Movies that deal with gambling have a certain X-factor that makes them popular favourites. They are melodramatic and usually tragic, with hints of comic relief in between. The risk factor involved in such movies make them an exciting watch. Putting your life and well-being on the line in order to chase after the biggest score of your life is an exhilarating and highly entertaining experience to watch on the big screen, especially if you have the dialogues and music scores of a lifetime to add to it.
Let us take a look at the top 15 movies based on gambling that you must watch at least once in your life to get the adrenaline rush of a lifetime.
Our List of Top 15 Gambling Movies You Must See
1. The Gambler
Released in 1974, this movie is one of the oldies yet Goldies on the list. Here we have a literature professor by the name of Axel Freed (yes, with lots of poetic dialogues) infected with the extreme urge to gamble.
Freed’s borrows money from everyone to feed his gambling vice and soon he is in debt with the bad guys. Lots of action sequences make this a must watch for movie buffs!
2. Hard Eight
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, this 1996 film on gambling has professional punter Sydney teaching the protege John all the card tricks they can. Everything goes hunky dory till John falls in love with Clementine. That’s when the gambling world starts to crash around them.
3. Uncut Gems
Directed by Josh and Benny Safdie, this movie has a mesmerising Adam Sandler playing the role of a maniacal gambling addict who thinks that he can pull off his ill-fated caper. It all goes in vain and the tragic ending has made this movie a cult classic.
4. California Split
This movie on gambling from 1974 has a separate fanbase not only for the effortless way in which Altman has shown the entire process of gambling, but also for the marvellous friendship between Charlie and fellow gambler Bill. This movie is an underrated classic and the ending is quite simply perfect.
5. Croupier
A hard-boiler noir film, this movie on gambling has an aspiring writer named Jack desperate for money. The sweaty and heavy atmosphere of casino gambling attracts Jack because of the promise of easy cash. The vivid recreation of the world of gambling has never been filmed this good before!
6. The Card Counter
Yes, this movie has Oscar Isaac in it in all his glory. Sleek, moody and stylishly shot, this movie on gambling has a professional punter going from casino to casino to forget his past and get some control over his life. This movie is probably one of the only ones on this list to give us a gambler par excellence, one who keeps his calm in all situations and has a suave air about him.
7. The Sting
This film won the Best Picture in 1973 and has Paul Newman and Robert Redford in the titular roles. These men are not just gamblers but also con artists who try to fleece a dangerous gangster played by Robert Shaw. The entire rigmarole that ensues is a delight to watch.
8. Owning Mahowny
Based on a real life incident, this gambling movie has Canadian bank manager Mahowny locked in the dangerous addiction of gambling. His desperate need for cash to gamble gets so bad that he cons the bank he works at and steals plenty of money to fund his addiction. Desperation and terror are the keywords of this gritty movie on gambling addiction.
9. Rounders
Matt Damon stars as the bright college kid who uses his gambling expertise to pay his college tuition. As he moves deeper into the world of high stakes gambling, he is pit against Teddy KGB, a Russian gambler in a poker game for the years. With plenty of humour and gut wrenching drama, this is a really great watch.
10. The Color of Money
Paul Newman won an Oscar for his role as Fast Eddie Felson in this movie. Directed by Martin Scorcese, this movie has an ageing hustler and the upstart (played by Tom Crusie) caught in the tragic world of high stakes gambling.
11. Eight Men Out
This is a historical drama about the Black Sox scandal of 1919 when the players of the World Series had to fix the match in order to make their owner reward them for a great season of playing.
12. Atlantic City
With Susan Sarandon and Burt Lancaster, this old school Hollywood movie is about dreamers in the disintegrating Atlantic City which has opened its doors to legalised gambling and all the negatives influences this step carries along with it.
13. The Hustler
This is the first part of the movie The Color of Money. Both are directed by Scorcese and have Paul Newman in the titular role.
14. Casino
If you want to get an in-depth understanding of the workings of a Las Vegas casino and drool over Robert De Niro in his cool and classic ensemble, then this Scorcese masterpiece is the one for you.
15. Ocean’s Eleven
Yes, we have George Clooney and Brad Pitt staring together in this intricate and modern version of casino tales.
F.A.Q.s
Is 21 based on a true story?
Yes, 21 is based on the true story of 6 students from MIT who mastered discreet card counting and won millions from Vegas casinos.
Why Casino is a great movie?
Casino is a Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci masterpiece (yes, the same as The Godfather) and is directed by Scorcese. Need a say more?
How many gambler movies are there?
There are 5 Gambler movies in all.