Casinos provide the perfect setting for any film. Beautiful women, glowing neon lights, sophisticated card players combined with the thrill of high stakes gambling all create the perfect storm for a good casino movie. You can find many gambling, casino, and Las Vegas movies. Break out the popcorn and enjoy our list of the best gambling movies.
Casino
Put together a cast like Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone with some direction from Martin Scorcese, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a great casino movie. The film tells the true story of a Chicago based crime ring that ran casinos in Las Vegas during the 1970s and 1980s. Pesci and De Niro shine during the film, doing what they do best, playing wise guy mafiosos. Even though the film lasts for three hours, it stays consistently interesting and entertaining until the end.
What to Expect: A classic mafia movie about gambling with superb acting and a fantastic soundtrack
Find out more about the true story behind Casino the movie in Sin City in Las Vegas through the Years.
Ocean’s 11
You can’t go wrong with an all-star cast that includes Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Matt Damon. This remake of the 1960s classic Rat Park movie features an exciting plot that follows a group of 11 accomplices that rob three Vegas casinos simultaneously. Audiences can also enjoy this action packed casino film for its flawless direction, clever dialogue, and strong acting.
What to Expect: A fast paced film with an all-star cast, great action scenes, and cool dialogue
Make like Ocean’s 11 and hear about elaborate heists in true tales of casino robberies.
Rain Man
Very few films, whether gambling related or not, live up to this classic starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman. This gambling film follows the story of a selfish yuppie, Charlie Abbot, who teams up with his autistic, yet math genius brother, Raymond. The two end up in Vegas, where Raymond uses his exceptional math skills to count cards in blackjack. This intelligent, thoughtful film took home four Academy Awards in 1989 for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Actor in Leading Role (Hoffman). Hoffman didn’t take home the prize for nothing, as very few actors could achieve such a performance.
What to Expect: A moving, well-directed movie with a strong plot and fine acting
Casino Royale
This casino film follows the plot of the first James Bond novel published by Ian Fleming in 1953. The film stars Daniel Craig as the legendary 007 and the stunning Eva Green as the leading lady. The casino movie introduces Bond before he obtained his “license to kill”. In this intense, dramatic reinvention of 007, Bond must face the enemy in a high stakes poker match. Make sure to also check out Bond's best casino scenes.
What to Expect: A superior action movie that reinvents the 007 film series
21
While 21 received mixed reviews from critics upon its release in 2008, this gambling film offers an exciting look into the true story of six MIT students who made millions counting cards in casinos around the world. This clever gambling movie stars Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth, and Kevin Spacey, a quality actor that can carry any movie. This interesting film will have audiences trying to learn how to beat the dealer.
What to Expect: Intelligent characters in a fast paced gambling film with an exciting plot
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Casino movie lover? Continue your tour with VegasMaster's list for top women performances in gambling movies.
