Top 5 Poker Movies Every Fan Should Watch
Few sports lend themselves to the silver screen quite as naturally as poker does (and yes, we said poker is a sport — deal with it).
The tension between two players at a table, the drama as each card peels off the deck…throw in the splash of chips and a love interest watching intently from the rail, and you’ve got the makings of a solid drama.
Hollywood’s track record with poker is a bit spotty, however. For every classic, there’s a clunker like Deal or High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story.
In the interests of saving you from watching some truly awful poker (you can head down to your local cardroom if you want to do that), we’ve assembled a list of the top poker movies every aspiring cardsharp should watch.
Ready to see if your favorite flick made the list? Let’s get started.
5. Casino Royale (2006)
Where to Watch It: Video on Demand
We know, we know — the poker action in this one is straight out of a fairytale.
The climactic hand features a four-way all in, with a flush vs. a full house vs. a bigger full house vs…you guessed it…a straight flush.
It feels like no one involved had ever seen a hand of poker before, but while they might have gotten the action wrong, they nailed the drama.
Anchored by spectacular performances by Daniel Craig and Mads Mikkelsen as James Bond and his evil nemesis, this is one of the most stylish scenes you’ll find in any movie. Of course, it helps when you can cut to Eva Green in a black dress with a plunging neckline whenever the action starts to slow, but still.
A fun bit of trivia about this scene: Mikkelsen says that every actor in the scene was a talented and experienced poker player except for one — and it drove them crazy that they all had to drop their chips to him in the end.
4. Maverick (1994)
Where to Watch It: Video on Demand
Another film in which the poker is more fantasy than fact, Maverick is nevertheless a rip-roaring good time.
The plot focuses on Mel Gibson’s Bret Maverick as he tries to earn his way into a big-time tourney on a riverboat. Along the way, he encounters evil gunfighters, a double-crossing tribal leader, and the beautiful but dastardly Annabelle Bransford (Jodie Foster).
Helmed by Lethal Weapon director Richard Donner from a script by the legendary William Goldman, the action — and the laughs — never let up in this one.
The games themselves are as prone to ridiculous hands as the ones from Casino Royale, but realism is beside the point here. Just enjoy the chemistry between Gibson, Foster, and James Garner (who originated the role on television).
Oh, and be sure to marvel at just how many tells your average high-stakes player apparently gives off. Who knew?
3. Molly’s Game (2017)
Where to Watch It: Hulu, Sling TV, Video on Demand
Known primarily for being Aaron Sorkin’s directorial debut, Molly’s Game tells the (mostly) true story of Molly Bloom, an enterprising young woman who ran a series of underground, high-stakes poker games in New York and Los Angeles.
Starring Jessica Chastain as Bloom and Idris Elba as her attorney, the movie is told largely in flashbacks. Bloom was known for hosting games that were filled with A-listers, and half the fun is trying to figure out which famous player each character is supposed to represent.
That’s especially true for Michael Cera’s character, a hotshot young actor who quickly reveals a sadistic streak at the tables. No one knows for sure who this person is supposed to be, but let’s just say his Uncle Ben would likely have been appalled by his behavior.
(Tobey Maguire. It’s Tobey Maguire.)
Keep an eye out for alter egos representing Alex Rodriguez, Ben Affleck, and even Leonardo Dicaprio. If Titanic put you in the mood for a Leonardo Dicaprio movie, this is as close as you’re likely to get.
2. The Cincinnati Kid (1965)
Where to Watch It: Video on Demand
The oldest film on this list, The Cincinnati Kid also features the oldest form of poker: five-card stud.
Directed by the renowned auteur Norman Jewison, the film tells the tale of an up-and-coming poker player (Steve McQueen) in 1930s New Orleans. The Kid is gearing up for a showdown with Lancey Howard (Edward G. Robinson), an aging pro who’s widely recognized as the best poker player in the world.
Along the way, he runs into a corrupt gambler and his seductive wife (played by a smoldering Ann-Margret). He has to navigate the grimy New Orleans underworld while keeping his skill — and integrity — intact.
The final scene is one of the best you’ll see anywhere, and its influence can be felt in every single poker movie since.
1. Rounders (1998)
Where to Watch It: Paramount+, Hulu, SlingTV, Video on Demand
Was there any doubt? Rounders is the undisputed champ when it comes to poker movies, combining realism with gritty drama and a few powerhouse performances.
The film follows Mike McDermott (Matt Damon) as he tries to rebuild his life following a crippling loss at the hands of local mob boss Teddy KGB (John Malkovich). Should he play things straight and go to law school, or should he follow childhood friend Worm (Edward Norton) into the world of backroom games and shady characters?
Rounders has the most realistic poker action of any movie to date, but that doesn’t mean it has to sacrifice any drama. Every hand carries the same weight as a hand at the final table of the WSOP — except if you bust out there, Norman Chad doesn’t break your legs.
Watching this is a great way to learn the game, and if nothing else, it will give you a newfound respect for the power of Oreos.
Ready to Start Watching the Best Poker Movies of All Time?
If you’re in the mood for some high-stakes poker action from the comfort of your own couch, fire up one of the movies above. Every one of them is a timeless classic with drama that’s sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Rounders is still the one to beat; it’s to poker movies what Jaws is to creature features. However, all the other films above are good poker movies in their own right, and you may just walk away with a new favorite after working your way through the list.
In the end, it’s unlikely that any poker movie will come along to knock Rounders off its perch. If one does, though, you can bet we’ll be first in line to see it.