Must-Watch Gambling Movies Before You Die

Thrill, drama, bluff, and emotions go hand-in-hand in movies based on gambling. Over the years, many gambling movies are released worldwide every now and then. Some of them have won many awards and stood out as exceptional movies. It takes more than just good actors for a movie to be an immense hit, a strong story is the key. Here is a list of some brilliant gambling movies that kept a good balance of story and star cast.

Casino Royale
This movie needs no introductions. The immensely popular movie from the James Bond series stars Daniel Craig, Eva Green and Judi Green. The 007 agent, James Bond go against a weapon dealer in a high-risk poker game at Casino Royale. And things go heated beyond a poker game. This is one of the best James Bond movies ever.

Owning Mahowny
Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Minnie Driver, John Hurt, the Canadian movie is a delight. A banker with millions in his account has a liking to gambling games. Risking all the money on gambling, he puts himself in a difficult scenario. This is the biggest bank fraud ever in Canadian history.

21
21 features a team of six talented students from MIT who are lead by their wicked Math professor. They master the skills of card counting, code talking, and body gestures and go on making handsome money in Vegas. What happens next in the life of students is pretty dramatic. The movie stars Kevin Spacey, Jim Sturgess, and Kate Bosworth.

The Hustler
A classic from 1961, The hustler stars Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason. An immensely talented pool hustler, Eddie Felson go on losing against Minnesota Fast. Going through lots of ups and downs Felson faces the relationship troubles and fame dilemma. This is one of the best gambling movies ever made.

Killing Them Softly
Starring Brad Pitt, Richards Jenkins and Ray Liotta, Killing Them Softly is a pack of action, thrill and drama. A mediocre player robs the ongoing game hosted by mafia bosses. Mafia bosses in turn to anything possible to try and find the criminal.

A big hand for the little lady
A 1966 classic starring Henry Fonda, Jason Robards, Joanne Woodward. Five very rich men gather for a high-stakes poker match annually. All of them made sure they played the match annually no matter what problems life threw at them.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
A journalist with his lawyer goes on a trip to Las Vegas. What followed next is lots of liquor, gambling and adventure. The movie stars the brilliant cast of Tobey Maguire, Johnny Depp, and Benicio Del Toro.

Ocean’s Eleven
2001 saw the remake of Ocean’s Eleven, and this one included brilliant star cast and a strong storyline. Danny Ocean played by George Clooney combines with a team of 11 members. Together, they plan to rob three of the biggest Casinos in one night. The other notable actors include Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts.

The Cincinnati Kid
The movie has a simple yet strong storyline. A young poker star, The Cincinnati kid dreams big and dreams to be the best Poker player. In doing so, he challenges the veteran player Lancey Howard in a high-stakes poker game.

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
Starring Nick Moran, Dexter Fletcher, and Jason Flemyng is a British masterpiece. A man who loses a game of cards (Could be a game of Blackjack, Craps, Poker) to a crime boss and finds himself in big debt. He turns to three of his friends for help to pay the debt and this leads to an interesting turn of events.