Entertainment

What are the Best Gambling Movies on Netflix?

One of the ways that Netflix has managed to become the number one streaming platform in the world with more than 230 million subscribers has been through keeping a close eye on the current state of the mainstream. The movie and series giant knows that the key to attracting a wide audience is to offer genres that are trending in popular culture. Therefore, it has been unable to ignore the incredible rise of the online casino industry. With gambling such a much-loved pastime around the world, Netflix has ensured that it has plenty of films that appeal to players of the games.

Online Casinos and Netflix are Linked by Streaming Technology

Netflix is one of the greatest success stories of the streaming era, but it’s not the only company that has benefited. The online casino industry also embraced this revolutionary technology, and now streaming is integrated in all the most successful gambling sites. 888 online casino Canada, for instance, could be considered the gambling counterpart of Netflix. It’s been in the business since the early days and was one of the leaders in making live streaming one of the most played categories at online casinos. It sets an example for other sites with its wide range of options, which include titles like Jet Set Racing Roulette Live and Adventures Beyond Wonderland Live.

It’s clear that through offering loads of gambling-related movies on its platform, Netflix appreciates how inextricably linked the two sectors are. Indeed, online casinos have done a lot to boost the success of series and movies on streaming platforms over the years, and this is done through related games that help raise awareness of wider franchises. A prime example of this is the Jumanji Video Slot, which helped promote the recently rebooted Jumanji movies. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Jumanji: The Next Level raked in just shy of $1.8 billion between them, and both are available to watch on Netflix.

It can work in the other direction as well, with the gambling options on Netflix helping to introduce viewers to the online casino industry. For example, there are titles that have a heavy focus on card games and can teach people about these titles. Then, there are others that use casinos as a glitzy backdrop and can make viewers feel like they want to experience the buzz of these locations in an online setting.

Lock Stock is one the Best Movies That Feature Card Games

There are many movies out there that use card games as a central premise. From watching them, players can get a good idea about how to play these games. In the best movies, viewers can even feel immersed in the action, as if they’re sitting at the table as the protagonist.

A prime example of a Netflix film that engages viewers in the card game’s intense action is Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels. The 1998 classic from Guy Ritchie involves a thrilling game of three-card bragging. Nick Moran’s Eddy ends up losing the game and has a debt to pay to another player at the table. The premise of the picture is that Eddy and his friends need to get the cash together to pay what they owe.

The use of three-card brag in this title was wise because it’s easy to explain the rules to the viewer. The picture preceded the poker boom, but if it had been released a few years later, Ritchie may have been tempted to use Texas Hold’em instead because that’s a better-known poker variant.

There are loads of other elements to Lock, Stock that make it a timeless classic. It featured early performances from beloved actors like Jason Statham and Vinnie Jones, and also gave the world a taste of Ritchie’s unique directorial style. The Englishman followed it up with another iconic London gangster film, Snatch, in 2000. That offering also features Statham and Jones but doesn’t revolve around a card game. Instead, it’s all about pursuing a rare diamond that was taken in a heist.

The Hangover is One of the Greatest Movies With a Casino Backdrop

To become regarded among the best entertainment in the world, films, television series, or games must appeal to a broad demographic. They can do this by blending a variety of themes into one, which attracts people who look for different things in their preferred content. For example, a film that combines fantasy and action will be marketable to lovers of both genres. One picture that did this well was The Hangover. In addition to melding a few genres together including comedy and mystery, it appealed to the booming online casino crowd with its Las Vegas backdrop.

Caption: Trailer for The Hangover.

Todd Phillips’ 2009 offering is one of the standout comedy films on Netflix, and there are various reasons for its popularity. One of the key factors is the instantly recognizable Vegas setting, which features iconic casinos like Caesars Palace. It’s not an out-and-out gambling movie, but there are some scenes that involve games that are instantly recognizable to viewers. For example, there’s a blackjack scene that parodies Rain Man. While the setting isn’t the main event, there’s no doubt that filming the picture in Vegas helped The Hangover reach legendary status.

There are numerous other facets that make The Hangover a timeless classic. Aside from having a unique and hilarious premise, it was also Bradley Cooper’s breakthrough role. The Pennsylvania-born actor was relatively unknown before he took the part of Phil, but after that he was one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood. Zach Galifianakis had only had minor parts before The Hangover, but he also gained mass attention after his memorable turn as Alan.

There are loads of gambling films on Netflix, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. The best of the bunch obviously is a matter of opinion, but these two titles have to be considered amount the top options.