Gambling Heists: 10 Top Casino Caper Movies

casino movies

Directed by Robert Rossen and starring Paul Newman as “Fast Eddie” Felson, this is of course the film that sparked Scorsese and crew to create The Color of Money. And although that film was well-acclaimed in itself, The Hustler (1961) has almost gone down as a classic. What’s worth noting off the bat about this project is its utilization of interior monologues to emulate the neo-noir or detective style of film that screenwriter Paul Mayersburg and director Mike Hodges drew inspiration from. But Croupier (1998) also provides great insight into the ins and outs of casino work, with technical jargon around every corner of the British gambling house in which the film is set.

Molly’s Game

Honeymoon in Vegas follows Jack Singer (Cage), who promised to never get married to his mother when she was dying. However, he still proposes to his long-term girlfriend, Betsy (Sarah Jessica Parker) and they fly to Las Vegas to get married, where Jack loses Betsy in a high-stakes poker game that has been rigged. 21 follows Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess) who will need to have $300,000 for the program in order to get admitted into Harvard School of Medicine. He and five other MIT students received training to be professionals at card counting in blackjack as a result, and they later used Las Vegas casinos to earn millions of dollars. In any event, Eddie Garrett, a gambling addict, is tasked to stash the money for an acquaintance – if that’s what you can call a local thug who is rummaging through your kitchen one morning – who is heading into prison.

The 75+ Best Movies About Gambling

The film stars Jessica Chastain in the titular role, with supporting efforts from guys like Idris Elba and Michael Cera. And all the performers delivered Sorkin’s world-famous dialogue to a critically acclaimed degree. It’s an endlessly intelligent film that will likely satisfy any gambling addicts looking for a realistic movie about poker — that’s almost entirely due to the wit of Sorkin’s script. The sequel is a stylish heist thriller with an A-list cast and a cast of seasoned veterans. After two critical and commercially successful serious dramas, this stylish film is an excellent way to end the year.

  • Hard Eight follows a professional gambler named Sydney (Philip Baker Hall) who teaches a homeless man, John Finnegan (John C. Reilly) how to win his money in Vegas.
  • And a large part of that was due to its cast — aside from Newman, it also featured the likes of Tom Cruise, John Turturro, and Forest Whitaker.
  • He gets robbed at gunpoint, loses friends, and has very little to show for it besides a cool story.
  • This criminally underrated movie shows the intense highs and lows of the gambler’s mind, with the audience having a front-row seat.
  • Jacques Dutronc plays the role of a charming man with a severe gambling addiction.

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Philip Baker Hall plays surly gambling pro Sydney; Gweneth Paltrow plays waitress/prostitute Clementine; John C. Reilly plays gullible loser John Finnegan; Samuel L Jackson plays slick-talking, no-nonsense casino security personnel Jimmy. For a little over 90 minutes, Hard Eight Sydney takes John under his gambling wing after helping his homeless protege get enough money for his mother’s funeral. After her career was derailed by a life-changing injury to her spine, Molly was then put in charge of an underground poker game within the Viper Room in Los Angeles.

Cast

You can put yourself in there amongst the action without taking any risks, and you get to see some of the most iconic casino games in the world in all their glory. According to many people who study movies and their psychological impact on us, casino-inspired movies are popular because they often celebrate the underdog. The thrill of watching someone defy the odds and beat the house is something that many movie-goers can easily resonate with. The professor, played by Kevin Spacey, will later use the team’s skills to count cards at blackjack tables in Las Vegas.

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  • You can find many casino movies on Netflix that are worth watching for educational purposes and entertainment as well.
  • Highly organised, trained and intelligent they take on the big casinos and win.
  • The accurate representation of gambling psychology is one of the reasons this film is worth watching.
  • He’s Jack, an aspiring novelist desperate for money — soon, he’s a croupier getting to know the world of casino gambling.
  • A great buddy film—and Robert Altman’s most underrated classic—California Split stars Elliot Gould and George Segal, both performing incredible feats of stoic face-acting.
  • This film is one of our top movies about poker because the world of gambling can serve as both a refuge and a battlefield for personal demons.
  • Clive Owen delivers a riveting performance in “Croupier,” portraying a struggling writer who starts working as a croupier.

Kim Yoon-seok, who played Macao Park, mentioned that during a fight scene with Lee Jung-jae’s character, he had to deal with distractions from the non-actors around them who would shout, clap and laugh. Actress Kim Hae-sook, on the other hand, found that she was struggling to complete a scene under a time constraint as she kept hitting the jackpot on the slot machine, even though her character was meant to be losing. The film talks about the life of Henry Hill and his allies’ criminal careers.

