This list only includes movies where poker is central to the story. A poker player must be a main character, the film must center on the poker world, or a poker game must drive the plot. No Lock Stock, no Casino Royale, no Ocean’s 11.
1. Rounders (1998) — The definitive poker movie. Matt Damon, Edward Norton, and a legendary Malkovich performance. RT: 64%, IMDB: 7.3.
2. Molly’s Game (2017) — Aaron Sorkin’s sharp retelling of Molly Bloom’s underground games. Chastain and Elba are excellent. RT: 82%, IMDB: 7.4.
3. The Cincinnati Kid (1965) — Steve McQueen in the original poker film classic. Still thrilling 60 years later. RT: 86%, IMDB: 7.2.
Every Poker Movie, Ranked
1. Rounders (1998) — RT: 64% | IMDB: 7.3
Matt Damon plays Mike McDermott, a poker player who dreams of competing at the World Series. He and his friend Worm (Edward Norton) travel the country to pay off Worm’s debt. John Malkovich delivers a legendary performance as Teddy KGB. Unlike most poker films that build to one final hand, Rounders weaves poker throughout the entire story, making it the definitive poker movie.
2. Molly's Game (2017) — RT: 82% | IMDB: 7.4
Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Michael Cera, Kevin Costner, and Jeremy Strong star in Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation of Molly Bloom’s true story about running exclusive underground poker games. The writing is sharp, the performances are outstanding. Highly recommended.
3. The Cincinnati Kid (1965) — RT: 86% | IMDB: 7.2
Directed by Norman Jewison, this classic follows Eric Stoner as he challenges Lancey Howard during the Great Depression. One of the first poker films to gain mainstream success, and it still holds up over 60 years later.
4. The Grand (2007) — RT: 40% | IMDB: 5.9
A fully improvised comedy starring Cheryl Hines, Woody Harrelson, Chris Parnell, and David Cross. The ending wasn’t scripted — the winner was determined by the actual game the actors played.
5. California Split (1974) — RT: 86% | IMDB: 7.4
Considered by many to be the greatest film about gambling ever made. It follows a pair of gamblers who develop a friendship after being robbed. A slice-of-life film with excellent poker scenes.
6. Mississippi Grind (2015) — RT: 91% | IMDB: 6.4
Ryan Reynolds and Ben Mendelsohn star in this comedy-drama about a down-on-his-luck gambler who teams up with a younger player for a road trip to a high-stakes poker game in New Orleans.
7. Maverick (1994) — RT: 67% | IMDB: 7.0
Mel Gibson, James Garner, and Jodie Foster in a comedy-drama about Bret Maverick, who needs to raise ,000 for a poker tournament buy-in. Light-hearted and entertaining.
8. A Big Hand for a Little Lady (1966) — RT: 85% | IMDB: 7.3
A classic Western starring Joanne Woodward and Henry Fonda. An annual high-stakes poker game takes a twist when a traveling man loses his family’s savings and his wife must step in.
9. Follow the Bitch (1996) — IMDB: 7.6
A hard-to-find gem about a group of male friends whose weekly poker game is disrupted when their first female participant joins. Surprisingly well-written and genuinely funny.
10. Poker Night (2014) — RT: 50% | IMDB: 6.2
Veteran police officers share investigation stories during a poker game with a new recruit named Stan. When Stan is later kidnapped, he must use those stories to save his life. A creative premise.
11. Finder's Fee (2001) — RT: 60% | IMDB: 6.2
Matthew Lillard, Ryan Reynolds, and James Earl Jones in a film about a poker home game where every player puts a lottery ticket in the pot — one of which is worth million.
12. Ace (1981) — RT: 85% | IMDB: 4.0
An Italian film about a poker player who gives up poker for love, gets murdered, returns as a ghost, and receives an invitation from God himself to play poker. A wild ride.
13. The Music of Chance (1993) — RT: 85% | IMDB: 6.7
Based on Paul Auster’s novel. Great performances by James Spader and Mandy Patinkin. An odd, intriguing film for those who like unusual storytelling.
14. Freeze Out (2005) — IMDB: 3.0
A man trains in secret to take revenge on his home game buddies for their constant ridicule. Fun fact: the film was financed by the director’s poker winnings.
15. Five Card Stud (1968) — RT: 51% | IMDB: 4.0
More crime film than poker film, but the entire plot revolves around members of a local poker game being murdered. Dean Martin and Robert Mitchum deliver stellar performances.
16. Lucky You (2007) — RT: 28% | IMDB: 5.9
The only poker romance film. Eric Bana plays a pro poker player chasing the WSOP, Drew Barrymore is a lounge singer. Predictable but watchable.
17. Western Religion (2015) — RT: 25% | IMDB: 3.8
Gunslingers from around the world compete in a life-or-death poker match in 1870s Arizona. Sounds incredible on paper, but the execution is very poor.
18. The Poker Club (2008) — RT: 9% | IMDB: 5.0
A poker game interrupted by a burglary. Lackluster performances and a predictable plot.
19. All-In (2006) — IMDB: 3.8
A medical student teams up with fellow students to win the WSOP and pay for school. Even with Michael Madsen and Louis Gossett Jr., it’s cheesy and poorly acted.
20. Deal (2008) — RT: 3% | IMDB: 3.0
Burt Reynolds (who won a Razzie for this) plays an older gambler mentoring a younger player. Features cameos from Jennifer Tilly, Phil Laak, and Chris Moneymaker. Cringeworthy.
21. Runner Runner (2013) — RT: 7% | IMDB: 5.6
An online poker crime thriller with Ben Affleck. The premise had potential, but this film is just bad. Dead last for a reason.