As winter draws on and the weather seems to be getting colder, there’s nothing better than settling down at home and having a cosy night in front of the TV watching a good movie.
Each of us has our own favourite genre, from crime and romantic films to comedies and epic adventures. But one theme most people can agree is always exciting is movies centred on the world of casinos and gambling.
We have trawled through Netflix and similar streaming services for you and have come up with our top five gambling-based movies that you can watch now.
Perhaps you have seen some of the smash-hit films that involve casinos – Ocean’s 11 is one, starring Brad Pitt and George Clooney masterminding an unlikely heist on a Vegas casino. And even in The Hangover, which is also based in Vegas, casino gaming plays a central role – it’s how the friends get all their money back by counting cards at the blackjack tables.
Most people have seen Ocean’s 11 and The Hangover, so here are some alternative gambling flicks you should add to your watchlist.
Rounders
Rounders has been critically praised as a classic poker movie and chronicles the ups and downs of Mike McDermott, who is played by superstar actor Matt Damon of the Bourne Trilogy.
The film explores the world of poker and centres around Mike while he juggles his school work and friendships. It follows him as he tries to build his bankroll by exploring the dark, murky waters of New York’s underground poker environment in order to win his entry fee into the World Series of Poker.
All in all, it’s an excellent, well-acted and directed film that certainly shows the comparisons between the underground gambling scene.
Croupier
In this movie, director Mike Hodge has built this story from the dealers’ perspective, and Croupier is perfect for anyone who has ever wanted to see the gambling world through the eyes of skilled casino staff.
The Croupier, unlike the majority of other casino movies, doesn’t focus on the luxurious, swanky casinos of Vegas or Monte Carlo but instead is set around the simpler London gambling rooms where people gamble for much darker reasons other than their pay packet.
This movie delves into the dark side of gambling by presenting a unique portrayal of the casino universe – the part we are used to watching on the big screen. This movie lets the viewer see the harsh, cold world of gambling and shows what a dark industry it can be. The Croupier is a stark reminder that underground gambling still exists, and the lavish setting of high roller gambling somehow seems a lifetime away in this gritty drama.
Guns, Girls and Gambling
After a priceless tribal artefact, in the form of an Apache war mask, is stolen from an Indian casino during a game of poker, a host of criminals and unsavoury characters, including a prostitute, a dishonest policeman, cowboys, Indians, and a band of Elvis lookalikes, descend on a small town in the hope of claiming the stolen treasure first.
This 2013 movie starring Christian Slater, Gary Oldman and Powers Booth is a different take on your traditional casino movie and, although the plot is a little silly in places, the one-liners make it worth watching to the very end.
Casino
Martin Scorsese directed this classic, iconic movie, an adaptation of Nicholas Pileggi’s book about the 1970s and 80s Las Vegas. It chronicles the rise and eventual fall of the owner of the Tangiers Casino, Sam Rosenthal, also famous for his connections to the mob.
With an all-star cast, including Robert de Niro, Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci, this movie is one of the best gambling and casino movies we have ever seen. If you like movies that are about the mob, gunfights and gambling, then this is one movie that is a must-see.
Unless you know your roulette from your blackjack, some viewers might not understand some of the nuances of the casino scenes. But anyone who has read up about the games, or experienced playing them online will easily follow the action.
The Gambler
With a big-name cast, including Mark Wahlberg, Brie Larson and John Goodman, The Gambler is a must-watch for everyone, even if casino movies aren’t really your thing.
The film centres around Jim Bennett, a risk-taker who is on the road to self-destruction following the death of his grandfather. This movie focuses on the darker side of gambling, loan sharks and “risking it all”. But if you’re looking for a fast-paced movie, then you’re in for a treat.
Final thoughts
There are, of course, many more gambling and casino themed movies on Netflix and the other streaming platforms, including The Sting, 21, Oceans 11, 12, 13 and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, not to mention James Bond in Casino Royale, but we think our own Top 5 will whet your appetite.