Top 5 Evergreen Movies About Casinos

Gambling is not only something about making bets with real money, winning real money, and walking away. Gambling has been a thing for centuries as it seems to be part of human nature. Today, gambling is a huge industry, or rather, several interconnected industries. Besides playing Interac casinos in Canada or making bets on horse races, gambling is tourism, technologies, networking, books, and movies. If you are into gambling and movies, this post is definitely for you. In no particular order, check out some of the best casino movies to watch. 

Casino Royale 

Director: Martin Campbell

Budget: $102 – 150 million 

Casino Royale (2006), despite all the criticism from movie fans and even James Bond fans, still stands out due to several key factors. 

Firstly, Daniel Craig’s portrayal of James Bond is both charismatic and believable, and it is a refreshing change of what we have all been used to. Additionally, the stellar supporting cast, including Eva Green and Mads Mikkelsen, deliver memorable performances that enhance the overall cinematic experience. 

The film’s cinematography is stunning, capturing the glamor of the casino world and the world of experienced poker players. If you are into a glamorous lifestyle this movie has it all. 

The story is gripping, blending action-packed sequences with moments of suspense and intrigue. The best thing about this movie is that the story unfolds slowly and in a multilayered way. Moreover, it also ends slowly, not at the point that you expect. 

Molly’s Game 

Director: Aaron Sorkin 

Budget: $30 million 

There are several reasons why Molly’s Game (2017) shines as an evergreen movie about gambling. While it doesn’t show much of the game it dives deep into the criminal side of the world of gamblers and tells a true story in the first place. 

The movie has an interesting approach to storytelling and the story does not unfold in a linear way keeping the viewers engaged till the very end. The plot is weaving together elements of drama, suspense, and intrigue. One of the best things is that the characters are somewhat morally grey and the viewer can take anyone’s side. 

Now, Jessica Chastain’s stellar performance as Molly Bloom is captivating, she seems to be a perfect match for this part. Additionally, the supporting cast, including Idris Elba and Kevin Costner, deliver decent performances although they still look rather unimpressive on Jessica’s background. But anyway they move the plot and we can fully enjoy the adventures of Molly in the world of underground poker. 

Ocean’s Eleven 

Director: Steven Soderbergh 

Budget: $85 million

Ocean’s Eleven (2001) is the first movie from the franchise and it has been such a success that other movies later followed. Having a truly stellar cast of George Clooney and Brad Pitt, the movie promised to be a hit even before it was released. 

The exceptional talent and match of the actors become obvious from the very first minutes of the movie and this is one of the things that make it so captivating. While we have to admit that the following movies are a bit more complicated in terms of plot, this first one is very engaging due to the cast. 

The story tells of a sophisticated heist at three Las Vegas casinos and has several unexpected twists. To be honest, it is much more dynamic than most casino-themed movies and even most of the heist-themed movies. The camera work is bright and gives somewhat comedic accents to what is happening. 

Ocean’s Twelve 

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Budget: $110 million 

Ocean’s Twelve (2004) remains a timeless favorite among casino and gambling movies. The star-studded cast, featuring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Julia Roberts, delivers dynamic performances and witty dialogues. This is a blend of comedy, heist, and action that leaves very few disappointed even if you expected more gambling to be shown. 

The storyline is centered around an elaborate heist at a European casino and keeps viewers on the edge of their seats with its clever twists and turns. The seamless direction by Steven Soderbergh ensures a visually engaging experience and engagement. 

Ocean’s Thirteen 

Director: Steven Soderbergh 

Budget: $85 million 

Ocean’s Thirteen (2007) is another gem in the casino movie genre. Its cleverly crafted story of the revenge-driven casino heist leads the viewers through all the preparation, ups and downs of the process with a few surprises in the process (no spoilers though!). The cast includes George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon, among other talented actors. 

The charisma and chemistry, so to speak, between the members of the cast makes the movie so enjoyable. All the dialogues really have a spark behind them as if they are spontaneous. The stylish camerawork only adds to the experience because the movie is bright and visually satisfying.