Casinos are the perfect setting for high-stakes drama, where the rich and powerful converge to fight over riches, women, and domination. Hollywood has undoubtedly cottoned on, with many Oscar-worthy movies using the iconic Las Vegas Strip as the backdrop for their stories.
There is no shortage of casino-related movies showing off the glitz and glamour of the Strip; they’re heaps of fun and offer a taste of living the fast life. Check out our list of the best casino movies you can enjoy at your next movie night.
10. The Gambler 6/10
We start with The Gambler, a 1974 crime drama directed by Karel Reisz and starring James Caan as the lead character, Axel Freed. Freed is an academically acclaimed literature professor in New York City who struggles to control his gambling habit. We see Freed take more risks as his losses build, desperate to turn his luck around.
James Caan’s performance in this iconic movie earned him a Golden Globe nomination. It was well received at the box office and has become a cult classic.
9. 21 6.5/10
21 is another story involving a brilliant academic’s involvement with gambling. This time, a true story involving the MIT blackjack team, based on Ben Mezrich’s book, Bringing Down the House. We follow student Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess), who is recruited into a secret blackjack team by Professor Micky Rosa, Kevin Spacey’s character.
Ben and his team learn the art of counting cards and embark on a series of successful trips to Vegas to win the money required to pay his Harvard Medical School tuition fees. Unfortunately, casino security (Laurence Fishburne) soon picks up on the team’s success.
The movie enjoyed much success at the box office, grossing $159 million globally and debuting at number one in the US and Canada.
8. Maverick 7/10
Maverick is a 1994 comedy set in the Wild West centred around the charming lead character, Bret Maverick, played by Mel Gibson. In this quirky movie, Gibson plays alongside Jodie Foster, the crafty con artist Annabelle Bransford, his sometime nemesis and lover.
The plot follows Maverick gathering his entry fee for a high-stakes poker tournament on board the paddle steamer Lauren Belle. Maverick is determined to prove himself the greatest poker player alive and scoop up the $500,000 prize. Throughout the movie, Maverick gets entangled in misadventures, encountering nefarious characters set to cheat him out of his prize.
Maverick was a fantastic success at the box office, earning an Oscar nomination for Best Costume Design and grossing $183 million worldwide.
7. California Split 7/10
Robert Altman’s 1974 movie California Split stars Elliott Gould and George Segal and follows their blossoming friendship, fuelled by their shared passion for gambling.
While the movie was not particularly successful at its release, it has since become a cult classic. It is revered for its authentic portrayal of gambling addiction and buoyed by a terrific jazz soundtrack headlined by Tommy Flanagan.
6. Croupier 7/10
The 1998 British thriller Croupier, directed by Mike Hodges, stars Clive Owen and follows aspiring writer Jack Manfred, who takes a job as a croupier in London while he works on his manuscript.
In the movie, as Manfred becomes increasingly involved in casino life, the lines between fiction and reality blur, and his life slowly starts to resemble that of the lead character in his novel. Jack is soon drawn into a robbery plot with devastating results that test his moral boundaries and strain his personal relationships.
The movie was a massive success in the US and Canada, helping to launch Owen’s career in Hollywood. Despite a modest budget, the movie grossed over $7 million at the box office.
5. Casino Royale 7.5/10
Daniel Craig’s debut as 007 saw Bond once again don his signature black tie and hit the casino floor after a significant hiatus, reuniting fans with the lovable British spy as he undertakes a career as an MI6 agent and takes on his first 007 mission.
Bond meets private banker Le Chiffre in a high-stakes poker game at the Casino Royale in Montenegro and, with assistance from treasury agent Vesper Lynd (Eva Green), attempts to stop the criminal’s terrorism funding.
Craig’s first foray as the iconic James Bond was met with massive success, taking in over $600 million worldwide and paving the way for an additional four films for the franchise.
4. The Hangover 8/10
2009 hit The Hangover barely needs any introduction. The Todd Phillips comedy has earned itself icon status, bringing home a whopping $467 million at the box office, making it one of the highest-grossing R-rated comedies of all time.
The Hangover stars Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, and Justin Bartha, playing a group of four friends in Vegas to celebrate the bachelor party of Bartha’s character, Doug. After a wild night out, Doug’s groomsmen awake to discover the groom missing and have no memory of what occurred the night before.
The trio must retrace their steps from their calamitous night out to find their friend before the wedding is due to start. This is a hilarious masterpiece that imaginatively highlights the unpredictability of Las Vegas and is well deserving of its success.
3. Molly’s Game 8.5/10
Molly’s Game is a 2017 biographical drama based on Molly Bloom’s memoir. Bloom, played by Jessica Chastain, is a one-time Olympic-class skier whose career is cut short by a serious injury, prompting her to move to LA, where she becomes involved in running high-stakes underground poker games for the Hollywood elite. Molly soon attracts unwanted attention from the FBI and is forced to hire Idris Elba as a defence lawyer.
What sets Molly’s Game aside as a casino movie is its insight into the exclusive world of high-stakes underground poker and the glamorous yet dangerous lifestyle of those involved.
2. Ocean’s Eleven 8.5/10
Ocean’s Eleven is the ultimate casino heist movie. This fantastic ensemble of Hollywood A-listers attempts to pull off the most elaborate robbery, simultaneously targeting three of the largest Las Vegas casinos. The all-star cast delivered a standout performance, and the movie was a massive success, grossing some $450 million at the box office.
Join George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia and Julia Roberts for an unforgettable trip to Sin City for the perfect blend of comedy, suspense, and high-anxiety action. Ocean’s Eleven is one of the most beloved movies in the genre and gives a real taste of what’s behind closed doors at the Bellagio, Mirage, and MGM Grand.
1. Casino 9/10
No list of the best casino-themed movies would be complete without Scorsese’s iconic 1995 crime drama Casino. Set in the 70s and early 80s, this legendary movie follows the rise and fall of Sam “Ace” Rothstein, played by Robert De Niro, a top casino handicapper employed by the Chicago Mafia to oversee operations of the Tangiers Casino in Vegas.
Joe Pesci and Sharon Stone join De Niro in this intense drama that beautifully depicts the ugly side of casino management during this period, as outlined in the book Casino: Love and Honour in Las Vegas by Nicholas Pileggi, who helped Scorsese write the critically acclaimed screenplay.
Top Gambling Movies Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes Scores
| Movie Title | Rotten Tomatoes Rating |
|---|---|
| Casino | 79% |
| Ocean’s Eleven | 83% |
| Molly’s Game | 81% |
| The Hangover | 79% |
| Casino Royale | 94% |
| Croupier | 95% |
| California Split | 88% |
| Maverick | 96% |
| 21 | 36% |
| The Gambler | 86% |
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