Top 10 Gambling Movies of All Time You Must Watch
What can you expect from an action movie shown in theatres? Especially when gambling is the main driving force of the plot? There is plenty of drama, risk, and excitement when someone puts everything on the line rather than being responsible and playing it safe. However, Hollywood has had its fair share of movies about gambling at the centre of the plot, aiming for pure entertainment or for more serious topics.
Best Poker Movies of All Time
It is the season of long nights, and as the holidays approach fast, we gathered together the best gambling movies of all time. Revealing each movie of our top 10 list daily, we are giving you an exciting Advent calendar, so you can enjoy some rest from your poker grind off the felt without thinking about what to watch.
In casino movies, gamblers are always chasing one big win. So if you’re looking for the best gambling movies about
casinos
or poker, you’ve come to the right place.
Below, we present the 10 finest casino-related gambling movies one by one, along with their cast and plot summaries – come back tomorrow to find out more about these unique pieces of entertainment.
10. Croupier (1998)
In the story, Jack Manfred is a struggling novelist living in London. To cover his basic needs, he sells his car and, using his father’s connections, gets a job as a croupier at the Golden Lion Casino, even though he doesn’t like gambling.
Learn more about this great gambling movie in the first part of our Top 10 series.
9. 21 (2008)
Ben Campbell is a brilliant but poor student from a working-class family studying at MIT in Boston, striving for success. He wants to become a doctor with the help of a scholarship so he can transfer to Harvard Medical School.
One evening, Ben’s unconventional math professor, Micky Rosa, introduces him to a unique club whose members — Jill, Choi, Kianna, and Fisher — have been trained by Professor Rosa in card counting.
Read further details about this fantastic film in Part 2 of our Top 10 series.
8. Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
After Danny Ocean is released from prison, he violates the terms of his parole. He travels to California to meet his partner and friend to join his ambitious robbery plan. They then head to Las Vegas to propose the plan to their wealthy and influential friend, former casino owner Reuben Tishkoff. The plan is to rob the Bellagio, the Mirage, and the MGM Grand casinos simultaneously.
We dive deeper into this excellent movie in the third instalment of our Top 10 series.
7. Molly’s Game (2017)
Molly Bloom is a world-class mogul skier who is expected to win the Olympic Games. However, she was seriously injured at the 2022 Winter Olympics, ending her professional athletic career. Instead of attending law school, she moves to Los Angeles to restart her life, where she becomes interested in a high-stakes poker game for extremely wealthy celebrities.
Discover more about this fantastic film in the 4th part of our Top 10 lineup.
6. Mississippi Grind (2015)
Gerry, a struggling gambler and real estate agent, teams up with a younger gambler, Curtis, at a casino in Dubuque, Iowa. Gerry suggests a gambling road trip along the Mississippi River to Curtis, culminating at a casino in New Orleans. Gerry then plays and loses at every casino they visit, eventually asking Curtis for money.
Check out Part 5 of our Top 10 series to find out more about this great movie.
5. Rounders (1998)
Mike McDermott (Matt Damon), a law student, loses all his savings in a gambling match to the Russian club owner Teddy KGB. He then decides to give up gambling and devote all his attention to his studies and his girlfriend, Jo. After Mike’s old gambling friend Worm is released from prison, it takes Worm almost no time to pull Mike back into the world of gambling and casinos.
Find additional insights about one of the best poker movies of all time in the sixth episode of our Top 10 series.
4. The Cincinnati Kid (1965)
The film is set in 1930s New Orleans, a time before online casinos existed, when everyone played in local gambling halls. Eric Stoner, known as the Cincinnati Kid, is an up-and-coming gambler who is exceptionally skilled at poker. When Lancey Howard, the best poker player around, arrives in the city, the Kid wants to play against him – and beat him – so that people will know his name and he can earn glory.
You can read more about this outstanding item among poker movies in the 7th chapter of our Top 10 series.
3. California Split (1974)
Bill Denny and Charlie Waters become friends at the gambling table after they are beaten and robbed by a card player whose money they had won. Charlie is an experienced gambler who is constantly chasing the next big win. Bill is a full-time magazine writer who does not gamble regularly.
Explore more about this remarkable film in the 8th edition of our Top 10 countdown.
2. The Gambler (1974)
Axel Freed, an English professor at New York College, is addicted to gambling. He has accumulated massive debts and owes a large sum to his loan shark. When Billie, his girlfriend, finds out how deeply Axel is in debt, she begins to question the viability of their relationship. Axel claims that he loves the dangers of life.
For more information on this great movie, which earned its place among the best gambling movies, see Part 9 of our Top 10 series.
1. Casino (1995)
Sam Rothstein, a bookmaker and gambling manager known to his friends as Ace, is a man who plays by the rules. When the Italian Mafia hires him to run the Tangiers Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, Ace turns it into a success.
Don’t miss the 10th and last part of our Top 10 series of gambling movies, where we share more about this fantastic masterpiece.
See our Top 10 list of the Best Gambling Movies of All Time for the other contestants, or navigate around the Top 10 items.
Top 10 Gambling Movies – Casino – 1st Place
Our Top 10 Best Gambling Movies #1 is Martin Scorsese's "Casino" (1995). Explore the real-life gambling history, production secrets, and legendary cast.
Top 10 Gambling Movies – The Gambler – 2nd Place
The 1974 classic, "The Gambler", #2 on our Top 10 Gambling Movies of All Time List, displays James Caan's portrayal of addiction to high-stakes betting.
Top 10 Gambling Movies – California Split – 3rd Place
Discover why the 1974 classic "California Split", starring Elliott Gould and George Segal ,is considered one of the most authentic gambling movies ever made.
Top 10 Gambling Movies – The Cincinnati Kid – 4th Place
Discover why "The Cincinnati Kid" with Steve McQueen poker showdown remains one of the best gambling movies ever made. It definitely has a place in the Top 10.
Top 10 Gambling Movies – Rounders – 5th Place
Discover why the 1998 movie "Rounders" is one of the ultimate film for gamblers. Read our review covering poker strategy, and the legacy of Texas Hold'em.
Top 10 Gambling Movies – Mississippi Grind – 6th Place
Discover "Mississippi Grind", a gritty and authentic gambling road trip movie starring Ryan Reynolds and Ben Mendelsohn. It earned 6th place on our Top 10 list.
Top 10 Gambling Movies – Molly’s Game – 7th Place
Rank 7 on our Top 10 Gambling Movies you find "Molly's Game." Dive into the high-stakes world of underground poker with Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba.
Top 10 Gambling Movies – Ocean’s Eleven – 8th Place
Looking for the perfect gambling movie? Discover why Ocean's Eleven (2001) made our Top 10 list. No spoilers, just fun facts, cast details, and casino thrills.
Top 10 Gambling Movies – 21 – 9th Place
#9 on our Top 10 Best Gambling Movies list: "21." Gambling strategies, star-studded cast, and production secrets behind this film about the MIT Blackjack Team.
Top 10 Gambling Movies – Croupier – 10th Place
Discover "Croupier" (1998), the cult classic neo-noir starring Clive Owen. A gritty, realistic look at casino life and gambling from the dealer's perspective.
