The casino is the perfect setting for a movie; it’s vibrant, stylish and dramatic. It’s also full of energy, opportunity and suspense. Not to mention, there are countless dollars moving around and changing hands, laying the scene for a life-changing win or a high-stakes heist. The opportunities to advance stories in captivating ways are near endless, which is why so many directors choose casinos as the backdrop for their cinematic adventures. In this post, we look at some of the greatest casino movies of all time, ranking them from best to worst.
1. Casino (1995)
Directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro and Sharon Stone, Casino is not only one of the best casino films, but one of the best films full stop. It depicts the inner workings of 1970s Las Vegas, focusing on a specific casino and its close ties to the mafia. While Casino somewhat existed in the shadow of the legendary Goodfellas, it’s still a fantastic movie.
2. Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
Featuring an ensemble cast, Ocean’s Eleven is a stylish and clever film set in a Las Vegas casino. George Clooney, who represents the main character, Danny Ocean, convincingly plays a strategic-thinking, high stakes-loving player on screen and is known to have those important skills required for the game in real life, too. In poker, skills like bluffing, calculating odds, and reading opponents are crucial, and Clooney’s portrayal captures these subtleties brilliantly. The intricate plot ties together perfectly, making it a rewarding watch.
3. The Hangover (2009)
While not strictly a casino movie, it’s one of the main titles that comes to mind when you think of films set in Las Vegas (and there’s also the hilarious card-counting scene). When a bachelor party goes awry, four guys find themselves piecing together their broken memories of the night before, with twists and turns the entire way as they uncover the chaos they caused.
4. 21 (2008)
Based on true events, 21 is a gripping tale of a group of MIT students who become experts in card counting to win big in Las Vegas. The movie captures the thrilling cat-and-mouse dynamics between the card counters and the casino security, making it a standout film about strategic minds and the high-risk moves they make.
5. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
This cult classic stars Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro on a psychedelic odyssey through Las Vegas. While not focused exclusively on casino gaming, the movie encapsulates the surreal and often chaotic energy of Las Vegas, making it a memorable cinematic journey that reflects the extravagance and excess of the city.
6. Rounders (1998)
Rounders follows the story of a law student who returns to playing cards to help his friend pay off a huge debt. The poker scenes are some of the most realistically portrayed in cinema, capturing the tension and tactics of high-stakes play.
7. Casino Royale (2006)
James Bond’s foray into the high-stakes world of a Montenegro casino presents a sleek mix of espionage and high-stakes card games. Casino Royale redefines the spy genre with intense poker games that are central to the film’s plot.
8. The Cooler (2003)
A lesser-known gem, The Cooler stars William H. Macy as a man whose sheer presence at the gaming tables seems to make other players lose. The movie explores themes of love and fortune with an interesting narrative set in the heart of a casino.
9. Ocean’s Thirteen (2007)
Returning to Las Vegas, the Ocean’s crew plans an elaborate revenge scheme in Ocean’s Thirteen. While not as critically acclaimed as its predecessor, it still captures the thrill and cleverness of a well-planned heist in the neon-lit world of Las Vegas.
10. Runner Runner (2013)
Runner Runner stars Ben Affleck and Justin Timberlake in a story about the dangerous and deceitful world of online betting. While it offers an interesting look at a different facet of betting, it doesn’t quite hold up to the other entries on this list.
Wrap Up
From heist stories to comedies and dramas, casinos provide the perfect environment for diverse stories to unfold, with their dynamic and electrifying atmosphere. Each of these films offer something unique, so ranking them is no easy task. Whether you’re into gritty realism, wacky comedies or clever heist plots, the subgenre of casino movies offers something for everyone.
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