10 Best Movies About Casinos
Casinos are an interesting theme for storytelling. It’s no surprise there are several film titles focused on this genre. We’ve seen many casino film classics over the years. Some have been fiction, while others are based on actual experiences.
One thing is for sure: casino films reveal the glitz and glamour of gambling alongside the risks and addiction. If you enjoy casino games such as craps, blackjack, and poker and are a fan of classic casino movies, there are many titles to see.
To get you started, we’ve put together some of the best casino-related movies of all time and their unique storylines. Let’s get to it.
Casino (1995): A Classic Depiction of Las Vegas
Although a movie, one can refer to Casino 1995 as a bit of a documentary. The story is based on real characters who worked in the Vegas casino industry between the 1970s and 1980s.
For example, the primary character, Sam, was inspired by Frank Rosenthal, who ran multiple casino outfits such as Stardust, Fremont, Marina, and Hacienda. From the thousands of films released, Casino does one of the best jobs of portraying Las Vegas in all its glory.
The film was shot in various famous casinos in Las Vegas and revolves around how fortunes are won and lost. Casino also depicts the operations of gambling centers with rigged games and organized crime. In the film, Las Vegas is painted as a land of opportunities.
Ocean’s Eleven (2001): The Ultimate Heist Film
Ocean’s Eleven is indeed a showcase of talent and one of the best fictional casino movies of all time. The storyline is centered around a sophisticated heist in three famous casinos in Las Vegas. Eleven individuals are brought together by a professional thief to stage an elaborate casino heist that turns out pretty successful.
The film, released in 2001, features well-known names like George Clooney, Matt Damon, Andy García, Brad Pitt, and Julia Roberts. You’ll enjoy a combination of romance, comedy, and cleverness, keeping you glued to the very end.
Ocean’s Eleven is the ultimate heist film, as you get to see the characters brainstorm and commit one of the most perfect crimes.
Fun fact: it’s one of the first films to shoot some of its scenes in the famous Bellagio Hotel and Casino.
While there are several interesting things about Ocean’s Eleven, one that stands out is the focus on strategy and precision instead of guns and fast action. If you prefer titles with less violence, you have a timeless classic with Ocean’s Eleven.
The Cooler (2003): A Unique Look at Casino Luck
While there were several casino-themed movies in 2003, the Cooler was no doubt one of the most popular options. This crime drama follows the character of a casino cooler whose presence at a gambling table results in bad luck for other players.
This film also depicts the Las Vegas gambling setting. Although it has one of the most unusual casino movie names, you’ll find the storyline enjoyable. The film is about the character Bernie Lootz, who works in a famous casino as a cooler to prevent players from hitting big wins with his professional lousy luck.
Bernie’s bad luck is so persistent it’s believed that standing near lucky players could cause their winning streak to end. Interestingly, it seems to work just fine.
His role is quite crucial in the casino. As you know, luck plays an essential part in games of chance. However, after falling in love with a fellow worker, Bernie has a change in luck that starts to affect the players around him and the casino.
21 (2008): Beating the House with Blackjack
In the movie 21, betting blackjack is very much possible. This casino film is based on the true story of MIT students and a professor who’s expertly trained in blackjack.
The story takes place in the 1990s. 21 is undoubtedly on the list of the top 10 best casino movies of all time, as following its release, the table game Blackjack increased in popularity. The characters were so well trained in card counting that they made millions of dollars in winnings from their games.
Although the film features practices such as card counting, which operators frown upon, it also shows that one can have the upper hand in Blackjack. 21 portrays intelligence, greed, and consequences.
Rounders (1998): A Poker Player’s Dream
As a fan of poker, Rounders is definitely a title to see. The 1998 film focuses on the underground gambling world, following two friends who had large debts to pay. The main character, Mike McDermott, is a gifted poker player.
Mike engages in these high-stakes poker games, losing and winning at tables. Rounders showcases the tension of gambling and capturing poker strategies, like reading opponents’ tells.
From films like Casino and Rounders, you can tell that winning poker requires concentration and patience, as seen by the main character. Mike, over time, got good at avoiding distractions and focusing on his opponent. He could call out tells, which eventually led to him winning significant sums.
The film has several notable scenes with intense poker games, and you will undoubtedly enjoy all the action.
The Gambler (2014): Risking It All
Another classic worth mentioning on our list of good casino movies is 2014’s The Gambler. This film shows the addictive side of gambling with the high risks involved. The story is about Jim Bennett, played by Mark Wahlberg, a literature professor. Despite his successful career, Jim has a knack for high-stakes gambling, resulting in an addiction.
