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If you want to chill at home with a good movie about sports betting or gambling, we’ve curated a great selection of films that are currently on Netflix, as well as a few options that might make their way to the platform at some point. Alongside his protege Michael Scanlon, Abramoff fails terribly after his attempt to influence turns into murder and corruption. Played by a youthful Clive Owen, Jack Manfred is a writer struggling to make ends meet. His financial misfortune forces him to become a croupier (dealer) at a London high-street casino. Soon, he starts making underhand gambling dealings with a player, and from then on his life becomes one rollercoaster ride. Even though Ocean and the team have laid out a highly detailed and elaborate plan, the heist faces plenty of turns and twists en route.
Rounders
- In Australia, losing all your money gambling leads to drinking binges and fighting kangaroos, or at least it does in the eccentric psychological thriller Wake In Fright.
- It combines elements of comedy, action, and adventure, with the poker game serving as a central plot point.
- The soundtrack and performances of the main cast are excellent and warrant a watch just for them.
- Molly’s Game is based on the real life of Molly Bloom, an Olympic-grade skier who suffered a serious and career-ending injury while preparing for the Winter Olympics in 2002.
- While most gambling movies focus on high-stakes action, “Hard Eight” centers entirely around low-stakes gambling.
- In “Mississippi Grind,” Ben Mendelsohn and Ryan Reynolds play two gamblers on a road trip through the South, betting on anything and everything in a bid to reclaim their lost fortunes.
- What’s worth noting off the bat about this project is its utilization of interior monologues to emulate the neo-noir or detective style of film that screenwriter Paul Mayersburg and director Mike Hodges drew inspiration from.
- California Split remains perhaps the director’s most underrated classic — and its gut-punch ending is so muted, yet so perfect.
There was a time that Mel Gibson was considered such a light and lively leading man that a big-budget studio movie could coast on his charm as a card shark and con man. But the film still has its pleasures, not least of which is Gibson’s pal Jodie Foster, who has a blast playing the sort of damsel-in-distress female sidekick role she’d otherwise spent most of her career avoiding. Aaron Sorkin’s directorial debut tells the true story of Molly Bloom, the Queen of Hollywood’s underground poker empire. Loosely based on a true story, the movie tells of a married pair who exploited a fascinating flaw in a national lottery and reinvested the money they drifted off the system into their small Michigan town. This is basically a comedy about how one man brought his small community together for a common goal.
- But when things turn dour for him and his good luck subsides, the ones that once loved him the most decide to abandon him.
- Bay of Angels comes from the visually sumptuous director Jacques Demy who was lauded for his artistic visuals and unique approaches to drama.
- The film is an uncompromising look into how much gambling is truly a disease that can destroy a gambler’s life and the lives of nearly anyone who touches him.
- These films enchant audiences and leave lasting impressions by capturing the essence of the gambling world and its multifaceted characters.
- It offers a stylish and atmospheric depiction of the criminal underworld, with a blend of crime, drama, and dark humor.
- The immersive plots and stunning visuals of these casino movies cause viewers to become fully invested in the characters and their gripping stories.
- This Western comedy revolves around a high-stakes poker game in the Old West town of Laredo.
Molly’s Game (
This process seems to go well at first, but things take a turn for the worst when both men come into contact with a local prostitute and a sketchy casino patron. This criminally underrated movie shows the intense highs and lows of the gambler’s mind, with the audience having a front-row seat. Acting as a realistic portrayal of gambling addiction, Ben Mendelsohn’s performance as Gerry shows the misery and recklessness that comes with his type of dependency. There is a trove of exceptional movies about gambling that match Peaky Blinder’s level of entertainment.
- Like most gamblers, Mike loses more than just his money—but that doesn’t stop him from driving towards the lights of Las Vegas for the World Series of Poker.
- In order to pay that debt, the four friends get in way over their heads when it comes to acquiring those funds through illegal means.
- He eventually succumbs to his dark desires and ends up in a situation far worse than he could have ever imagined.
- Her addiction not only jeopardizes her marriage but also puts her in dangerous situations.
- Because she was confident in betting on her preparation and smarts because it was a dream of hers.
- It was praised for its blend of romance and drama, and it garnered several award nominations.
- ‘Croupier’ depicts the life of a writer who takes up a job as a croupier in a casino and soon meets a woman who teams up with him and plans to rob the entire casino.
