Feel like a high-roller by watching the best casino movies!
If you’re looking to take a break from the flashy lights and fast-paced action of every casino game there is, you can unwind by watching some of the best movies based in this industry. These films tackle casino games in a way you’ve never seen before and they always add excitement that will make you want to come back and play.
To help kickstart your movie marathon, here are some of the best casino movies you can watch today:
21 (2008)
Released in 2008, 21 is a gritty take on the usual fun and colourful surroundings of Sin City. Not only does it tackle the bright lights of Vegas but also the consequences you’ll inevitably get if you try to manipulate the results of its games, particularly, blackjack.
The film follows Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess), a student from one of the most prestigious schools, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), who’s especially brilliant at mathematics. The advanced knowledge led a secret group of math geeks that moonlights as gamblers to notice and eventually recruit Ben.
Together, they conquer every blackjack table in Las Vegas thanks to their ability to card count, which is primarily used in blackjack. However, things take a turn when the eyes in the sky (CCTV cameras) start sensing their actions.
Rain Man (1988)
If you’re looking for a casino film filled with amazing performances from great actors, a great option for you is Rain Man which was released in 1988. The film follows a pair of siblings, one of whom is named Raymond (Dustin Hoffman), an autistic who has a tremendous talent for counting hundreds of random objects at once.
This talent is immediately recognized by his younger brother Charlie (Tom Cruise). Together, they head to the casino and try their hand at counting cards to win every gamble.
The biggest highlight of this movie is by far the performance of the two leading actors, which even led Hoffman to become nominated for the best leading actor in the Academy Awards. Moreover, the movie garnered positive reviews across the board and became the highest-grossing film in 1988.
Casino (1995)
One of the best actor-director tandems of all time is undoubtedly Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese and you can easily find out why by watching Casino, which was released in 1995. The iconic duo offers yet another thrilling mafia story. But this time, it revolves around the bright lights of a casino.
In this film, an expert gambler by the name of Sam ‘Ace’ Rothstein (Robert De Niro) is assigned by the Chicago Outfit, an Italian-American crime syndicate to manage one of the biggest casinos in Las Vegas. However, things don’t go as smoothly since Sam’s affiliation with the mafia is proven to be a source of breakdown of relationships.
What’s great about this film is it spans several years, allowing you to see the life of the duo. When you watch this movie, you’ll witness how Vegas changes over the years while viewing it from the eyes of Sam himself.
Moreover, the film features some of the most veteran actors people know and love today including Joe Pesci, Sharon Stone, James Woods and more. Stone would then proceed to be nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in this film.
Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
2001’s Ocean’s Eleven was an instant classic thanks to its gripping storyline, beautiful cinematography and amazing ensemble of actors. Some of the names included in the talented cast of this film are Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Matt Damon and Julia Roberts.
The story revolves around the main protagonist, Danny Ocean (George Clooney) as he aims to pull off one of the most legendary heists in history involving 150 million dollars. However, he can’t do this by himself, which is why he builds a crew consisting of the most talented con artists in the game, all of whom have different specialities.
As the story progresses, you’ll see the crew aim to rob all of the casinos owned by Ocean’s rival, Terry Benedict, played by the iconic Andy Garcia. Additionally, the crew is followed throughout the film and their chemistry is one of the highlights that make this one of the best films of the century.
Casino Royale (2006)
Released in 2006, Casino Royale was the 22nd film in the long-running James Bond by the novelist Ian Fleming that was published in the 1950s. Daniel Craig’s first outing as the legendary spy was received with positive reviews across the world thanks to his performance as 007 and the franchise’s shift to a more gritty tone.
Although it’s not a movie that centres around a casino, it still features one of the most iconic poker scenes in cinema history. This scene is one of those that you have to watch regardless if you’re a poker fan or not because of how great and tense it was played out.
Additionally, aside from that legendary poker scene, you can still expect to see the things that made this franchise iconic. This includes over the top action, amazing cinematography and the sleek nature of Bond himself.
Apart from Daniel Craig, the other actors in this film delivered amazing performances which added to the success of this version of James Bond. Mads Mikkelsen played the terrifying yet charming Le Chiffre while Eva Green delivered her version of a ‘Bond girl’ named Vesper Lynd.
Be immersed in these gripping stories today!
These are some of the best casino movies with the most gripping stories that changed the way the audience sees the casino industry. Now that you’ve read about these, it’s time for you to watch them for yourself! Not only will you be immersed in the exciting narrative of these films but you’ll also feel the thrill of living the high-roller life. Once you’ve finished watching, you can start playing your favourite games!