Top 5 Best Poker Movies of All Time

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Sep 13, 2024 16 min read Last updated Sep 16, 2024

Over the past century, poker has permeated pop culture, especially when it comes to motion pictures. Long before the “Poker Boom”, and even before the World Series of Poker (WSOP) was a thing, poker had already made its big screen debut.

Over the decades, poker fans have been treated to a plethora of poker movies, some good and others not so much. Some well-received poker films include the western comedy Maverick (1994), Survivor host Jeff Probst’s debut film Finder’s Fee (2001), the improv-inspired The Grand (2007) and indie comedy darling Hitting the Nuts (2010).

And with Dead Money set for release September 2024, there's yet another poker flick that could eventually make it to the list.

Top 5 Poker Movies

All of those are among the best poker movies of all time, and if this article was “Top 10” instead of “Top 5 Poker Movies,” chances are they’d make the final list. However, the PokerNews crew got together, along with input from social media, to determine the top five must-watch poker movies of all time.

Note: We deliberately left off any poker documentaries, of which there are plenty of good ones, including Bet Raise Fold: The Story of Online Poker (2013), All In: The Poker Movie (2009), Kid Poker (2015), and No Limit: A Search for the American Dream on the Poker Tournament Trail (2006).

Here are our top five best poker movies of all time you must watch.

#5 – Mississippi Grind (2015)

After the “Poker Boom,” many lackluster poker movies were released. Players and fans were never really impressed; instead, they waited for a film that did the game justice. For many, that came in 2015 with the release of Mississippi Grind, a drama written and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck and starring Ben Mendelsohn and Ryan Reynolds.

Mississippi Grind centers on a pair of poker players, one a true degenerate and the other a bit more put together. The two wind up taking a road trip through the South, seeking to win a poker fortune. It’s a drama with comedy elements, and as Rotten Tomatoes says, it’s “a road movie and addiction drama that transcends each of its well-worn genres.”

Is Mississippi Grind realistic?

Yes, Mississippi Grind is one of the more realistic poker movies out there. In fact, that’s one of its strengths. Anyone who’s played poker can seemingly relate to the characters and situations they find themselves in. There aren’t many Hollywood liberties taken, and that tends to be something the poker audience appreciates.

How can I watch Mississippi Grind?

If you’re wondering how to watch Mississippi Grind, it’s available on DVD and Blu-Ray, and several streaming options exist, including an HBO Max subscription.

Mississippi Grind debuts at Sundance Film Festival.

#4 – Cincinnati Kid (1965)

Not a lot of poker films are iconic, but The Cincinnati Kid certainly is. Released in 1965, the movie stars legends such as Steve McQueen, Ann-Margret, and Edward G. Robinson. The film has a lot of great moments, including one of the game’s all-time greatest lines: “You're good, kid, but as long as I'm around, you're only second best.”

The Cincinnati Kid tells the classic tale of an up-and-coming young gun poker player working his way up to take on the best player in the game. The movie has plenty of high-stakes drama, which is bolstered by strong characters.

Is The Cincinnati Kid realistic?

Yes, The Cincinnati Kid is realistic for its time. This is another classic film, so applying today’s poker standards to it might not hold water. However, the movie is a helluva ride if you’re willing to go with it. One thing to remember is that back then, no-limit hold’em wasn’t really played, while the popular game at the time was Stud. In the case of The Cincinnati Kid, it was five-card stud, which means one card down and four cards placed face up one at a time with a round of betting between each street.

How can I watch The Cincinnati Kid?

The Cincinnati Kid is available on DVD, Blu-Ray, and several streaming services. You can watch The Cincinnati Kid with an HBO Max subscription; otherwise, you’ll need to either rent or buy.

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#3 – Molly's Game (2017)

It's one of the more modern poker movies, especially since it is based on a true story. In the film, Jessica Chastain narrates the story of Molly Bloom, a champion skier who suffers a career-ending injury on her road to the Winter Olympics.

Bloom eventually moves to Los Angeles and finds herself hosting high-stakes poker games game that attracts the rich and famous from around L.A. Critics loved the movie because it doesn't celebrate or glorify the lifestyle of a high-stakes gambler, even if it occasionally gives you a sense of fantasy for the money and culture surrounding that scene.

Is Molly's Game realistic?

The movie is based on a book of the same name, written from Bloom's perspective, so there may be an expected bias toward her side of the story. But it portrays Bloom's flaws in an honest light.

Aaron Sorkin's writing does a job of building a realistic world, and the gambling scenes aren't out of touch. However, poker players may find some of the lingo over the top.

How can I watch Molly's Game?

California Split is available on DVD, though it is hard to find. However, you can watch California Split on several streaming services.

'Molly's Game' Review: The Poker-Themed Film Does Not Disappoint

#2 – California Split (1974)

Before there was Rounders, there was California Split. The film was released the same year Johnny Moss won his last WSOP Main Event (1974). It’s a comedy-drama directed by Robert Altman, and while on its face it may seem lighthearted, California Split cuts much deeper.