- The film dives into the grey areas of internet betting, with high stakes and higher risks.
- Based on Walter Tevis’s 1984 novel, The Color of Money is a kind of sequel to The Hustler (also written by Tevis and starring Newman).
Molly’s Game (
He got the idea to build a hotel and casino resort, the Flamingo, during one of his trips to Vegas to check up on a gambling joint. If you’re up for a unique Netflix gambling movie that combines casino heists, tons of action, and zombies, then you should definitely give Army of the Dead a shot. Through her charismatic personality, she attracts higher caliber players and eventually starts running her own games, which gained her a lot of money.
‘Molly’s Game’
Mississippi Grind probably slipped under your radar, but all critics can agree it’s a hidden gem.
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“Eight Men Out” was appreciated for historical accuracy and portrayal of the players of the time period. The movie is based on the true story of the MIT Blackjack Team, a group of students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who became skilled card counters and successfully won millions of dollars in Las Vegas casinos. It combines elements of a heist film with a coming-of-age story and offers an entertaining and suspenseful cinematic experience. Set against the backdrop of the 2008 financial crisis, “Killing Them Softly” follows a professional enforcer as he investigates the robbery of a high-stakes poker game. “Killing Them Softly” combines intense performances, stylish cinematography, and sharp dialogue to deliver a compelling and atmospheric crime drama. From crime heists and movies filled with action to hilarious comedies and some true tearjerkers, below you can find the best gambling movies currently on Netflix.
Hard Eight (
“Hard Eight” is a neo-noir crime drama about an experienced and enigmatic gambler who takes a young man under his wing. “Hard Eight” is all about fate, redemption, and the complex dynamics between its characters. Besides the actual twists of relationships, the movie also shows the atmosphere of the gambling world.
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Melville’s influence on the art of filmmaking is undeniable and his work has altered the dimensions of the neo-noir genre in cinema. ‘Bob Le Flambeur’ tells the story of an old, broke gambler who takes a chance and concocts a dangerous plan to rob the Deauville casino. Our protagonist is a desperate man for whom gambling wasn’t just a game but a part of himself. Melville’s approach is unsurprisingly quite minimalistic and subtle but the film manages to engage you on every level.
- He would reprise the role four times, the most recent of which — No Time to Die (2021) by Cari Joji Fukunaga — marked his last appearance in the series.
- Eric Stoner (played by Steve McQueen), also known as The Cincinnati Kid, is the young, cocky, and eager-to-card-duel newbie on the block who’s dying to try his luck against the master.
- In order to pay his debt, Howard does precisely what every high-stakes gambler would do; he places an enormous bet that could help pay off his entire debt but could also destroy what’s left of his life if it fails.
- This is basically a comedy about how one man brought his small community together for a common goal.
- The movie revolves around a gambling addict whose life takes a shocking turn after he meets a new bookie who introduces him to a special game which seems highly lucrative but has its own dangers.
Johnny O’Clock
The Ocean’s 11 targets three of Vegas largest casinos – the MGM Grand, the Mirage and Bellagio. In this film, the three casinos are owned and operated by scum-bag tycoon Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia). Ace (de Niro) is a Vegas casino operator with mob connection but he lives a seemingly normal and https://crazystar-casino.com/bonus/ civilized life with his family. It follows a mishap-filled story of Doug (played by Justin Bartha) and his 3 friends – Alan (Ed Helms), Stu (Zach Galifianakis), and Phil (Bradley Cooper). The odd crew decides, 2 days before Doug’s wedding, to make a trip to Las Vegas for a bachelor party.
Even Money (
The most stressful part of “Uncut Gems” is watching Howard fall into the same old pitfalls time after time, unable to overcome his gambling addiction. “The Hustler” makes for a nice change of pace by switching up the setting and the type of game being gambled on. Rather than a casino, the gambling in “The Hustler” takes place within the confines of a billiard hall where money exchanges hands over games of pool. Mississippi Grind plays out like a gambling road trip tale that takes viewers on a wild ride through the South. When Gerry ends up meeting a gentleman by the name of Curtis (played by Ryan Reynolds), Gerry deems him his new lucky charm. So much so that Gerry takes Curtis on the road with him as he taps into his good luck during their gambling tour around the South.
