6 Best Gambling Den and Underground Casino Movies

By Vlad Zakh · April 6, 2026

Drama intensethought provoking

The smoky backroom of the illegal gambling den has powered some of cinema’s most tense character studies about risk, obsession, and self-destruction. In Rounders (1998): A reformed gambler is pulled back into the world of high-stakes underground poker to help a friend. Also notable is The Cincinnati Kid (1965): An ambitious young poker player challenges the reigning champion in a legendary high-stakes match.

Molly's Game (2017) 01

Molly's Game (2017)

IMDb ★ 7.4 RT 82% Metacritic 71

A former Olympic skier builds and runs an exclusive high-stakes underground poker empire.

Directed by Aaron Sorkin · 2h 21m · Rated R

Nominated for 1 Oscar8 wins & 51 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd
Owning Mahowny (2003) 02

Owning Mahowny (2003)

TMDB ★ 7.1

A mild-mannered bank manager embezzles millions to fuel his secret, escalating gambling addiction.

Directed by Richard Kwietniowski · 1h 44m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd
Rounders (1998) 03

Rounders (1998)

TMDB ★ 7.6

A reformed gambler is pulled back into the world of high-stakes underground poker to help a friend.

Directed by John Dahl · 2h 01m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: MGM Plus · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd
The Gambler (1974) 04

The Gambler (1974)

TMDB ★ 6.9

A literature professor's crippling gambling addiction drags him deeper into dangerous debt.

Directed by Karel Reisz · 1h 52m · Rated R

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd
California Split (1974) 05

California Split (1974)

TMDB ★ 6.9

Two compulsive gamblers form an unlikely friendship as their reckless habits spiral out of control.

Directed by Robert Altman · 1h 48m · Rated R

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd
The Cincinnati Kid (1965) 06

The Cincinnati Kid (1965)

TMDB ★ 7.3

An ambitious young poker player challenges the reigning champion in a legendary high-stakes match.

Directed by Norman Jewison · 1h 42m · Rated NR

Where to watch

Stream: YouTube TV · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

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Vlad Zakh

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.