When it comes to film and entertainment the world of bingo is often overlooked. Instead, Hollywood prefers to focus on casino games and the likes of slots in order to provide a character with a big win or a tense moment. However, a few feature films have managed to pay homage to the historic and beautiful game of bingo, as well as a series of TV shows down the years too, such as Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Simpsons.
But what are the best movies that do feature our beloved bingo games?
Bad Grandpa
Bad Grandpa never received the best reviews from the critics, but its raucous bingo scene is certainly one to remember. Starring Johnny Knoxville, the film tells the story of Irving, a Grandpa with an attitude who takes his young grandson on a roadtrip to see his father.
Along the way, they encounter a bingo hall, and chaos really does ensure. It defies all bingo etiquette and sees Irving cause plenty of issues, testing the patience of players and even drinking the marker fluid from his dapper. It goes without saying, but do not try this at home!
Big Momma’s House 2
Another movie which required plenty of hair and makeup is Martin Lawrence’s Big Momma’s House 2. Lawrence plays an undercover cop who is taking on the life of an old lady and sees a hilarious bingo scene in which a disgruntled woman at the bingo accuses Big Momma of trying to steal her man.
The scene is full of fun and as well as the battle for the old man, there’s also a false call of “bingo” and we all know how badly that goes down in bingo halls.
Inglourious Basterds
Moving on slightly from the comedy genre is Quentin Tarantino’s great piece of work, Inglourious Basterds. Released in 2009, the movie doesn’t actually include a bingo scene, but the catchphrase “That’s a Bingo” became hugely popular following a scene in which Brad Pitt and Christoph Waltz have a conversation. It’s one of the most iconic scenes in the film and is one of the must watches on this list.
The movie received eight Oscar nominations, winning one and is comfortably among Tarantino’s best pieces of work.
Rampage
Another 2009 release is Rampage. And while you won’t find any slingo bingo or newer variants in this film, you will find this action thriller features a bingo scene with a real difference.
A bingo hall takes a good amount of screen time in this movie, but it’s a hall we’d never want to be in, given that it features an armed killer entering the hall and disrupting the game. A risky move for anybody.
We won’t tell you the outcome, but if you’re a lover of bingo and like an edge-of-your-seat movie, then Rampage is well worth a watch. It has a good cast, starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Naomie Harris, as well as supporting roles from the likes of Malin Akerman and Jake Lacy.
