The thrill of poker is in its perfect stew of strategy and skill, as well as a spoonful of nerve-wracking unpredictability and a cauldron of magic that has enthralled people seated at the tables and those viewing them on screen. While no less dramatic than high-stakes bluffs or nail-biting showdowns, poker has played a significant role in cinema history and has solidified the modern online casino. Apart from entertainment, these movies drag you into the high-pressure, adrenaline-fueled world of poker as they depict the elaborate strategies and dangerous risks associated. Just like online casinos, they bring out the charm of poker’s daring heroes and the apparent twists. Let’s look at our top 10 poker movies as we rank them and examine the cinematic genius that makes poker a spectacle on the screen.

1. Molly’s Game

Released in 2017 and directed by Aaron Sorkin, the drama Molly’s Game (based on the true story of Molly Bloom) played out perfectly by Jessica Chastain in a compelling lead. The film follows Bloom’s unexpected turn from former Olympic skier to host of exclusive high-stakes poker games that lured Hollywood stars, business tycoons, and sports figures in Collingwood, Canada. Unlike most poker movies, Molly’s Game looks into the glamorous, if perilous, world of off-the-books poker in places like Los Angeles and New York. The film chronicles Bloom’s ascension to stardom, her pull of players’ attention through her celebrity games, and Bloom’s eventual downfall as she heads to prison for a gambling crime. Molly’s Game is a cautionary tale about ambition and excess and an excellent story for poker enthusiasts and drama lovers alike, thanks mainly to compelling performances by Idris Elba and Kevin Costner.

2. Rounders

Rounders, an iconic poker film, is one that the poker community loves to this day. The story of professional poker player Mike McDermott (played by Matt Damon), who puts it all on the line playing against other professional poker players in underground poker games in Atlantic City, New Jersey. When Mike’s friend Worm (Edward Norton), who was in prison, gets out and wants Mike to come back. They find themselves back in a high-stakes gambling gig, with many enemies and enormous debts to pay off. Tense are the duo’s different aspirations; Worm’s recklessness gets Mike in trouble with menacing figures. Mike plays a critical poker game to save Worm from losing his debts. Rounders has a great cast and story, much like actual poker, and it started life as a timeless film.

3. All In: The Poker Movie

Directed by Douglas Tirola in 2009, All In: The Poker Movie is a fascinating documentary that covers the most remarkable phenomenon, the Poker Boom. Based in colorfully Vegas, Nevada, this movie chronicles the shape of that first poker boom, from its whirlwind shape to the poker culture stamped on Las Vegas. Through interviews with poker legends like Antonio Esfandiari, Mori Eskandani, and Chris Ferguson, this is an insider’s look at how poker went from being a regional game to becoming a global sensation. The 2012 re-release adds more heft to the film’s narrative with talk of Black Friday, the crazy-sounding event that turned the online poker world topsy turvy.

4. Mississippi Grind

Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden directed the film. Mississippi Grind (2015) is a simple, surprising, and often unadulterated drama with just enough humor to transform it into a remarkable journey through the American South. The film, set in Mobile, Alabama, stars Ben Mendelsohn as Gerry, a broke gambler hoping to turn his luck around, and Ryan Reynolds as Curtis, the flashy and successful poker player who teams up with Gerry. On a road trip fueled by gambling, they hit every casino and racetrack they could find, all to pay off Gerry’s debts and restore hope for a better life. The movie combines heartfelt moments and sharp wit, drawing you into the highs and lows of their crazy and unpredictable adventures. This elegant tale of risk, redemption, and rolling the dice on life makes you root for these two in their flaws, whether they’re playing cards or placing bets.

5. Finder’s Fee

Finder’s Fee was released in 2001 by Jeff Probst and tells the gripping tale of moral dilemma, secrets, and unexpected twists. The film, set in Vancouver, Canada, stars Eric Palladino as Tepper, a man whose life turns dramatically upside down when he stumbles across a wallet with a $6 million lottery ticket. While hosting a low-stakes poker night with friends—including a standout performance by Ryan Reynolds—Tepper must confront a nerve-wracking decision as the ticket’s owner arrives at his doorstep. Should he keep the ticket and gain financial freedom for himself and his girlfriend, or return it and do what appears morally right? It builds suspense until the true identity of the owner behind the wallet and their intentions unravel. Finder’s Fee is a watch that keeps you guessing until the very end, combining tension and mystery in a sharp, captivating movie with a mix of tension.