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The plot revolves around a pair of aspiring musicians who travel around Nevada playing slot machines in the hopes of winning the lottery. These cinematic gems are a must-watch, not just for the gambling connoisseur but for anyone who appreciates powerful storytelling that deals with the high stakes of life and the risks we take. While our top picks showcase the very best of the casino genre, there are a few more films that didn’t make our list but offer compelling portrayals of the casino world and the multifaceted characters who inhabit it. This rollercoaster ride of a film showcases the downward spiral of gambling addiction and the desperate lengths one will go to chase euphoria. In 1986, the bosses, finally fed up with Nicky’s recklessness and attempt on Sam’s life, order Frankie and his crew to kill Nicky and Dominick. Invited to attend a meetup in a remote Illinois cornfield, they are brutally beaten with baseball bats upon arriving, stripped of their clothes, and buried alive in a shallow grave.

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casino movies

Revolver is a 2005 action thriller starring Jason Statham, Ray Liotta, Vincent Pastore & Andre Benjamin, written & directed by Guy Ritchie. Jake Green, a gambler, seeks revenge against a crime boss who sent him to prison unjustly. A famous casino movie quote is, ‘Change the rules on what controls you, and you will change the rules on what you can control.’ Its IMDb rating is 6.3/10, but it has 15% Rotten Tomatoes.

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And although there are some questionable choices of editing with little to write home about in the technical departments of camerawork, the overall project was definitely a success. The film provides insight into the complexities of this underground world of power and wealth. This Aaron Sorkin directorial doesn’t just revolve around poker; it encapsulates the compelling tale of one woman’s resilience, ambition, and grappling with alluring yet perilous casino culture. Even if it broke the box office, you might be surprised to see that your favourite gambling casino film is not on Netflix.

  • Daniel Craig has been voted many times as the best Bond actor, as he makes the character more humane, and at the same time very distant and out of reach.
  • Besides a stellar cast including The Goodfellas’ Paul Sorvino and American Gigolo’s Lauren Hutton, The Gambler is a psychological thriller masked as a gambling movie.
  • The movie is of course a highly romanticized version of actual events, but it’s captivating and definitely one of the top gambling movies on Netflix to watch on any day.
  • The film is an uncompromising look into how much gambling is truly a disease that can destroy a gambler’s life and the lives of nearly anyone who touches him.

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The plot centers on buddies Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt), who scheme to steal $160 million from Terry Benedict (Andy García), the owner of a casino, and Ocean’s ex-wife’s lover. Hard Eight follows a professional gambler named Sydney (Philip Baker Hall) who teaches a homeless man, John Finnegan (John C. Reilly) how to win his money in Vegas. However, John is doing well until he develops feelings for cocktail waiter Clementine (Gwyneth Paltrow).

Based on a true story but given the Hollywood treatment, the plot follows several MIT students who are too clever for their own good when the descend on Las Vegas as a crack team of expert card counters. Things begin to fall apart as the team fractures and casino security catches wind of their scheme. But he is about to spend it again when he has a medical emergency and is rushed to a hospital. The movie ends, but although it depicts a happy ending, we need to be reminded that gambling addiction and problem gambling ought to be treated seriously. We wholeheartedly recommend watching Money, Explained in its entirety as it’s a highly educative if somewhat mass culture series.

The Card Counter was recently added to the Netflix movie library, so this is your best option for watching this movie. Beyond that, you’ll need to pay to rent the film, but there is a wide choice of services where it’s available for a small fee. This movie sees Mark Wahlberg play Dan, an ex-assassin turned family man, who must take his family on an epic road trip around the US, when his past catches up with him. The film takes in many iconic locations, including Monument Valley, the Hoover Dam, and Hope Memorial Bridge in Cleveland, Ohio, before the family descends on Vegas. Upon being released from prison, suave thief Danny Ocean gathers the gang and heads to Las Vegas, determined to organise the greatest heist in history. The team of highly talented risk-takers concoct a mission to steal from the three biggest casinos in Las Vegas — The MGM Grand, the Mirage, and the Bellagio — all property of Terry Benedict.

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Upon its release, the film received a mixed response, with some critics praising it for its tongue-in-cheek self-awareness, and others criticising the project as a shallow cash grab. Scorsese, however, defended the project, stating in a Los Angeles Times report that “a short film is even tougher in a way…It has to be contained in and of itself.” Make your own judgement by watching it above. About a dozen actors have taken on the role across movies and television and captured Lex Luthor’s arrogance and villainy against the Man of Tomorrow. These films give further insight into the complex, often tense relationship between people and their wagering habits.

