A day or night out playing Bingo can be super fun and exciting, which makes it the perfect game to feature in the world of films. We’ve all heard the quirky and humorous Bingo calls, and perhaps met some questionable characters playing the game, so it makes sense that the iconic Bingo hall creates an interesting setting for a movie scene.
If you’re wondering where you’ve seen Bingo on the big screen recently, then look no further, as we’ve listed the top films with legendary Bingo scenes, that may well have you shouting ‘full house’ along with the characters!
Big Momma’s House 2
Classed as a comedy classic, this sequel in the Big Momma film series is arguably just as funny as the first, as FBI agent Malcolm Turner (played by Martin Lawrence) transforms into Hattie Mae Pierce once again. This time, the comical adventure involves an undercover mission where Turner must pose as a nanny for the Fuller family — of course disguised as the larger-than-life Big Momma.
In an attempt to observe the household, and in particular the father of the family who is key in matters of national security, Turner takes the clang to a game of Bingo, whilst undercover as their nanny.
The film is full of comical moments, but the Bingo scene stands out for its take on the popular pastime for the older generation in America. It may seem like a normal Bingo game, but the intensity of its players is evident when one of the Fuller children falsely calls out ‘Bingo’ without a winning card, and the whole congregation of players turn to her in horror and deadly silence!
The 75-ball version of Bingo is the most commonly played game in America, which involves complex and varying patterns in order to win. So, it’s no wonder that its avid players are totally focused in their game, and as shown in this scene from Big Momma’s House 2, don’t like it when others make noise or call-out incorrectly in the Bingo hall.
Matters get worse for Turner, as he tries to interrogate Tom Fuller during the game, but is continuously shushed by a tetchy Bingo player. Plus, the youngest of the Fuller family seems like he is going to spill the beans on Turner’s real identity, but instead cries out the buzz word, Bingo!
Hotel Transylvania
The classic game is given a spooky twist in this animated movie, as the monstrous characters settle down, daubers in hand for a game of Bingo at the Hotel Transylvania.
The film follows Count Dracula, and his daughter Mavis, who run their very own monster vacation location — and like any good holiday resort, there are plenty of activities that the ghouls and goblins can take part in, including a frightful game of Bingo.
Adam Sandler voices the character of Count Dracula, as his fellow vampire daughter (played by Selena Gomez) celebrates her 118th birthday. The adventure begins when a 21-year-old human, Jonathan (Andy Samberg) stumbles across the hotel on his travels. As a human-free zone, Dracula must do everything he can to stop the other monster guests from discovering Jonathan’s presence at the resort.
In Dracula’s attempt to showcase how fun the hotel can be, we encounter the resort’s special game of Bingo. But this is no ordinary game, as the balls are replaced by tiny talking skulls, which get spun around the Bingo machine.
The Bingo caller is a not-so-energetic old goblin, who picks out a small skull to reveal the number called — which is whispered to her by the tiny skeleton. As she calls out ‘N-27’ to the crowd, Eunice, Frankenstein’s wife, exclaims ‘Bingo!’
We can assume that they are playing the most popular Bingo game in the US, the 75-ball version, as Eunice can be seen with a card featuring five by five grids of numbers, and daubs a diagonal pattern to win.
However, in true Transylvanian style, her Bingo card is eaten by the adjacent player, who just so happens to be another old goblin — and a running joke throughout the film for the unusual things she eats!
With fun, laughter and some truly endearing moments, it’s no wonder that this cartoon went on to be nominated for ‘Best Animated Feature Film’ at the Golden Globes, and was the beginning of a Hotel Transylvania franchise.