TEN FILMS ABOUT GAMBLERS THAT WON CRITICAL ACCLAIM

Gambling has long been a fixture in a number of films that have won critical acclaim. With complex characters that want to live a better life, people continue to flock to theaters to see compelling stories that are stemmed from gamblers and professional gamers. From poker players on the cusp of success to thieves who are looking for the best way to rob a casino, we take a look at ten of the best critically-acclaimed films that you can watch to quench your thirst for stories about gambling.





The Sting
Released to critical acclaim back in the early 70’s, this period piece starring Paul Newman and a young Robert Redford sees a young con artist who’s out to avenge the death of his partner. Teaming up with one of the best con artists, together they plan to swipe the money away from a notorious banker.

Snatch
A priceless diamond is stolen and it’s up to a rag tag group of boxing promoters, violent bookies, Russian gangsters, and amateur robbers to reel in the big bucks.

Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels
Before Snatch, Guy Richie already tackled the messy underworld of gambling in his first hit. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels starts with a botched card game that pits friends, thugs, debt collectors and evil henchman to collide in London.

Casino
Martin Scorsese’s award-winning film explores the dangers of being involved in running a gambling business and the mobsters that lurk within the casino.

The Hustler
An amateur pool player played by Paul Newman enters a high-stakes match against one of the best players out there in this 1961 film.

Casino Royale
The reboot takes viewers to the first mission that made Agent 007 James Bond the suave and sophisticated secret agent that we all love. This gritty take on Ian Fleming’s first novel pits Bond against his foes in a high-stakes game of poker.

Dr. Mabuse: The Gambler
Fritz Lang’s 1922 film is considered to be a triumph as he examined the life of Dr. Mabuse and his band of criminals as they devise a plan to reap cash from a young millionaire. If only Commissioner von Wenk isn’t following the trail that he leaves behind.

Ocean’s Eleven
Robbing one casino is tough, but simultaneously robbing three casinos in one night might be impossible. This all-star cast which includes George Clooney, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, and Julia Roberts is an entertaining remake of the original film starring Frank Sinatra.

21
Based from the real account of how a band of MIT students took millions from a Vegas casino through card counting. The film is a modern look at the consequences of cheating and gambling.

Rounders
Rounding up the Top 10 films about gamblers is Rounders, John Dahl’s late 90s classic which stars Matt Damon and Edward Norton who returns to playing high stakes poker to pay off a bunch of deadly loan sharks.

There are more films out there that tackle the gambling lifestyle, but we have yet to see a film that tackles online casinos. Perhaps we can see a compelling film soon that mixes David Fincher’s The Social Media with a contemporary take on stealing and gambling.

This article was brought to you by Brighton’s very own, Louise Wood, who's an experienced journalist and blogger with a thirst for knowledge and a passion for writing. Bless her.