Which Casino Movie Has the Best Soundtrack?

A great soundtrack adds excitement to any movie, but what about those films where the thrills of the casino world are already present?

Some of the best movies set in casinos have used music wisely to create an even more interesting atmosphere. Remember, if you like online casino games with good soundtrack too make sure to visit site of Bovada and have fun.

Let’s dig in into some very good casino movies and their OSTs.

Ocean’s Eleven – 2001

The 1960 original includes songs by the likes of Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr, who starred in this light-hearted heist movie. However, the 2001 remake turned Ocean’s Eleven into a classic by going for an all-star cast including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Julia Roberts.

As well as having a more substantial plot, this version also improved the soundtrack while keeping the old-time swing feeling alive. Papa Loves Mambo by Perry Como is an example of the nostalgic appeal of the soundtrack, while Caravan by the Arthur Lyman Group maintains the mood.

Clair de lune by Claude Debussy is definitely a highlight, while songs such as Elvis Presley’s A Little Less Conversation and Blues in the Night by Quincy Jones keep the action bubbling along.

Rounders – 1998

Poker is the game featured in this classic casino movie featuring Edward Norton and Matt Damon. They play a couple of expert poker players with different approaches, who need to work together to play against a series of tough opponents in a race against time. It was a huge success and has been mentioned as being very influential in bringing poker to the attention of many more people.

The music works perfectly in the context of the movie, with the exclusive Counting Crows song Baby, I’m a Big Star one of the highlights of the soundtrack. A series of other great tracks includes Warm Valley by Duke Ellington and I Hate Myself for Loving You by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.

This is a terrific example of a casino movie where the music manages to capture the mood despite not being overtly about playing card games. It is more about setting the mood and capturing the excitement of these games. Putting the right song at the right time in a movie is extremely hard, and Rounders pulls it off effortlessly.

Casino Royale – 2006

James Bond loves the challenge of facing off with a villain in a highly-charged, high-stakes casino game. 2006’s Casino Royale shows Daniel Craig as 007, playing terrorist financier Le Chiffre in a poker game where the stakes go sky-high.

It is an incredibly tense scene that perfectly sums up why the secret agent is so popular. The music on this movie also helps to drive it along, with David Arnold and Nicholas Dodd creating a series of suave tunes that build up the atmosphere at the right times.

Interestingly, this was the first time since 1983’s Octopussy that the main theme song of a Bond movie didn’t include the title in it. Ex-Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell wrote and performed You Know My Name. However, this song was released as a single rather than on the Casino Royale soundtrack.

Casino – 1995

One of the best-loved casino movies of all times. Casino features acting heavyweights such as Robert DeNiro, Sharon Stone, and Joe Pesci in a sprawling tale of life in a Las Vegas casino. Directed by Martin Scorsese, it was a hugely successful film that continues to be popular among movie fans and critics.

In terms of the soundtrack, Casino has a highly varied mixture of songs that range from Little Richard to Mick Jagger and Devo. Each song has been carefully chosen to match the action on the screen, yet it also stands up well for purely listening to.

Among the key songs in the soundtrack are the timeless Hoochie Coochie Man by Muddy Waters and Love is the Drug by Roxy Music. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction is even featured in two versions, the original from the Rolling Stones and the version by Devo.

Maverick – 1994

This light-hearted Western comedy stars Mel Gibson in the lead role as Bret Maverick, with Jodie Foster and James Garner also taking part. Maverick is a card player who needs to gather the money he needs to take part in a big poker tournament on a paddle steamer, and prove that he is the best player of his generation.

It was a hit at the time of its release and the music certainly helps to make it hugely enjoyable. The key song here is Clint Black’s A Good Run of Bad Luck. You can also listen to the likes of Waylon Jennings and Vince Gill on this soundtrack.

Maverick is one of those cases where the light and upbeat music is perfectly in keeping with the movie. It certainly helps us to get caught up in the atmosphere and to imagine that we are right there watching the games being played in front of our eyes.  

Diljeet Malik

I am a dedicated casino writer with a passion for all things related to the world of gambling and entertainment. With a deep understanding of the casino industry and a love for sharing insights and strategies, I strive to inform and entertain readers with my casino-related content.

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