Thrilling Casino Heist Movies

Description: While not exclusively about a casino heist, this film involves a complex con game set in the world of gambling. Two grifters, played by Paul Newman and Robert Redford, set up an elaborate sting to swindle a mob boss out of his money.

Fact: The film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and its ragtime score became iconic. The plot was loosely based on real-life cons from the early 20th century.

Description: A sophisticated art thief (Pierce Brosnan) orchestrates a heist at a museum, but his real challenge comes when he tries to outsmart an insurance investigator (Rene Russo) who is hot on his trail. The film features a memorable chess game in a casino.

Fact: The film includes a famous scene where Thomas Crown plays chess with himself in a casino, symbolizing his game with the investigator.

Description: This modern classic features a group of eleven criminals led by Danny Ocean (George Clooney) who plan to rob three Las Vegas casinos simultaneously. The film is renowned for its star-studded cast, slick dialogue, and the sheer audacity of the heist.

Fact: The Bellagio, The Mirage, and The MGM Grand were the real casinos used for the exterior shots. Also, the film's plot was inspired by the 1960 Rat Pack film of the same name.

Description: Gene Hackman stars as Joe Moore, a professional thief who plans one last heist to steal from a casino owned by a ruthless mob boss. The film showcases the tension and complexity of pulling off a heist under pressure.

Fact: The film's director, David Mamet, is known for his sharp dialogue and intricate plots, which are on full display here.

Description: Although primarily known for its car chase scenes, this film includes a heist where the crew uses Mini Coopers to steal gold from a moving van in Venice, which they then plan to launder through a casino in Los Angeles.

Fact: The film's iconic Mini Cooper chase was inspired by the original 1969 film, but the remake added a modern twist with the casino element.

Description: While not a heist film per se, it involves a casino employee (William H. Macy) whose bad luck is used to "cool" winning streaks. The film explores the darker side of casino life and includes elements of romance and crime.

Fact: The film was shot in the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, which was known for its mob connections in the past.

Description: In this James Bond reboot, 007 (Daniel Craig) takes on Le Chiffre, a banker to the world's terrorists, in a high-stakes poker game at the Casino Royale in Montenegro. The film blends espionage with casino action, making it a unique entry in the Bond franchise.

Fact: This was the first Bond film to be officially released since 1967 to use the title "Casino Royale," and it was also the first to be based on Ian Fleming's original novel since the 1967 spoof.

Description: Based on the true story of the MIT Blackjack Team, this film follows a group of students who use card counting to win millions in Las Vegas casinos. It's less about a heist and more about beating the house at its own game.

Fact: The film was inspired by the book "Bringing Down the House" by Ben Mezrich, which detailed the real-life exploits of the MIT team.

Description: A former military interrogator (Oscar Isaac) uses his skills in card counting to win at casinos. His journey intertwines with a heist subplot as he seeks redemption for past sins.

Fact: The film was written and directed by Paul Schrader, known for his work on "Taxi Driver" and "Raging Bull," bringing a gritty realism to the casino setting.

Description: A couple (Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler) starts an illegal casino in their basement to fund their daughter's college education. While comedic, it captures the essence of the casino heist genre with its own twist.

Fact: The film was directed by Andrew Jay Cohen, who also co-wrote the screenplay, showcasing his unique comedic take on the heist genre.