Gambling has been an integral part of human entertainment, for as long as people have been around. Unsurprisingly, many artists, writers, and creators have been inspired by casino games, gambling, and casinos themselves to create some excellent stories or art. In this article, we are focusing on films that take place in a casino, or are heavily focused on gambling.
Casino (1995)
The 1995 film Casino, directed by Martin Scorsese is based on a book of the same name. It follows the story of a mafia-connected casino operator (played masterfully by Robert DeNiro) who reaches great highs, before his life turns upside down.
In many ways similar to a Greek Tragedy, Casino is a classic of cinema and an excellent mob movie in its own right. It takes place in the golden age of the Las Vegas casino, and perfectly captures the atmosphere of elegance, grandiosity, and debauchery that we’ve come to associate with Sin City.
21 (2008)
Based on the real life story of the MIT Blackjack Team, 21 follows a group of MIT students and alumni, who use their mathematical skills to win at blackjack in casinos all over the world. Card counting is a time-honored tradition among gamblers. However, it is becoming exceedingly hard to do, due to the rise of online casinos. For example, you can look at the Nolimitcoins Casino review, and you will see that it is nigh impossible to cheat without breaking laws.
The film itself has garnered somewhat of a fan-following. However, it has also received a lot of criticism. Many people believe that it misrepresents events, mischaracterizes a lot of the people who were involved, and rushes the story. Whatever you believe, 21 is certainly quite a successful casino film.
Molly’s Game (2017)
Another film based on real events, Molly’s Game is an Aaron Sorkin drama telling the story of one of the biggest, underground poker tournaments in history. Celebrities, millionaires, and high profile gamblers all gathered at the tournament organized by Molly Bloom. The film features Aaron Sorkin classic dry wit and snappy dialogue. If that sounds like something you enjoy, give it a go.
Casino Royale (2006)
Can we possibly make a list of the best casino movies without bringing up the greatest spy in fictional history? James Bond’s adventures are things of legend, akin to those of Hercules or Superman. He has seen it all, and done much more.
In 2006, the franchise underwent a soft reboot with the release of Casino Royale. Based on the first novel in the series, Casino Royale sees Bond travel to one of the biggest gambling destinations in the world, in order to take down an Albanian arms dealer. Action-packed, gambling-fueled, and incredibly fun, Casino Royale certainly deserves the praise.
Army of the Dead (2021)
What could possibly make Las Vegas more exciting? How about Zombies? In the 2021 action-horror film directed by Zac Snyder, we see a group of people plotting to rob a Las Vegas Casino. There is only one problem; Las Vegas is Zombie Capital. The Netflix-original film is a great alternative to classic casino movies that we’ve all seen. The star-studded, ensemble cast makes every scene worth watching.
