Gambling and casinos have always been popular themes in movies, and there have been many great films made on this subject over the years. From tense poker games to high-stakes heists, the world of gambling has provided plenty of material for filmmakers to work with. Here are some of the greatest films with gambling and casino themes ever made.
Casino (1995)
Martin Scorsese’s epic tale of the rise and fall of a casino boss, Casino, is a classic film that is often cited as one of the greatest gambling movies ever made. The film follows the story of Sam “Ace” Rothstein, played by Robert De Niro, who is hired by the Mob to run the Tangiers casino in Las Vegas. With his best friend, Nicky Santoro, played by Joe Pesci, at his side, Ace builds an empire but finds himself struggling to maintain control as his personal and professional life spiral out of control.
Rounders (1998)
Rounders is a drama about a law student who enters the underground world of high-stakes poker. Matt Damon plays Mike McDermott, a talented poker player who gave up the game after losing all his money in a bad beat. But when his friend Worm, played by Edward Norton, gets out of prison, Mike is pulled back into the world of poker, putting his relationships and career at risk.
Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
Ocean’s Eleven is a heist film about a group of professional thieves who team up to rob three Las Vegas casinos at the same time. The film stars George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon, among others, and features some of the most stylish and inventive heist scenes ever put on film.
It spawned two sequels and a spinoff and remains a fan favourite to this day, but it should be known that it doesn’t take a heist to win money from casinos. You can make real money playing games online at licensed casinos, which, trust us, takes away all that risk from pulling a heist off!
The Sting (1973)
The Sting is a classic film about a team of con men who try to pull off a big score by taking down a high-stakes gambler. The film stars Paul Newman and Robert Redford as two grifters who team up to con a mob boss out of a large sum of money. The film is a masterclass in the art of the con, and its twist ending is still considered one of the greatest in film history.
The Cincinnati Kid (1965)
The Cincinnati Kid is a classic film about a young poker player, played by Steve McQueen, who takes on the reigning champion, played by Edward G. Robinson, in a high-stakes game. The film is a tense, dramatic exploration of the world of poker and features some of the most iconic poker scenes ever filmed. Look out for the great performances from Ann-Margret, Karl Malden, and Joan Blondell.
Final Word
The world of gambling and casinos has provided filmmakers with plenty of material to work with over the years, and these five films are some of the greatest examples of the genre. Whether you’re a fan of tense poker games or stylish heists in Vegas, there’s something for everyone in these films, and they’re all must-see movies that bring various aspects of the casino world to life.
