If you were looking to watch a casino movie this evening but couldn’t decide which one you should choose, then check out our list — we’ve gathered some of the best casino films of all time.
Over the last 50 years, cinema has brought us lots of memorable and brilliant casino movies that not only talk about the nature of gambling but also cover multiple other subjects in the process. If you are just as interested in the topic as we are, you’re in for a treat — today, we collaborated with the founder of Slot.Day, Michael Slot, to provide you with a list of the best casino movies you should definitely check out.
Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
A remake of a 1960 movie, Ocean’s Eleven is one of the cases where a new version works significantly better than the original one. Cool, stylish, fast-paced, and creatively edited, the movie follows a perfectly planned casino heist intertwined with a personal love story. Despite being filmed over 20 years ago, it feels very modern and fresh, and the crazy twists and funny dialogues work amazingly well, keeping you excited throughout the entire picture.
Ocean’s Eleven features an ensemble cast of George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, and Matt Damon, as well as multiple other well-known actors, and all of them are great to watch in every scene. If we were tasked with naming The Casino Movie of All Time, it would certainly be one of the strongest contenders.
Casino Royale (2006)
We certainly don’t need to introduce James Bond — he is great at doing it himself. However, Casino Royale — a thrilling spy drama that takes its place in the eponymous establishment — did in fact introduce a new actor to the role. Today, it is difficult to imagine that Daniel Craig was at first considered a controversial choice by some movie enthusiasts — he is The James Bond for modern audiences. Speaking of casting, Mads Mikkelsen is brilliant as Le Chiffre and Eva Green shines as Vesper Lynd.
The plot of Casino Royale revolves around a Texas Hold’em tournament, and it features some of the most thrilling casino scenes in cinema: high stakes, amazing strategies, and great dialogue.
Casino (1995)
Just like James Bond, Martin Scorcese needs no introduction. Although younger audiences may mostly know him from the “Cinema” meme, he is definitely one of the greatest directors of all time, and his Casino is a brilliant movie dedicated to the relationship between the mafia and Las Vegas gambling establishments. Both Robert De Niro and Sharon Stone are brilliant, and the plot is captivating, even though it feels a bit too branched out at times.
California Split (1974)
California Split is a fascinating showcase of how gambling addiction affects even those who aren’t used to gambling at all. It is a story of two people with a different approach to the casinos and their dangers. The script was written by actor Joseph Welsh, who himself struggled with his addiction for a long time and wanted to show exactly what it’s like from a player’s perspective, and this is why the resulting movie feels so believable and personal. It is certainly a worthwhile watch for people struggling with the same issue as well as anyone who is interested in the topic.
21 (2008)
21 might not offer a unique idea — a group of very smart people beating the casinos using their math skills — but the fact that it is based on a real MIT Blackjack Team makes it interesting. Even though nowadays casinos implement several techniques to ensure that card counting strategies won’t work (sometimes by simply banning players suspected of relying on it), the story of 21 is just captivating enough and the pacing is just right to keep you invested until the very end. And if you are one of those people who is very much into the strategic aspect of casino games, you might enjoy it just as much as detailed winning strategies in Avia Masters from Slot Day experts.
The Cooler (2003)
The Cooler is a casino movie that tackles the subject of luck and its influence on our lives. While it certainly doesn’t aim to be particularly realistic, it is a well-crafted story with unique characters that are interesting on their own. The movie is great for both casino players and people who have never interacted with bonus buy slots UK in their life because it focuses much more on performances and the script rather than the setting. William H. Macy is doing a great job and his acting alone justifies watching the film.
Croupier (1998)
Croupier is a rather dark view of human nature set in a very realistic casino setting. It is a dramatic and thrilling experience that rewards viewers with a great character arc for the protagonist, played by Clive Owen, and it goes to show just how corruption eventually gets a hold of a person. As Michael Slot adds, the atmosphere in this movie alone makes it worth watching, so we highly recommend it.
The Card Counter (2021)
The Card Counter, starring Oscar Isaac, is the story of a meticulous gambler who wins a little here and there to not draw attention to himself. While seemingly boring on the surface, the character hides a dark past, yet it haunts him and results in unforeseen consequences. It is really difficult to speak of the movie without spoiling it, but the plot is great, the acting is on point, and the themes it covers make it one of the most intriguing and deep movies on this list.
Rounders (1998)
Rounders is a movie about two friends who need to play poker to get out of their debts. It might be a very simple (if not uninspired) premise, but there aren’t that many movies that work off of it as well as Rounders does. Starring Matt Damon and Edward Norton, the movie has it all — Russian mobsters, intense gameplay scenes, and great acting. Although a bit cliche at times, the movie has aged really well and is absolutely worth watching for any casino regular.
The Cincinnati Kid (1965)
The Cincinnati Kid is the same type of movie, focusing on an intense poker duel, but it adds a little bit of extra personal drama. Set in 1930s New Orleans, it features memorable locations and a very unique atmosphere that will stay with you for a while after the movie ends. Although it might not be particularly inventive, it still manages to get your attention and hold it for as long as required to call it a successful film, so we recommend it to anyone who is looking for some old-school casino classic.
Hard Eight (1996)
Hard Eight might not provide the grand scale, but its confined world and amazingly on-point performances coupled with unique and memorable characters make it one of the most interesting movies on the list. While it might not be for everyone, the story itself as well as the feel of the movie is something that makes it totally worth the watch. If that doesn’t sell it, then you should know that it is Paul Thomas Anderson’s debut in big cinema, so if you have enjoyed “There Will Be Blood”, you might want to check “Hard Eight” out — it can tell you a lot about the author behind it.
The Gambler (1974)
The Gambler is based on Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s novel, and that already has to tell you a lot about what you should expect. The movie shows the effects of gambling addiction and the downfall of an English professor Axel Freed (played by James Caan), and it is a dark, thrilling, and surprisingly well-aged film that pulls no punches. “The Gambler” enthralls you and it can be really difficult to even take a pause at times because of the intensity of Freed’s problems, so we definitely recommend seeing it when you have a spare two hours.
Uncut Gems (2020)
Uncut Gems is one of Adam Sandler’s greatest dramatic performances, which is already interesting on its own. In fact, many consider it to be his best performance ever. The movie follows the story of a gambling addict and a jewelry store owner who is in debt with a dangerous loan shark. While the movie is commonly known to be difficult to watch due to its intensity and anxiety-inducing camera work and soundtrack, it is one of those films that you might be willing to go through even if it feels bad — and that speaks a lot.
The Mississippi Grind (2015)
The Mississippi Grind is an A24 movie that follows two struggling gamblers on their way to earn a significant sum of money to deal with their problems. While not exactly unique, the movie has a great atmosphere, memorable dialogues, and solid performances by Ben Mendelsohn and Ryan Reynolds, and it tackles some surprisingly difficult issues incredibly well, which makes it worth watching, even if you don’t care about casinos at all.
