Top 11 gambling movies of all time
Gambling might not be the first thing you associate with artistic inspiration, but it has certainly left a mark. You might recall the famous Dogs Playing Poker painting by Cassius Marcellus Coolidge, or perhaps you've jammed to AC/DC's tune, 'The Jack,' or stumbled upon a gripping film centered around gambling.
If these aren't ringing a bell, let us guide you through the top 11 must-see gambling movies ever made, perfect for any enthusiast's viewing list.
11. Owning Mahowny (2003)
Directed by: Richard Kwietniowski
Written by: Maurice Chauvet
The story draws its roots from a real-life account titled \"Stung: The Incredible Obsession of Brian Molony\" authored by Gary Stephen Ross.
Box Office: $1 million
Going from the top to the bottom
Dan Mahowny (brilliantly played by Philip Seymour Hoffman) is a banking manager at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. He seems to possess everything one could wish for: a flourishing career, a lovely girlfriend, supportive friends, and a burgeoning reputation. But there's a catch - he's addicted to gambling.
Driven by an insatiable hunger for more gambling thrills, Mahowny orchestrates an elaborate scheme involving dummy accounts at his bank. Over an intense spree spanning a year and a half, he masterminds the largest solo-operated bank deception in Canadian history.
To quench his gambling thirst, Mahowny siphons over ten million dollars from the bank. His need to play remains unquenched by substantial wins or catastrophic losses. Ultimately, his reckless activities culminate in arrest and imprisonment.
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10. Hard Eight (1996)
Directed by: Paul Thomas Anderson
Written by: Paul Thomas Anderson
Inspired by: Cigarettes & Coffee, a pivotal work by Paul Thomas Anderson.
Box Office: $222,559
This one has a plot twist
Sydney (played by John C. Reilly) is a seasoned gambler with years tucked under his belt. Despite his age, he remains entrenched in the world of betting. It all begins when he encounters John outside a lonely diner amidst the desert and extends a simple gesture of buying him a coffee.
John seems down on his luck financially, but fate has something else in store. Sydney, taking him under his wing, ushers him to the bustling gambling scenes of Reno, ready to pass on all the nuanced skills and guild knowledge he's amassed.
In Reno, John crosses paths with characters like Jimmy (Samuel L. Jackson), a minor league gambler, and Clementine (Gwyneth Paltrow), a waitress whose side gig isn't exactly mentioned in polite society. Despite this, John's commitment to her grows, and they tie the knot. Meanwhile, Jimmy uncovers more about Sydney, hinting that how he and John met was far from just chance.
The movie's title is rooted deeply in craps terminology. At the movie's outset, a young Philip Seymour Hoffman faces a rough patch aiming at a 'Hard Eight,' and towards the conclusion, the stakes change with Jimmy tossing one successfully.
9. The Hustler (1961)
Directed by: Robert Rossen
Crafted by the talented duo Robert Rossen and Sidney Carroll.
Based on: The Hustler by Walter Tevis
Box Office: $7.6 million
Is he a tryhard?
Enter 'Fast' Eddie Felson (brought to life by Paul Newman), a pool-playing prodigy journeying across the U.S. with Charlie Burns (played by Myron McCormick), skillfully duping unsuspecting victims.
Eddie harbors dreams of proving his mettle against the country's best, Minnesota Fats, despite Charlie's dissent. His pursuit leads him to face the illustrious pool legend at the Ames club in New York City, where he crosses paths with Bert Gordon (George C. Scott), a fellow gambler who sees potential in Eddie.
Bert extends an offer to back Eddie's challenges financially but at the steep price of claiming seventy-five percent of any winnings.
While deciding if partnering with Bert is his best move, Eddie develops a bond with Sarah Packard (Piper Laurie), who has her own struggles with alcohol. Both have a wary view of the other's influence on Eddie. His relentless ambition leaves his personal life in tatters and propels him back to a rematch with Minnesota Fats.
8. Dead Man’s Hand (2007)
Directed by: Charles Band
A story penned by Dominic Muir, using his pseudonym, August White.
A gambling movie for Halloween
Matthew Dragna (portrayed by Scott Whyte) unexpectedly inherits a casino from his late uncle. Alongside his girlfriend, JJ (acted by Robin Sydney), and a close-knit group of pals, they embark on a curious exploration. Their journey takes them to the fringes of Las Vegas, where they stumble upon the eerie ruins of the Mysteria Casino.
