10 Movies & Shows Like Martingale (2024)

Description: A classic tale of a young poker player challenging a seasoned pro, capturing the tension, strategy, and psychological warfare of high-stakes poker.

Fact: Steve McQueen performed many of his own stunts in the film. The final poker hand was carefully designed to be both dramatic and technically accurate.

Description: A neo-noir crime drama set in the world of casinos, following a seasoned gambler who mentors a younger man, blending luck, deception, and moral ambiguity.

Fact: This was Paul Thomas Anderson's feature film debut. The script was originally titled 'Sydney' and was expanded from a short film Anderson made in college.

Description: A gripping drama centered around high-stakes poker, exploring themes of risk, addiction, and the allure of the underground gambling world.

Fact: The film's poker scenes were so realistic that professional players often use it as a teaching tool. Matt Damon and Edward Norton trained with poker experts to perfect their gameplay.

Description: A dark drama based on the true story of a bank manager who embezzles millions to feed his gambling addiction, portraying the devastating consequences of compulsive behavior.

Fact: The real-life Dan Mahowny lost over $10 million in just 18 months. Philip Seymour Hoffman's performance was praised for its authenticity and depth.

Description: A unique take on gambling luck, focusing on a man whose mere presence brings bad luck to casino patrons, exploring superstition and the human element in gambling.

Fact: William H. Macy's character was inspired by real-life casino employees known as 'coolers.' The film's soundtrack features classic Vegas-era music.

Description: A high-stakes poker game serves as the climax of this spy thriller, intertwining gambling with espionage, deception, and intense personal stakes.

Fact: This was Daniel Craig's first appearance as James Bond. The poker scenes were meticulously designed to be as authentic as possible, with input from professional players.

Description: Based on a true story, this film follows a group of MIT students who use card counting to win big in Las Vegas, blending strategy, risk, and moral dilemmas.

Fact: The real-life team that inspired the movie won millions before being banned from casinos. The film's blackjack scenes were choreographed by professional players.

Description: A tense narrative about a literature professor with a dangerous gambling addiction, delving into the psychological toll of compulsive betting and self-destruction.

Fact: The screenplay was inspired by the 1974 film of the same name. Mark Wahlberg lost a significant amount of weight to portray the stressed and addicted protagonist.

Description: A road trip drama about two gamblers chasing luck and redemption, blending themes of friendship, addiction, and the unpredictable nature of gambling.

Fact: The film was shot in multiple real-life casinos across the South. Ryan Reynolds and Ben Mendelsohn improvised many of their scenes to enhance realism.

Description: A biographical drama about the woman who ran exclusive high-stakes poker games for celebrities and wealthy elites, highlighting the glamour and danger of underground gambling.

Fact: The film is based on Molly Bloom's memoir. Jessica Chastain spent hours with Bloom to accurately portray her mannerisms and speech patterns.