No matter what movie genre is normally your favourite – whether you’re an action fan or a rom-com fanatic – everybody loves a good casino movie.
And it’s really no surprise! They’re full of glitz and glamour, the characters are intriguing, and the storylines are full of tension and suspense – who wouldn’t love a movie like that?
Movie watching is all about escapism – an opportunity to take a break from your real life and escape into different world where your problems don’t exist. And when it comes to casino and gambling movies, you’ll certainly be transported to a world unlike your own! Unless you fancy yourself to be like George Clooney from the “Oceans” movies, of course.
No matter what it is that intrigues you, it’s quite clear that movies set at casinos are full of fun and are sure to offer viewers a great time.
But the real question is, what are the best casino and gambling movies of all times? Well, luckily for you, we’ve put together a list of the top flicks that you can save for a rainy day – we’re talking all the classics!
So, without further ado, here are the best and most popular casino movies in the history of the genre.
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Rain Main
Starting off with an absolute classic, “Rain Man” must be at the top of this list. Released in 1988, the film follows the story of a main with autism who travels to Las Vegas with his brother – the former played by Dustin Hoffman and the latter by Tom Cruise.
While there, the brothers use Hoffman’s characters in credible memory and mathematical skills to absolutely clean up at the casinos by winning blackjack.
It’s an entertaining movie without a heart-warming ending – so much so that “Rain Man” has become an absolute cult classic!
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Ocean’s Eleven
Released more than 10 years later was the start of the iconic “Ocean’s” film series, “Ocean’s Eleven”. The movie features an A-list cast, including both male and female actors an actress, and the plot evolves around the group attempting to rob three different casinos at the same time.
The cast includes Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, and George Clooney, among others, and it was directed by none other than Steven Soderbergh. It’s a classic heist film, full of entertaining twists and turns that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat! Never mind the good-looking cast.
The film was so successful, that they went on to make three more movies as part of the same franchise, the last as late as 2018, featuring an all-female cast.
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21
If you’ve heard of the idea of card counting, then you simply must have heard about the movie “21”. Staring Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth and Jim Sturgess, “21” follows the story of a group of MIT students who attempt to use maths and other techniques to trick the system while playing blackjack in Las Vegas.
The students develop a card-counting technique that allows them to win the games fairly easily. The film is not only fun and interesting, but also inspired by true events!
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Casino
Going back in time a little, “Casino” is considered by many to be the ultimate classic of the genre. The film was directed by Martin Scorsese and stars the likes of Sharon Stone, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci.
The film explores the inner workings of a big casino in Las Vegas as well as the lives and experiences of the casino’s employees.
If you love spending time at sites like Jumba Bet and enjoy casino movies, “Casino” is a must-watch.
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Maverick
With a slightly different take on the normally fairly serious genre is “Maverick” released in 1994. The film is centred on a rather interesting crossover between a western and a comedy and it stars the likes of none other than Mel Gibson.
Gibson’s character is attempting to raise money for a high-stakes poker game by gambling is way through the casinos. It’s a fun movie that is sure to give you a good laugh or two.
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The Sting
Released in 1973 – one of the earliest films of its genre – “The Sting” is a suspenseful film that was set in the 1930s. In fact, it wasn’t just enjoyed by many, it actually won several big wards – including a plethora of Academy Awards such as Best Picture.
“The Sting” starred Robert Redford and Paul Newman and was all about attempting to pull off a big con on a high-stakes poker game.
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Rounders
It may sound like baseball, but it certainly isn’t a sports movie! “Rounders” stars Matt Damon who plays a struggling young law student who can’t afford to pay his university tuition. He takes on a rather unusual method of payment by playing high-stakes poker to fund his education.
Released in 1998, “Rounders” still has a massive fan base today, and many people still praise the film makers for how well they created the film’s infamous poker scenes.
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Casino Royale
What kind of list would this be if we didn’t include “James Bond”? Daniel Craig’s first ever bash at the iconic role, “Casino Royale” was released in 2006 and Craig became 007 for the first time.
The plot was centred on Crag needing to defeat a terrorist financier, and it all revolved around high-stakes poker, of course.
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The Cincinnati Kid
Released back in 1965, “The Cincinnati Kid” follows the life a young poker player as he works his way up in the world and eventually takes on a legendary player known as “The Man”. The film stars Steve McQueen and Edward G. Robinson.
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The Gambler
Last but not least is “The Gambler”, starring James Caan. The film takes a slightly different approach to the others on this list, dealing with the realities of the casino world and the personal struggles the professor had to deal with throughout his life. It’s an introspective film that is sure to tug on your heartstrings.
