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21

21

They proved the Vegas Blackjack System was beatable...by beating the hell out of it.

20086.72h 3m

Overview

Ben Campbell is a young, highly intelligent student at M.I.T. who strives to succeed. Wanting a scholarship to transfer to Harvard School of Medicine to become a doctor, Ben learns that he cannot afford the $300,000 tuition as he comes from a poor, working-class background. But one evening, Ben is introduced by his unorthodox math professor to a small but secretive club of five students, Jill, Choi, Kianna, and Fisher, who are being trained by Professor Rosa to count cards at blackjack.

Directed by Robert Luketic
Written by Peter Steinfeld, Ben Mezrich, Allan Loeb
Produced by Michael De Luca, Dana Brunetti
Box OfficeBudget: $35.0MRevenue: $159.8M

Top Cast

Jim Sturgess

Jim Sturgess

Ben Campbell

Kevin Spacey

Kevin Spacey

Micky Rosa

Kate Bosworth

Kate Bosworth

Jill Taylor

Aaron Yoo

Aaron Yoo

Choi

Liza Lapira

Liza Lapira

Kianna

Jacob Pitts

Jacob Pitts

Fisher

Laurence Fishburne

Laurence Fishburne

Cole Williams

Jack McGee

Jack McGee

Terry

Josh Gad

Josh Gad

Miles

Sam Golzari

Sam Golzari

Cam

Themes & Keywords

friendshipcard gamecasinogamblingprofessorharvard universitycohabitantcollegegirlfriendstudiesdormitoryblackjacklas vegasfuriousghoulish

About 21

21 is a drama, crime film released in 2008 exploring themes of friendship, card game, casino, gambling, professor, harvard university. Directed by Robert Luketic, it stars Jim Sturgess, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth. Ben Campbell is a young, highly intelligent student at M.I.T. who strives to succeed. Wanting a scholarship to transfer to Harvard School of Medicine to become a doctor, Ben learns that he cannot afford the $300,000 tuition as he comes from a poor, working-class background. But one evening, Ben is introduced by his unorthodox math professor to a small but secretive club of five students, Jill, Choi, Kianna, and Fisher, who are being trained by Professor Rosa to count cards at blackjack.

Movies Similar to 21

Discover titles like 21 — ranked by similarity and community votes

We found 15 movies similar to 21

If you enjoyed 21, you'll love these handpicked recommendations. Each title below shares similar themes, tone, and storytelling style. Our algorithm analyzes genres, keywords, director filmography, and cast connections to find the closest matches. Whether you're looking for the same emotional depth, narrative structure, or visual style, these picks are curated to deliver the best viewing experience for fans of 21.

Rounders
27% Match

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Movie7.0/10

Poker addict Mike McDermott knows the game inside out, but loses his money one night in a game to Russian-American gangster Teddy KGB. Promising his partner Jo he'll give up, he meets up with best friend Lester 'Worm' Murphy, just out of prison and owing lots of money to the wrong kind of people. McDermott becomes his co-guarantor and now there's only one way to raise the money, the pair have to get back into the game.

Casino
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Casino(1995)

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In Las Vegas, two best friends--a casino executive and a Mafia enforcer--compete for a gambling empire and a fast-living, fast-loving socialite.

Green Street Hooligans
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After being wrongfully expelled from Harvard University, American Matt Buckner flees to his sister's home in England. Once there, he is befriended by her charming and dangerous brother-in-law, Pete Dunham, and introduced to the underworld of British football hooliganism. Matt learns to stand his ground through a friendship that develops against the backdrop of this secret and often violent world. 'Green Street Hooligans' is a story of loyalty, trust and the sometimes brutal consequences of living close to the edge.

Stealing Harvard
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John and his girlfriend have vowed to marry once they save $30,000 for their dream house. But the minute they achieve their financial goal, John finds out his niece has been accepted at Harvard, and he's reminded of his promise to pay for her tuition (nearly $30,000). John's friend Duff convinces him to turn to petty crime to make the payment … but Duff's hare-brained schemes spin quickly out of control.

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Molly Bloom, a young skier and former Olympic hopeful becomes a successful entrepreneur (and a target of an FBI investigation) when she establishes a high-stakes, international poker game.

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The Shawshank Redemption
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The Gambler
21% Match

Literature professor Jim Bennett leads a secret life as a high-stakes gambler. Always a risk-taker, Bennett bets it all when he borrows from a gangster and offers his own life as collateral. Staying one step ahead, he pits his creditor against the operator of an illicit gambling ring while garnering the attention of Frank, a paternalistic loan shark. As his relationship with a student deepens, Bennett must risk everything for a second chance.

The Social Network
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In 2003, Harvard undergrad and computer programmer Mark Zuckerberg begins work on a new concept that eventually turns into the global social network known as Facebook. Six years later, Mark is one of the youngest billionaires ever, but his unprecedented success leads to both personal and legal complications when he ends up on the receiving end of two lawsuits, one involving his former friend.

Angels with Dirty Faces
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Childhood chums Rocky Sullivan and Jerry Connelly grow up on opposite sides of the fence: Rocky matures into a prominent gangster, while Jerry becomes a priest, tending to the needs of his old tenement neighborhood.

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Alice Howland, happily married with three grown children, is a renowned linguistics professor who starts to forget words. When she receives a devastating diagnosis, Alice and her family find their bonds tested.