Alas, the casino is a chilling abode, haunted by the menacing ghost of mobster Roy \"The Word\" Donahue (played by Sid Haig) and his henchman, Gil Wachetta (portrayed by Michael Berryman). In stark contrast, the digital casinos are free from such apparitions thanks to the inaccessibility of the internet to spirits.Лучшие онлайн-казино Locked in unfinished business, these sinister spirits seek retribution. Now, Matthew and his beloved must battle for their very souls, as the vengeful ghosts demand a grisly settlement.
Danny Ocean (George Clooney), having just been released from prison, is a master thief and ingenious conman with his sights set on orchestrating a legendary robbery.
7. Одиннадцать друзей Оушена (2001)
Режиссёр: Стивен Содерберг
Сценарий: Тэд Гриффин
Основан на: Ocean’s 11 (1960)
Кассовые сборы: $450.7 миллионов
Самое большое ограбление казино в истории
Reuniting with Rusty (Brad Pitt), his trusty partner, Ocean orchestrates an elite team of 11 members, each bringing unique skills to the table: a retired thief, a nimble pickpocket, a surveillance expert, an ace with explosives, a slick card dealer, a nimble Chinese acrobat, a disgruntled casino tycoon, and two charismatic deceivers.
Their grand scheme targets The Mirage, The Bellagio, and The MGM Grand – all regal establishments under Terry Benedict's (Andy Garcia) ownership. Their mission? To raid the central vault stashing the fortunes of these opulent casinos right in the heart of Las Vegas, poised to make off with a sum exceeding $150 million.
Rusty's discovery throws a wrench in the works: Ocean's ex, Tess (Julia Roberts), now happens to be linked with Terry. Yet Ocean, undeterred, proceeds with the heist, confident in his team's finesse and fueled by a side mission – to win back Tess.
Struggling novelist Jack Manfred (Clive Owen) finds himself in London, scraping by. Desperate for cash, following the sale of his car, he reluctantly accepts a role as a Croupier at the Golden Lion Casino.
6. Крупье (1998)
Режиссёр: Майк Ходжес
Сценарий: Пол Майерсберг
Интересные фильмы
Though he’s adequately trained for the position, the job doesn’t sit right with him. Nevertheless, he becomes fascinated by the people risking it all at the tables, viewing them with a mix of disdain and intrigue.
Jack's reality becomes blurred as he starts living through his novel's character, 'Jake,' essentially becoming his own alter-ego.
Embracing this dual reality, Jack veers away from the casino's stringent ethics, getting romantically involved with Jani (Alex Kingston), a gambler whose luck has dried up. Persuaded by Jani, Jack embarks on a precarious endeavor, teaming up for a heist within the casino.
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They offer unbeatable value, their promotions stand out, promising something extra. приветственные бонусы Bill Denny (George Segal), an introspective magazine writer fond of occasional gambling, meets Charlie Waters (Elliott Gould), a dedicated but small-time gambler, in a gambling club situated in Southern California. A shared misfortune at the hands of another gambler sparks an unexpected camaraderie, and they begin a mutual journey in pursuit of thrills and fortune.
5. Калифорнийский покер (1974)
Режиссёр: Роберт Олтмен
Сценарий: Джозеф Уолш
Кассовые сборы: $5 миллионов
Неровная поездка
Before long, Bill becomes enamored with Charlie’s lifestyle and starts spending time with Charlie's friends, Barbara Miller (Ann Prentiss) and Susan Peters (Gwen Welles), both of whom are prostitutes. His newfound gambling habit leads him to accumulate debt to finance his new pursuits.
Together, they set their sights on raising enough funds for a venture to Reno, dreaming of playing alongside the high rollers. When fortune finally favors them, and Bill pockets $18,000, he succumbs to the illusory charm of his winning streak, doubling down even further.
But as he eventually finds himself devoid of excitement and energy, Bill opts out, divvying up his winnings with Charlie and stepping away from gambling altogether.
4. Неограненные драгоценности (2019)
Under the direction of Josh Safdie and Benny Safdie.
Scripted by Josh Safdie, Ronald Bronstein, and Benny Safdie.
Кассовые сборы: $50 миллионов
Адам Сэндлер в серьёзном фильме
Amidst the shady workings of New York's diamond market, Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler), a jewelry merchant and compulsive gambler, finds himself spiraling into debt. Among those he owes is his formidable brother-in-law, Arno (Eric Bogosian).
Howard's tangled life is driven not only by his gambling vice but also by his con artistry and frequent infidelities. As his world teeters on the brink, hope glimmers in the discovery of a coveted Ethiopian black opal.
