30 Years Later, The “Masterpiece” Crime Thriller That “Beats The Godfather” Is Making a Comeback on Free Streaming

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When people talk about the best crime thrillers ever made, Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather is frequently considered the greatest. Though films like Goodfellas, Scarface, and Once Upon a Time in America are also hugely popular, many believe The Godfather—and especially its sequel, The Godfather: Part II—stands above the rest. However, some viewers now think a ’90s crime thriller is even better, and it’s currently available to stream for free. While Martin Scorsese is a key name in the genre, it’s his 1995 film, Casino, that’s really gaining attention from audiences as a hidden gem.

Martin Scorsese’s classic film Casino is now available to stream for free on Tubi and is quickly becoming a hit with viewers. Though it originally came out 30 years ago, it’s currently the eighth most popular movie on Tubi. While films like Goodfellas, Taxi Driver, and Raging Bull often receive the most praise, and more recent hits like The Wolf of Wall Street, The Departed, and Gangs of New York are beloved by fans, Casino is now gaining the recognition it deserves.

As a film critic, I have to say Martin Scorsese really knows how to tell a story, and 1995’s Casino is a prime example. It’s packed with familiar faces – De Niro, Pesci, even Sharon Stone, Frank Vincent, and James Woods – and, as always, Scorsese co-wrote it with his trusted collaborator, Nicholas Pileggi. Like a lot of Scorsese’s best work, Casino charts the ambitious climb and inevitable crash of someone involved in organized crime. De Niro plays Sam “Ace” Robinson, a guy who gets put in charge of the Tangiers Casino in Vegas. But, predictably, his success doesn’t last, and things quickly turn dark and violent. The movie essentially follows that trajectory, and the official story is…

Set in 1970s Las Vegas, the film follows Sam “Ace” Rothstein (Robert De Niro), a mobster chosen to run the Tangiers Casino. He initially thrives, but trouble mounts over time. His volatile associate Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci), his wife Ginger (Sharon Stone), a former swindler, her manipulative ex-boyfriend Lester Diamond (James Woods), and several dishonest politicians all create escalating problems and put Sam’s life at risk.

‘Casino’ Deserves More Love From Scorsese Fans


Universal Pictures

As a huge Scorsese fan, I’ve always been a little baffled that Casino doesn’t get the same love as films like Goodfellas or Taxi Driver. Sharon Stone is absolutely phenomenal in it – seriously, her Oscar nomination was well-deserved! And get this, it’s currently ranked as one of the greatest movies ever made on IMDb! Yet, somehow, Casino often feels overlooked, like it’s sitting at the table but nobody’s noticing it.

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes give the film a respectable 79% rating, but it isn’t Martin Scorsese’s highest-rated work. Audiences, however, clearly love it, giving it a 93% score. One viewer called it a “masterpiece of storytelling and visuals, unfairly overshadowed by Goodfellas.” Another fan believes Casino deserves a place among the greatest gangster films ever made, even surpassing The Godfather and Goodfellas, praising Robert De Niro’s performance and Joe Pesci’s intensity.

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2025-11-08 16:20