The Most Famous Casino-Themed Movies of All Time: Our Top Picks

If there’s one hobby South Africans enjoy taking part in, it’s watching movies. And while gamblers love checking out the best online casinos, an interesting casino-themed flick could equally tickle their fancies. There is an abundance of films that cover several aspects of the casino culture and life. It’s safe to say these movies will blow your mind and show you what goes on both in front and behind the scenes of the gambling world.

Care to have a look at some of the best casino-themed flicks? We have you covered. Here are some of our top picks that we can guarantee will keep your eyes peeled on the screen. 

Casino Royale

We couldn’t possibly kick the list off without talking about Casino Royale. The 2006 James Bond blockbuster has cult status. Casino Royale was directed by Martin Campbell and features none other than the legendary Bond himself, Daniel Craig. Other notable actors in the film include Mads Mikkelsen and Eva Green.

In a nutshell, Casino Royale epitomizes everything that belongs to the casino. There is a huge mix of style, risk, and wealth which makes this film must-see. There’s a riveting scene in Casino Royale that involves James Bond having to play arguably the most important poker game of his life! 

Casino

Don’t worry, this list wouldn’t be complete without one of the most famous casino-themed movies of all – casino. After all, the clue is in the film title! Casino premiered in 1998 and was directed by the legendary Martin Scorsese. Other notable actors in Casino include Joe Pesci, Sharon Stone, and Robert De Niro.

The movie follows three characters: a bookmaker, ex-prostitute, and mafia boss. Casino mixes the glitz and glamour with the harsh reality and brutal machinations that lurk beneath. If you watch the film and have an appetite to play on some casino games yourself, why not try out Wild Bandito? Play Live Casino have a guide on How To Play Bandito. This can help you understand the game in full and increase your chances of winning big!

Rounders

Premiering in 1998, Rounders is another title that we couldn’t miss off our casino-themed movie list. This film was directed by John Dahl, who breathed life into the talented poker player Mike McDermott. He wants to leave gambling for good when he loses all his winnings in the process. However, McDermott decides to concentrate on his studies again from now onwards. Everything changes when his friend is released from prison. With his pal mounting up debts and has nowhere to turn, McDermott wants to help him out and begins gambling again.

Rounders is a brilliant film that focuses on our love for Poker. If you’re a poker fanatic, Rounders is definitely a movie you cannot miss. In the leading roles, you can expect Edward Norton and Matt Damon, who celebrated one of their first successors with this movie. 

Rain Man

This movie not only changes the public’s perception of autism, but also deals with the acumen required in the casino. The limits of legality also play a crucial part in this movie by Barry Levinson. While Rain Man was released in 1988, the film is still just as relevant as it was over 30 years ago. The story centers around Charlie Babbitt and his older sibling Raymond, who is autistic. Very quickly, Charlie realizes how special Raymond is. He takes his brother to Las Vegas to establish how well he performs at the blackjack table. Over time, Mike truly learns quite a lot from Raymond.

This movie is definitely worth checking out. Not only because of the thrilling blackjack scenes, but the interesting character developments throughout. Many people regard Rain Man as one of the best things that has ever happened to autism. We as the general public truly get a better understanding on the condition, while of course relishing in all things casino.

The Gambler

Reputable gambling websites always try to promote responsible gambling. Unfortunately, addicted gamblers find it difficult to curb their destructive habit. If you happen to relate to this, you may want to watch The Gambler. This 2014 movie is based on an English teacher named Jim Bennet who is hooked on gambling. There are ups and downs throughout the film that take us through his addiction, as well as the eyewatering amounts of money he owes to mobsters. 

The film sees us watch the main character trying his best to double up his money and pay off the debts he owes. While some people see The Gambler as a hard watch, it’s very interesting to learn about the dark side of the casino world, rather than solely concentrating on the excitement. 

We’ve only just scratched the surface when it comes to casino-themed films. In fact, there are tons of movies that highlight both the good and bad side of casinos and gambling. While we commonly associate the casino way of life with glitz, glamour, and sparkles, it can also be incredibly dangerous!

We promise that all the casino-themed films above are full of thrills, action, and often a deeper look into the life and games of a successful casino player.