Pool and billiards have a long, fascinating history that has been captured in many great films over the years. From tense dramas to lighthearted comedies, movies about pool offer a unique glimpse into the world of hustlers, sharks, and straight pool legends.
Whether you’re an avid pool player yourself or just enjoy a good sports flick, these are the 8 essential pool movies every billiards fan should watch.
1. The Hustler (1961)
Starring Paul Newman as “Fast Eddie” Felson and Jackie Gleason as Minnesota Fats, The Hustler is the quintessential pool movie. This gritty black-and-white drama follows a small-time pool hustler with big dreams as he challenges the legendary Minnesota Fats.
Fast Eddie wants to prove he’s the best, but he quickly gets in over his head in the seedy world of high-stakes pool. With incredible performances from Newman and Gleason and some of the most iconic pool scenes ever filmed, The Hustler is a must-watch for any fan of the game.
It won two Academy Awards and is preserved in the National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant.” If you watch only one pool movie, make it this one.
2. The Color of Money (1986)
This 1986 sequel to The Hustler fast forwards 25 years and finds an older, wiser Fast Eddie Felson, again played brilliantly by Paul Newman. No longer the hungry young hustler, Eddie is now a successful liquor salesman. But he can’t resist the lure of the pool hall.
Eddie takes a brash young protégé named Vincent Lauria (Tom Cruise) under his wing, hoping to mold him into a great player. But as the two hit the road to hustle, their relationship grows complicated. Directed by Martin Scorsese, The Color of Money is a stylish, gripping follow-up to the original classic.
Paul Newman finally won his first Academy Award for reprising the role of Fast Eddie. The film also features a killer soundtrack and some dazzling trick shots and pool sequences. It’s a worthy, more modern successor to The Hustler.
3. Poolhall Junkies (2002)
This under-the-radar indie gem stars Mars Callahan (who also wrote and directed the film) as Johnny Doyle, a talented pool player who has stayed out of the game for years. But when his younger brother starts getting mixed up with a slimy pool shark named Brad (Ricky Schroder), Johnny has no choice but to pick up his cue again.
With the help of his mentor Joe (Chazz Palminteri), Johnny has to take down Brad and his dangerous boss in a climactic pool showdown. Poolhall Junkies has some fun performances, including a rare villainous turn from Ricky Schroder and a scene-stealing bit by Christopher Walken.
But the real draw is the pool action, which features lots of impressive trick shots and fast-paced play. If you want to see some flashy pool and colorful characters, check out Poolhall Junkies.
4. Shooting Gallery (2005)
Shooting Gallery is a little-seen but hugely entertaining pool movie about a regular guy named Jericho who stumbles into the world of underground pool tournaments. Facing off against a fearsome player called The Widow, Jericho has to use every trick he knows to survive.
With Freddie Prinze Jr. as Jericho and Ving Rhames chewing the scenery as The Widow, Shooting Gallery is pure fun. It’s got humor, action, romance, and of course, plenty of pool. While not the most realistic depiction of the sport, it captures the excitement of high-pressure pool really well.
If you want an enjoyable popcorn flick with likable leads and a fast pace, give Shooting Gallery a shot. It’s a hidden gem for pool movie fans.
5. Turn the River (2007)
In this small-scale indie drama, Famke Janssen plays Kailey, a pool hustler struggling to make enough money to get joint custody of her son. Kailey sees one last chance in a big pool tournament, but has to navigate the dangerous world of backroom gambling to get there.
Turn the River is a slow-burn character study anchored by Janssen’s understated lead performance. It’s less about dazzling pool action and more about desperation and determination. But it still features some tense pool scenes as Kailey tries to beat the odds.
With a bluesy soundtrack and atmospheric cinematography, Turn the River is a pool movie for those who like their sports stories on the darker, more dramatic side. It’s a small but impactful film.
6. Baltimore Bullet (1980)
This 1980 film stars James Coburn as Nick Casey, a legendary pool player known as the Baltimore Bullet. Casey joins up with a young hotshot named Billie Joe and the two hit the road, hustling their way to a big showdown with a rival.
Baltimore Bullet is pure 80s cheese in the best way, with a funky soundtrack and over-the-top characters. Coburn is great as the wisecracking veteran and the story moves along at a good clip. It also features cameo appearances by real-life pool stars like Willie Mosconi and Steve Mizerak.
While it may not be an all-time classic, Baltimore Bullet is still a must-see for pool movie completists. It’s got humor, action, and a fun 80s vibe that billiards fans will enjoy.
7. The Baron and the Kid (1984)
The Baron and the Kid is an offbeat comedy starring Johnny Cash as a crusty old pool hustler called The Baron. He reluctantly takes on a young protégé and the two bond as they travel around to pool halls and get into misadventures.
With a country soundtrack by Cash himself and a lighthearted road movie feel, The Baron and the Kid is a fun, easygoing watch. Cash brings his laid-back charisma to the role and the story coasts along on his charm.
It’s not a deep or groundbreaking film, but The Baron and the Kid is an entertaining comedy for Johnny Cash fans or those who want a pool movie with a little more humor and heart.
8. Stickmen (2001)
Stickmen is a crime comedy about a group of small-time pool hustlers who get mixed up with a dangerous criminal. The leader of the hustlers (played by Elijah Wood in a rare villainous role) wants to move up to bigger stakes, but his plans go awry in a major way.
With a darkly funny tone and a stylish visual look, Stickmen is not your typical pool movie. It’s more of a twisty neo-noir that happens to be set in the world of pool halls and gambling. But it still features some fun pool action and a colorful cast of characters.
Stickmen is best suited for those who like their pool movies with a side of crime and quirk. It’s an offbeat indie that uses pool as a jumping-off point to tell its serpentine story.
So there you have it – 8 of the best and most notable pool movies to check out. From classics like The Hustler to hidden gems like Poolhall Prophets, there’s a wide range of films that showcase the drama, skill, and style of billiards.
Whether you’re a serious student of the game looking to analyze the finer points of on-screen technique or just a casual fan in search of an entertaining story, there’s a pool movie out there for you. So chalk up your cue, keep your eye on the ball, and enjoy these cinematic trips to the pool hall. And maybe you’ll be inspired to work on your own bank shot the next time you step up to the table!
