The Best Pool & Billiards Movies of All Time: A Chronological Journey Through Cue Cinema

From smoky pool halls to high-stakes hustles and even dystopian tournaments, the world of cue sports has inspired a unique collection of films. These stories aren't just about trick shots or money games — they explore identity, rivalry, legacy, and redemption. Whether you're a pool hall regular or just love underdog tales, these movies showcase the drama and grit that define the game.

Here’s a definitive list of the most iconic pool and billiards movies, in chronological order.

1. The Hustler (1961)

Starring: Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason, Piper Laurie, George C. Scott
Director: Robert Rossen
Features: Gritty noir tone, psychological depth

Synopsis: "Fast" Eddie Felson, a cocky pool hustler, takes on the legendary Minnesota Fats in a battle of talent and ego. What begins as a competition spirals into a personal journey of pride, addiction, and redemption.

Why It Matters: This film brought pool to the cultural spotlight and inspired generations of players. A timeless classic.

2. The Player (1971)

Type: Low-budget indie
Features: Underground pool hall setting, cult curiosity

Synopsis: A raw depiction of pool hustling culture starring Lou, a player with swagger and grit. Known for its sleazy 1970s aesthetic.

Why It Matters: Despite its obscure status, it's loved for its gritty authenticity and unfiltered portrayal of hustler life.

3. The Baltimore Bullet (1980)

Starring: James Coburn, Omar Sharif, Bruce Boxleitner
Director: Robert Ellis Miller
Features: Road movie vibe, comic hustling antics

Synopsis: Veteran hustler Nick Casey teams with a young prodigy to take down a ruthless millionaire in a major tournament.

Why It Matters: A lighter take on pool that blends humor with skill, creating a cult following.

4. The Baron and the Kid (1984)

Starring: Johnny Cash, Tracy Pollan, June Carter Cash
Director: Gary Nelson
Features: Family drama, father-son dynamics

Synopsis: A seasoned hustler reunites with his estranged son, and together they chase a tournament win and a second chance at family.

Why It Matters: A rare dramatic role for Johnny Cash, this film uses pool to frame reconciliation and redemption.

5. The Color of Money (1986)

Starring: Paul Newman, Tom Cruise, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
Director: Martin Scorsese
Features: Flashy 80s style, intense character arcs

Synopsis: An older Eddie Felson returns to mentor a talented young hotshot in the pool hustling world.

Why It Matters: A spiritual sequel to The Hustler, it revived public interest in billiards and earned Newman an Oscar.

6. Hard Knuckle (1988, Australia)

Starring: Steve Bisley, Gary Day
Director: Lex Marinos
Features: Dystopian pool variant, devil's pool, post-apocalyptic style

Synopsis: In a rough Australian future, a boy recruits a former champ to help win a dangerous pool-like game known as Devil’s Pool.

Why It Matters: A rare sci-fi take on billiards, showing the game's adaptability across genres.

7. Kiss Shot (1989)

Starring: Whoopi Goldberg, Dennis Franz
Director: Jerry London
Features: Uplifting, family-oriented

Synopsis: A single mother discovers her talent for pool and trains for a tournament to create a better life for her daughter.

Why It Matters: One of the few female-led pool stories with heart and humor.

8. Stickmen (2001, New Zealand)

Starring: Robbie Magasiva, Scott Wills, Paolo Rotondo
Director: Hamish Rothwell
Features: Stylish visuals, underground setting

Synopsis: Three friends enter a shady underground pool tournament run by a crime queenpin, testing their loyalty and talent.

Why It Matters: A fast-paced, stylized indie that highlights pool's global reach.

9. 9-Ball / Behind the Nine / Virgin Pockets (2001)

Type: Independent drama
Features: Personal drama, introspective tone

Synopsis: A middle-aged man returns to the game of pool, confronting past demons and seeking a new sense of purpose.

Why It Matters: A thoughtful and authentic portrayal of pool as a vehicle for self-discovery.

10. Poolhall Junkies (2002)

Starring: Mars Callahan, Christopher Walken, Chazz Palminteri
Director: Mars Callahan
Features: Powerful monologues, real trick shots

Synopsis: A talented hustler tries to go straight but is pulled back into the game for one last showdown.

Why It Matters: Walken's legendary speech and real pool talent give this film its lasting cult status.

11. Shooting Gallery (2005)

Starring: Freddie Prinze Jr., Ving Rhames
Director: Keoni Waxman
Features: Noir tone, underground hustling

Synopsis: A gifted player falls into the criminal underworld of pool and must survive betrayal and manipulation.

Why It Matters: Brings a noir twist to modern pool hustling with sharp performances.

12. Chalk (2006)

Starring: John Capodice, Dan Fowlks
Director: Rob Nilsson
Features: Cinéma vérité style, raw realism

Synopsis: A slice-of-life portrait set in a San Francisco pool hall, showing the personal struggles of aging players.

Why It Matters: Captures the soul of real-life pool culture through intimate storytelling.

13. Turn the River (2007)

Starring: Famke Janssen, Jaymie Dornan
Director: Chris Eigeman
Features: Female lead, emotional depth

Synopsis: A tough hustler mother uses pool to raise money and gain custody of her son in a tense family battle.

Why It Matters: One of the few female-driven pool dramas, filled with quiet strength and determination.

14. The Tale of Texas Pool (2024)

Type: Documentary
Director: Kevin Welling
Features: Historical deep dive, Texas legends, emotional comeback

Synopsis: This documentary traces Texas pool history, from cowboy-era tables to modern champions, featuring players like Buddy Hall and the inspirational story of James Ray Davis Jr.

Why It Matters: A heartfelt, cultural love letter to the Texas billiards scene, blending history with human triumph.

Final Thoughts

Pool and billiards movies may be few in number, but they deliver diverse stories: from hard-boiled hustlers to heartfelt reunions, from science fiction to real-world legends. Whether you’re chasing the break shot or the metaphorical win, these films offer something for every viewer with a love for the game.

Which one is your favorite? Did we miss any hidden gems? Let us know and keep your cue chalked for the next great pool flick.