Many directors and production houses have successfully combined the spirit of gambling with thrilling onscreen moments in theaters. Gambling movies are great and exciting to watch as most of them are thrillers – which a majority of people love. If you know gambling or like the spirit of it, you will love the following movies. Beware, these thriller movies wouldn’t let you to sit comfortably and watch like a family drama.
Casino (1995)
The epic crime thriller of 1995 stars Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, and Joe Pesci. It is one of the best casino films ever as it features everything including mafia, gambling, and amazing performance by the actors. Interestingly, the movie is based on a true story of a professional bettor, Lefty Rosenthal. The plot deals with the scandal associated with the Stardust Casino and the Agent Corporation. Do you know that the Stardust Casino was demolished in 2006 after operating for long 48 years?
The Sting (1973)
The film is yet another great gambling movie you will love to watch. The story revolves around a young hustler partners with a leading con man of the industry to takedown a corrupt banker. They have to beat him in his own game – gambling. The movies leads to their tricks and strategies to run the banker more complicated for winning over him. Interestingly, the Robert Redford and Paul Newman starred movie won seven Academy awards with another three more nominations in 1974
Casino Royale (2006)
You can count the blockbuster movie in the James Bond Series as another gambling showpiece since its name – Casino Royale – is the name of a casino depicted in the movie. An important part of the story happens inside the casino in Montenegro as one of the Bond’s target, Le Chiffre, stakes in the Texas hold ’em tournament. You can also see Bond is putting his strategies on the table to pull Chiffre out. Altogether, it is more than a gambling movie and a clean action thriller.
Bugsy (1991)
It is a biopic of the notorious American gangster Bugsy Siegel and his extraordinary relationship with an organized crime figure, Virginia Hill. The plot develops with his adventures, missteps, and more that led to the construction of his Flamingo Casino. Do you know that he is called as the forefather of the famous Las Vegas’ Strip due to the casino? The movie depicts his efforts to build the casino, attempts to attract Virginia Hill, adventures at the Bugsy building, and more. You can enjoy the yesteryears of gambling where there was no online slots, AI-based systems, and more.
The Hustler (1961)
The movie is the onscreen adaptation of the novel of Walter Tevis in the same name. Interestingly, it is remembered as the launchpad of Paul Newman into the film industry. Newman plays the role of a pool shark who aspired to become the best pool-player in the history. He seeks the assistance of Brett Newman to become the big. The movie talks about the risk and excitements of gambling without any complicated strategies.
The Gambler (1974)
The movie depicts the addictive pattern of gambling beautifully. The story revolves around a New York City professor who starts gambling as a hobby. As time passes, he becomes addicted to it and borrows from family members and friends. Finally, he lands up with borrowing money from dangerous gangs. Now, it becomes the matter of running for life. The movie showcases the exciting side of gambling when you win as well as painful side of it when you lose.
21 (2008)
The movie is loosely adapted from the famous MIT Blackjack Team, who developed and used sophisticated strategies to beat casinos since the late-1970s. The story describes an MIT professor and his students use the card-counting system to make larger sums from casinos. They use the money to pay off tuition fees and other expenses. The movie showcases the upper hand you get when you choose counting cards in blackjack. It also can create problems when you are caught – depicted in the movie.
Conclusion
Watching movies is one of the best entertainment options to relax. It is even better to watch some gambling movies if you love gambling. While watching these movies, you get to know the generations of gambling, their thoughts, and the life beyond gambling.