Roger Ebert’s Chicago Sun-Times review explained it best: "At the end of California Split, we realize that Altman has made a lot more than a comedy about gambling; he's taken us into an American nightmare, and all the people we met along the way felt genuine and looked real."

California Split, which stars George Segal and Elliott Gould, features a cameo appearance by Poker Hall of Famer Amarillo Slim Preston, offers an intimate look at how things can quickly devolve when chasing that “big score.” Anyone who’s ever sat down in a poker game can relate, which is why California Split hits so close to home. Trust us, if you haven’t seen this poker movie do yourself a favor and watch it!

Is California Split realistic?

Yes, California Split offers an acutely accurate look inside the world of gambling, which, of course, includes various poker games. Not only that, it does an excellent job of taking you on a wild ride alongside the two main characters, Bill Denny (played by George Segal) and Charlie Waters (Elliott Gould). As a viewer, you’ll try to hold on as you experience the same ups and downs while the stakes keep getting higher!

How can I watch California Split?

California Split is available on DVD, though it is hard to find. However, you can watch California Split on several streaming services.

#1 – Rounders (1998)

The best poker movie of all time is pretty clear-cut to most. Rounders was released in 1998, and while it didn’t hit big at the box office, it became a sort of cult classic five years later during the height of the “Poker Boom.” Screenwriters David Levien and Brian Koppelman were fans of poker and went to great lengths to accurately portray both the game and lifestyle. It resonates with poker players around the world to this day.

The movie tells the story of Mike McDermott, played by Matt Damon, a reformed gambler who gets pulled back into the game due in no small part to his friend Worm, played by Edward Norton. John Malkovich, Grethchen Mol, John Turturro, and Martin Landau all played supporting roles in a well-conceived New York underground poker world.

Is Rounders realistic?

Yes, one of the primary reasons poker players love Rounders is that it accurately portrays the game. Everything in Rounders rings true from the characters to the action.

How can I watch Rounders?

Rounders is available on DVD, Blu-Ray, and on several streaming services to either rent or buy.

Check out Rounders fun facts here!

Honourable mentions

Given the high caliber of films out there all focusing on poker, it was tough to narrow it down to just five of the best poker movies. Here are a few of our favorites that were close to making the top five and are still well worth watching!

Casino Royale (2006)

While not strictly a poker movie, the classic scene means Casino Royale has to make the list. The classic showdown between James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, and the villainous Le Chiffre, played by Mads Mikkelsen, has had poker players fantasizing about playing poker for the highest stakes—with millions of dollars on the line.

In the film, Bond heads to Montenegro to play a high-stakes game at the Casino Royale to defeat Le Chiffre, a private banker funding terrorists.

Get the Inside Story on THAT James Bond Poker Hand

Is Casino Royale realistic?

The question of whether Casino Royale is realistic hinges on the crucial scene where Bond clashes in a four-way all-in against Le Chiffre. We won't spoil the details of the crucial hand, only to say that there is some artistic license taken with the gameplay and the revealing of the hands. Was it a slow roll? We'll let you decide!

How can I watch Casino Royale?

As a recent modern Bond film, it's relatively easy to find a way to watch Casino Royale online.

A Big Hand for the Little Lady (1966)

Four years before the WSOP was even a thing, Warner Brothers released A Big Hand for the Little Lady, also known as Big Deal at Dodge City. It may be a bit old for today’s poker audience, but those who don’t mind watching a classic will surely have fun.

The film, written by Sidney Carroll and directed by Fielder Cook, is a comedy western in which a man named Meredith, played by Henry Fonda, is traveling with his wife, played by Joanne Woodward, and children when he finds himself in a high-stakes poker game. He finds himself in over his head and his wife has to step in, though all may not be as it seems.

Is A Big Hand for the Little Lady realistic?

Billed as “the wildest poker game in the west,” the poker featured in A Big Hand for the Little Lady is realistic in that it portrays several common poker motifs such as degeneracy, high stakes, and the con. The “big hand” that results in a massive pot of $20,500 – remember it takes place in 1880, so that’d be equivalent to about $550,000 in today’s dollars – is a lot of fun, though today’s poker audience might take issue with the betting.

While players today are used to table stakes, there was no such thing in the old west. It was played no limit, and that’s what they meant. If you couldn’t afford to call a raise, then you were out. It's as simple as that. We mention that fact as it’s a bit of a plot point in the movie.

How can I watch A Big Hand for the Little Lady?

There are so many options for watching movies these days, so you may be wondering how to watch A Big Hand for the Little Lady. You can always try to find a copy on DVD, but in the age of streaming services, here’s what you need to know.

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Other Poker Movies

When PokerNews took to social media, fans mentioned many other poker movies.

As such, we thought it’d be worthwhile to share a list of poker films you may want to watch.

You can also check out our Top 5 Casino Movies you MUST watch.

Best Poker Movie FAQs

PR & Media Manager for PokerNews, Podcast host & 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner.

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