The Films About Gamblers subgenre features Films About Gambling, Films About Poker, Films About Craps, Films About Blackjack, Films About Horse Racing, Films About Casinos, Films About Sports Betting, Films About Bookies and Films About Card Playing. Gambling films often reside in the Crime, Drama and Sports genres and often overlap with other films subgenres such as Sports Dramas, Sports Comedies, Films About Gangsters & The Mob, Films About Con Artists and Films About Medical Issues (specific to gambling addiction).
Films About Gambling have been a mainstay in films since the early days of cinema. In the 1960’s, this subgenre started to gain in prominence with three classic films of the subgenre: Ocean’s Eleven (1960), The Hustler (1961) and The Cincinnati Kid (1965). Most of these films covered the sporting aspect of gambling or gambling as a backdrop for a Caper & Heist.
In the 1970’s, there was a shift of the subgenre that focused on addictive side of gambling with films such as California Split (1974), The Gambler (1974) and Winner Take All (1975). Other subgenre films of this decade included the classic The Sting (1973) and other films that focused on gambling and boxing with Hard Times (1975) and Every Which Way but Loose (1978).
The 1980’s saw an increase in Films About Gamblers but most of these were comedies. Comedy films about gambling during the 1980’s included Any Which Way You Can (1980), Jinxed! (1982), Let It Ride (1989) and Harlem Nights (1989). The decade did have a few classic films of the Gambling subgenre with Atlantic City (1981), The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984), Quicksilver (1986), The Color of Money (1986), House of Games (1987) and Rain Man (1988).
The 1990’s became the Golden Age of Gambling Films with a decade that featured many of the top films of the subgenre. Classic films included Bugsy (1991), Diggstown (1992), Honeymoon in Vegas (1992), Indecent Proposal (1993), Maverick (1994), Casino (1995), Hard Eight (1996), Vegas Vacation (1997), Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998), Rounders (1999) and Rogue Trader (1999). Other notable films of this decade included Havana (1990), Sour Grapes (1998), Croupier (1998), Snake Eyes (1998), Phoenix (1998) and The Runner (1999).
Like the 1980’s, the 2000’s saw a shift back to subgenre themes of gambling addiction with High Roller: The Stu Unger Story (2003), Owning Mahowny (2003), Lucky You (2007), Finding Amanda (2008) and Real Time (2008). However, this decade is most remembered for the remake of Ocean’s Eleven (2001) and the sequels Ocean’s Twelve (2004) and Ocean’s Thirteen (2007) which launched a franchise centered around casinos and gambling. Though the films are about heists, they prominently feature gambling as part of their narrative. Other classic and notable subgenre films of the 2000’s also included Snatch (2000), Bookies (2003), Shade (2003), The Cooler (2003), Two for the Money (2005), Lucky Number Slevin (2006), Casino Royale (2006) and 21 (2008).
The 2010’s saw a decrease in films that used gambling or gamblers in their narrative but there were a few classic films of the subgenre during this decade with The Gambler (2014), Mississippi Grind (2015), Molly’s Game (2017) and Uncut Gems (2019). Other notable films of this decade included Runner Runner (2013), Wolves (2016), Win It All (2017), The House (2017), Ocean’s Eight (2018), All Square (2018) and Inside Game (2019). The Card Counter (2021) has been the only notable film to be released during the 2020’s so far.
Our list of Films About Gamblers includes over 96+ films from 1960 – 2021. The list covers films about Gambling, Casinos, Poker, Blackjack, Craps, Card Playing, Sports Betting, Horse Racing and Gambling Addiction. Given most of these films crossover with other subgenres (especially as it pertains to Gambling as a competitive sport or Gambling addiction), you can also check out our subgenre lists for Sports Dramas, Sports Comedies, Films About Gangsters & The Mob and Films About Medical Issues. For our list of Top Films About Gamblers You Haven’t Seen, we had to leave the following honorable mentions off the list: The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984), The Big Town (1987), The Winner (1996), Sour Grapes (1998), Croupier (1988), The Runner (1999), Bookies (2003), High Roller (2003), The Cooler (2003), Finding Amanda (2008), Runner Runner (2013) and Win It All (2017).
Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Here is our list of Top Films About Gamblers You Haven’t Seen:
#10
Inside Game
Plot: NBA referee gets involved with sports gambling with his friends.
KBZ’s Take: Based on the real-life scandal surrounding NBA Referee Tim Donaghy, Inside Game is a surprisingly good drama and thriller film. As with most films about gambling, this film shows how greed ultimately leads to the gambling ring being exposed by the FBI. It also spends time on the backstory and relationship between the three friends (and their families), which makes their eventual bust that more tragic. It’s not a great film, but it’s one of the better films of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/40gYsFm
#9
Shade
Plot: Con artists target a major player in a rigged card game.
KBZ’s Take: While this is also a Film About Gamblers, it’s much more about the cons and hustles involved with card playing. It’s a bit of a forgotten film of 2003 when other more prominent Con Artists films were released during that time. With a great cast including Stuart Townsend, Jamie Foxx, Sylvester Stallone, Gabriel Byrne and Thandiwe Newton, there are enough twists and turns in this fun yet suspenseful film that it shouldn’t be missed.
