The motto of whatever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, really didn’t reach the producers in Hollywood. In fact, Sin City and everything that comes with the highs and lows of gambling have made great topics for some of the best movies ever made. So, if you enjoy the thrill that comes with placing wagers – but also enjoy the thrill of a great big-screen blockbuster, too – don’t miss this list of the top 5 best casino movies of all time.
On The Nose (2001)
We don’t know why On The Nose is a movie that rarely ever makes the list of top gambling movies because it certainly should! Set in Ireland, this movie stars Harry Potter legend Robbie Coltrane as gambler Brendan Delaney, a man addicted to horse races. After his daughter is accepted into Trinity College, Delaney must find a way to pay for her education. There’s just one problem, he already lost all the possessions of his family betting on horses! With the help of a small group of friends, Delaney is set on winning the biggest horse race yet to win everything back – and send his daughter off to college. If you loved On The Nose, you can follow Delaney’s footsteps by visiting the official website of the best online casinos in Ireland – maybe just don’t use your winnings to send your children off to college…
Croupier (1998)
For a vivid recreation of the reality of many gamblers who have thrown away large chunks of their savings at the table, Croupier is a hard-hitting movie that will stay with you long after the credits roll. Croupier follows Jack, an aspiring novelist desperate for money who begins to fall into the world of casino gambling – and as a result, starts to experience many of the negative emotions that come alongside it. This gritty movie is definitely one of the sadder gambling movies on this list, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth watching, too.
The Cincinnati Kid (1965)
There are several reasons The Cincinnati Kid has been cited as the greatest gambling movie ever by many hardcore film buffs – but you’ll have to watch the movie to find them out. However, we can give you a little teaser beforehand. The movie follows Eric “The Kid” Stoner, an up-and-coming poker player in New Orleans, and narrates his journey as he goes head-to-head with veteran card player Lancey “The Man” Howard. Not only are viewers treated to a brilliant depiction of life during The Great Depression, but the acting performances of both main characters make this movie very much still revered.
The Hangover (2009)
If you’re a fan of comedy films, The Hangover perfectly mixes humour with a brilliant gambling narrative. The movie is centred around friends Phil, Alan, Stu and Doug, who spend the movie trying to work out just exactly what happened the night before, after waking up with a horrendous hangover. Set in Sin City itself, The Hangover is movie gold and gained countless positive reviews from critics – as well as a Golden Globe for Best Musical or Comedy!
Casino (1995)
You don’t get much more of a gambling epic than Casino, especially because the director is just as epic himself! Arguably one of Martin Scorsese’s most ambitious films to date, Casino follows Sam “Ace” Rothstein (Robert De Niro) and his Las Vegas career and subsequent rise to power. The movie’s protagonist is based on the real-life story of Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal who was a professional sports gambler who also based himself in the Las Vegas gambling circle. With a similar narrative to Scorsese’s other Mafia movies, Casino is one league above, and will undoubtedly go down as one of Scorsese’s bests.
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