by Stormtrooper on May 03, 2022
For decades, gambling has been one of the most favoured pastimes in countries across the globe. It’s exciting and full of thrill, luring thousands to try it out. It’s no surprise that the gambling market has a heavy presence in the entertainment industry. The creation of web-based gaming platforms and online casino games only boosted that popularity.
This popularity stretches past the brick-and-mortar casinos and nestles itself into many movie productions. Many movies focus on gambling and casinos, but which are the best of all time?
Hundreds of movies have been made through the years that feature gambling as a theme. Some are based on actual events, while others are complete works of fiction. While there are many iconic scenes related to gambling, like when Bond played his perilous poker game in Casino Royale, there are movies whose entire focus is the gambling scene.
We looked at the top five movies that are a must-see when it comes to gambling movies.
While we wouldn’t state that this movie’s theme is gambling, it’s the common element that ties together all aspects of the movie. Directed by Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci deliver a thrilling movie packed with power, greed, deception, and murder. We wouldn’t recommend this movie to the faint-hearted or viewers who want to enjoy the intricacies of gambling.
However, it remains one of the iconic Las Vegas movies featuring the gangster activity tied to gambling in Las Vegas during those times. It’s arguably one of the most famous casino movies set in Las Vegas.
The Safdie brothers directed this Netflix movie, featuring Adam Sandler as Howard “Howie” Ratner and Kevin Garnett. This movie showcases the darker aspects of gambling. You follow Howard’s gambling addiction and how he scrambles to continue his sports betting while tangling with the mob. The movie has a tense and dark atmosphere, delivering an accurate view of what it looks like when you gamble beyond your limits.
Experienced bettors will enjoy the accurate portrayal Sandler delivers of the thrill of NBA betting. There’s also a twist in the works of Kevin Garnett portraying a cinematic version of himself when he was the star player in the Celtics.
The Hustler is one of those classics that the National Film Registry has selected for preservation. This alone shows the cultural and historical significance of the movie. This black and white film follows Paul Newman’s character, a small-time pool hustler, as he and his partner travel the country and earns money gambling. His smart mouth and destructive attitude eventually led to him challenging “Minnesota Fats,” who’s a legendary pool player.
This movie is in no way a comedy, and viewers looking for trick shots and witty humour should look elsewhere. However, the cynical and cold atmosphere throughout the movie accurately portrays the high stakes of gambling.
Another classic, The Cincinnati Kid, presents a thrilling and dramatic portrayal of a poker game between a newly risen star and a veteran poker player. Steve McQueen plays the young hotshot, and Edward G. Robinson plays the veteran with sharp instincts. This movie is tense yet exciting from start to finish. It shows the poker game between the two players, with improbable poker hands and glitzy ladies all part of the show.
The movie follows an unpredictable plot and ending, making it one of a poker game’s best and most dramatic portrayals. It’s definitely one for the books and remains an age-old classic.
One of the newer gambling movies released, The Card Counter, follows William Tell, played by Oscar Isaac and is directed by Paul Schrader. It’s a moody, dramatic and anguished plot, with our main character filled with guilt and using gambling almost as an escape. Despite the darker themes the movie is built on, there remains a certain light-heartedness as the card games seem to energize Tell and the movie.
While it follows the journey of a professional card player and there are many gambling scenes, it also delves into other topics surrounding revenge and redemption. We enjoyed this movie for the cautious and in-control way Oscar Isaac portrayed William Tell and his gambling habits.
Many great movies are centred on gambling, like the Ocean’s Eleven, -Twelve, and -Thirteen movies that showcase heists playing off in casinos. However, some just remain classics to watch when looking at the best gambling movies. While it’s difficult to rate good movies against each other, we’ll say that the top five mentioned are brilliant films showcasing the thrill of gambling in all its different forms.