The 10 Best Gambling Movies to Watch Today
By
Jane Shaw
Senior Editor Updated: 08/20/2022
We count on Jane to inform our readers about the latest slot games in the US market. With her passion for video games and a degree in engineering, she’s our gambling tech expert. Jane’s also active in our blog section, where she tackles the curiosities and changes in the industry.
Top 10 Gambling Movies
The best gambling movies are among some of the greatest films ever made, with the very nature of gambling the perfect subject for tense, dramatic storytelling. We guarantee that if you watch any film on this list of the 10 best gambling movies, you’ll be captivated from the very first shot.
What are the Best Gambling Movies?
Gambling and cinema are two very diverse things. There are an endless variety of gambling activities to enjoy, just as there are plenty of different genres of films. This is why we’ve organized our ten great movies into four popular genres; comedy, drama, crime, and action.
This way, you can find the perfect film for your current mood. You can use the following guide to jump straight to each genre, or you can scroll through to discover all the films — chances are you’ve seen at least one. Before we get into it though, we’ve discussed the appeal of gambling in cinema.
- 📖 The Appeal of Gambling in Cinema
- 🎞️ Drama Movies
- 📽️ Crime Movies
- 🎦 Comedy Movies
- ✨Action Movies
- ❓Frequently Asked Questions
The Appeal of Gambling in Cinema
Whether you’re into glamorous casino movies or tales of shady backroom poker games, gambling plays a prominent role in the history of cinema. Sometimes, movies about gambling addiction portray troubled characters who are in too deep, where the stakes are much higher than the chips on the table.
Other times, filmmakers prefer to shine a light on gambling scams such as blackjack card counting, while others take a more upbeat behind-the-curtain look at the bright lights and mysterious underbelly of casinos. Whatever the case, gambling films are often thrilling and evocative and take audiences into rich worlds that we could only ever imagine.
Our films represent some of the most popular top gambling movies of the past 60 years. These films have earned strong reputations not just because of their subject matter, but because they are great showcases of creativity and masterful storytelling. To get things started, here are the best dramas.
Drama Movies
The following drama movies came on top of our list for the best gambling movies of all time:
Molly’s Game
- Released in 2017
- Directed by Aaron Sorkin
- Starring Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner
- Stream on Netflix
A true story gambling movie that has become a modern classic, Molly’s Game features Jessica Chastain as Molly Bloom. Based on Bloom’s memoirs, the film tracks the former professional skier’s beginnings as a waitress in Los Angeles to the mastermind of an underground high-stakes poker empire.
Molly’s games quickly draw in celebrities, athletes, billionaires, and the Russian mob, and she soon attracts the attention of the FBI. In Aaron Sorkin’s impressive directorial debut, the film is a high-energy and wholly entertaining two hours that is seen as a career highlight for many involved.
Uncut Gems
- Released in 2019
- Directed by Josh and Benny Safdie
- Starring Adam Sandler, Julia Fox
- Stream on Netflix
Upon its release, Uncut Gems garnered a massive response among the public and critics, who were quick to hail Adam Sandler’s performance as the best of his career. The film is a non-stop thrill-ride about the world of illegal sports betting, with the tension only ratcheting up to the film’s shocking conclusion.
Sandler plays Howard Ratner, a New York jeweler who is beleaguered by a $100 thousand dollar gambling debt. After lending out an expensive opal to basketballer Kevin Garnett, Ratner is thrust deeper into trouble with the mafia. The film is balanced with a good dose of comedy and shocking twists and is ultimately a tragedy about greed and addiction.
Rounders
- Released in 1998
- Directed by John Dahl
- Starring Matt Damon, Edward Norton
- Stream on Apple TV
Starring Matt Damon at the beginning of his huge success, Rounders is a tale about two friends who are forced to dive into the world of high-stakes poker to pay off a large debt. The film is a road movie of sorts, as the pair travel from city to city in search of the next big payout.
While the film was overlooked when it first came out, it has grown to become a cult classic among poker fans. Many professional poker players consider this to be the best representation of high-stakes poker in cinema, as it beautifully captures the thrills and excitement of wins and the devastation of big losses.
The Hustler
- Released in 1961
- Directed by Robert Rossen
- Starring Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason
- Stream on Apple TV, Prime Video
One of the few Hollywood classics on this list, The Hustler follows a lowly pool hustler “Fast Eddie” Felson played by Paul Newman and his attempts to make into the respected world of high-stakes betting. The film wastes no time getting started, with Fast Eddie challenging Jackie Gleason’s pool legend Minnesota Fats within minutes.