Additional Lists: Top Films About Con Artist You Haven’t Seen #8
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3HmlQIC
#8
Real Time
Plot: A hitman gives a gamble one hour to live.
KBZ’s Take: This Black Comedy featuring Jay Baruchel and Randy Quaid is more of character study than a thriller or comedy film. However, it’s a fun little-seen film about Andy (Baruchel) who is down on his luck due to gambling and owes quite a bit of money to the boss of hitman Reuben (Quaid). Quad plays his part with an Australian accent, but that doesn’t distract from the games and eventual bond that develops between the soon-to-be dead gambler and not quite sympathetic hitman. This film is hard to find but is one of the better films of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3RyyCc1
#7
Lucky You
Plot: Professional poker player attempts to win the World Series of Poker while also courting a Las Vegas lounge singer.
KBZ’s Take: We’ll start off by saying this film will likely not be enjoyed by Poker enthusiasts or experts. The film takes a basic approach to explaining poker to the audience as it’s more focused on the gambling addiction of Eric Bana’s character, his relationship with his father (played by Robert Duvall) and his budding romance with a lounge signer (played by Drew Barrymore). Who will enjoy this film? Anybody that is stuck with a romantic comedy on date night when it’s not your turn to choose.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Rl9WTT
#6
Hard Eight
Plot: A stranger mentors a Reno gambler.
KBZ’s Take: After Boogie Nights (1997), most people think There Will Be Blood (2007) or Magnolia (1999) is Paul Thomas Anderson’s best film. However, we’ll go with Hard Eight every day of the week as his second-best film. This is a great film and is criminally underrated and underseen with some of the best character development you will see in any film. It also has an all-star cast that also appeared in his follow-up to this film in Boogie Nights: Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly, Robert Ridgely, Melora Walters and Philip Seymour Hoffman (in a minor role). Gwyneth Paltrow and Samuel L. Jackson also star, and this is one of the best and highest recommended films of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3wFzJN5
#5
All Square
Plot: Neighborhood bookie decides to start taking bets on little league games.
KBZ’s Take: The plot line should tell you all you need to know about this little-seen offbeat comedy. Michael Kelly (in a starring role), plays the bookie who upends the town as adults scramble to bet on their children’s baseball games. It’s a scenario that you can easily see developing in any small town and the eventual repercussions involved within the community. While the humor is hit or miss at times, when it does hit, it’s hilariously funny. Highly recommended film of the subgenre (though it’s rated R and not for younger children).
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3wJ6lWi
Plot: Two gamblers make their way down the Mississippi River for a high-stakes poker game in New Orleans.
KBZ’s Take: This film will not be for everybody. It’s not a typical Road Trip comedy and it’s much more of a character study of the two poker players played by Ryan Reynolds and Ben Mendelsohn. And the gamblers aren’t redeeming characters, so you’ll struggle to root for anybody to ‘win’ in this film. With all of that said, it’s still an intriguing film about Gambling and the friendship that develops between the two players while on the road.
Additional Lists: Top Films About Road Trips You Haven’t Seen #2
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Hklbrh
Plot: Canadian Bank Manager with a gambling problem is involved with the largest bank fraud in Canadian history.
KBZ’s Take: This isn’t like typical fraud or con movies that tend to be lighthearted or comedic. This film is more tragic as it examines one man’s gambling obsession that leads him to pull off increasingly larger fraud to feed his gambling habit. While it’s also one of the top Films About Gamblers, it’s also a film that’s not to be missed by fans of Con Artist Films either. It’s also one of the best films of the late Philip Seymour Hoffman. A must-see film for fans of both subgenres.
Additional Lists: Top Films About Con Artists You Haven’t Seen #2
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Ho2qTK
#2
Diggstown
Plot: 48-year-old Boxer has to knock out 10 men in 24 hours to win a bet.
KBZ’s Take: Not only one of the best sports drama films, but Diggstown is also one of the best Con Artist Films and Films About Gamblers. The film takes many twists and turns with allegiances turning on a dime between James Wood’s con artist character and Bruce Dern’s slimy Diggstown owner. Though Louis Gossett Jr.’s best film is almost always recognized as An Officer and a Gentleman (1982) (for which he won an Academy Award), our money will always be on Diggstown as Gossett’s greatest role as the over-the-hill boxer.
Additional Lists: Top Films About Con Artists You Haven’t See #3, Top Sports Drama Films You Haven’t Seen #2
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/40gYRrm
#1
The Gambler
Plot: English professor tries to hide a severe gambling addiction that threatens to destroy him.
KBZ’s Take: Though this film has been remade with Mark Wahlberg in The Gambler (2014), it’s the original James Caan film you should see. This film best illustrates the addiction of gambling and how it can affect anybody – even someone in the upper echelons of society. The film also features this haunting gambling scene that succeeds in emulating the ‘rush’ gamblers feel when betting against incredible odds. It’s the best film about gambling addiction and best film of the subgenre (sorry Rounders!).
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3RkY7NJ
