Many people choose to travel to casinos to enjoy the fun games that are offered there in an environment that is both exciting and sociable. Another activity that many people enjoy is going to the cinema. What is better than combining the two and watching a movie all about thrilling casino heists?
The movies in this list feature intense poker tournaments and other casino games where some players adopt innovative ways to fool the other players and get the upper hand, allowing them to win big when they have no right to do so. Below, we will go through the best casino heist movies ever created so you can add them to your watchlist and enjoy the masterpieces that they all are.
21
First up on this list is a unique movie in the casino heist genre. Most of the films on this list are set in traditional casinos you have to travel to, and all games are played in person. However, in the movie 21, six students from MIT hatch a plan to steal from an online casino without having to use weapons or put anyone in danger. They use their technological expertise and intelligence to find ways to cheat on one of the most popular and oldest casino games. The game we are talking about is, of course, Blackjack, in which mathematics plays an influential role in determining the outcome of each hand.
Ocean’s Eleven
The next movie on this list is one of the most well-known casino heist movies ever created with some of the most popular actors in the industry, including George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and many more. Ocean’s Eleven has everything you could want from a clever plot, comedic moments, and even some romance. This famous American movie hit the box office in 2001. It was directed by the very talented Steven Soderbergh, who successfully created this timeless classic.
The plot of this film follows a group of eccentric personalities who band together and hatch a plan to rob three of the largest casinos in Las Vegas simultaneously. The aim is to come away with a whopping $150 million, which will set everyone in the team up for life; however, it doesn’t plan out as expected with crazy turns, which adds to the movie’s suspense. When Ocean’s Eleven hit the theatres, it was an instant hit and grossed hundreds of millions of dollars.
Casino Royale
The James Bond franchise has been around for decades, with several actors taking on the role of the MI6 agent. However, Daniel Craig’s performance in Casino Royale is arguably one of the best Bond movies. Casino Royale follows James Bond as he is tasked with taking down the evil private banker who is known to MI6 to be someone who funds terrorists.
Both James Bond and Le Chiffre, the villain in the movie played by Mads Mikkelsen, find themselves in a head-to-head poker game; however, foul play ensues as both players attempt to defeat each other by any means necessary. If you enjoy a thrilling and full-action movie, this is for you. If you weren’t a Daniel Craig fan, you will be after witnessing this Oscar-worthy performance.
3000 Miles to Graceland
For those who love movies about casino robberies, add 3000 Miles to Graceland to your watchlist. This movie is directed by the highly talented Neil Jordan, who successfully created a work of art full of fantastic scenes that keep your eyes locked on the screen throughout the movie. 3000 Miles to Graceland combines robbery with romance and is filled with action, great music, and elaborate heist plans. The cast has some notable names, including Kevin Costner and Courtney Cox, who do a fantastic job of bringing Jordan’s vision to life.
Casino heist films are a fantastic genre of movies that are fun to watch, but only a select few have pulled off something that will be remembered. Some notable mentions that haven’t been included on this list include The Sting, Ocean’s Eight, and Rounders, which are all fantastic movies from this genre that are definitely worth the watch. For those looking for a comedy that loosely fits into this genre of movie, you have to watch The Hangover, a hilarious movie about a group of friends who have a bachelor party in Las Vegas that goes very wrong with one member of the group going missing. This movie follows the friend’s attempts to retrace their steps from the night before as they uncover the unbelievable events that took place in the casino capital of the world. If any of the films mentioned above sound like a great night in, don’t hesitate to add them to your watchlist so you, too, can join the hype.
