Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, and there's certainly no shortage of romance movies for those looking to indulge.
While it's tempting to stick with classic favorites like 'The Notebook' or 'The Princess Bride', we know our casino fans may opt for something a little different.
As such, we've gone ahead and compiled some of the best romance movies centered around gambling and/or casinos below!
Gilda (1946)
If you're looking for a classic romance movie from the film noir era of Hollywood crime dramas, look no further than Gilda (Rita Hayworth). The plot features a classic love triangle between an illegal casino owner named Ballin Mundson (George Macready), a woman Mundson marries named Gilda (after only knowing her for a day), and a gambler named Johnny Farrell (Glenn Ford).
Rita Hayworth thrived in the role of Gilda, which comes as no surprise since she is widely regarded as one of the top stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Her co-star Glenn Ford was another prominent actor during that era.
Gilda was a truly historic film, screened at the first-ever Cannes Film Festival in 1946 and later selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 2013.
A Hazard of Hearts (1987)
Fans of Helena Bonham Carter may remember A Hazard of Hearts, one of her first major roles that kicked off what would become a wildly successful career.
This made-for-television romantic drama centers around the life of a man named Sir Giles Staverley (Christopher Plummer), a compulsive gambler who bets away his home. In an attempt to recoup his losses, he ends up gambling his daughter Serena's (Helena Bonham Carter) hand in marriage as well as her trust fund of 80,000 guineas.
The performance of legendary Canadian actor Christopher Plummer was another big reason this movie did so well. His career stretched across seven decades, leading to 'Triple Crown of Acting' honors after winning an Academy Award, two Tony Awards, and two Primetime Emmys.
Honeymoon in Vegas (1992)
Grossing $35.2 million at the box office, Honeymoon in Vegas was a hit. The plot revolves around private eye Jack Singer (Nicolas Cage), who checks into Bally's Casino Resort with the intention of getting married in Vegas.
Right before the wedding, he's swindled into losing $65,000 to a pro gambler named Tommy Korman (James Caan) during a fixed poker game. To erase his debt, he lends his fiancée, Betsy (Sarah Jessica Parker), to Tommy for the weekend and attempts to follow them to Tommy's vacation home in Kauai.
As noted, this movie's cast was absolutely stacked, featuring the likes of Nic Cage, James Caan, and Sarah Jessica Parker. There were other notable actors as well, including Noriyuki 'Pat' Morita, best known for his role as diner owner Matsuo 'Arnold' Takahashi on the sitcom Happy Days.
The Cooler (2003)
When it comes to classic romance films, The Cooler hits many of the textbook nuances. A casino cooler, appropriately named Bernie Lootz (William H. Macy), has been hired by Shangri-La Casino to prevent people from winning, as his presence alone seems to bring about bad luck.
When Bernie tells casino owner Shelly Kaplow (Alec Baldwin) that he plans to leave town, Shelly convinces cocktail waitress Natali Belisario (Maria Bello) to ask Bernie on a date so that he'll stay. She ends up actually liking Bernie, and his presence starts to bring about good luck instead.
Overall, The Cooler generally received positive reviews, especially Alec Baldwin's performance. With an estimated budget of $4 million, The Cooler grossed over $10 million worldwide, featured at multiple film festivals including the Cannes Film Festival, the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, and the Toronto International Film Festival.
Find Iconic Casinos Online
Some of the casinos featured in films offer online platforms for those who prefer a night in.
Explore the online casino offerings of iconic brands like Bally's, Hard Rock, and Caesars Palace.
