Casino movies are some of the most exciting in the film industry and for good reason too. We’re also covering ALOT of casino content lately so you’ll have to bare with us!
We’re talking fast cars, pretty actors, huge stakes with casino movies and danger at every turn! I don’t know about you, but to me – that’s a recipe for a great movie.
There are so many different casino movies out there with all kinds of genres targeted for directors’ newest blockbusters. Whether that’s a comedy with “The Hangover”, a thriller in “Ocean’s Eleven” or a James Bond classic like “Diamonds Are Forever”. Casino and gambling make for a common theme in some huge movies.
But only 5 can make the top of our casino movies list, which is always destined to be criticized and debated. With every new reviewer comes a new list but still some classics remain. Which ones are your favourites?
5. Molly’s Game
We’re starting off our list with Molly’s Game, the true story of Molly Bloom. A former Olympic-class skier who ran the world’s most exclusive high-stakes poker game, becoming an FBI target in the process.
Aaron Sorkins debut film takes us through Bloom’s life as she progresses through the underground world of gambling. Bloom, opting out of law school, takes a year off to move to Los Angeles where she eventually finds herself earning big tip money for hosting poker games.
Molly is eventually fired from running the games and moves out on her own into the industry. This ultimately leads her to the move to New York to target a new underground poker game. Targeted by the FBI in an investigation due to heavy unwanted attention and a grey area in the law, the story follows the struggle and the experiences during this time.
Starring: Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner
4. 21
21 is the fact-based story about six MIT students trained to become experts in card counting who subsequently took Vegas casinos for millions in winnings.
The story follows Ben Campbell, a mathematics major at MIT who struggles to afford the $300,000 tuition ultimately leading Campbell and his incredibly numbers abilities to be invited into a blackjack team ran by Professor Micky Rosa.
Using card counting, the team regularly fly out to Las Vegas in order to take the casinos for all that they have before troubles arise with Campbell’s distractions at the table. Ultimately leading to betrayal, excitement, and frustration. The movie is one for every blackjack fan that’s ever wanted to take the casino down.
Starring: Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey
3. Mississipi Grind
Gerry (Ben Mendelsohn), a down-on-his-luck struggling gambler, teams up with a younger, charismatic poker player, Curtis (Ryan Reynolds) in Dubuque Iowa.
The two, after a heavy night of drinking decide to set off on a road trip through the Mississippi River. On the way they hit up the action for Gerry to try and win back what has been lost and owes to loan sharks.
The resulting tale demonstrates the mindset of the gambling-addict with a heart-stopping performance from Mendelsohn as he lies and steals to fund his dream. Reynolds is at his best throughout the movie. His charming persona and witty humor prevalent with the underlying goal of “Machu Pichu time”.
Starring: Ben Mendelsohn, Ryan Reynolds, Yvonne Landry
2. Rounders
The 1998 drama “Rounders” is one of the very best casino films ever made, focusing on the crime, betrayal and general untrustworthy nature of criminal gamblers.
A young, reformed gambler, Mike McDermott (Matt Damon) is lured back into playing poker by childhood friend “Worm” (Edward Norton) fresh out of jail and owing a debt. Mike begins to help out, assisting with the setting up games across town, but reluctantly sits in on a game.
Worm eventually lives up to his name using Mike’s card to rack up a $10,000 tab in his name. The debt owed by Worm begins to catch up to him and Mike, now paired together before Mike goes all-in with worming their way out of the situation.
Mike manages to earn the near $15,000 required to pay off the debt with fewer than 48 hours to spare before Worm joins the table. Worm starts base-dealing to help Mike before the two are beaten and have their winnings confiscated.
The remaining story follows Mike as he works again to pay off the debts before he once again recognizes his true potential and love for the game of poker.
Starring: Matt Damon, Edward Norton, Gretchen Mol
1. Casino
There’s no casino movie list complete that doesn’t include “Casino”, and for very good reason too.
The 1996 Martin Scorses epic follows Sam Rothstein (Robert De Niro), a gambling expert handicapper asked to oversee the day-to-day casino and hotel business by the Chicago Outfit. Doubling the casino’s profits before they are skimmed by the Mafia, Sam is joined by mob enforcer and childhood friend Nicky Santoro.
Sam soon meets and falls in love with Ginger McKenna (Sharon Stone), a hustler, dancer, and former prostitute who he marries and has a daughter with. The relationship is far from happy families as the world around the pair starts to crumble. With the FBI investigating the casino, childhood friends with catastrophic differences and a fierce competition surrounding money and power. Casino is 178 minutes of adrenaline-fuelled viewing.
Adrian Sireca, of OnlineCasinoGems, states:
Casino has it all, it’s a tale of greed, a tale of deception, money, and power between two best friends. An enforcer for the mafia and a casino executive, competing over both a gambling empire and a fast-living, fast-loving socialite. A must watch for any film or gambling fan.
Starring: Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci
What are your top 5 casino movies?
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