In this article, Jilicc introduces the top 20 gambling movies that you must watch at least once in your life. These are iconic films that have captivated hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide. Join Jilicc to find out so you don’t miss this great entertainment address.
God of Gamblers
- Release Year: 1989
- Genre: Action, Comedy
- Runtime: 126 minutes
- Country: Hong Kong
Directed by the legendary Wong Jing, this film is extremely thrilling and captivating with dramatic plot twists. The tricks and strategies used in the casino scenes are unveiled, attracting a vast number of viewers.
All for the Winner
- Release Year: 1990
- Genre: Comedy, Action
- Runtime: 101 minutes
- Country: Hong Kong
This is one of the top 20 gambling movies that elevated Stephen Chow’s career to new heights. Director Wong Jing based the storyline on the 1989 film “God of Gamblers.” Upon its release, the film achieved significant success, consistently ranking among the best gambling-themed movies.
Money Maker
- Release Year: 1991
- Genre: Comedy, Action, 18+
- Runtime: 100 minutes
- Country: Hong Kong
Another cinematic masterpiece by director Wong Jing, “Money Maker” deserves a spot in the top 20 gambling movies. The film follows Xiang Tianfu, a young man with two uncles who are professional gamblers. He studies under a gambling master in Mao Shan and quickly learns valuable skills. As an adult, Xiang Tianfu establishes a casino open to everyone.
King of Gamblers
- Genre: Action
- Runtime: 28 episodes
- Country: Hong Kong
Also among the top 20 gambling movies from the “casino powerhouse” of Hong Kong, “King of Gamblers” is directed by Leung Hon Man and is set in 1950s Shanghai.
The Conmen in Vegas
- Release Year: 1999
- Genre: Action
- Runtime: 102 minutes
- Country: Hong Kong
Directed by Wong Jing at The Top 20 Gambling Movies, this film tells the story of a group of “conmen” consisting of four members: Wang, Long, Smarthy, and Long’s cousin. They work together seamlessly and manage to swindle a large sum of money from Man’s casino.
Ocean’s 11
- Release Year: 2001
- Genre: Crime, Action, Thriller
- Runtime: 116 minutes
- Country: USA
Directed by the talented Steven Soderbergh, “Ocean’s 11” revolves around the heist plans of master thief Danny Ocean after his release from prison. His target is the massive vaults of The Bellagio, The Mirage, and the MGM Grand, the three largest casinos in Las Vegas at the time.
Dicey Business
- Release Year: 2006
- Genre: Action
- Runtime: 35 episodes
- Country: Hong Kong
An impressive entry in the top 20 gambling movies, directed by the talented Zhang Jian Wen, which won the prestigious award for the TOP 10 Best TV Programs from Next Magazine TV. This series is very popular in Vietnam and revolves around the rivalry and conflict between two long-lost brothers from the Qi family.
High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story
- Release Year: 2006
- Genre: Action, Drama
- Runtime: 109 minutes
- Country: USA
Directed by A.W. Vidmer, this renowned film is based on the true story of the controversial life of poker legend Stu Ungar. The movie reveals the truth about Ungar’s life, his secrets, and the highs and lows of his gambling career.
Lucky You
- Release Year: 2007
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Runtime: 124 minutes
- Country: USA
This is one of the top 20 gambling movies from the USA. Directed by Curtis Hanson, the film tells the captivating story of Huck Cheever, a talented poker player who struggles with controlling his emotions. As a result, he frequently finds himself broke. The turning point comes when Huck falls in love with Billie Offer. This romantic drama with a gambling theme quickly gained popularity and received high praise from audiences.
From Vegas to Macau
- Release Year: 2016
- Genre: Crime Drama, Action
- Runtime: 112 minutes
- Country: Hong Kong
This film is one of the top 20 gambling movies that garnered significant audience interest. Directed by renowned gambling film directors Wong Jing and Andrew Lau, “From Vegas to Macau” is not just an action film but also a profound crime drama. The film captures the attention of viewers with its intricate plot and compelling characters.
Bugsy
- Release Year: 1991
- Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
- Runtime: 136 minutes
- Country: USA
Bugsy tells the story of Bugsy Siegel, a notorious gangster who played a crucial role in developing Las Vegas into a famous gambling city. Bugsy is depicted not only as a ruthless individual but also as a visionary with the ambition to transform Las Vegas into an entertainment hub. The film focuses on his relationship with Virginia Hill and the challenges he faced during the development of the gambling city.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
- Release Year: 1998
- Genre: Comedy, Adventure, Drama
- Runtime: 118 minutes
- Country: USA
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is one of the top 20 gambling movies. The film follows two main characters, journalist Raoul Duke and his lawyer, Dr. Gonzo, on a hallucinatory trip to Las Vegas. They arrive to cover a story but quickly become engulfed in a world of drugs and hallucinations. The movie depicts the chaos and strange experiences they encounter in the gambling city.
Croupier
- Release Year: 1998
- Genre: Drama, Crime
- Runtime: 94 minutes
- Country: UK
Croupier tells the story of Jack Manfred, a failed young writer who decides to work as a croupier (dealer) in a casino to make a living. This job gives Jack deep insights into the gambling world but also pulls him into dangerous criminal schemes. The film explores the conflict between Jack’s real life and his work, highlighting the allure and dangers of the casino.
Rounders
- Release Year: 1998
- Genre: Drama
- Runtime: 121 minutes
- Country: USA
One of the top 20 gambling movies, Rounders follows Mike McDermott, a law student and talented poker player who decides to quit gambling after a big loss. However, when his best friend, Lester ‘Worm’ Murphy, is released from prison and gets into trouble with a gangster, Mike is forced back to the poker table to help him. The film portrays the tension and difficult decisions Mike faces when dealing with professional poker players.
Casino Royale
- Release Year: 2006
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Spy
- Runtime: 144 minutes
- Country: UK, USA, Czech Republic, Germany, Bahamas
Casino Royale follows James Bond on his first mission as Agent 007. His task is to defeat Le Chiffre, a financier for terrorist organizations, in a high-stakes poker game at Casino Royale.
Above are the top 20 gambling movies of all time, compiled in detail at blog Jilicc. If you are a fan of this genre, you should not miss these films. You will learn a lot and have the most relaxing and entertaining moments. Each movie presents a different aspect of fascinating card games, revealing hidden sides that we would never know if they weren’t adapted into films.