Kevin Garnett (played by his real-life self), a dim-eyed NBA star, is captivated by the opal’s allure, offering his 2008 Championship ring as a temporary trade. Howard sees the opportunity, pawning the ring to fund a promising six-way parlay on Garnett's game's outcome.
The opal, while packed with promise, introduces trials too.
Howard hits the jackpot with the wager, but Arno seizes the earnings to offset Howard's debts. Despite this, Garnett, hooked, returns for the stone and lays out an offer. Howard's eyes, however, are set on auctioning it for more.
As plans unravel, the stone finally goes to Garnett, paving the way for another risky parlay, yet this time, fate reserves the spoils for Julia (Julia Fox), Howard’s sly girlfriend.
Witness Adam Sandler and The Weeknd squaring off in a heated exchange over romantic entanglements in a film that’s truly unique.
Should gambling become more of a burden than fun, it's vital to reach out for support and discuss it with those around you.
3. Игрок (1974)
Режиссёр: Карел Рейш
Сценарий: Джеймс Тобак
Тёмная история о зависимости
Axel Freed (James Caan) teaches English Literature at New York College. Yet behind this respected façade lies a gambling problem that consumes him. While the high of winning excites him, the thrill of potentially losing engulfs him even more, setting a perfect storm in motion.
Facing a debt of $44,000, which he can't cover, his creditors grow impatient and threatening.
Attempting to remedy the situation, he explores both legal and questionable avenues, seeking loans from his affluent grandfather A.R. Lowenthal (Morris Carnovsky), his mother Naomi Freed (Jacqueline Brookes), and his girlfriend, Billie (Lauren Hutton).
Trapped in this desperate cycle, Axel pushes the patience of those he loves to the limits. His girlfriend walks away, his mother cuts ties, and he is left alone, scrambling to survive and find a way to overcome the chaos.
2. Казино (1995)
Режиссёр: Мартин Скорсезе
A narrative crafted by the visionary duo Nicholas Pileggi and Martin Scorsese.
Adapted from: Casino: Love and Horror in Las Vegas by Nicholas Pileggi.
Кассовые сборы: $116.1 миллион
Азартные игры и мафия: что может пойти не так?
In 1975, within the ever-glitzy realm of Las Vegas, Ace (Robert De Niro) is handpicked by the Chicago Mafia to oversee the bustling Tangiers Casino. Alongside him stands childhood buddy Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci), recruited by the Mafia as Ace's muscle and casino protector.
Ace skillfully creates the illusion of an orderly, unbiased venture while discreetly allowing the Mafia to siphon off profits. Yet Nicky's unpredictable violence and reckless antics threaten this delicate setup.
As Nicky continues down a path of destruction fueled by drugs and ferocity, Ace finds himself entangled with the enigmatic Ginger (Sharon Stone). Yet Ginger, despite her allure, is as much a peril as Nicky, being a woman torn by her past with Lester Diamond (James Woods), a relationship both complex and corrosive.
1. 21 (2008)
Режиссёр: Роберт Лукетик
Authored by Peter Steinfeld and Allan Loeb.
Drawing inspiration from: Bringing Down the House by Ben Mezrich.
Кассовые сборы: $159.8 миллионов
Азартные игры и математика
21 is an American drama film that draws inspiration from a real-life event involving the MIT Blackjack Team, as chronicled in Ben Mezrich's acclaimed book, Bringing Down the House. The story revolves around Ben Campbell (played by Jim Sturgess), a mathematics prodigy studying at MIT.
Ben secures a spot at Harvard Medical School, yet the staggering fees present a significant hurdle. Therefore, he sets his sights on a prestigious scholarship granted to a student who can genuinely impress the director with their brilliance.
While at MIT, Ben is presented with an intellectual puzzle known as the Monty Hall Problem by professor Micky Rosa (delivered by Kevin Spacey). His adept solution, coupled with a stellar 97% on the non-linear equations assessment, earns him an invitation to Micky’s elite Blackjack Team.
Никогда не обманывай казино
This crew, featuring students like Jill (Kate Bosworth), Fisher (Jacob Pitts), Kianna (Liza Lapira), and Choi (Aaron Yoo), employs tactical card counting and discreet signals to tip the odds in their favor at the gaming tables.
Ben embarks on several thrilling journeys to Las Vegas with Micky and the team, devising strategies that allow them to outsmart casino security and amass significant winnings. However, matters complicate when Micky parts ways and the security chief, Cole Williams, targets Ben.