of emotions, from the thrill of victory to the despair of defeat. Whether you’re a fan of the glitz and glamour of casino life, the tension of the poker table, or the drama of a life changed by a single bet. Richard Dreyfuss stars in “Let It Ride,” a comedy about a day at the races that turns into an unbelievable winning streak. It’s a light-hearted look at the dream of the big win, filled with quirky characters and comedic situations. A classic of French cinema, “Bob le Flambeur” combines the elegance of noir with the thrill of the heist genre, telling the story of an aging gambler planning one final score at the Deauville casino. Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck star in “Runner Runner,” a thriller that explores the dangerous and deceitful world of online gambling.
The Card Counter (
The story of “Intacto” revolves around the concept of luck as a tangible and transferable asset. In this world, there are individuals known as “luck thieves” who possess the ability to steal the luck of others. The movie broadly explores themes of fate, chance, and the limits of control over one’s own destiny via original storytelling.
- 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.
- Redford plays Johnny Hooker, a small-time con man whose partner gets killed by the dastardly Doyle Lonnegan, played by Robert Shaw.
- Gambling movies are so remarkably tense for viewers because the stakes of casino games are already inherently high.
- Aaron Sorkin’s directorial debut tells the true story of Molly Bloom, the Queen of Hollywood’s underground poker empire.
- Bond was darker and grittier than ever before, and with that extra edge came an added sense of realism that was lacking from some of the goofier Bond entries, such as those of the Roger Moore era.
- There’s no denying this entry as a classic of the gambling movie ilk, and although it hasn’t aged as well as some of its older counterparts, it will forever be remembered for its tangible tone and rock-solid narrative.
Molly’s Game (
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.
- The very first original movie shot back in 1960, Ocean’s Eleven became a foundation for the three famous movies about Ocean’s friends.
- Familiye is a black-and-white film that depicts the story of a family of three brothers, the eldest of whom has just got out of prison.
- Using the position as research for a new book, he finds himself getting pulled deeper and deeper into gambling-based crime.
- Nevertheless, it’s a movie that must be seen for the intriguing true story it is based on.
- The immersive plots and stunning visuals of these casino movies cause viewers to become fully invested in the characters and their gripping stories.
- Unforgettable gambling films offer electrifying narratives and memorable characters, reflecting the allure and rich complexity of the casino world.
- As he immerses himself in this world of deceit, Victor begins to question the moral implications of his actions and the consequences they may have on his relationships and future.
Adam takes on the role of a lovable NYC jeweler who loves playing it big when it comes to betting. When he makes one of the biggest bets of his life, his world starts to cave in around him as debt collectors come calling. Uncut Gems follows Adam’s character as he looks to keep his life intact as his high-risk gambling endeavors threaten to tear it all apart. Hard Eight features three A-list actors that you might not have expected to see in a film such as this one – John C. Reilly, Gwyneth Paltrow and Samuel Jackson. When a professional gambler by the name of Sydney runs into a fellow gambler named John, Sydney takes John under his wing and teaches him how to truly be successful in the world of gambling.
Vinyl Lives
- If you love casino heist films, the chances are very good that you have watched Steven Soderbergh’s crown jewel Ocean’s Eleven.
- Through her charismatic personality, she attracts higher caliber players and eventually starts running her own games, which gained her a lot of money.
- The melodramatic style works against its ambitions and the film comes off as a mere exercise in sentimentality.
- The ’60s noir expertly captures the intensity of the game despite the audience never learning how to play the tile-based Hanafuda.
- His fortunes take an unexpected turn when he meets and falls in love with a cocktail waitress and his luck begins to change.
- The film explores the relationship between two gamblers who bond over their love for the game and delves deep into the bizarre madness encircling the world of gambling.
- But when Eddie and Vincent’s partnership falls apart, they eventually end up on opposite ends and confront each other in the game they both love so much.
“Eight Men Out” was appreciated for historical accuracy and portrayal of the players of the time period. The movie is based on the true story of the MIT Blackjack Team, a group of students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who became skilled card counters and successfully won millions of dollars in Las Vegas casinos. It combines elements of a heist film with a coming-of-age story and offers an entertaining and suspenseful cinematic experience. Set against the backdrop of the 2008 financial crisis, “Killing Them Softly” follows a professional enforcer as he investigates the robbery of a high-stakes poker game. “Killing Them Softly” combines intense performances, stylish cinematography, and sharp dialogue to deliver a compelling and atmospheric crime drama. From crime heists and movies filled with action to hilarious comedies and some true tearjerkers, below you can find the best gambling movies currently on Netflix.
- Possibly Paul Thomas Anderson’s least known film, Hard Eight tells the story of a veteran gambler who teaches stranger John the tricks of the trade.
- 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).
- How the movie unfolds can make you forget that it’s based on a true story of 6 MIT students who were taught by their unorthodox math professor Micky Rosa (played by Kevin Spacey) how to count cards.
- Inspired by the true story of the MIT Blackjack Team, “21” is a thrilling tale of math, memory, and money, highlighting the strategy of card counting and the casinos’ efforts to stop it.
- Little Knife’s hustling mindset kicks in once he discovers Ko Chun’s supernatural abilities, and he puts them to use as the pair dive back into high-stakes gambling.
The 15 Best Movies About Gambling and Casinos, Ranked
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.
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 https://crazystar-casino.com/ 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.
