You don’t have to be a dedicated gambler to love movies based on casino themes. There is something about the excitement, the suspense, and the fortune to be made (or lost) that makes these movies edge-of-your-seat viewing. Things haven’t changed with the rise of Flexepin casinos and other online gambling platforms.
Modern gamblers go online to play their games, but they still demand high-quality casino films. If the plot revolves around Zodiac casino or similar sites, that’s even better! In such circumstances, it’s no wonder that movie producers have delivered some fine films over the past few years.
Here are our top five casino movies with a strong online gambling presence!
Best films about digital gambling
There are lots of films about digital gambling, but we don’t want to waste your time. All that matters is to watch the best ones – they will give you the most value for your time. Keep in mind that our goal is not to spoil anything, so you can still watch all of these movies with great anticipation and excitement. Here are our top five picks about gambling in online casinos:
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21 (2008)
This 2008 film is based on the true story of a group of MIT students who used card-counting to win big at blackjack in Las Vegas casinos. The film stars Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth, and Laurence Fishburne. It’s directed by Robert Luketic and has a runtime of 123 minutes.
The movie follows their journey as they hone their skills and make a killing at the tables. In the meantime, they have to deal with the casino’s security, who are determined to put an end to their winning streak.
If you’re looking for a film that captures the excitement of gambling in a casino, 21 is a great choice. It’s also one of the few films on our list that is based on a true story, which makes it all the more compelling.
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Runner Runner (2013)
This 2013 movie stars Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck. It’s about a Princeton student who is cheated out of his tuition money by an online poker site. He then heads to Costa Rica to track down the site’s owner and get revenge.
The film is directed by Brad Furman and has a runtime of 91 minutes. While it’s not based on a true story, it’s still an entertaining movie about gambling in an online casino.
Justin Timberlake gives a great performance as the student who is determined to get his money back, and Ben Affleck is also excellent as the ruthless casino owner. If you’re looking for a fast-paced and thrilling gambling movie, Runner Runner is definitely worth watching.
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Croupier (1998)
This British drama stars Clive Owen as Jack, a struggling writer who takes a job as a croupier in a casino. Needless to say, he quickly becomes entangled in the world of gambling and crime. The film is set in London and also stars Alex Kingston and Gina McKee. It’s directed by Mike Hodges and has a runtime of 101 minutes.
What makes Croupier one of the finest casino movies is its realistic portrayal of the gambling world. Jack is a likable protagonist who is pulled into a world that he doesn’t fully understand. The film is tense and atmospheric, and it will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.
If you’re looking for a casino movie that’s more than just entertainment, Croupier is a great choice. It’s a thought-provoking film that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.
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Uncut Gems (2019)
This 2019 film stars Adam Sandler as Howard Ratner, a New York City jeweler who is deeply in debt to a loan shark. In order to pay off his debts, he makes a series of increasingly risky bets, all of which revolve around a rare black opal.
The film also stars Idina Menzel, Lakeith Stanfield, and Julia Fox. It’s directed by Josh and Benny Safdie and has a runtime of 135 minutes. Uncut Gems is one of the most tension-filled casino movies on our list. Howard Ratner is a likable but flawed protagonist, and the viewer can’t help but root for him, even as he makes increasingly risky decisions.
The Safdie brothers have crafted a masterful film that is equal parts entertaining and suspenseful. If you’re looking for a gambling movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat, Uncut Gems is a must-watch.
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Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
This 2001 heist film stars an all-star cast that includes George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Julia Roberts. The plot revolves around a group of criminals who team up to rob three Las Vegas casinos.
The film is directed by Steven Soderbergh and has a runtime of 116 minutes. While it’s not strictly a gambling movie, it does feature multiple casino scenes, and the heist itself is based on a real-life robbery that took place in Las Vegas.
Ocean’s Eleven is a fun and fast-paced movie that’s perfect for casino lovers. The all-star cast is excellent, and the film is packed with suspense and excitement. If you’re looking for a light-hearted gambling movie, this is a great choice.
Casino Films: Honorable Mentions
While the above five movies are our top picks for the best casino films, there are a few other movies that deserve an honorable mention. These films may not be strictly about gambling, but they all feature casino scenes that are sure to entertain.
- The Hangover (2009): This 2009 comedy stars Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, and Ed Helms as a group of friends who travel to Las Vegas for a bachelor party. Things quickly go awry, and the group must retrace their steps in order to figure out what happened.
- Rounders (1998): This crime drama stars Matt Damon as a law student who is also a gifted poker player. When his childhood friend (played by Edward Norton) gets out of jail, these two guys team up to win back the money he owes to a loan shark.
- Mississippi Grind (2015): This drama stars Ryan Reynolds and Ben Mendelsohn as a pair of gamblers who travel down the Mississippi River in search of their next big score. As they journey downriver, their relationship becomes increasingly strained.
- Casino Royale (2006): This action-packed spy thriller stars Daniel Craig as James Bond. In the film, Bond must win a high-stakes poker tournament in order to defeat a terrorist financier.
- Molly’s Game (2017): This film is based on the true story of Molly Bloom (played by Jessica Chastain), a former Olympic skier who ran an underground poker game for Hollywood celebrities and the wealthy elite.
What Makes Gambling Movies So Good?
Gambling movies are always popular because they combine two of our favorite things: casinos and motion picture. But what is it about gambling movies that make them so good?
For one thing, gambling movies are usually fast-paced and filled with suspense. They’re the perfect choice for viewers who want to be entertained and thrilled. After all, there’s a lot of risk involved in gambling, and that sense of risk is often transferred to the viewer.
Another reason why gambling movies are so popular is that they often have likable protagonists. We root for the main character even as they’re making risky decisions, and we hope that they’ll come out on top in the end. Such characters are easy to relate to because we all make risky decisions in our lives, even if we’re not gambling.
Gambling movies often offer a glimpse into a world that most of us will never experience. They provide us with an escape from our everyday lives and take us to places where the stakes are high, and the rewards are even higher. For most people, this is more than enough to give them a try.
Another interesting detail about these films is the fact that they usually explain the game mechanics. This is helpful for those who are not familiar with gambling, as they can learn about the different games while also enjoying the movie.
Last but not least, gambling movies are more often than not set in glamorous locations such as Las Vegas or Atlantic City. This adds to the allure of these films and makes them even more enjoyable to watch.
So, if you’re a casino lover and you’re looking for a good movie to watch, be sure to check out some of the best gambling movies. They’re sure to provide you with an enjoyable and thrilling experience.
Conclusion
Gambling is a very popular subject among Hollywood directors because it offers a wide range of possibilities in terms of plot and setting. Casino-themed movies are always popular because they offer suspense, excitement, and entertainment. That’s why we have so many amazing casino films to watch.
If you’re looking for a good gambling movie to watch, be sure to check out some of the best ones that are listed above. You’re sure to enjoy them! We also encourage you to come back to our post to share your opinions in the comments – we would love to hear from you!