Casino Movies

Gambling has been a motif in cinema since its early days. Be it plot point, character exposition or simply a just to set the scene in a casino. Games like Poker, Blackjack or Roulette will definitely be shown if a movie plays in Las Vegas. As soon as names like James Bond are used, Baccarat or Poker instantly come to mind. In the early 2000s writer and director Steven Soderbergh picked George Clooney to revitalize the heist movie genre, and it's been casinos getting robbed and banks laundering gambling money being targeted ever since - at least every other year there is a studio film being released where the profits of a gambling operation are at stake!

In this overview, we will not give you advice on which casino games to play. We will also not cover strategies for games like Poker, Blackjack or Roulette. Instead, we will present to you dozens of entertaining movies around the theme of casinos, gambling and heists - perhaps next time you are taking a break you got your entertainment already sorted this way!

Poker Movies

Poker movies have been a thing since the 60s, but only in the 80s and 90s they managed to attract mainstream appeal and positive reactions from audiences and critics alike. Usually they focus on either a sole protagonist or a small band of friends who seek quick financial gains in order to pay debts or add unnecessary thrill of their lives. Keep in mind that when it comes to gambling movies, Poker movies usually take a special position, since a poker table makes for both great set pieces, great character studies and especially good dialogue!

Rounders

Take "Rounders" for example, a movie so perfectly 90s cinema it could be used in any film class anywhere and people would be able to spot a stereotype every 10 minutes. It stars a young Matt Damon trying to say goodbye to his old life of gambling while maintaining his relationship with a very young Gretchen Mol (of Boardwalk Empire fame) and trying to complete his studies at the same time. Rounders also has a young Edward Norton playing his connection to the city's underbelly, always eager to encourage him to fall off the wagon and dive back into the world of card games, high stakes and entirely too large egos competing at any given time. Of course it's mostly Matt Damon's own fault, for he is trying to pay off a large debt without telling anybody.  The term "rounder" commonly refers to card sharps, people who would travel from city to city, seeking high-stakes card games or tournaments with the intent of winning them by skill or cheating. The film also features John Malkovich as an overly excitable Russian Poker player - with his performance being marred by questionable dialect work, however. 

A few years earlier Mel Gibson, back then still Hollywood's darling and guaranteed to turn any script into a successful movie, played titular character Bret Maverick in "Maverick". Trying to collect money to bankroll his buy-in at a prestigious Poker tournament, the cowboy has to fend off old acquaintances and a charming woman thief - Jodie Foster - in order to make it to the tournament. Also enjoyable: Alfred Molina in a supporting role only a few years before he would move on to play the Villain in Sam Raimi's Spiderman 2. Overall, the movie barely deals with Poker at all, the ultimate deception on Maverick's side would make any Poker player worth their salt shake their heads in disappointment. It is perfectly fine entertainment, though. 

The Cincinnati Kid

Then of course there is "The Cincinnati Kid", an absolute classic starring Steve McQueen as the titular character. The king of Poker movies for many, the film has McQueen as the "Kid" in depression-era New Orleans trying to make a name for himself. Throughout the movie he is being taunted, threatened and has to deal with other people's indecision and personal problems. He is chased by a femme fatale (Ann-Margret burning up the screen), has to deal with his close friend's inability to stand up for themselves and is constantly navigating a high-stakes table in New Orleans of all places! Similarly, the game itself is both pushing the plot forward, as well as center piece to which every thread of drama is attached to. The film was shot with muted colours to make the suit colours during the game pop more, and filmmakers even paid attention to table etiquette and bet styles of the era. The Poker game itself, for example, is played with open stakes. Highly unusual nowadays, it wasn't totally unheard of in the 1930s. Cincinnati Kid is for many the greatest Poker move ever made, and definitely one of the most complete gambling movies to date, for it manages both to capture the thrill of high-stakes Poker, as well as the dilemma of gambling and it's effect on people close to the players themselves. 