The gambling addiction caused a strain between Jim and his family. With time, he runs into huge debt, borrowing from an underground gambling ring leader and a loan shark.
Jim is then given a short time limit to pay off his debt. The Gambler perfectly portrays the downside to gambling. It’s a form of entertainment and should be done in moderation. As a game of chance, running out of luck is possible.
The Gambler explores themes such as the risks and self-destruction associated with gambling addiction.
Croupier (1998): Life from Behind the Tables
The 1998 movie Croupier follows the life of an aspiring writer who decides to work in a local casino. Jack Manfred, the main character and croupier, narrates the casino’s operations from behind the tables.
The film portrays the psychology of gambling. Jack, who had no interest in such activities, was soon influenced, going as far as breaking all his ethics and agreeing to a casino robbery.
With this title, you have a crime thriller with themes of self-discovery and deception. Although there isn’t a casino listing on Croupier, the local casino pretty much paints the picture.
Mississippi Grind (2015): A Road to Redemption
Although a casino-themed film, Mississippi Grind is about friendship. The 2015 comedy-drama follows a gambling addict who’s convinced his new-found friend is his good luck charm.
In order to pay off the loan shark, Garry (Ben Mendelsohn) takes Curtis (Ryan Reynolds) on a gambling trip down Mississippi. Although their plan doesn’t exactly go as planned, the friends eventually win big while playing crap games in a popular casino.
Garry, who had a bad relationship with his family due to his gambling addiction, decides to take the road to redemption after his big win.
Molly’s Game (2017): The Underground Poker Queen
While there are tons of poker films, not many are based on true events like Molly’s Game. The 2017 film is about Molly Bloom, an Olympic-class skier. Molly ran the world’s most exclusive underground high-stakes poker games.
These games were extremely popular, attracting the attention of the FBI and making her a target for investigation. She organized these underground poker events forHollywood celebrities, athletes, and business tycoons.
The film is based on her memoir, The Molly’s Game. Following its release, some famous Hollywood celebrities were reported to have allegedly participated in her high-stakes gambling. The underground games featured bets as high as $250,000 for buy-ins and pots reaching millions of dollars.
While there was no famous casino involved in the film, you get to see a realistic representation of nosebleed-stakes poker games. The film portrays Molly’s experience as written in her memoir.
Hard Eight (1996): A Casino Tale of Mentorship
In Hard Eight, a senior gambler decides to mentor a homeless man, teaching him the tricks of the trade. This crime film teaches the basics of carp gambling as Sydney Brown, portrayed by Phillip Baker Hall, guides John Finnegan through the strategies involved.
After two years, John became successful in the game, making notable wins as Sydney’s protégé. However, he falls for a cocktail waitress, and soon, things take a downturn.
As a casino movie based on mentorship, Hard Eight shows that learning and becoming good at craps is no doubt possible through the proper guidance.
Why Are Casino Movies So Popular?
Casino movies are popular because of their realistic and exciting portrayal of gambling. These films focus on all sides of these taboo activities, from the good to the bad, giving viewers a balanced representation.
Other key reasons why casino movies are popular include:
Real-life Inspiration
Some casino films are based on true-life experiences with the likes of Molly’s Game and the Casino. These stories are different from fiction, giving viewers a peek into real experiences and what really happens.
The Basics of Table Games
You’ll find that some casino films capture the basics of table games like poker, blackjack, and craps. Mixed into the storyline and action, these films share betting strategies and gameplay, such as bluffing and reading your opponents.
While you may not learn the whole gameplay from a casino film, you can take the basics along with some tips and tricks.
High-stakes Gambling Action
Typically, in a land-based casino, there are limits to how much you can stake. In most casinos, you can’t bet multiple thousands or millions of dollars. However, in casino movies, there are no limits. In films, you get the thrill of higher stakes with bigger wins and devastating losses.
The Allure of Wealth and Power
Casinos and Las Vegas, as seen in films, symbolize wealth, which comes with power. These films are popular because they portray the possibility of big wins, changes in status, and luxury, attributes people often long for.
Diverse Storylines
There are several sides to casino gambling, creating diverse themes. Casinos are associated with high risks, greed, wealth, power, addiction, and several others. From the casino theme, there are diverse storylines to explore, making them quite popular and often unique.
The Psychological Effects of Gambling
There are two sides to gambling psychology: the good and the bad. Most of the time, players get carried away, which often results in the latter. Casino game outcomes are often unpredictable, making it easy to experience losses as well as wins. These movies show both sides, painting a picture of glamour and also capturing the risks.
FAQ
Which casino movie is based on a true story?
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What makes Casino (1995) a classic among gambling movies?
