Since games make up a big part of our day-to-day life, it’s not surprising that they’ve become mainstays in film. From video games to casino games, some of the best moments in cinema have featured games. Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Casino Royale all include references to video games. If you enjoy playing games online or offline with friends or alone, you’ll probably enjoy these movies with memorable gaming scenes. Keep reading to learn more about popular games in the film.
Roulette
If you enjoy roulette, you’ll find no shortage of references to the popular casino game in the movies. From Diamonds Are Forever to Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, roulette repeatedly appears throughout film history. In the 1971 film, Diamonds Are Forever; roulette plays a starring role as Sean Connery plays James Bond, and many intense scenes from the film center around his strategy while playing the game. One of the most famous scenes from the 1988 movie Dirty Rotten Scoundrels features Michael Cain and Steve Martin attempting to impress while playing a game of roulette. Although roulette scenes in movies take place in brick-and-mortar casinos, playing roulette online has become popular in recent years. Technological advancements have allowed traditional games like roulette to make their way online with all the known variants, such as the European and American versions, accessible via an internet-connected computer or a mobile phone. If you keep an eye out while watching some classic casino movies, you may see the stars playing your favorite version of the game.
Spades
Spades is a popular four-player card game played with a 52-card deck. It’s a fun and fast-paced game, making it an excellent subject for movies. Like roulette, you can play spades online or offline with friends or strangers. The most famous film featuring the game is Queen of Spades: The Dark Rite. The Russian supernatural thriller touches on many themes and has a horror element. Although the film doesn’t focus on the card game, it’s an example of how games have become so entrenched in popular culture that they’re often referenced in movies.
Scrabble
Although new board games seem to pop up daily, including games based on some ofNetflix’s most popular shows like Ozark and Stranger Things, you probably won’t find a game referenced more in popular culture than Scrabble. Scrabble is mentioned so much in the movies you may not even notice when a character mentions the word game. Whether you play Scrabble online or at an in-person game night with friends or family, many references to the game are found in films. A few of the films that have referenced Scrabble over the years are Primer (2004), Snow Cake (2006), Wild Hogs (2007), and Smart People (2008). These movies cover themes including time travel, relationships, and adventure. If you want to dive deeper into the game, the 2004 documentary Word Wars: Tiles and Tribulations on the Scrabble Circuit is worth checking out. This film follows Scrabble pros as they embark on a journey to the National Scrabble Championship in San Diego, California.
Poker
As arguably the most popular card game in the world, it’s no surprise that several movies have been made about it. The game has become a cultural phenomenon, with people worldwide following tournaments like the World Series of Poker and the Poker World Tour. You can find amateur poker players testing their skills in online casinos and participating in online contests to improve their game. Hollywood has taken notice of the trend and ensured that poker fans see their favorite game on the big screen. Poker has played a prominent role in several James Bond movies, with Casino Royale being the most notable example. The 1998 cult hit Rounders is considered by many to be one of the best poker movies ever made, and many credit it with influencing the game’s surge in popularity in the mid-2000s.