When it comes to the world of casino movies, plenty of great films has been made about the subject. From the early days of Las Vegas to the modern era of online casinos, these films have showcased a wide range of casino themes. From classic movies like 'Rain Man' (1988) to modern-day Las Vegas-inspired films like '21' (2008), these movies have showcased a broad range of casino themes and plots. These are the top casino films of all time.
Rain Man (1988)
One of the earliest casino films on this list, 'Rain Man' is a heart-warming film starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise. The plot centres around an autistic man and his brother and their cross-country car trip. Along the way, they stop in Las Vegas for some gambling. While there, they both win a lot of money at the roulette table. The movie ends with the brothers living together in luxury as Hoffman's character tells him about how much he cares for him.
As the first on our list, it's no surprise that this film has inspired many people to seek their fortunes in the casinos. However, with today's advancements in technology, many people prefer to join online casinos for the same excitement from the comfort of their homes or, in some cases, on the go. If you're looking to try your hand at casino gambling, check out this top list of online casinos to get you started: https://www.onlinecasinos.co.uk.
Casino (1995)
One of the most famous casino films ever made is 'Casino.' The film was directed by Martin Scorsese and starred Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone. The movie told the story of a mafia-run casino in Las Vegas in the 1970s. It showcased the story of mobster Sam 'Ace' Rothstein (De Niro) and his rise to power, followed by a dramatic downfall, who has to deal with everyone from his ex-wife (Stone) to his unpredictable enforcer (Pesci).
Molly's Game (2017)
Based on a true story, Molly's Game is set in the high-stakes world of underground poker. Molly Bloom was a famous Olympic level skier who hosted private high-stakes poker games for ten years. Her clients included Hollywood royalty, sports stars, business titans, and finally, Russian mobsters, unbeknownst to her at first. In the end, Molly got caught by FBI agents. For all her problems, the one person Molly had in her corner was defence lawyer Charlie Jaffey. Charlie learned that there was much more to Molly than what the tabloids led people to believe.
21 (2008)
One of the most popular casino movies of all time is 21, starring Kevin Spacey and Jim Sturgess. This film takes place mostly inside a fictional Massachusetts Institute of Technology classroom, where we follow the story of Ben Campbell (Sturgess) as he learns to count cards at blackjack tables in order to get ahead in his life. The movie follows Ben Campbell as he struggles to come up with the funding to pay his tuition. He later meets Professor Micky Rosa (Spacey), who teaches Campbell alongside other students to use their maths skills to win big.
Hard Eight (1996)
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, Hard Eight is a great film about the world of casinos and the risks associated with gambling. The movie stars Philip Baker Hall as Sydney, a veteran gambler and John C. Reilly as John, who was a homeless down-and-out gambler. The movie features a compelling storyline of John becoming fully immersed in gambling after Sydney takes him under his wing and transforms him into a casino champion. However, John soon needs the help of Sydney when he falls in love with a prostitute.
Uncut Gems (2019)
One of the most recent casino films to come out is 'Uncut Gems', a crime-dark comedy film that tells the story of Howard Ratner, played by Adam Sandler. Ratner was once a successful gems dealer in New York, but his gambling addiction has ruined his life. He later discovers a way to make it big when he finds rare uncut gems and has a high-profile buyer interested in making a deal, but he soon realises he can't outrun the consequences of his actions.
Ocean's Eleven (2001)
Ocean's Eleven was directed by Steven Soderbergh and was a remake of the 1960 rat pack film. The film is about a group of Las Vegas casino thieves who are trying to steal from three casinos in one night. It stars George Clooney and Brad Pitt as two childhood friends that plan and organise the heist. However, other twists are happening during the heist's planning that takes the viewers on an exciting journey as they watch the events unfold. This film and its sequels have also been the inspiration for many casino goers as well as people looking to commit crimes, such as one thief who attempted to hide in a suitcase.
The Card Counter (2021)
The Card Counter is a film about redemption and revenge starring Oscar Isaac as William Tell and Tye Sheridan as Cirk. William Tell is a former serviceman who just wants to spend his days playing cards when he is approached by an angry young man, Cirk, for help with his plan to seek revenge on a retired military major. In an attempt to help Cirk forget his plans of revenge, the pair set off on a road trip, playing at casino after casino with the aim of winning the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. However, William Tell struggles to keep Cirk on the straight-and-narrow.
California Split (1974)
One of the earliest casino films to make it big was 'California Split' (1974). Starring Elliott Gould as Charlie Waters and George Segal as Bill Denny. This film tells the story of Charlie Waters, a struggling gambler who sets out to win it big. He convinces his friend and gambling buddy Bill Denny to help him out, but the pair soon realises they're in over their heads.
The Hangover (2008)
The Hangover (2008) is a film that showcases the hedonistic side of Las Vegas and may be one of the most well-known casino-themed movies. The film follows four friends at a bachelor party who wake up with little recollection of what happened the night before. They find themselves in a hotel room, and the groom is missing. What follows is one hilarious misadventure after another as they try to retrace their steps and find their friend.