Casino Royale

Even James Bond features in one of the most famous Poker movies. While the spy is usually seen playing Baccarat or Roulette, Daniel Craig's debut has him play for his dear life in one of the best Bond films, "Casino Royale". While the game moves themselves aren't as breathtaking as Eva Green, or the final hands being played not as brutal and remorseless as Craig's performance, the whole movie oozes class and casino feeling like few others. From a generous tip for the dealer, to great scenery and some absolute - and we stand by that - caricatures of high rollers with dubious backgrounds, Casino Royale manages to make multi-day poker games feel grand and prestigious. Even if their consequences leave audiences cringing in their seats later on. Definitely a must-see, especially if you have a weak spot for casino movies filmed in exotic locations with loads of extras and an assortment of stars in the main roles. 

The Grand

"The Grand" is a relatively unknown foray into the mockumentary genre starring Woody Harrelson - of all people - as a recovering drug addict trying to win back a casino he inherited but lost. That premise alone should be worth your attention, since the film manages to walk the thin line between self-complementary Hollywood fare and overproduced comedy. In its camera work and talent used it feels very much like a later movie about a group of men trying to reconcile their new realities after a night out in Las Vegas (which was released only a year and a half later). Harrelson in this movie has been married 75 times, one character is played by legendary Poker player Gabe Kaplan himself, Werner Herzog plays a man sacrificing small animals for luck and Dennis Farina in one of his last roles plays a hard-boiled gambler willing to screw anyone he comes across. We can only hope the film is based on a true story at this point. 

Shade

"Shade" is a Poker movie laying on the grime and repercussions of illegal card games thick from the very first scene. Card hustlers Thandie Newton, Jamie Foxx and Gabriel Byrne agree to shake down a high-stakes Poker game with the help of a card mechanic, who works as a Blackjack dealer in a casino. What follows is a story so full of turns and twists you might wish to keep pen and paper close by so you can scribble some plot points and names down. For fans of the neo-noir and crime genre it's an absolute delight. For fans of individual actors it might come in short. 

All in: The Poker Movie

"All in: The Poker Movie" is a very US-based documentary about Poker, the recent resurgence in popularity due to the internet and online casinos, and why many people still associate a skilled card game player as one of the embodiments of the American dream. Absolute must-see for veterans and people interested in Poker as a wold-wide phenomenon. Less fitting perhaps if you and yours are in movie night. Despite many veteran Poker players being interviewed, it is up to the viewer to decide how many of these tales are in fact based on true stories. 

Blackjack Movies

Funnily enough, when it comes to Blackjack used in movies, the game often is used as a vehicle to either provide more exposition for a central character, or to deliver the climax and connected redemption or descension of a character. Rarely is a movie entirely about Blackjack but when it is the case, it is both educational and entertaining. 

Swingers

Honorary mention: "Swingers". A cult film from the 90s, Swingers is less about Blackjack and more about unsuccessful actors trying to get back their mojo on a trip to Las Vegas. The film is less about the city or gambling in general, but uses wonderful locations as backdrops for its storytelling. Not to forget a hilarious scene featuring two idiots arguing about whether to always double down on a 11. 

21

"21" is a Hollywood movie based on a true story. A professor at MIT assembles a team of talented students and channels their energies into card counting instead. One of the best gambling movies ever, both game theory as well as Blackjack theory are covered here. It features Kevin Spacey as the cold, calculating professor and an assortment of young talent at the time as his students. Any gambler who enjoys seeing their hobby on the big screen will get a kick out of this one. Just don't use it as an instructional for card counting. 

Croupier

"Croupier" starring a young Clive Owen is one of Britain's contributions to the neo-noir genre in the 90s. A young man lands a job as a croupier in a casino, and soon his cynic worldview finds an ideal catalyst in gamblers losing their last pennies at his table. Relationship turmoil, the initially appeal of gambling making way for all sorts of disgusting behaviour and an excellent performance by the lead make this one worthwhile. 

Rain Man

"Rain Man" certainly needs no further introduction. This Blackjack movie placed Tom Cruise firmly on the map and got Dustin Hoffman the credit and praise he should have gotten in the 70s already. Watch for the drama, the feel-good moments and the personal development of the main characters, but don't follow the casinos scenes too closely. Blackjack, card counting and one of Hollywood's first attempts to portray disabilities in a somewhat authentic way included. 

We will cover more casino-themed movies in another installment of our blog, which will feature such classics as the titular "Casino" with Robert de Niro and Joe Pesci, the often overlooked "The Cooler" and others!