The best movies about poker

Legend: Cinema has used poker since the early 1960s with a film like The Cincinnati Kid

Poker is one of the oldest card games that has survived the ages with flying colors. If its date and place of creation are open to debate, the beginnings of its fame actually began in the 19th century in the United States and Europe. Its history is punctuated by notable moments, two of which particularly contributed to its popularity. First of all, the use of poker in cinema has played a key role in the democratization of this game. Some emblematic films that we will discuss later have captured the essence of poker, mixing suspense and strategy while offering insight fascinating personalities who gravitate around the gaming tables.

The other tipping point is the advent of the internet. The emergence of online poker platforms like Pokerstars has allowed millions of players to compete from home.

We have thus moved from the big screen to the small, while continuing to captivate millions of fans for an activity whose passion does not wane.
Poker therefore owes a lot to cinema, but cinema pays it back.

Let’s find out together which films have perfectly portrayed poker.

<img src="https://image.canalblog.com/pZDzoRB6-FFCekB2yw0R3AV45co=/filters:no_upscale()/image%2F1371318%2F20241022%2Fob_fec374_joueurs.PNG" alt=": The Players is a fascinating dive into high-stakes amateur games.” class=”ob-cell ob-img ob-media”/>

: The Players is a fascinating dive into high-stakes amateur games.

We start with certainly the best film dealing with poker. So much so that many fans and actors are hoping for a sequel to this late 1990s comedy-drama.
The story is simplistic: an excellent player loses all his savings in one night and decides to return to his studies. But when his best friend gets out of prison, he wants to help him out of loyalty and that means playing a game of poker with a dangerous opponent.
It’s not this scenario that will transport you, but above all the phenomenal acting of the two main actors, Matt Damon and John Malkovich.

The latter excels in the role of Teddy KGB whether through his murderous tirades or his natural aura. A must see at least once in a lifetime for any poker fan.

Maverick (1994)

This is the adaptation of the series of the same name broadcast in the 1950s on American television. Against the backdrop of a road trip across the United States with the poker tournament of the century in mind, this film is above all an opportunity to reunite with the tandem Mel Gibson and Richard Donner. The director who made the Australian a superstar with the series “Lethal Weapon” knows how to direct him perfectly to give him this comic air while maintaining formidable charisma.
Mel Gibson, who should also shoot the sequel to another legendary film in his filmography in 2025, is the main reason for the success of Maverick by perfectly interpreting the eponymous role. A little nod to destiny, James Garner, who played Maverick in the series almost 40 years earlier, plays one of the main roles (that of Marshal Cooper) in this film adaptation.
Casino Royale (2006)
James Bond and games are often a great love story. Worn by the biggest actors, 007 now shares the features of Daniel Craig for Casino Royale. This film is a real throwback and shows the first mission of James Bond who faces one of the financial masters of this world and terrorist in his spare time, Le Chiffre.
The film is a concentrate of everything that a James Bond is, between intelligent plot, incredible action scenes and romantic passion with the beautiful Vesper played by Eva Green. However, what made a strong impression on the spectators was the poker scene played between Bond and his enemy Le Chiffre. Perfectly incredible, it came at the right time when poker had entered a real boom, driven by online poker and television broadcasts of poker shows or tournaments. The use of poker in a film from the greatest franchise in cinema history is not insignificant.
Casino Royale is not a film about poker, but a true marker of the era. It is therefore worth watching for any fan of the famous card game.

3.Casino Royale (2006)
James Bond and games are often a great love story. Worn by the biggest actors, 007 now shares the features of Daniel Craig for Casino Royale. This film is a real throwback and shows the first mission of James Bond who faces one of the financial masters of this world and terrorist in his spare time, Le Chiffre.
The film is a concentrate of everything that a James Bond is, between intelligent plot, incredible action scenes and romantic passion with the beautiful Vesper played by Eva Green. However, what made a strong impression on the spectators was the poker scene played between Bond and his enemy Le Chiffre. Perfectly incredible, it came at the right time when poker had entered a real boom, driven by online poker and television broadcasts of poker shows or tournaments. The use of poker in a film from the greatest franchise in cinema history is not insignificant.
Casino Royale is not a film about poker, but a true marker of the era. It is therefore worth watching for any fan of the famous card game.