The film is credited for renewing interest in pool, and challenges audience’s expectations of what it means to be a winner and a loser. It also has the rare quality of inspiring a sequel that holds up to it, with Newman returning to play Fast Eddie alongside Tom Cruise in 1986’s The Color of Money.
The Cincinnati Kid
- Released in 1965
- Directed by Norman Jewison
- Starring Steve McQueen
- Stream on HBO Max
Set during the Great Depression, The Cincinnati Kid follows Steve McQueen as poker player Eric “The Kid” Stoner. In a world full of desperation, The Kid aspires to be one of the greats, and soon sees him challenging the poker legend, Lancey “The Man” Howard in a high-stakes character-defining game.
The climax features one of the most tense poker scenes in history and the film is notable for portraying the darkside of gambling. While it has been compared to The Hustler, it’s powerful themes, strong performances, and stunning visuals make this film a unique film that will appeal to stud poker fans in particular.
Crime Movies
The following 2 crime gambling movies came onto our list:
Casino
- Released in 1995
- Directed by Martin Scorsese
- Starring Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci
- Stream on Starz
Despite the name, Casino is not really a movie about casino gambling. Instead, Casino is an epic crime saga that follows Robert De Niro’s Ace Rothstein and his criminal running of the Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas. Based on a true story, De Niro is supported by Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci in career-best performances.
The film is Scorsese through-and-through, with dynamic visuals, slick camerawork, a rock n roll soundtrack, and shocking violence to boot. The film has earned its place at the top of any great casino movie list, as it captures the glitz and glamour of 70s Vegas while exploring its seedy underbelly.
The Gambler
- Released in 1974
- Directed by Karel Reisz
- Starring James Caan, Paul Sorvino
- Stream on Apple TV, Prime Video
If you’re looking for movies about gambling addiction, you can’t go past 1974’s The Gambler. The film is based on a screenplay by James Toback, who based the story on his own experience as a gambling addict. His likeness, Axel Freed, is played by James Caan, who is a literature professor by day and problem gambler by night.
The film positions the audience in a tense position as we go along for the nail-biting ride, as Freed loses everything, loses some more, and gets involved with some dangerous people. While The Gambler was remade in 2014, the original is far grittier and, according to most, far superior.
Comedy Movies
Here are 2 comedy gambling movies that are worth watching:
Ocean’s Eleven
- Released in 2001
- Directed by Steven Soderbergh
- Starring Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Bernie Mac
- Stream on HBO Max, Peacock TV
You cannot create list about the top movies about casinos or gambling and not 2001’s remake of Ocean’s Eleven. This fast-paced, stylish, comedy film introduced the world to the three-part franchise that dazzled audiences with its spinning roulette wheel visuals and surprising twists.
In what may be the best heist put to screen, the film follows George Clooney’s Danny Ocean, a recently released convict, who plans to rob three Las Vegas casinos at once. He is joined by an ensemble cast of heavy-hitters, including Julia Roberts as his ex-wife Tess.
The Sting
- Released in 1973
- Directed by George Roy Hill
- Starring Robert Redford, Paul Newman
- Stream on Apple TV, Prime Video
This two-hander classic saw Robert Redford and Paul Newman play two con men who seek to avenge their murdered friend by ruining a ruthless mob boss. To do so, the pair create a sports betting scheme so foolproof that Lonnegan won’t know he’s being taken advantage of until the con is long finished.
Without giving too much away, the film is famous for its surprising final act which needs to be seen to be appreciated. This is a great casino gambling movie that mixes comedy, crime, and drama, with great performances from the two Hollywood legends. Don’t just take our word for it — The Sting won seven Academy Awards when it was released. Meanwhile, if you want to experience a real gambling excitement rather than watching it in the movies, you can play at top online casinos such as Bet365.com NJ.
Action Movies
The best action movies about gambling selected by users of our site:
Casino Royale
- Released in 2006
- Directed by Martin Campbell
- Starring Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen
- Stream on Netflix, Prime Video
Although we consider this one of the best casino movies, we would also argue that the film is one of the best, if not the best, James Bond movie. Signaling Daniel Craig’s first outing as 007, this stylish film reinvented the spy franchise and shone a light on Texas Hold’em at the height of the 2000s poker boom.
With over 100 million dollars in the pot, the poker table showdown between Bond and Mads Mikkelsen’s Le Chiffre manages to hold the audience’s attention like any other Bond action sequence. Each hand is filmed with intensity, culminating with the climactic final round where Bond reveals his winning Straight Flush.
