Casinos have that great blend of glamour and grittiness that makes them an ideal setting for stories told on the silver screen. And over the years many directors have attempted to make movies in which a casino features prominently.
Here are just a few of our favourite cult casino movies that have stood the test of time and continue to inspire filmmakers today.
Casino (1995)
It’s an obvious starting point, but Martin Scorsese’s mid-90s classic is vulgar, violent and irresistible in equal measure. From Joe Pesci’s brutality to Sharon Stone’s manipulative fragility, its characters are as rich and detailed as its plot.
Casino is often overshadowed by some of Scorsese’s other films, but it does a great job of demonstrating how the gambling houses of Las Vegas worked in the heyday of the 70s and 80s. When gangsters ran the show and money flowed like water from the pockets of punters into the coffers of the hotels, anything was possible and everything was permitted.
Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
He may be known for his over the top acting and tax troubles today, but it’s important to remember that Nicolas Cage is an Oscar winner. And it was his performance as a self-destructive alcoholic screenwriter in Leaving Las Vegas that earned him the highest accolade in Hollywood.
Be warned, this movie makes for a pretty bleak viewing experience and delves into the sadder side of Sin City that all of the lights and colours of the Strip attempt to mask. It also steers clear of dealing too closely with the gambling culture, although the casinos are central to its setting.
3000 Miles to Graceland (2001)
While the first two films we’ve mentioned are critically acclaimed and culturally important, this heist movie starring Kurt Russell and Kevin Costner is very much at the other end of the spectrum. But as a guilty pleasure, it definitely deserves a place on this list.
When a motley crew of crooks attempts to rip off a convention of Elvis impersonators gathering at a Las Vegas casino, things don’t quite go to plan and a series of unfortunate events unfold.
The tone veers between knock-about fun and extreme violence, which is probably why it bombed at the box office. Thankfully if you go into it with low expectations it has plenty of B-movie thrills to offer, and a surprisingly star-studded cast to keep you entertained.
Croupier (1999)
Before Clive Owen became a Hollywood A-lister, he played the lead in this well-received British movie about a wannabe-author who works as a croupier at a casino. The job takes its toll on his psyche and his relationship with his girlfriend, eventually leading him into a world of crime and deception. With plenty of narration, it has a film noir feel, along with solid performances and plenty of behind the scenes casino intrigue to keep gambling fans interested.
Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas (1998)
The cult status of this movie, based on the Hunter S. Thompson novel of the same name, is undisputed. And it is as much an examination of Las Vegas’ casino culture as it is the mind-bending, drug-addled lifestyles lived by those who frequented the city in a bygone era.
Before Johnny Depp became known for his piratical prancing as Captain Jack Sparrow, he was just as quirky in Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas. Backed up by the gluttonous, erratic presence of Benicio del Toro as an unhinged lawyer and partner in crime to Depp’s Raoul Duke, the movie takes the pair on a depraved journey into the heart of darkness that lurks in every movie casino.
Rain Man (1988)
Card counting is something that every gambler will hear about at some point, whether you prefer real world casinos or using sites like Casumobonus to get your fix online. In Rain Man, the concept is taken to an entirely new level by Tom Cruise’s bullish businessman and Dustin Hoffman’s autistic numbers whiz.
This movie has become embedded in pop culture since its release, as well as highlighting the interesting stance that casinos have towards the game of blackjack. The fact that people who have the skills can game the system and beat the house is impressive, and has inspired several lesser films such as 21.
The Gambler (1974)
Remade in 2014, the original version starring James Caan is definitely superior if you are looking for a film that examines the damage which gambling addiction can cause.
The highs and lows of life at the tables is scrutinised in detail, along with the impact that this can have outside of the casino when debts mount up and loan sharks come calling. Like Leaving Las Vegas, there is a dark edge to The Gambler which might put off some audiences, but it is still essential viewing.