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This summer, Macao is set to continue its long-running tradition as a popular film destination when the Netflix adaptation of the 2014 novel The Ballad of a Small Player begins shooting across the city’s various casinos. And a large part of that was due to its cast — aside from Newman, it also featured the likes of Tom Cruise, John Turturro, and Forest Whitaker. But it also had an intriguing premise, with Newman’s character now a retired pool hustler who takes a new gambler (Tom Cruise’s character, Vincent Lauria) under his wing. The result was an absolute pleasure of a plot that fully realizes its main players. “Mississippi Grind” tells the story of two gamblers on a road trip, playing risky games in the American South. This film delves into the psychological aspect of gambling, portraying the superstitions, fallacies, and the thrill of the game that keeps players coming back for more.

casino movies

Have you ever had one of those days at the race course where you can’t stop winning? If there is one film that both transports viewers to Las Vegas and reminds them of Casino, it’s Bugsy. But unlike a typical gangster movie, this one also features a unique tale of equals falling in love, a depiction of a dreamer, and a cast of intriguing underworld characters that viewers cannot help but mesmerize. It was also a time when elaborate cons seemed like a perfectly acceptable way to earn a living. Paul Newman and Robert Redford play a couple of grifters who set up an elaborate ploy to scheme a crime boss out of half a million bucks. As the film unfolds, so do the layers of the scam, with the audience finally being let in on the very complicated con.

In a unique dramatic role for Adam Sandler, “Uncut Gems” has him starring as a slick New York jeweler with a gambling addiction. When he comes across a rare, expensive opal that should pay off his debts, the protagonist gets involved in some dicey deals. The top casino movies range from moody noire films to action-packed heists, so you’re certain to find something you like.

“California Split” was well-received by critics and casual viewers alike, with an 87% rating from critics and 83% from audiences. This movie takes a deep dive into the psyche of this cold character for a moody, complex story. It got overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics, nabbing a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 79% audience score. George Clooney’s celebrity-packed Ocean’s 11 (2001) rebooted the genre. The billion-dollar franchise – spinning off three sequels at last count – may be a superstar take on the casino heist theme, but there are plenty of other legendary films. After he became the laureate of loneliness in Casablanca and Treasure of the Sierra Madre, Humphrey Bogart turned on the charm in films like Sabrina and The African Queen.

Maybe it is the glamour of the casino or the links to the Mafia or just human nature to gamble, Hollywood has created some memorable movies and scenes based around casinos and gambling. Hollywood and television have a rich history of using gambling and casinos in their productions. Wild West movies often depict cowboys pulling their guns over a game of cards, James Bond is no stranger to the baccarat table and even Mr Bean has been known to enjoy the slot machines. Mark Wahlberg stars in this thriller about reckless gambling and the mounting debt that so many players can fall into. An educated professor at Harvard with a perfect personal life, yet he is incapable of stopping himself from throwing everything away.

Ginger confides in Nicky about the situation, and the two start an affair. Sam soon discovers their affair, confronts Ginger, and ends his friendship with Nicky. Nicky ends his affair with Ginger once she asks him to kill Sam and threatens to go to the FBI.

Part II is the best example of a sequel outperforming its predecessor, making it one of the best films of all time. The film also depicts America’s corruption accurately while providing a glimpse into New York City’s underground. Furthermore, the film’s usage of Vegas as a plot device is clever, standing out from other places in the film. In 1970s Las Vegas, Sam “Ace” Rothstein is riding high as front man for the mob’s multibillion-dollar casino operation. It’s a winning hand—Ace’s brains and Nicky’s muscle—until wild card hustler Ginger McKenna gets between them.

It’s set during The Great Depression, and chronicles The Kid’s journey as he challenges a veteran card player in Lancey “The Man” Howard — played by Edward G. Robinson. The script brims with wit until the final hand is dealt, and the poker players themselves are portrayed wonderfully by each respective performer. Along with The Hangover and a select couple of others, Ocean’s Eleven (2001) by Steven Soderbergh is one of the most popular gambling movies ever made. Sure, it’s a heist film as well, but the featured location of said robbery is of course a Las Vegas casino. Directed by John Dahl, this is the only film on the list that has gone down as a true cult classic. It received lukewarm responses from critics upon release, and didn’t even double its $12 million budget when playing in theaters throughout the world.

  • Which makes sense, as lead actors Paul Newman and Robert Redford had previously worked with director George Roy Hill on Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969).
  • After losing it all at the casino due to a lifelong addiction, Bob decides he’s going to get the old gang back together and rob the joint—if he can only keep himself away from the tables.
  • He goes against the casino’s code of conduct and gets wrapped up in a risky heist.
  • It’s a shame that Owen has rarely found a film since that’s so magnetic.

The most thrilling part begins when Tom Cruise decides to play Blackjack to settle his debts. And what materializes from its slick style and intelligent script is a career-defining performance from English actor Clive Owen that dives deep into the intricate nature of the human condition. Its compelling plot becomes a character study of sorts, and Jack Manfred should by dint of that go down as the single most compelling protagonist to ever be featured in a gambling movie.

