A Full House of Great Poker Movies

Poker and movies have always shared the same DNA. They both thrive on tension, risk, and the thrill of the unexpected. Put them together, and the results aren’t just entertaining, they’re unforgettable.

Great poker movies span everything from true-life tales of legendary gamblers to outrageous fictional bluffs. They’ll have you shuffling up your weekend plans and calling in a full house of friends for a movie night.

Here’s our roundup of the best poker movies of all time. 

Molly’s Game

After a tragic accident crushed her Olympic skiing dreams, our titular character from Molly’s Game, played by Jessica Chastain, lands a job as a bottle service waitress who can’t tell a flop from a river. Then, after sharing company with celebrities and tycoons, she becomes the boss of her own underground poker empire.

But as the stakes grew, so did the danger. Unreliable clients, looming indictments, and a violent run-in with the Italian mob push her to the edge.

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Rounders

If you’ve ever wanted to peek into the psychology of poker and walk away quoting lines like “The key to winning is playing the man, not the cards,” Rounders hands you a front-row seat, and you get to sit next to Matt Damon.

Damon’s character, Mike McDermott, walks you through the strategy and mindset of the game, sweeping you into the life of a law student with a talent for poker.

After losing his $30K bankroll in a single hand to Teddy “KGB”, a Russian mobster played by John Malkovich, he vows to quit, until his friend Worm (as Edward Norton) drags him back into a world where debts mount and thugs close in.

The Cincinnati Kid

Long before poker was broadcast on ESPN, The Cincinnati Kid set the standard for cinematic card battles. It’s the oldest film about poker on this list and one of the oldest in history.

The plot centers on Steve McQueen as Eric “The Kid” Stoner, a young hotshot determined to prove himself against Lancey Howard, the aging legend known as “The Man” (played by Edward G. Robinson).

What follows involves a heated clash of pride, poker mastery, and a generational rivalry, all tangled up with betrayal that plays into a wildly unexpected ending.

Maverick

Not all great poker movies are doom and danger. Sure, there are still debts and close calls, but Maverick lightens the mood with a streak of humor and the mischief of Mel Gibson.

Gibson stars as Bret Maverick, a slick card player who needs to raise $3,000 to buy into a high-stakes riverboat poker tournament. On his way, he crosses paths with a con artist played by Jodie Foster and a lawman with questionable loyalties, leading to a road full of double-crosses and a hearty guffaw or two.

Poker Face

Good poker movies usually keep the game front and center, but Poker Face twists the formula into a deeper, more sinister game.

Russell Crowe directs and stars as Jake Foley, a tech billionaire who invites his childhood friends to a high-stakes private game. But the fun times take a dramatic turn when they find out Jake is more interested in exposing their lifelong secrets than in a fun shuffle and deal.

As the cards hit the table, hidden motives surface, betrayals accumulate, and the night spirals into a reckoning much more dangerous than anyone ever expected. Boy, would the guests have been wishing they played casino games at home instead.

5 Card Stud

Poker night turns deadly in the poker film, 5 Card Stud, a Western that feels more akin to a classic murder mystery.

Dean Martin, arguably the real stud of this film, plays Van Morgan, a gambler caught up in a saloon game where one unlucky player is lynched after cheating in a game of five-card stud. Yet, that would be the first of many murders as players from that night start turning up dead.

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Mississippi Grind

“Don’t cry, it’s just a movie,” they say. Well, try saying that after watching Mississippi Grind. It’s not exactly a tragedy, but following the spiral of Gerry (Ben Mendelsohn), a gambling addict who loses everything from money to dignity to family, hits harder than you’d expect.

His luck seems to turn when he meets Curtis (Ryan Reynolds), a charming drifter with a story about a high-stakes poker game run by a man named Tony Roundtree.

Over drinks and a game of cards, their bond is sealed, and a desperate Gerry latches onto the idea of a road trip south, chasing one last shot at redemption.

High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story

Hardly any movie is more deserving of a spot among the greatest poker movies than the true-life story of one of poker’s most iconic players.

High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story dives into the life of a man who seemed born to play cards, but along with that, was destined to burn out fast.

Told flashback-style from a shabby Las Vegas motel on the night of his death, the film traces Stu’s beginnings as the son of a bookie, his domination of gin rummy, his move into poker, and the genius that made him a three-time World Series of Poker champion.

Breaking Vegas: Prince of Poker

When a documentary muscles its way onto a list stacked with Hollywood productions, you know it has to be one of the top poker films on Netflix.

Breaking Vegas: Prince of Poker follows Jim McManus, a struggling journalist with four kids, as he turns an assignment into a once-in-a-lifetime run at the 2000 World Series of Poker.

Tasked by Harper’s to cover the tournament, he uses his advance to buy into satellites, grinds his way into the Main Event, and against all odds finds himself battling legends like T.J. Cloutier and Chris “Jesus” Ferguson for a shot at the $1.5 million prize.

What is the best poker movie of all time?

Whoa, now. We wouldn’t dare cross that line. There are too many blockbusters to pick just one. But if you had to twist our arm, we could narrow it down to a few (RIP our inbox).

As poker players, listening to Mike McDermott in Rounders explore the psychology and mechanics of the game in the midst of tense showdowns was gripping.

But perhaps we’re biased, because this film will definitely have you planning a poker night at home, complete with our ultimate poker night snacks and drinks recipes.

Then again, if you’re in for a wild ride that’s both touching and funny, it’s Mississippi Grind. Just keep the tissues handy.

What is the most accurate poker movie?

Our top three most accurate poker films, in no particular order, would be High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story, Breaking Vegas: Prince of Poker, and Rounders.

The first two are true stories, so accuracy comes with the territory. Meanwhile, Mike McDermott’s narrations of the game in Rounders separate it from the others for its insanely accurate depiction of poker in movies.

Poker on the big screen is unforgettable, but nothing beats the real thing. If these movies have you itching to play but not so much for a trip to the “house”, head over to Cafe Casino and try your hand at video poker. You’ll find bonuses only online casinos can offer, and this way, you can learn the ropes of poker without getting mixed up with the mob like Molly Bloom.