Best Casino Movies to Watch in the Holidays
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There are plenty of casino & gambling movies around right now, and with the addition of The Card Counter to Netflix recently, you have a huge choice this holiday season!
We've previously looked at the best poker and casino movies, but with Christmas & New Year drawing closer, we know many gambling fans will be settling down to watch a movie or two during the winter break. So, here's our updated list of the best casino and gambling films around right now, including some new(er) titles to explore.
The PokerNews Best Casino Films for the Holidays: 2023 List
5. The Family Plan (2023)
It's not a 'casino movie' per se, but this Mark Wahlberg picture, The Family Plan, centers around a family road trip that culminates at the Poseidon Casino & Hotel in Las Vegas. However, don't go looking for the Poseion as it is a fictional creation made for the movie, combining the exterior of the Strat Hotel & Casino (including the iconic tower), and the interior of the AmericasMart Building 3 Grand Atrium.
This movie sees Mark Wahlberg play Dan, an ex-assassin turned family man, who must take his family on an epic road trip around the US, when his past catches up with him. The film takes in many iconic locations, including Monument Valley, the Hoover Dam, and Hope Memorial Bridge in Cleveland, Ohio, before the family descends on Vegas. As well as the fictional Poseidon, we also see the real-life ARIA Resort and Casino, and the HyperX Arena Las Vegas at the Luxor, which stands in for another fictional location, the Valorant Pro-Am Vegas Showdown.
How to Watch The Family Plan
The Family Plan is an Apple production, so unfortunately, it can only be viewed by those with an Apple TV+ subscription. However, if you've not already grabbed a free trial, you can get 7 days for free before you decide whether or not to pay for a sub.
4. Hard Eight (1996)
The oldest film on our list, and one you may have missed the first time around, Hard Eight is one of Paul Thomas Anderson's (There Will be Blood, Boogies Nights) early films, and features John C. Reilly, as John learning the casino game ropes from old pro, Sydney, played by Phillip Baker Hall.
Gwyneth Paltrow pops up as love interest Clementine, and with her introduction, the film develops into more of a crime thriller, but does feature some great scenes around the craps tables and slot machines of Vegas and Atlantic City.
Did you know?
A 'hard eight' in craps means throwing a double four with the dice, called so due to the perceived 'difficulty' in rolling a double.
How to Watch Hard Eight
Currently, your best bet to watch Hard Eight is renting the movie via either Amazon Prime, YouTube, Apple TV, or Google Play Movies & TV.
3. The House (2017)
Time for a comedy, and this 2017 film with Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler definitely fits the bill if you are looking for a funny flick.
The House sees Ferrell and Poehler playing couple, Scott & Kate Johansen, who are forced to quickly fund their daughter's college education, and after a profitable trip to the craps tables of Las Vegas, decide to open their own 'at home' casino.
The film features many humorous segments, including a memorable finger-chopping scene, and is well worth a watch for a funny movie where casino games feature heavily.
How to Watch The House
You can watch The House via your Netflix subscription right now, but for those who don't subscribe, you can find the movie on movie rental services like Apple TV or YouTube.
2. Molly's Game (2017)
This Aaron Sorkin-directed movie from 2017 made a splash upon release, and this buzz has moved to the streaming services, which have added Molly's Game to their libraries.
Jessica Chastain features as the titular protagonist who sets up her own underground poker game after working the game run by her unscrupulous boss. Chastain's character, Molly, quickly learns how to appeal to the ego of the high-roller players, earning more tips in the process.
Trouble soon comes calling in the form of the FBI, as the players at her New York game start to include Russian Mafia characters and fraudulent investors, and Molly becomes addicted to drugs in an effort to maintain her high-pressure lifestyle. Heavy on the drama and tension, this Academy Award-nominated film is worth a couple of hours of anyone's time.
How to Watch Molly's Game
Amazon Prime and Netflix users are in luck as you can watch Molly's Game as part of those packages right now. Once again, there are rental options available on the big movie networks.
As mentioned above, the spark for this article was the addition of The Card Counter to Netflix's platform.
Oscar Isaac (Star Wars, Dune) stars as 'William Tell', an ex-con who is a seasoned card counting blackjack player, and on a one-man tour of US casinos looking for his next payday.
A chance encounter with La Linda, played by Tiffany Hadish, leads to joining the World Series of Poker Tour, and all is well until a mysterious young man shows up to remind William of his hidden past.
The film is particularly interesting for gambling fans as it features William's internal monologue, where he provides his thoughts on casino game strategy, including card counting in blackjack, and poker. Anyone adding this one to their list will surely not be disappointed.
How to Watch The Card Counter
The Card Counter was recently added to the Netflix movie library, so this is your best option for watching this movie. Beyond that, you'll need to pay to rent the film, but there is a wide choice of services where it's available for a small fee.