Some of those movies even won awards for the way they represented the stories of different gamblers, their struggles, and their obsession. Although “Ocean’s Eleven” isn’t technically a gambling movie, it earns its spot on the list because it really feels https://true-fortune.us/ like a gambling movie. That is to say, everything about this movie drips with elegance and glamour, coupled with high stakes, bluffing, and gambling-esque tactics. Jumping into the movie is like jumping into a casino, full of tension and excitement.

We’ve previously looked at the best poker movies and best casino movies, but with Christmas & New Year drawing closer, we know many gambling fans will be settling down to watch a movie or two during the winter break. Featuring Clive Owen in the title role, Croupier is one of the most remarkable and distinctive casino films ever made. Most movies set in casinos usually present the gambling world from the gambler’s point of view. Trying to keep up with all of the twists in Lucky Number Slevin is almost as difficult as picking a winner in a horse race but just as entertaining. Nothing captures the stress of a gambling addiction more than Uncut Gems, the Adam Sandler-starring film about a New York City jewelry dealer who can’t stop himself from chasing the big win. He owes money to everyone in town, including the mob, bookies, watch salesmen, his own brother-in-law, and basketball legend Kevin Garnett.

Directed by Jeff Probst, the movie has an interesting if somewhat unlikely plot. Tepper, the protagonist, finds a lost wallet on the street and he calls the owner to come and pick it up. In the meantime, Tepper is also part of a bizarre poker game in which the players agree to each purchase a lottery ticket and throw it in the pocket. This whole movie is about a group of students from MIT who back in the 90’s took Vegas by storm. Based on a true story with some embellishments it tells of the exploits of a gang of card counters. Highly organised, trained and intelligent they take on the big casinos and win.

A Martin Scorsese gem, Casino is about the competition between best friends, one a Mafioso and the other a casino executive, for a gambling empire and a fast-living socialite. So, get ready to be amazed and entertained by all these movies‘ cool stories and adventures. Few settings delight audiences in cinematic entertainment, such as the casino’s 3D print and sound effects. Among other things, visitors will find a daily dose of articles with the latest poker news, live reporting from tournaments, exclusive videos, podcasts, reviews and bonuses and so much more. A chance encounter with La Linda, played by Tiffany Hadish, leads to joining the World Series of Poker Tour, and all is well until a mysterious young man shows up to remind William of his hidden past. Time for a comedy, and this 2017 film with Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler definitely fits the bill if you are looking for a funny flick.

As it is based on a true story, Casino easily earns a place on the famous casino movies list. Thanks largely to Scorsese’s strong directing, this classic has contributed a great deal of popularity to the glamorous and mysterious Las Vegas lifestyle. Few gambling movies portray gambling less as a talent and more as a coping mechanism, like Paul Schrader’s 2021 crime drama The Card Counter. Oscar Issac plays card counting wizard William Tell who teaches himself how to count cards in a military prison to practice the patience and restraint from succumbing to the darker impulses that landed him in prison in the first place.

Four men – Doug, Alan, Stu, and Phil – go to Las Vegas for a stag night, awakening the next morning with the worst hangovers of their lives. While they can’t remember anything from the night before, the hangovers will then remember the trip to Las Vegas forever. This film was so popular a series of sequels came out in the following years.

Featuring some of the best action of the series, Casino Royale takes Bond back to his roots, letting fans rediscover the original Bond. Unlike earlier films, Casino Royale shows Bond’s affection for women, and his human side. Daniel Craig’s performance as James Bond in Casino Royale was nothing short of brilliant. Not only does he have the most impressive beach body in the history of the Bond franchise, but he also has the most dramatic chops. He carries the entire movie by himself through the first hour, with Judi Dench as his only real peer. The movie follows the usual Bond formula, revolving around the spies and the occasional high-speed chase, but it’s also set in the beautiful locations of Madagascar, Miami, and the Bahamas.

Casino Royale should never be ignored as the whole movie is one casino scene after the other and all of them entertaining. Our on-site 13-screen Regal Cinema complex offers the perfect setting for family afternoons or casual date nights. With unbeatable matinee pricing, fan-favorite “My Generation” days, and daily showings of all the latest blockbusters, catching a flick during your Sunset Station stay is a must. With a lively lobby that features pool tables, an indoor/outdoor balcony, and a full bar—and personalized seat-side food-and-beverage service in each theatre—enjoy a luxury boutique theatre experience like no other. In dire straits, Gerry pairs up with the charismatic Curtis on a road trip across the American South to win back what they have lost in their poker gambling in Mississippi Grind.

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