Tonight marks 51 years since the debut of the most beloved and awarded game show ever, Jeopardy! For over a half century, we have been entertained by this quiz based program and have welcomed the moustachioed host, Alex Trebek, into our homes and our hearts.
The most compelling game shows are about fierce competition, superior knowledge and skill, and ultimately succeeding over your rivals. These are the themes embodied in tonight’s ‘Game Show Gangbang’ movie contenders, promising for an entertaining (and potentially mega-cheesy) movie night.
Champagne for Caesar (1950) – 99min
In order to get even with the pompous president of a soap company, an eccentric genius goes on his quiz show in order to bankrupt his company.
Deathrace 2000 (1975) – 85min
In a dystopian future, a cross country automobile race requires contestants to run down innocent pedestrians to gain points that are tallied based on each kill’s brutality.
Rollerball (1975) – 125min
In a corporate-controlled future, an ultra-violent sport known as Rollerball represents the world, and one of its powerful athletes is out to defy those who want him out of the game.
The Running Man (1987) – 101min
A wrongly convicted man must try to survive a public execution gauntlet staged as a game show.
Quiz Show (1994) – 133min
A young lawyer Jim Goodwin investigates a potentially fixed game show. Charlie Van Doren, a big time show winner is under Goodwin’s investigation.
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002) – 133min
An adaptation of the cult memoir of game show impresario Chuck Barris, in which he purports to have been a CIA hitman.
Starter for 10 (2006) – 92min
Set in 1985, working-class student Brian Jackson (McAvoy) navigates his first year at Bristol University.
Slumdog Millionaire (2008) – 120min
A Mumbai teen who grew up in the slums, becomes a contestant on the Indian version of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?” He is arrested under suspicion of cheating, and while being interrogated, events from his life history are shown which explain why he knows the answers.