California Split + The Gambler + Croupier + Bugsy + Casino + Molly’s Game + Maverick + Let It Ride + 21 + Lucky You Top Ten Poker Movies

Movies about gambling are as old as the motion picture. People have often been fascinated by movies about poker, blackjack, and casino culture in general.

These films not only bring to life the world of Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and other such locations, but they make the average viewer wish they were in the body of the main character. They see how poker players can get sponsored, or a regular person can become a big shot if they are successful at a card game.

Most of these movies are not based on true stories, but they do channel the authentic spirit of gambling. Below are the ten best poker movies ever released.

1. California Split

One of the best buddy movies, not to mention casino flicks, California Split is a legendary Hollywood movie starring George Segal and Elliot Gould. Director Robert Altman put together a stellar cast, getting the best out of each of them in their respective roles. The movie features two men who want to achieve their dreams and involves a copious amount of poker playing and other casino games.

2. The Gambler

Another outstanding casino movie, The Gambler, came out in 1974 and was an instant hit. The film is based on the creator’s gambling past and features a character that continues to face issues as a result of his poor performances at the poker table. Despite the main character often making the wrong decision, audiences still root for him to achieve his ambitions until the very end.

3. Croupier

Featuring a much younger Clive Owen in 1998, The Croupier was a significant hit around the world when it was first released. A movie that details the journey of a young croupier who deals cards at a packed casino, the movie features the highs and lows of the casino lifestyle. The noir film includes plenty of gambling, ambitious heists, tales of betrayal and revenge, and much more.

4. Bugsy

Bugsy is a terrific film from 1991 that details the story of how Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel founded modern-day Las Vegas. The movie won an Oscar, while it showcased the best acting skills of Warren Beaty. The movie does include plenty of gambling, but it also focuses a great deal on the birth of modern-day Las Vegas – or Sin City as it is called by many.

5. Casino (1995)

The 1995 version of Casino featured a charming Robert De Niro in the titular role. A man who is running a well-established casino that is raking in cash, De Niro's character in the movie constantly has to deal with one significant problem or another. The film also includes Joe Pesci and Sharon Stone, not to mention some memorable scenes involving poker and other casino games.

6. Molly’s Game

A modern take on the boom of poker in the United States, Molly’s Game features Jessica Chastain in one of her best roles as the titular character, Molly. Chastain's character stumbles into a career where she runs black-market poker games involving some of the wealthiest and most influential people in New York City. Molly’s Game showcases the unique gamesmanship of poker while also highlighting the personal journey of Molly throughout the movie.

7. Maverick

Starring Mel Gibson during the height of his fame, Maverick came out in 1994 to both audience and critical acclaim. The film was based on a television series that came out in the 1950s, which focused on two characters hoping to raise enough money to enter a million-dollar poker tournament. Gibson is joined in the movie by Jodie Foster and James Garner, who both play their roles to perfection. 

8. Let It Ride

Starring Richard Dreyfuss, David Johansen, and Teri Garr, Let It Ride is a 1989 classic that features a main character who turns $50 into a considerable sum of money. Let It Ride is a showcase of gambling culture at its finest, featuring poker, horse racing, and other casino games.

9. 21

Starring Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, and Jim Sturgess, the movie features a college professor and a team of card counters attempting to fool casinos into letting them win a lot of money at card games. The film features both poker and blackjack while showing the skill and mathematical nous required to card count.

10. Lucky You

Released in 2007 and starring Eric Bana and Drew Barrymore, Lucky You is a movie about two people who are excellent at reading others. They can tell when other people are lying or hiding something, which can come in handy when they step inside the world of casinos and gambling.