Blackjack has been a favorite casino game for around 300 years, so it’s no surprise Hollywood has capitalized on its thrilling gameplay and high-stakes drama. We’ve scoured the planet for the very best movies about blackjack that have grabbed audiences over the years and left a lasting impact on casino culture.
You don’t have to know your bust card from a five-card Charlie to get hours of enjoyment from this diverse bunch of boredom-busting blackjack features that deal with everything from classic tales of card counting to comedic casino misadventures. So grab the popcorn, get comfortable and join us because we count down your top 10 playlist. Let’s deal!
10. The Gambler (2014)
Directed by Rupert Wyatt and starring Mark Wahlberg, “The Gambler” is a gripping drama that explores the dark side of addiction. While the film doesn’t focus on blackjack alone, its story of the high-stakes, high-pressure casino world is captivating. Called “just shy of a great movie” by critics, we guarantee this blackjack movie will have you on the edge of your seat until the last dice rolls.
IMDB: 6/10 
Rotten Tomatoes: 31%
Where to Watch: Available on Hulu
9. Jinxed (1982)
This blackjack casino movie might be a golden oldie but it’s worth a watch. Starring Bette Midler and Ken Wahl, the silver screen meets the world of blackjack and casino scams, delivering its share of laughs in the process. Harold Benson always wins against blackjack dealer Willie Brodax, making Willie unemployable. Casino manager Milt suggests the curse will lift if Willie wins something from Benson. Willie then pursues Benson’s unhappy mistress, Bonita Friml.
IMDB: 4.7/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 29%
Where to Watch: Available on Prime Video
8. The Last Casino (2004)
This Canadian drama follows a mathematics professor who, facing financial troubles, forms a team of students to employ card-counting techniques and beat the casinos at blackjack.
Directed by Pierre Gill and featuring Charles Martin Smith, Katharine Isabelle, Kris Lemche, and Albert Chung, three students hit all the major casinos in Ontario and Quebec until their plan unravels – will they make the money needed or suffer the consequences?
IMDB: 7/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 63%
Where to Watch: Available at Movies on Google Play
7. Holly Rollers (2010)
Here’s a storyline you never saw coming! This indie drama, inspired by true events, tells the story of a young Hasidic Jew who gets involved in an ecstasy-smuggling operation that uses blackjack as a cover.
Directed by Kevin Asch and starring Hollywood A-lister Jesse Eisenberg, critics were intrigued by its setting and the camera work – more like a documentary, they said, which makes it seem like you’re watching real-time events unfold. The reason it’s #7 on our blackjack movies list.
IMDB: 5.9/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 33%
Where to Watch: Available on Prime Video
6. The Card Counter (2021)
Directed by the legendary Paul Schrader, “The Card Counter” is a moody, introspective drama that follows a former military interrogator turned professional player, played by Oscar Isaac. Be sure to catch this one. Critics have raved about riveting performances in this card-counting blackjack movie from Oscar Isaac, Tiffany Haddish, Tye Sheridan, and the legendary Willem Dafoe.
IMDB: 6.2/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 42%
Where to Watch: Available on Hulu
5. Rain Man (1988)
While not a traditional movie with blackjack, “Rain Man” features a memorable sequence where the autistic savant character, played by Dustin Hoffman, uses his exceptional memory to count cards and win big at the blackjack tables. Directed by Barry Levinson and starring Hoffman and Tom Cruise, this movie was a blockbuster on release and has remained popular, grossing $914 million at the box office by 2023.
IMDB: 8/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
Where to Watch: Available on Prime Video
4. The Gambler (1974)
Directed by Karel Reisz and written by James Toback, “The Gambler” stars James Caan as Axel Freed, a literature professor with a debilitating addiction. The film follows Axel as he borrows from his girlfriend, then his mother, and finally from ruthless bookies, who chase him for his debts. Sound familiar? This is the original movie that subsequent remakes were based on, and it makes it into our list of blackjack movies because it’s still the best of this particular bunch thanks to a riveting performance by Caan.
IMDB: 7.1/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 77%
Where to Watch: Available on Prime Video
3. Blackjack (1978)
Not all entries on our list of the best blackjack movies were widely circulated. This lesser-known gem from the 1970s was directed by John Evans and stars Damu King as Roy King, a man with a plan to rob the Mafia-controlled casinos in Las Vegas after being released from prison. Andy Mayfield, a casino boss played by William Smith, tries to stop them. With its gritty, realistic portrayal of the blackjack scene, “Blackjack” offers a unique perspective on the game.
IMDB: 5.8/10 Rotten Tomatoes: not available
Where to Watch: Available on YouTube
2. Rounders (1998)
Starring Matt Damon and Edward Norton, “Rounders” is a classic gambling drama that delves into the high-stakes world of underground poker. While the film primarily focuses on poker, its depiction of the adrenaline-fueled casino lifestyle and the strategic nuances of card games make it a standout in the casino movie genre.
IMDB: 7.3/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 87%
Where to Watch: Available on Prime Video and Paramount+
1. 21 (2008)
And – drum roll please! – coming in at #1 on our blackjack movies list is “21”. Directed by Robert Luketic and based on the true story of the MIT Blackjack Team, “21” follows a group of brilliant students who use their mathematical prowess to beat the casinos at blackjack. With a star-studded cast including Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth, and Kevin Spacey, this film delivers a thrilling and visually stunning portrayal of the high-stakes world of card counting.
IMDB: 6.8/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 66%
Where to Watch: Available on Prime Video
Famous Blackjack Movie Characters
Blackjack movies have given us some truly iconic characters over the years, from the calculating card counters to the high-rolling players. These larger-than-life personalities have become ingrained in casino pop culture. Here’s a selection of our favorites.
Kevin Spacey as Micky Rosa
One of the most memorable Kevin Spacey blackjack movies involves the character of Micky Rosa in the 2008 film “21.” Spacey’s performance as the eccentric MIT professor who leads a team of students to beat the casinos at blackjack is captivating and chilling with a blend of intelligence, manipulation, and ruthlessness.
Mark Wahlberg as Jim Bennett
Another iconic character is Mark Wahlberg’s Jim Bennett in “The Gambler” (2014). His intense and brooding performance as a literature professor with a crippling gambling addiction, in our opinion, adds depth to the film’s exploration of the darker aspects of the dramatized casino lifestyle.
Matt Damon as Mick McDermott
And of course, who could forget the Matt Damon blackjack movie “Rounders”? This talented actor really gets under the skin of Mike McDermott, a law student torn between his obligations and his passion for the game of poker (and its close cousin, blackjack). The reason he remains a beloved figure among casino movie fans.
Raymond & Charlie Babbitt and William Tell
These characters, along with others like Dustin Hoffman’s Raymond Babbitt, Tom Cruise’s Charlie Babbit in “Rain Man”, and Oscar Isaac’s William Tell in “The Card Counter,” have become part of the collective consciousness of blackjack enthusiasts and movie lovers. Their stories, struggles, and triumphs on the felt have kept audiences glued to their screens and inspired a new generation of casino-goers to try their hand at the tables.
Star in a Game at McLuck
As we’ve seen, blackjack movies can proudly take their place as a staple of the casino genre. Who can resist these thrilling glimpses into the high-stakes world of casinos? It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned blackjack player or simply a fan of great cinema, these movies offer something for everyone.
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