Top 10 Poker Drama Films You Must Watch

Description: Set in the 1930s, this film pits a young poker prodigy against the legendary Lancey Howard in a high-stakes game of five-card stud. It's a classic tale of ambition, skill, and the psychological warfare of poker.

Fact: The film was remade in 2004 as "The Card Player." Steve McQueen, who plays the Cincinnati Kid, was known for his love of poker in real life.

Description: A light-hearted take on poker, this film follows Bret Maverick, a charming gambler, as he tries to win a high-stakes poker tournament to fund his dream of opening a casino. It's a mix of comedy, adventure, and poker drama.

Fact: The film features a cameo by poker legend Amarillo Slim. Mel Gibson, who plays Maverick, was taught poker by professional players.

Description: This film follows a law student who returns to the world of high-stakes poker to help his friend pay off a debt. It's a deep dive into the poker subculture, exploring themes of friendship, loyalty, and the allure of the game.

Fact: Matt Damon and Edward Norton learned to play poker for their roles. The film has become a cult classic among poker players.

Description: Set in a Las Vegas casino, this film features a "cooler" whose bad luck is used to break winning streaks at the poker table, leading to unexpected romance and personal redemption.

Fact: William H. Macy, who plays the cooler, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. The film was shot in Las Vegas.

Description: While primarily a James Bond film, it includes a pivotal poker game where Bond must outwit a terrorist financier in a high-stakes Texas Hold'em tournament.

Fact: The poker scenes were meticulously planned with real poker experts. Daniel Craig, who plays Bond, learned poker for the role.

Description: While not solely about poker, this film features a former military interrogator who uses poker to cope with his past, leading to a dramatic confrontation with his history.

Fact: Oscar Isaac, who plays the lead, learned poker for the role. The film was directed by Paul Schrader, known for his intense character studies.

Description: While not exclusively about poker, this film features intense gambling scenes, including poker, as a literature professor with a gambling addiction tries to win back his losses.

Fact: Mark Wahlberg, who stars as the professor, had to learn poker for the role. The film is a remake of the 1974 film of the same name.

Description: Based on the true story of Molly Bloom, who ran the world's most exclusive high-stakes poker game, this film explores the glamour, danger, and legal battles surrounding her underground poker empire.

Fact: Jessica Chastain learned poker for her role. The film was adapted from Bloom's memoir of the same name.

Description: This biopic tells the story of Stu Ungar, one of the greatest poker players of all time, focusing on his rise, fall, and redemption through the lens of his poker career.

Fact: Michael Imperioli, who plays Ungar, learned poker to portray the character accurately. The film was shot in Las Vegas, where Ungar made his name.

Description: A mockumentary-style film about a poker tournament where the winner takes home a million dollars. It's filled with quirky characters and humorous takes on the poker world, offering a different perspective on poker drama.

Fact: The film was improvised, with actors given only character outlines and allowed to ad-lib their lines. Woody Harrelson, who plays a poker player, is an avid poker player in real life.