6. Luna’s Game

A Spanish drama titled Luna’s Game (originally Juego de Luna) was released in 2001 and directed by Monica Laguna in the Spanish setting of the vibrant city of Madrid – Spain. Ana Torrent delivers an influential and very notable female lead role as Luna, a young woman shaped by a life of cards, poker – and the shadows of gambling. Luna is thrust into a life where poker is both refuge and weapon after her mother dies and her father is ruined financially by his addiction. Later in life, she learns how to be the best poker prodigy and faces the same man who destroyed her family. Ernesto Alterio and Antonio Dechent stand out as standout performances in Luna’s Game, managing to present an emotional and gritty look at revenge, resilience, and the complexities of life in a poker world. And for pokerniks, this hidden gem is a must-watch, as it is hugely engaging, just as any good drama should be.

7. High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story

In 2003, the film A. W. Vidmer directed High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story, which presents the life of one of poker’s most infamous legends, Stu Ungar, intimately and touchingly. The film, set in Nashville, Tennessee, stars Michael Imperioli as Ungar, a gin rummy and poker prodigy, the Kid. It tells the tale of Ungar becoming an entertainment icon in gambling by combining his brashness with an unequaled talent. But it also waylays into his struggles with addiction and the soul-crushing end that drained his life and his career. This film is fascinating for its laced vulnerability into the high-stakes world of poker and the troubled life of one of its greatest champions.

8. The Gambler

A gripping cautionary tale set in the teeming city of Los Angeles, California, The Gambler, a 2014 film by Rupert Wyatt, was inspired by Dostoevsky’s classic novel, The Gambler. Jim Bennett is a college professor and a compulsive gambler whose debts are mounting and likely to take his world and his clinging mother down with him. Jim is in desperate need to escape the loan sharking culture and the illicit world of gambling that leads him to the brink of destruction, destroying his relationships and making dangerous decisions. When he starts a forbidden affair with one of his students, things are raised to a higher stake, and his downward spiral becomes even more complicated. Jessica Lange as his disapproving mother and John Goodman as an unforgiving lender add powerful and intense perspectives on a man’s addiction, self-destruction, and redemption in The Gambler.

9. Lucky You

Lucky You was released in 2007 and directed by Curtis Hanson, bringing viewers into Las Vegas, Nevada’s often glittering poker tables during the ‘Poker Boom.’ In the film, a young, skilled, impulsive poker player, played by Eric Bana, Huck Cheever, plays in the high-stakes world of professional poker while dealing with personal demons. His biggest challenge? He is forced to face off against his estranged father, L. C. Cheever, played by Robert Duvall, a presence who is both an opponent and a reminder of inward conflicts Huck has long carried inside. Drew Barrymore as Billie, a singer and Huck’s love interest add a touch of romance and heartwarming moments. Lucky You features real-life poker icons Daniel Negreanu, Sam Farha, and Phil Hellmuth’s interviews, which showcase the mystery and drama of poker dreams. It’s not a Hollywood masterpiece but a must-watch for poker fans looking back to the game’s golden age.

10. Deal

Released in 2008, directed by Gil Cates Jr., Deal weaves the adrenaline of poker with the complexity of mentorship in the heart of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. Bert Harrison plays Alex Stillman, a talented young poker player dreaming of rising to the big leagues in this story. His path crosses with an experienced gambler, Tommy Vinson, played by Burt Reynolds, who will take Alex under his wing to teach him the ropes: poker and life. Real poker fans will love the film’s rarity, packed with nods to the poker world, absolute legends like Antonio Esfandiari, Phil Laak, and Mike Sexton merged within a realistic WPT tournament setting. Meanwhile, Shannon Elizabeth brings her layer of drama as Michelle, infusing this tension into Alex and Tommy’s mentor-protégé bonding. Their relationship is tested as personal ideals clash and come to a high-stakes showdown. The deal is a must-watch if you’re looking for a poker movie with a bit of realistic poker, rivalry, and heartstring drama!