That’s enough to put Rounders on the shortest of shortlists of best gambling movies ever. The reason you know director Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham traces back to Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, a dark comedy that is one part heist film, one part gambling film, and two parts hijinks. As a gambling film, Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels succeeds at finding the humor in people trying to cheat their way into money, only to twist their lives around to wiggle their way out of debt. Clive Owen has been such a familiar, somewhat disappointing, presence in films for the last two decades that it’s now hard to remember what a lightning bolt his arrival was.
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‘Hard Eight’ isn’t close to Anderson’s greatest works but this is just as exciting and inspiring a debut can ever get and features some of the most compelling characters ever written on-screen. One of the most underrated movies of the 90s, ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’, directed by Guy Ritchie, is one of the finest comedies I’ve ever seen. The film revolves around Ed who, after losing a crucial poker game against deadly mobster, needs to pay back 500,000 pounds in a week’s time.
Honeymoon in Vegas (
Gambling is typically portrayed in films as a boys’ club, but Aaron Sorkin’s Molly’s Game shows how women can be even more adept at navigating the treacherous world of underground gambling. As with the best gambling movies, the poker table is only one arena where the stakes are high in Molly’s Game. She relies on gambling the people’s identities from her poker game to keep her money and avoid prison when the FBI comes knocking.
- The conflux of luck, skill, danger, and, in some cases, cheating is what makes these top gambling films so memorable.
- Redford plays Johnny Hooker, a small-time con man whose partner gets killed by the dastardly Doyle Lonnegan, played by Robert Shaw.
- Tom Cruise appears in his second gambling movie role as car dealer Charlie Babbitt, who doesn’t have the best relationship with his now-deceased father.
- In this sequel to “The Hustler,” Paul Newman reprises his role as “Fast” Eddie Felson, mentoring a young pool player played by Tom Cruise.
- Aaron Sorkin’s directorial debut tells the true story of Molly Bloom, the Queen of Hollywood’s underground poker empire.
- Bond was darker and grittier than ever before, and with that extra edge came an added sense of realism that was lacking from some of the goofier Bond entries, such as those of the Roger Moore era.
After getting word that Le Chiffre wants to use high stakes poker to raise money for terrorist activities, MI6 enlists the help of Mr. Bond to try to beat him at the poker table. Not only does Bond show off amazing bluffing strategies but it also manages to break down Le Chiffre organization. This Robert Rossen film was an adaptation of the novel of the same name written by Walter Tevis, who also wrote “The Man Who Fell to Earth” and “The Queen’s Gambit,” two more novels to receive high-profile adaptations.
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This comedy-drama follows a group of struggling actors trying to navigate the dating scene in Los Angeles, seeking romantic and social success. “Swingers” captures the spirit of the 1990s and explores themes of friendship, love, and the struggles of young adulthood. Due to its relatable depiction of the era and characters, this movie was called a defining one of its time.
As far as true gambling addiction goes, James Caan’s titular character in The Gambler (1974) portrays the mental illness better than perhaps anyone in the history of the silver screen. He’ll bet good money on a poker game in Las Vegas, on a professional football championship with his friends, or on a pickup game of basketball he stumbled upon during his afternoon stroll through the park. There is a thin line between a con-man and a gambler, and the Best Picture-winning The Sting is one of the best films in both genres. From a phony off-track betting parlor and waitresses doubling as assassins to fake FBI agents and real murder, The Sting is the benchmark of great gambling movies. Geniuses from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) can usually go on to do anything, yet a group of them decided to use their gifts to count cards.
“Two for the Money” delves into the high-stakes world of sports betting, with Al Pacino, Matthew McConaughey, and Rene Russo leading the cast. The film explores the relationship between a former college football star, who becomes a sports handicapper, and his boss, a betting agency magnate. It’s a tale of greed, integrity, and the risky game of predicting sports outcomes, highlighting the psychological and emotional rollercoaster of gambling addiction and the high-pressure world of sports betting.
And they’re all portrayed by talented thespians, most of whom shine particularly bright within comedic roles — Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, and Heather Graham, for example. Of course, it also features Bradley Cooper, which helped establish him as a juggernaut of the industry. Two con men get revenge for a fallen friend in this buddy comedy starring Robert Redford and Paul Newman. The Sting won the Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Director, and many more in 1974, as the smart but tense comedy keeps the audience guessing who will come out the better grifter. In this one, Paul Newman is cool as a cucumber as the younger version of Fast Eddie, still making a name for himself in the gangster-like world of gambling (for all its reputation and nicknames).
