Why Are Casino Movies So Popular?
Due to the rapid rise in the number of casinos that are out there, producers have started to embrace the idea of creating casino movies. Intriguing features and classic games help to provide a level of intrigue to both gamblers and non-gamblers. With memorable characters and stars such as Matt Damon, Clive Owen, Nicholas Cage, Jason Statham and even Ryan Reynolds, it's safe to say that star-studded casts are often a given with casino movies.
Most casino-themed movies often serve as inspiration to gamblers too. Some movies feature characters who can hit the jackpot, and others show people scraping to get buy but then they finally get their big break. Watching movies like this helps to give players a useful insight as to how they can create their winning strategy when playing at the best Canadian online casinos.
Top 10 Casino Movies of All Time
Even though there are a lot of casino movies out there, it's important to know that some of them are better than others. With a huge cast and a lot of memorable moments, Casino comes out on top as being a film of the ages. You also have other hits such as Oceans Eleven, Casino Royale and of course, Croupier. On this list, you'll find classics as well as Hollywood blockbusters.
-
Casino
This is a gambling epic, to say the least. It's like a sprawling western, directed by Howard Hanks or Sergio Leone with De Niro playing the gunslinging protagonist. This movie has a similar narrative to the other movies that Scorsese has done, including Goodfellas and Mean Streets. It wasn't quite as revered as those when it was released, but the performances are second to none. You also have a star-studded cast, including Joe Pesci and Sharon Stone. Sharon Stone was nominated for Best Actress at the Golden Globes too. This movie featured some career-defining moments for the cast and it will certainly go down as being one of the best movies that Scorsese has ever made. Some of the casino games you will see played in this movie include poker, blackjack, roulette and baccarat. It's by far one of the most ambitious movies Scorsese has made to date.
-
Croupier
It's worth pointing out that this project utilises inner monologues very well. This is done in an attempt to emulate the neo-noir detective style of screenwriter Paul Mayersburg. You also have Mike Hodges as the director. Croupier is great as it gives an insight into what's included with casino work. You can expect a lot of technical jargon in this movie, as well as a lot of footage of British gambling houses. What helps this movie to stick out from the rest is the intelligent script. Clive Owen also puts on a career-defining performance, explaining the intricate nature of the human condition. With a compelling plot, Jack Manfred is quite possibly one of the best protagonists to ever feature in a gambling movie. This barely scratches the surface of what helps to make this movie so great too. Some of the top casino games you will see played in this movie include craps, baccarat, poker and blackjack. Roulette tables can also be seen throughout the movie, helping to solidify the theme naturally.
-
Casino Royale
This is one of the best James Bond movies out there. It stands out as being one of the most action-packed movies to ever be made. Of course, it's no secret that it has a sprinkling of secret intelligence and undercover workings either. This is a movie that is quite notable as it's the first to feature Daniel Craig as 007. He would later go on to reprise his role a total of four times, with the last one being No Time To Die. Fans have come to love his portrayal of the secret agent, but this is where it all started. In the movie, you can expect high-stakes poker games as well as plenty of casino footage, which shows slot machines, roulette tables and more.
-
Ocean's Eleven
Ocean's Eleven is a top movie, to say the least. Along with The Hangover and a few others, this is by far one of the most popular gambling movies to ever be made. Sure, it's a heist film too, but the casino theme is strong with a Las Vegas setting that helps to bring everything together. It's got the greatest gross differential out of any gambling movie ever made and a lot of this comes down to the fact that it's got such a star-studded cast. You have George Clooney, Don Cheadle, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon and even Brad Pitt. You also have Casey Affleck, Elliot Gould and Bernie Mac. This is quite possibly one of the most assembled cast out of any gambling movie, and as the characters make their way through the casino, you will see several games being played. This includes craps, blackjack and poker.
-
Molly's Game
Aaron Sorkin brought this movie to life, with him working as the director and the writer. The screenwriter took a chance and made his directorial debut with this movie. It documents the life of Molly Bloom, who is a former skier. Her career went off the rails when she experienced a spine injury. She was then put in charge of a poker game, which took place in the Viper Room in Los Angeles. The movie stars the famous Jessica Chastain and support from Michael Cera and Idris Elba. All of the performers can deliver Sorkin's intelligent dialogue to the highest degree, creating a movie that is not only well-written but highly entertaining. The wit of Sorkin's script is unlike anything else and although the movie is about poker, you can still expect to see numerous other casino games played.
-
The Hangover
The Hangover from 2009 is a clear-cut comedy. This modern movie is quality as well, with positive ratings from both fans and critics. It even won the Golden Globe for Best Comedy too. It was a huge success at theatres and it chronicles the story of Phil, Doug, Alan and Stu. They make the trip to Las Vegas so that they can attend Doug's bachelor party. They all shine brightly within their roles, including Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms and Heather Graham. You also have the one and only Bradley Cooper, with this movie helping to solidify him as a juggernaut in the industry. You'll see numerous casino themes in this movie, and it's a barrel of laughs from start to finish.
-
Rounders
Another fantastic movie would be Rounders. It's like Citizen Kane but for gambling addicts. It does a fantastic job of capturing the dopey masculinity that comes with being a professional poker player during the 90s. You have Matt Damon who stars and you also have a stellar supporting cast. Some of the cast members who you will see include Bill Camp, John Turturro and even John Malkovich. This is a great movie all-round and you will see numerous casino games played throughout. Even though the main focus is on poker, it's not hard to see how other games intertwine within the story, making it one of the best movies of this era.
-
California Split
Robert Altman sent the screenplay of this movie to Elliot Gould. He had high hopes that he would play the part of Charlie, who is a gambler who befriends Bill. Gould told the director that he has always wanted to play this role. Even though Charlie's addiction is quite severe, the actor lends a laid-back charm to the role, which fits perfectly with the rest of the cast. The two men have a rather rakish charm, which helps to make this movie one of the best buddy movies there ever was. You can also eavesdrop on the strange characters and the oddballs that populate the world, which is another reason why this movie is one of the most popular casino movies out there. You will see a lot of poker in this movie but other casino themes are very much present.
-
Mississippi Grand
Before jumping on the Marvel scene, Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden created this retro movie that follows a group of gamblers who drive down to a poker game in New Orleans. They have the potential to make it big too. This might be the best performance ever from Ryan Reynolds as he plays the character of Curtis. He befriends Gerry, who has his fair share of troubles. He's an addict with depression and a lot of regret. This cinematic masterpiece helps to draw in the user with a melancholy pull. It's a fine portrait of the gambling scene from start to finish.
-
21
Lastly, 21. This is based on the true, if not somewhat embellished story of Ben Mezrich. It follows the MIT Blackjack Team as they try to beat the house. They did so for nearly a decade, with 21 turning a math and business story into an entertaining heist movie. You have Kate Bosworth, Jim Sturgess, Jacob Pitts and Aaron Yoo. Josh Gad even makes an appearance too. The movie was criticised for whitewashing but has since been praised by fans. The movie gives you a smart insight into the world of gambling and you can see numerous games being played throughout. If you have not seen this movie yet then you are certainly missing out.
Play These Casino Movie Games for Free Online
So there you have it, the top 10 best casino movies to ever be made. Some of them are classics, others are hit comedies. What ties them all together is the fact that they stand out based on their merit, with star-studded casts that help to bring the story to life while immersing viewers into a world that they might not have been part of before. If you fancy trying your hand at any of the games mentioned be sure to check out our dedicated game guides and our top bonus deals for Canada in 2024.
