Rounders + Molly’s Game + The Cincinnati Kid + Casino Royale + Smart Money + Deal: Poker Movies Everyone Should Watch

Almost anything imaginable—and unimaginable—has been made into a film. With all the glitz and glamour that poker has received from the mainstream media, poker can't be an exception. But have you ever considered which poker movies are worthwhile to watch? There are plenty of poker films to pick from, but we'll show you the ones that you should watch at least once.

Nothing compares to the drama and thrill of a poker movie for a poker fan. Seeing whether or not the lead character has got what it takes to win can create suspense like nothing else. Many Hollywood films have attempted to make outstanding films based on the game of poker over the years. Casinos are perfect venues for climactic, white-knuckled narratives, whether it's intense looks shared over a deck of cards or a stony poker-face that amplifies the stress. When done well, a superb poker film accomplishes much more than merely giving viewers a notion of high-stakes poker and rivalries. It also delves into the game's social and exhilarating aspects, as well as how gambling impacts everyone involved. These poker movies will keep you on the edge of your seat if you're new to the game.

Rounders

Mike McDermott (Matt Damon) is a rehabilitated gambler who is the focus of the plot. He's back at the table because a friend has requested his assistance in repaying a loan shark. Nothing could stop him from becoming the best poker player in the world after that. Because it doesn't go through teaching what poker is to the audience, it's one of the best poker movies. The narration was so fluid that it didn't even bother to clarify what was going on at the table. The only thing that matters in this film is that Mike McDermott wants to be the best.

Almost no one noticed it when it was first introduced. However, it became an instant cult sensation when the poker renaissance began. It will go down as one of the best poker movies of all time.

Molly's Game

Fans of underground and celebrity poker will enjoy this film, which is based on the same-named book. Molly Bloom graduates from law school and relocates to Los Angeles. The video chronicles her narrative of hosting some of Hollywood's most prestigious and exclusive high-stakes poker events. Celebrities, professional athletes, wealthy business people, mobsters, and other characters appear in her games. The money comes in, but so does the FBI's scrutiny. The film garnered a lot of positive feedback and was nominated for a lot of awards. It goes on to become one of the most well-received poker movies ever.

The Cincinnati Kid

The Cincinnati Kid, directed by Norman Jewison, contains some of the most gripping poker sequences ever seen in a fiction picture. Eric Stoner, aka The Cincinnati Kid, is a budding poker pro in 1930s New Orleans dedicated to climbing the ranks of the city's top players. Steve McQueen plays him. Lancey Howard (Edward G. Robinson), the best and most accomplished player in the league, is Stoner's target. But, as Stoner rises through the ranks, he eventually comes face to face with Lancey in a tense heads-up, winner-take-all game of five-card stud.

Casino Royale

Casino Royale is easily the most card-heavy James Bond film of them all, despite not being solely a poker film. Bond flies to Montenegro to stop a terrorist financier named Le Chiffre from winning large at a Texas Hold 'Em tournament, which takes up most of the second act. Long segments of high-class poker gaming are shown in the film, complete with tuxedos, fine beverages, and a stunning setting. This is poker at its most elegant, and it's a lot of fun to watch.

Smart Money

When it comes to crime capers, this one is more crime than caper, and it's all the cleverer for it. Despite both guys playing most of the gangsters in 1930s movies, this was the only occasion Edward G. Robinson, and James Cagney shared the screen. The plot revolves around Nick 'The Barber' Venizelos, who has been half-staked by his clients to play in a high-stakes poker game, only to be duped and forced to battle for revenge by saving up for the buy-in all over again. This is a true classic.

Deal

Burt Reynolds and Bret Harrison star in Deal, a 2008 poker drama film. Tommy Vinson, a former cardshark, is coaching a younger Alex Stillman in this film. Tommy pledges to cover Alex's pricey tournament entry fees if he follows his instructions to the letter. Tommy and Alex make the final table of the World Poker Tour tournament, as fate would have it. Will the boy build a name for himself, or will the master win the most prestigious poker title and get the respect he has never had before? This film was not a box office success and earned mixed reviews from critics. It is, nevertheless, one of those films with some of the better theatrical portrayals of poker.