Many think that it’s easy to make big bucks while gambling. It’s all due to famous movies with unrealistic gambling scenes. There’s no turning back once you go all in, the thrill, the rush, and the risk make one feel alive. Hence, if you don’t want to lose big time, then go through this list and pick one to watch that gives the same rush you want.
Famous Movies With Unrealistic Gambling Scenes
After going through this list, it’s highly likely that one wants to try their luck. But it’s highly recommended that if you want to improve your chance of winning then it’s better to gather all information beforehand. Hence, make sure to go through all the movies if you want to gather great insights before gambling.
Maverick (1994)
IMDB – 7.0/10, Reviews
Maverick is the reincarnation of the 1950s T.V. character, James Garner. He is a degenerate gambler and often tries to con people rather than face them. Soon he hears about the Winner Take All Poker that’s starting in a few days.
Maverick now has a deadline to collect three thousand dollars if he wants to participate in the game. To do so, he wins some by conning, collecting his debts, and recovering loot, all with a light heart. He comes across a woman gambler with a marvelous southern accent in an unsuspecting encounter. Together, they join forces as they prepare themselves to enter the tournament.
The movie has good humor, which doesn’t blow over the top. Moreover, the suspense and the action scenes keep the audience’s attention while the plot turns to keep on happening.
Rain Man (1988)
IMDB – 8.0/10, Reviews
The plot focuses on Charles Sanford Babbit, who lives in Los Angeles and only cares about himself. He works as an automobile dealer who’s often contradicting his words. Charlie first got the taste of jail when he was young. During that time, he stole his father’s 1949 Buick convertible and, as a result, was in prison for two days.
While in jail, he learns about his father’s death and becomes angry when he learns that his father has up to $3 million to give to someone else. In addition, Charlie learns about an unknown brother, Raymond, who has autism upon investigating this matter.
Charlie then cracks a plan to kidnap his brother and take him on a lustful trip to the west coast to get back the inheritance. This is one of the best gambling movies that packs in comedy, fun, and love.
Broke (2016)
IMDB – 6.2/10, Reviews
Cec is an old man who’s going home after his shift when he stumbles upon Ben Kelly, his favorite footy star who has a problem with gambling—feeling bad for the local legend who was known for his on-field mental fortitude. So Cec offers the homeless Ben a ride to take him home for the night where he lives with his mother, daughter, and Terri, another footy tragedy.
Ocean Eleven (2001)
IMDB – 7.7/10, Reviews
Danny Ocean, the main character, plans a heist of the biggest magnitude. He prepares eleven members to pull it off, including Linus, Rusty, and Frank. They plan to take on the Bellagio, the M.G.M. Grand, and The Mirage. Each of these casinos is owned by Terry Benedict.
With $150 million on the line, the heist will not be easy. It is, however, an entertaining film that keeps the audience entertained throughout. The cast members perform their roles smoothly and with flair—one of the best gambling movies of all time.
High Roller (2003)
IMDB – 6.1/10, Reviews
Stuey Ungar meets an ominous stranger on the last night of his life in a motel room and begins telling him his personal story. First, he talks about his childhood as he was the son of a bookie, then became a gin player, eventually switching to poker.
Stuey then goes on about his marriage and his daughter’s birth. He eventually became a cocaine abuser, which led to his divorce. Finally, Ungar recounts how all these hardships led to his victory at the Main Event of the World Series of Poker.
Uncut Gems (2019)
IMDB – 7.4/10, Reviews
Adam Sandler plays the role of our protagonist Howard Ratner, a successful gems dealer in New York. But his gambling addiction led to the downfall of his career and the breakup of his family with thousands of dollars in debt.
He’s always on the lookout for the next big win and thinks he has finally gotten what he was after when he stumbles upon a rare uncut Ethiopian gem. Moreover, the gem also has a high-profile buyer. But the closer he gets to winning the final bet, the more he realizes that one day he’ll have to face all the consequences of his actions.
Molly’s Game (2017)
IMDB – 7.4/10, Reviews
Molly Bloom, a young and beautiful Olympic-class skier, was responsible for running one of the world’s most exclusive games of high-stakes poker. Then, on a fateful day, 17 F.B.I. agents with automatic weapons came in the night to arrest her.
All her clients, including the royalties from Hollywood, sports, and business tycoons, all abandon her. With the Russian mob after her, Charlie Jaffey, her criminal defense lawyer, became her only ally after learning Molly is much more than people think she is.
The Cincinnati Kid (1965)
IMDB – 7.3/10, Reviews
The film is set during the depression era in New Orleans and focuses on telling the story of ‘Cincinnati Kid.’ He dreams of becoming the best card player in the world. Soon, he gets the opportunity to showcase his talent when the best players gather in New Orleans to hold a marathon-length poker party.
As the story progresses, Lancey Howard and the kid will be in a showdown. McQueen excels in the role while receiving excellent support from the supporting cast. Lalo Schifrin and Ray Charles take the movie to another level with their immaculate music to set the mood.
The Sting (1973)
IMDB – 8.3/10, Reviews
Johnny Hooker is a grifter who is happy doing small-time crimes. However, unknowingly, one sad day, while doing his standard con, he steals from Doyle Lonnegan, a crime boss.
Lonnegan, not happy with this insult, kills Luther, Hooker’s partner, and plans to do the same to Hooker. However, when Johnny gets wind of this, he escapes to Henry Gondorff for help as he knew Luther.
To take revenge, Hooker plans to steal a massive sum of money from Lonnegan to settle the score as he is not confident in killing him. Together, they recruit multiple con actors to deal with Lonnegan’s murderous tendencies. Hooker and Gondorff will have to put their wits into action with their lives on the line.
Wrapping Up
Whether one’s at a casino or in your living room with your friends, the thrill of gambling is something one can experience anywhere. We hope to satisfy your urge to watch a good gambling movie with this list. If you like this list, then make sure to go through: