a trip to vegas movie

The 20 Best Movies Set In Las Vegas That Will Inspire You To Visit

Las Vegas has always felt like more than just a city. It's an entertainment hub and a place where someone can have almost any kind of fun they want to have — at virtually any hour of the day or night. The "rules" just feel a little bit different in Vegas than they do anywhere else in the world — sometimes for the better, and sometimes not so much. But either way, it's a place that has a mystique built up around it that lends itself very well to the medium of film and has done so since Hollywood's golden age.

Movies about Vegas are their own subgenre, and almost every kind of movie imaginable has been set in or around the city. A lot of them serve to reinforce the magic, glitz, and glamor of Vegas — while others aren't afraid to show the city's seedier and grittier side. 

Of course, that's precisely what makes Las Vegas so intriguing — those two extremes and all the shades of grey in between. From movies about building up Vegas to movies about tearing it down, and from movies celebrating good luck to movies where characters can't catch a break — these are the ultimate Las Vegas films that will have you itching to visit. 

1. Viva Las Vegas

There is no better place to start than arguably the classic Las Vegas movie — not to mention the movie tied to the song of the same name that is basically Vegas' theme song. "Viva Las Vegas" is considered one of the better Elvis Presley movies — which range from the sublime to the ridiculous — and it really is a fun film that also features an electric performance from Presely's co-star, Ann-Margret. The chemistry between her and Presley burns right through the screen — which is another thing that was often lacking in many of The King's movies.

While the title doesn't give much away, "Viva Las Vegas" is actually a racing movie . Presley plays a driver named Lucky Lewis, who travels to the city for its first-ever Grand Prix race. Of course, everything in the plot is just an excuse for Presley — and sometimes Ann-Margret — to sing and dance in eye-popping musical numbers. There's also the bonus of it being an excellent opportunity to see images of the Las Vegas of the '60s, which looks very different than it does today.

2. The Cooler

Most casino games are ultimately about luck, and it's in a casino's best interest that its customers have bad luck the majority of the time. In "The Cooler," casino manager Shelly (Alec Baldwin) makes sure the odds stay ever in his favor by hiring a man named Bernie (William H. Macy). Bernie's luck is so bad that it seems to permeate the area around him, so he is hired to be a "cooler" — standing near a table where a player is on a hot streak in an effort to "cool" them down. When Bernie becomes involved with a cocktail waitress named Natalie (Maria Bello), his luck begins to change — and so does his effectiveness as a cooler. 

While the premise requires a pretty strong belief in luck as a changeable force, "The Cooler" is an underrated Vegas movie that earned raves for the performances of Baldwin and Bello in particular. As a character, Shelly is also a fan of a more old-school Vegas and doesn't want to succumb to the flashiness of the places on the strip. This leads to the movie being something of a farewell to that dying era of Vegas — hammered home in the closing credits which are overlaid on top of real-life footage of several vintage Vegas casinos being demolished.

3. Vegas Vacation

There's some debate as to whether this is the worst of the "Vacation" movies — with some arguing that the distinction belongs to "European Vacation" instead. Still, being the third-best entry in a franchise — that also includes the bona fide classics "National Lampoon's Vacation" and "Christmas Vacation" — is hardly anything to be ashamed of. Ultimately, "Vegas Vacation" has more than enough of that ol' Griswold family charm to earn its place in the series.

It's fun to see Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo) getting flirty with another man for once when that's usually Clark's ( Chevy Chase ) forte. The fact that the man is Wayne Newton (playing himself) is just a stroke of genius. Aging up the Griswold kids, Rusty (Ethan Embry) and Audrey (Marisol Nichols), just enough to join in on the Vegas fun — if not entirely legally — was also a nice touch. And of course, we get yet another reliably hilarious Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) appearance. One could argue that this would've been the perfect movie to bring the series back to the R-rated raunchiness of its original installment, but there's nothing wrong with a good, family-friendly Vegas comedy either. 

4. Diamonds Are Forever

In terms of the chronology of the James Bond movie series , 007 made his first visit to the United States in "Goldfinger" when that movie's titular villain targeted Fort Knox. For Sean Connery's sixth and final (official) time as the suave super spy on film, Bond returned to the U.S. — and in particular, Las Vegas — in "Diamonds are Forever." It's somewhat surprising that it took that long, considering how synonymous the character is with the image of him sitting at a gambling table. Even in "Casino Royale," Bond was gambling in Montenegro, rather than Vegas.

Needless to say, Bond seems right at home at a Las Vegas craps table with a gorgeous woman by his side — in this case, the unfortunately-named Plenty O'Toole (Lana Wood). While it would've been awesome to see Bond spend an entire film in Vegas, or at least return to it a couple of times, its brief appearance in "Diamonds Are Forever" makes it that much more special as a result.

5. Swingers

This movie's attitude to Vegas at the time could be summed up with one memorable quote: "Oh, Mike, you don't want all that ****in' "Pirate of the Caribbean" horse****, or a rock-n-roll grunge tip." That line — spoken by Trent (Vince Vaughn) to Mike ( Jon Favreau ) shortly after they arrive in Vegas in the opening scenes of "Swingers," establishes the idea of the romanticized Vegas, and the reality of the one they're confronted with. Trent and Mike are two guys who want the classic, chill, Rat Pack-era Vegas — perhaps like the one they'd seen in movies — rather than the big, bombastic casinos and resorts that were now the norm.

Nicely coinciding with the swing music revival of the mid-'90s gave "Swingers" the perfect excuse to portray a group of young guys that aren't wooed away by the flashiness of new Vegas, and just want to hold onto whatever was left of old Vegas. The movie might not have spent all that much time in Vegas itself, but the vibe of golden-era Vegas carries on throughout, thanks to the leads' total commitment to that brief period when the decade became the swinging '90s.

If you're going to dive into movies about Las Vegas, it's only right to educate yourself on the history of the city and the man who is largely responsible for making it into what it would eventually become. In the biopic "Bugsy," Warren Beatty plays mobster Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel who travels from New York to California in the '40s to get into the gambling racket. Bugsy soon finds himself dreaming of setting up an entire gambling empire — and sees the opportunity to do just that in a largely undeveloped area of the Nevada desert. This eventually becomes Las Vegas, but of course, the road to building it is not without its bumps.

"Bugsy" was an Oscar darling that year, racking up nine nominations that included best picture, actor, and director (for Barry Levinson). Beatty was only very sporadically appearing in movies by this point, but he generally made it count when he did — and sure enough, his portrayal of the title character was pitch-perfect. As for the movie itself, it's a lavish and engrossing look at when the groundwork was laid for what would become the Las Vegas we know today.

7. Honeymoon in Vegas

Not to be confused with "Leaving Las Vegas" — the Nicolas Cage 1995 Las Vegas movie that earned the actor his first Academy Award — "Honeymoon in Vegas" is instead a lighthearted romantic comedy starring Cage, Sarah Jessica Parker , and James Caan. It sees Jack Singer (Cage) and his fiancée, Betsy (Parker) getting into a sticky situation when they lose a high-stakes poker game to Tommy Korman (Caan). To pay their debts, Tommy demands that Betsy spends the weekend with him as she looks uncannily like his late wife, Donna (also played by Parker). 

Don't expect any "Indecent Proposal" type of steaminess with "Honeymoon in Vegas" — there is an agreement that sex is off the table. Instead, what follows is a lot of misadventures and shenanigans in this rather low-stakes but still extremely entertaining Vegas comedy. The climax of the movie features a group of Elvis Presley impersonator skydivers — which tells you a lot about the kind of goofiness to expect in this somewhat old-fashioned screwball comedy. If you're wondering what version of Nic Cage you'll get here, this is in line with the manic, hilarious Cage of "Raising Arizona," and Parker is on excellent form as well — a lot funnier than she often gets credit for.

8. 3000 Miles to Graceland

Kurt Russell has either played Elvis Presley or at least been in Elvis-adjacent projects several times in his career — from his first film role as a child in the Elvis movie "It Happened at the World's Fair" to playing the King himself in John Carpenter's "Elvis" biopic and providing Presley's voice in the Elvis scene from "Forrest Gump" (via  IMDb ). In "3000 Miles to Graceland," Russell not only plays a man named Michael Zane — who claims to be Elvis' son — but he then plays Elvis himself in a montage near the end of the film. 

All that being said, it's somewhat surprising that "3000 Miles to Graceland" is Russell's only major Las Vegas movie — seeing as how the legacies of Elvis and Vegas are so intertwined. And while it's far from the best Vegas movie, this heist comedy is perhaps among the most underrated. 

Its fun premise sees Russell, Kevin Costner, Christian Slater, David Arquette, and Bokeem Woodbine all dress in Elvis costumes to rob a hotel. In order to make it easier for the group to pull off the heist, they plan it during International Elvis Week — when the city is awash in Elvis impersonators. Everyone in the cast is clearly having fun — especially Russell and Costner — in this inventive black comedy, which deserved much better than its critical panning and Razzie nominations .

9. The Gambler (1974)

There are a bunch of movies called "The Gambler," with some being remakes of others and some being standalone offerings. To make things abundantly clear, this is not the one that starred Kenny Rogers and featured his iconic song of the same name. Nor is it the 2014 Mark Wahlberg movie — that one is actually a lackluster remake of this one. Now that we've established what it's not, let's explain what the 1974 movie called "The Gambler" is: A stellar crime drama starring James Caan in a performance that earned him a Golden Globe nomination , and doesn't get enough attention when celebrating the late actor's career.

Caan plays Axle Freed, a seemingly mild-mannered and law-abiding college professor who hides a crippling gambling addiction. Axle's obsession lands him in jail and, later, in the crosshairs of some very dangerous loan sharks. Much of the action takes place in Vegas — which is both heaven and hell for someone who is addicted to gambling — and "The Gambler" does a great job of portraying those dizzying highs and devastating lows in a way few other Vegas movies ever have.

Many may dream of a way to "cheat" Las Vegas — to come up with some way to tip the odds in their favor and guarantee big wins — but in such a way that you won't get caught. "21" is based on the true story of a group of college students who did exactly that, using their mathematical brains to count cards and ensure consistent wins at Vegas blackjack tables (via MIT ). While the movie takes plenty of Hollywood liberties and makes the story a lot flashier and more melodramatic than it actually was, it's still a very entertaining look at an extremely fascinating story.

The movie version sees the whole endeavor spearheaded by a student named Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess), who has a big tuition bill due soon and needs money, fast. He conspires with other students as well as professor Mickey Rosa (Kevin Spacey), and soon they have developed a system with which to all but guarantee a win every time at blackjack. After racking up a tidy sum in this scheme, they soon butt heads with the casino security guard, Cole (Lawrence Fishburne), who eventually threatens to get the FBI involved. It's more "Ocean's Eleven" than the original story probably warranted, but putting that aside, "21" is still well worth a watch for anyone who's ever wanted to stick it to a casino.

11. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Journalist Hunter S. Thompson had a unique vision of Las Vegas — which goes without saying, as he had a unique vision about almost everything. This vision was laid out in his 1971 novel "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," which would eventually be adapted into a film by visionary director Terry Gilliam. Johnny Depp plays Thompson in a road movie that technically does have a plot — he and his lawyer, Dr. Gonzo (Benecio del Toro) are traveling to a motorcycle race that Thompson is supposed to be writing about. But along for the ride is a whole bunch of drugs, and it doesn't take long before the movie has lost any semblance of its original plot and is just about a substance-fueled descent into madness.

Coming from Gilliam, "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" is of course a visual feast, with unsettling camera angles and uncomfortable close-ups conveying the feeling of being lost in a drug-fueled haze. And, like many Gilliam movies, the visuals are the star of the show and the script often feels like an afterthought. Still, getting bogged down in whether or not there is a coherent plot here is completely missing the point, and "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" is best enjoyed by those willing to see a distinctively unique and debaucherously weird view of Vegas. 

12. Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story

Vince Vaughn was one of the biggest comedy stars of the 2000s, and one of his best-loved movies from that era is "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story." Vaughn plays Peter LaFleur, who runs a gym that caters to people who don't feel like they belong in the bigger, flashier gyms — facilities like Globo Gym, which happens to be located right across the street and is looking to buy out Average Joe's gym. But how will Peter come up with the money to save his gym and keep it from being shut down by Globo Gym's cocky owner, White Goodman (Ben Stiller)? The obvious answer, of course, is to enter a Las Vegas dodgeball tournament.

The premise is what is. What's important is that it allows for a fun sports comedy set in Las Vegas and featuring Average Joe's doing battle against a series of over-the-top novelty teams — including a German team that allows for a fun David Hasselhoff cameo. If there really was a world dodgeball championship, it probably would be held in Vegas. Would it be this cartoonish and over the top? Maybe not — but movies about Vegas are often at their best when they are portraying that familiar Hollywood caricature of the city. And if you loved this hilarious underdog comedy, you'll likely be excited to hear that Vince Vaughn might be plotting a "Dodgeball" sequel .

13. What Happens in Vegas

It's somewhat surprising that it took until 2008 for someone to make a movie that takes its title from that classic Vegas slogan: "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." It's probably less surprising that the movie is about an impulsive, alcohol-fueled Vegas wedding gone wrong. But this Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz rom-com is actually a lot more fun than its generic premise might have you believe. 

Much of the credit for that goes to the cast — not only the two leads but an ensemble full of talent that includes Rob Corddry, Lake Bell, Dennis Farina, Krysten Ritter, Billy Eichner, and Zach Galifianakis, to name just a few. None of the beats that the story takes will surprise you, but that doesn't mean you won't be plenty entertained and laugh out loud a few times along the way. It never gets as randy as its title might have suggested, but that's not necessarily a bad thing in this case.

"Casino" often gets unfairly overlooked when discussing Martin Scorsese's films — particularly his crime epics. It was bound to be forced to live in the shadow of "Goodfellas" as it would be the first movie the director made in this genre since the aforementioned gangster classic. But taken on its own terms — and with a little space from "Goodfellas" — "Casino" is an undeniably excellent film that brings together several Scorsese regulars, and pairs them with his distinctive style in a story about how the mafia had its claws in Vegas back in the '70s.

Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci are great as always here, but it was Sharon Stone who earned an Oscar nomination for her amazing work in the film. Like most Scorsese movies, the cast is full of recognizable faces doing some of their best work. But the real star here is the '70s and '80s Las Vegas backdrop — shown with a style and authenticity that only Scorsese could've accomplished. It might very well be the best Vegas crime movie ever made.

15. Electrick Children

The newest entry in this list is 2012's "Electrick Children," written and directed by Las Vegas native Rebecca Thomas. It tells the story of Rachel McKnight (Julia Garner), a 15-year-old living in a Mormon community who finds out she is pregnant. Convinced she has experienced immaculate conception through an indie rock song she was listening to, she escapes the community with her brother, Mr. Will (Liam Aiken) — who the community believes is the one who actually got her pregnant. They make their way to Las Vegas where the two go on an odyssey through the city and meet a bunch of interesting characters along the way.

Thomas based the story in part on the biblical tale of the Virgin Mary, and also combined elements of her own Mormon upbringing and being raised in Vegas and the conflict those two things caused in her life (via  Interview Magazine ). As such, "Electrick Children" does indeed feel like a film that is both about the authentic Las Vegas experience as well as the mysticism that is often built up around it.

16. Now You See Me

A huge part of the Las Vegas experience is the high-production stage shows, many of which are focused on magic. "Now You See Me" is a great expression of that on screen, with four magicians pulling off elaborate and hard-to-figure-out stunts to the delight of a huge, cheering audience. Of course, a little movie magic is definitely involved here as some of the tricks being done by the magician team would be nearly impossible to pull off in real life, but nobody said this was a documentary.

"Now You See Me" isn't just a movie about flashy magicians, however. The four stars — Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco — are playing a group of magicians who aren't just interested in being entertainers but are using their shows as cover for elaborate heists. While they at first seem like Robin Hood types — as they rob banks and then give the cash to the audience — it turns out that their intentions may actually be even nobler than that. A heist movie with the protagonists being Las Vegas magicians is definitely a novel concept, and "Now You See Me" definitely lives up to it. 

17. Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice

One of the reasons people go to Las Vegas is it gives them an excuse to lose their inhibitions and to try things that they might not try in their regular everyday lives — hence the whole "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" mantra. And that's the premise of the cult classic "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice," which sees two couples travel to Vegas and live out their long-discussed plans of swapping partners for a night.

Released in 1969, the film was definitely risque for its time due to its subject matter, but it isn't as salacious as the premise would suggest. Instead, it's mostly an exploration of monogamy and the emotional risks that can come from experimentation within a relationship. The movie was taken quite seriously in its day, with stars Elliot Gould and Dyan Cannon even receiving Academy Award nominations for playing Ted and Alice Henderson, respectively. Whether viewed as a cautionary tale or just a fascinating look at what can come from this type of Vegas weekend, "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice" is well worth a watch and has aged much better than you might expect. 

18. The Hangover

Few movies of the last 20 years or so enjoyed the surprising success that this film did. Released with little initial fanfare, "The Hangover" went on to become a genuine pop culture phenomenon and a box office smash . This raunchy comedy follows a trio of guys — played by Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis — who have to retrace their steps following a wild bachelor party for their friend, Doug (Justin Bartha). In a series of events that they barely remember — seemingly spanning the entire city of Las Vegas — the race is on to find the missing Doug in time for his wedding. 

What follows is an absurd escalation of events, each set piece more hilariously bizarre than the last, in a laugh-out-loud romp — the likes of which don't come around that often. Every 10 years or so there seems to be that zeitgeist-capturing comedy like "There's Something About Mary" that gets word-of-mouth buzz and has people filling up theaters in order to see it with a packed audience — and "The Hangover" was definitely one of those movies.

19. Leaving Las Vegas

In some ways, Nicolas Cage's dueling Las Vegas movies represent the two main extremes often associated with the city. And while "Honeymoon in Vegas" sees the city at its silliest, "Leaving Las Vegas" is a powerful look at people for whom Vegas is the place where they hit absolute rock bottom. Cage won his first — and so far only — Academy Award for playing a writer named Ben Anderson, whose alcoholism is slowly destroying his life. Ben then gets involved with a prostitute named Sera (Elizabeth Shue, also nominated for an Oscar ), in a relationship that ultimately doesn't do either one of them any favors in terms of accountability for their own personal demons.

There's no getting around what a downer this movie is, right up to its tragic ending. But the reality is that Vegas is often a downer, and it has enabled many people to fully embrace their vices to the point that they destroy their lives and relationships. It might not be the sunny Vegas of Elvis musicals or the glamorous Vegas of the classic heist films, but it is still Vegas — depicting a very real, and honest version that will resonate with many.

20. Ocean's Eleven

Starting with the 1960 Rat Pack vehicle, then giving way to the Steven Soderbergh-helmed trilogy of "Ocean's Eleven," "Ocean's Twelve," and "Ocean's Thirteen" in the 2000s, and most recently spawning the female-led follow up "Ocean's 8," the "Ocean's" franchise is now a decade-spanning series of movies that can be hard to keep track of. There isn't a truly bad film in the bunch, though some are objectively better than others, and some scratch different itches. But for our money, the ultimate "Ocean's" movie remains 2001's "Ocean's Eleven" starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon. Completing  the titular eleven are Bernie Mac, Casey Affleck, Elliot Gould, Don Cheadle, Scott Caan, Eddie Jemison, Shaobo Qin, and Carl Reiner.

On top of being an incredibly inventive heist movie, "Ocean's Eleven" is ultimately an ensemble of incredibly talented people — that also includes Julia Roberts and Andy Garcia — clearly having the time of their lives filming this movie together in Vegas. The subsequent two movies feel a little too much like they were made just so this group could all hang out together again, but it's with the "original" that the finished product is an experience that is every bit as fun to watch, as it evidently was to make. 

Movies Set in Las Vegas – Get Psyched For Your Trip!

By Author Jake Hoffman

Posted on Last updated: April 30, 2024

If you’re anything like me, you burn through movies set in Las Vegas before your trip to help mentally prepare and build excitement for what’s to come.

Most Vegas regulars, at least the degenerates I know, have a go-to pre-Vegas movie playlist.

For me, it’s a routine that must be adhered to before each Las Vegas vacation. Whether you’re a fan of modern movies or ones from earlier incarnations of Vegas with shots of long-lost properties, there are plenty of options.

I figured it would be fun to rank my favorite movies set in Las Vegas – Hopefully, you’re able to find a couple of gems you have yet to see!

My Personal Movie Rankings

“Casino” (1995): A Martin Scorsese film that re-visits Las Vegas’ time as a mob town. “Casino” follows Ace Rothstein and his adventure running “The Tangiers”, a fictional casino on the Las Vegas Strip intended to mimic the real story of Stardust.

While not an uplifting movie, “Casino” is one that will have fans of Vegas’ mob era salivating. “Casino” sits atop the rest as the best Las Vegas movie out there. That’s not my opinion. That’s a fact.

“The Hangover” (2009): A comedy that follows a bachelor party as they re-trace their wild night in Las Vegas, “The Hangover’ has been my “night before Vegas” movie for years.

While some movies lose their allure after a viewing or two, this one never gets old.

“Vegas Vacation” (1997): Clark Griswold packs the family up and heads to Las Vegas, however, it doesn’t initially turn out to be the family trip he had envisioned. A hilarious movie about Vegas, the film also catches numerous images of the mid-1990s Strip including Stardust, Riviera, Monte Carlo, Aladdin, Barbary Coast, and Frontier.

Cousin Eddie’s antics, Clark’s misfortune, and Mr. Papagiorio all have me rolling. Every time.

“Ocean’s Eleven” (2001): Danny Ocean (George Clooney) rounds up a gang of 11 to rob Terry Benedict’s casinos which include MGM Grand, Mirage, and the Bellagio.

For my money, there are few scenes more iconic than when the crew slowly disappears while watching the Fountains of Bellagio at the end.

“Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” (1998): Tag along with journalist Raoul Duke as he, and his attorney Dr. Gonzo head to Las Vegas with a suitcase full of narcotics to cover the Mint 400 race.

Buckle up, it’s a wild ride that will make your wildest Vegas trip look tame.

“Rain Man” (1988): Charlie Babbit (Tom Cruise) becomes upset to learn that the majority of his father’s estate is being left to Raymond, a brother he didn’t realize he had who is on the autism spectrum. Charlie goes on a cross-country journey with Raymond, only to end up in Vegas leveraging Raymond’s ability to count cards.

“Last Vegas” (2013): “Last Vegas” follows a group of four older gentlemen as they celebrate a bachelor party in Las Vegas while navigating deep-seated relationship issues along the way. The all-star cast includes Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, and Morgan Freeman.

I feel that “Last Vegas” is a bit underrated by the broader public – It’s one of my favorites.

“Leaving Las Vegas” (1995): In my opinion, “Leaving Las Vegas” is better watched after returning home from your trip to make you feel better about the money you lost, as it’s a tad depressing. The premise of the story revolves around an alcoholic, Ben Sanderson (Nicholas Cage), who moves to Vegas to drink himself to death, although he finds love along the way.

Fortunately, even movies with downtrodden storylines get me fired up for Vegas.

“Swingers” (1996): Initially set in LA, Trent (Vince Vaughn) works with his friend Mike to get over a previous relationship and find new success on the dating scene. They eventually take the party to Vegas, and the rest is history.

Set in the mid-1990s, an abundance of Las Vegas landmarks featured in “Swingers” are no longer around.

“Ocean’s Thirteen” (2007): Danny Ocean (George Clooney) rounds up the crew to rob Willy Bank on the opening night of his new casino “The Bank”. The heist is motivated by the fact that Bank double-crossed his associate Reuben Tishkoff.

“The Cooler” (2003): Bernie (William H. Macy) leverages his perpetual bad luck to be a “cooler” working for a Las Vegas casino to negatively affect the luck of other patrons. Unfortunately for his employer, Bernie falls in love and his luck turns on a dime.

“21” (2008): A group of students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology takes their ability to count cards to Las Vegas. What could go wrong?

“Electrick Children” (2012): Among the more bizarre storylines of any other Las Vegas-based movie on this list, Rachel, a 15-year-old born into a devout religious community believes she was impregnated by the contents of a forbidden cassette tape she listened to, although the truth is far more sinister. She then leaves the community for Las Vegas to find the creator of the tape.

Although the plot of the movie is certainly unique, the film offers a rare snapshot of Vegas during the early twenty-teens.

“Diamonds Are Forever” (1971): While Sean Connery stars as James Bond, the storyline seemed to be a bit of an afterthought. The movie’s worth watching before a trip if only due to the images of early 1970s Vegas, where the movie is set. Fremont Street in 1971 shines. Literally.

“Ocean’s Eleven” (1960): Flashback to the golden era of Las Vegas with Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, and Frank Sinatra as they pull off an improbable caper. While the re-make starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts is cinematically better, the original will appeal to those that long for Vegas of yesteryear.

“ Viva Las Vegas” (1964): Starring Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret, fans of 1960s Las Vegas will deem this an absolute must-watch. As a fan of vintage Vegas myself, the opening 5 minutes are among the best shots of Fremont Street these eyes have seen.

The plot revolves around a racecar driver (Elvis) preparing for the Grand Prix car race while simultaneously falling for Ann-Margret’s character. “Viva Las Vegas” may not have a great storyline (ducks), but those who celebrate Vegas of yesteryear will view it more favorably.

“Honeymoon in Vegas” (1992): Another wild storyline, Jack Singer (Nicholas Cage) and his girlfriend Betsy (Sarah Jessica Parker) scamper to Vegas to get married. Before the wedding, Singer loses $65k in a poker game to an affluent gambler. The Gambler offers to wipe the debt away if he can spend the weekend with Betsy. They agree.

The movie is “OK”, providing a window into early ’90s Las Vegas.

“Showgirls” (1995): An aspiring dancer make the trip to Vegas with the intention of making it big. The story tracks her journey to the big stage. While not exactly critically acclaimed, “Showgirls” is likely the most risque option on this rundown of Vegas movies and provides plenty of mid-90s Vegas imagery.

“The Winner” (1996): The story itself isn’t overly compelling. Essentially, a gambler in Las Vegas is on a tremendous winning streak and can’t lose. This success and his generosity attract a number of people who aim to take advantage of his good fortune.

Although the storyline itself isn’t all that interesting, fans of mid-nineties Vegas will enjoy shots of Fremont Street and the Strip from that era. Tune in to see Sand’s, Harrah’s riverboat facade, Treasure Island’s original sign, Riviera, Barbary Coast, and Stardust.

Hopefully, I was able to help you find a movie or two to add to your pre-trip playlist, or to entertain you on your flight.

Personally, “Casino”, “The Hangover”, “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” and “Oceans 11” are my personal favorites to watch before a trip.

A Notable Movie Attraction

The Movie Prop Experience in Neonopolis is home to a vast collection of props from movies and shows like “Star Wars”, “Gremlins”, “Breaking Bad”, “Titanic”, and SO much more.

I recently visited and found the attraction to be well worth $20. Kids also can get in for free!

See my full Las Vegas Movie Prop Experience Review !

See Also – Itinerary Inspiration:

My ideal 3-day Las Vegas itinerary .

Family Friendly Activities

Free Activities on the Strip & Downtown

Feature Image: ©kuzina1964/123RF.COM

I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.

Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.

More about me, here .

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Monday 16th of January 2023

I can't believe 3000 miles to grace land wasn't on this list

Thursday 14th of January 2021

Nice list of movies, but you left off a great movie. The Cooler (2003).

Friday 12th of February 2021

@RJ, You are 100% right. Got it added! Such a good one.

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Vegas Vacation

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Rent Vegas Vacation on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

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The Vacation franchise hits rock-bottom in this corny and tepid trip to sinfully laugh-free city.

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Stephen Kessler

Chevy Chase

Clark Griswold

Beverly D'Angelo

Ellen Griswold

Randy Quaid

Cousin Eddie

Ethan Embry

Russell "R'usty" Griswold

Marisol Nichols

Audrey Griswold

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Vegas Vacation

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Vegas Vacation

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Vegas Vacation streaming: where to watch online?

You can buy "Vegas Vacation" on Microsoft Store, Apple TV, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Vudu, AMC on Demand as download or rent it on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Apple TV, Vudu, Microsoft Store, Spectrum On Demand online.

The Griswold family hits the road again for a typically ill-fated vacation, this time to the glitzy mecca of slots and showgirls—Las Vegas.

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Rotten Tomatoes® Score

Pleasant enough to play in the background of your living room while you’re busy doing other things, but this movie is a mostly forgettable trifle that, at best, simply reminds you of all the better films worth watching in the franchise.

This was okay; nothing special, kind of amusing.

You'd be wise not to gamble on this.

Despite Chevy Chase's decent effort trying to revive the Griswold franchise, VEGAS VACATION is just a big disappointment. This one could have just premiered on TV, as it resembles that sort of mediocrity.

Lame National Lampoon with usual innuendo, drinking.

...the Griswolds bring down the house.

It's a bad sign when National Lampoon wants its name out of the title.

The subplots involving D'Angelo and Newton and Ethan Embry -- the Griswolds' son, who can't stop winning -- have their charms.

A tepid fourth entry in the popular 1980s series that is decidedly showing its age.

Additional Info

• Genre : Comedy
• Release Date : February 14, 1997
• Languages : English
• Captions : English
• Audio Format : 5.1

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Las Vegas has always been considered the playground of the United States. It is where people go when they want to have fun, party, and let loose. Las Vegas is filled with casinos, nightclubs, restaurants, bars, lounges, and so much more. Everything about Las Vegas is amazing because the entire city sparkles. Everything in Las Vegas lights up and stays open pretty much 24/7.

There have been plenty of movies inspired by wild times spent in Las Vegas. It is easy to get lost in all the adventures that Las Vegas has to offer. There are so many places to go, so many things to see, and so many people to meet. As a little preview of what sin city has to offer, we're ranking some of the best movies about Las Vegas!

15 The Hangover— About A Bachelor Party Gone Wrong

The Hangover is one of the most classic Las Vegas movies of all time. It is about a group of guys that go to Las Vegas for a bachelor party and end up getting too messed up on illegal substances to remember what they did! Everything about this movie is hilarious and unforgettable.

14 Last Vegas— About An Older Group Of Guy Friends In Sin City

Last Vegas is about an older group of guy friends that go to Vegas to celebrate one of their engagements to be married. It stars Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro , Morgan Freeman, and Kevin Kline in the leading roles. They go to Vegas and realize that it is a lot different than it was when they were younger.

13 21 (2008)— About A Brilliant College Kid That Can Count Cards

21 is a gambling movie that was released in 2008. It is about a brilliant college student that knows how to count cards. He takes his math knowledge and skills to the casino in order to help him win big money. In other words, he is cheating to win! He is not able to get away with his ruse for too long.

12 What Happens In Vegas— About Two People Who Get Married Under The Influence

Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz are the leading actors in What Happens in Vegas . It is about two people who go to Las Vegas, get super intoxicated, and get married at a wedding chapel. When they wake up the next morning and try to get a divorce, the court judge tells them that they need to try and experience marriage for a little while first.

11 Ocean's Eleven— About An Elaborate Casino Heist

Ocean’s Eleven is about an elaborate casino heist. A group of men get together to try to steal millions of dollars from a casino. In the end, they are actually successful. George Clooney is the leading actor in this movie but it also stars Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Julia Roberts as well.

10 Ocean's Thirteen— About Revenge On A Ruthless Casino Owner

Oceans 13 is about revenge being taken on a ruthless casino owner. George Clooney is once again a leading actor and his enemy in the film is played by none other than Al Pacino. The movie is all about ruining reputations, evening out the playing field, and getting revenge in the most clean-cut possible way.

Related:  Mama June Hits The Casino, Clearly Not Social Distancing

9 Casino (1995)— About A Low-Level Mobster In The 70s

Casino is a movie that was released in 1995 and it is about a low-level mobster who lived in the 1970s. Robert De Niro is the leading actor and Sharon Stone is another big name in the lineup. Casino  is a crime drama filled with a lot of intense moments.

8 Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas— About Two Men On A Wild Bender

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a crazy Las Vegas movie about two men that go on a bender using illegal substances. Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro are the leading actors in this movie. The two men get into a red convertible and drive across the desert to Las Vegas, indulging in the use of illegal substances beyond recognition.

7 Leaving Las Vegas— About A Man Dealing With Alcoholism In Sin City

Leaving Las Vegas is a serious movie about the dark side of Las Vegas when it comes to addiction. The main character is a man suffering from alcoholism who also works as a screenwriter. Upon starting his life in Las Vegas, he finds himself drowning in the world of alcohol use.

Related:  Here’s How Channing Tatum Turned His Stripper Days Into A Movie & Vegas Show

6 Vegas Vacation— About The Wacky Misadventures Of A Family

Vegas Vacation is a hilarious 1997 movie that is considered a comedy. It is about a family that decides to take a trip to Las Vegas. Every member of the family focuses on their own interests and what they find to be fun on a personal level. They aren’t exactly worried about each other as they experience their wildly fun moments.

5 Think Like A Man Too— About A Destination Wedding In Vegas

Think Like a Man Too is another funny Vegas comedy starring Michael Ealy, Kevin Hart , Regina Hall, Meagan Good, Gabrielle Union, Taraji P. Henson, and more. This movie was released in 2014 and is a romantic-comedy. Multiple couples meet up in Las Vegas for a wedding.

4 Honeymoon In Vegas— About A Man Who Gambles Away $65,000 And Uses His Wife To Pay Off His Debt

Honeymoon in Vegas is a movie starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Nicolas Cage in the leading roles. He plays the role of a husband who gambles too much of his money away and decides to offer up his wife in exchange for his debt getting cleared up. His wife ends up falling for the new guy!

Related:  15 Facts From Will Smith's Biggest Movies

3 Destruction: Las Vegas— About Frat Brothers Fighting Off An Ancient Curse In Nevada

Destruction: Las Vegas is about frat brothers that fight off an ancient curse in Las Vegas Nevada. They think that they are going to head to Nevada for a fun spring break vacation but instead, they accidentally unleash a curse when they break the steel of a precious sword. They then have to try to save the city.

2 Showgirls— About A Young Woman That Wants To Succeed As A Vegas Performer

Showgirls is an old school movie about a young woman that arrives in Las Vegas with big hopes and dreams. She wants to make it as a top showgirl who performs dance routines on stage for thousands of people. Instead, she finds herself wrapped up in the world of erotic dancing.

1 Wild Card— About A Vegas Bodyguard Going Against A Mob Boss

Wild Card is a Las Vegas movie about a bodyguard that goes head-to-head against a mob boss. This movie stars Jason Statham in a leading role and it was released in 2015. It is classified as both an action and a thriller. It is definitely filled with enough action and thrilling moments.

Next:  Will Ferrell's Most Popular Movies Ranked From Unwatchable To Hilarious

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Vegas Vacation - Full Cast & Crew

• 20   Metascore
• 1 hr 34 mins
• Watchlist Where to Watch

Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo reprise their roles as heads of the Griswold clan, whose fourth adventure takes them to Las Vegas.

Screenwriter

Executive producer, assoc. producer, co-producer, cinematographer, production company, art director, sound/sound designer, production designer.

The 20 Vegas Films You Must See

The Hangover

Las Vegas has been appearing in movies since at least the early 1940s, and the town’s onscreen image has evolved as the city itself has transformed and expanded. In picking the 20 essential Las Vegas movies, I looked at films primarily set in and/or about Las Vegas, not just movies with one memorable Vegas sequence (which leaves out Swingers or the recent Gloria Bell ). With the Las Vegas Film Festival coming up (April 28-May 5), here are iconic Vegas that, whether great, good, or bad, help paint a vibrant picture of our city on the big screen.

Helldorado (1946)

Like most movies starring singing cowboy Roy Rogers, Helldorado is shamelessly cheesy, with a plot designed primarily to showcase Rogers crooning and riding, joined as always by his trusty horse Trigger (who gets second billing). But it’s also a fascinating document of a Las Vegas that was still part of the Old West. Set during the annual Helldorado Days, the movie stars Rogers as a Nevada Ranger on the trail of some money-launderers, with Rogers’ frequent co-star Dale Evans as a sassy socialite who fancies herself an amateur detective. The movie’s Vegas has flashy casinos bordering open landscape, in a city where many of the roads are still dirt. The Helldorado parade (and the associated beard-growing competition) gets as much screen time as the villains’ dastardly plan, and that balance seems about right.

Meet Me in Las Vegas (1956)

Cyd Charisse stars as an imperious ballerina performing at the Sands in this charming MGM musical, which combines plenty of Vegas atmosphere (including performances by Lena Horne and Frankie Laine and an uncredited Frank Sinatra cameo) with old-fashioned Hollywood song-and-dance numbers. Charisse’s Marie Corvier forms an unlikely pair with Dan Dailey’s aw-shucks rancher Chuck Rodwell, who experiences uncanny luck at the tables whenever he holds Marie’s hand. The sleepy plot provides lots of time for musical showcases, including some stunning footwork from Charisse. Along with learning to appreciate Chuck’s charms, the somewhat snobbish Marie also learns to appreciate performing for Vegas crowds, and the movie effectively sells both Vegas glamour (dig those gorgeous outfits) and the Vegas showbiz work ethic.

Ocean’s Eleven (1960)

The truth is that the 2001 remake of this Rat Pack heist movie is much better, but no other film offers the same distillation of the time when Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. dominated Las Vegas. The movie’s first half is extremely slow-moving, and even once the group of former military buddies embark on their plan to steal from five Vegas casinos, the story isn’t particularly suspenseful or lively. But the hangout vibe is excellent, and seeing these guys (also including Rat Pack members Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop) in their element, full of style and swagger (and, it must be said, more than a little chauvinism), makes it clear why they ruled the Strip. Plus, the exquisitely downbeat ending nearly makes up for all the preceding bluster.

Viva Las Vegas (1964)

The title song of this Elvis Presley musical has had a more lasting impact than the movie it came from, thanks to dozens of cover versions and an adoption as the official song of the city. But Viva Las Vegas remains a defining moment for Vegas onscreen, establishing so many of the persistent, indelible elements of the city’s image, from Elvis to showgirls to quickie weddings to, uh, helicopter tours of Hoover Dam. The movie belongs to Ann-Margret as Flamingo pool manager Rusty Martin as much as it belongs to Presley as racecar driver Lucky Jackson, and their real-life competition for screen time gets the best out of both performers. Presley isn’t much of an actor, and the story is pretty undercooked, but there’s infectious fun in the musical set pieces, and a giddy enthusiasm for everything Vegas that still does wonders for the city.

The Only Game in Town (1970)

A critical and commercial failure at the time of its release, the final film from legendary director George Stevens ( Shane , Giant ) has actually aged well, and its oddball pairing of Elizabeth Taylor and Warren Beatty works in its favor for a story of unbalanced (but undeniable) romance. Adapted by Frank D. Gilroy from his stage play, the movie mostly takes place in the small apartment of Las Vegas showgirl Fran (Taylor), and was shot primarily in Paris, on Taylor’s insistence. But whenever Fran and pianist (and gambling addict) Joe (Beatty) leave the apartment, they head into real Vegas locations (including the old Vegas Village general store), showing the everyday side of working-class Strip entertainers. A sort of gentler, melancholy version of the histrionic Leaving Las Vegas , Game captures the feel of the Vegas grind alongside an engaging (if sometimes stilted) romance.

Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

Often cited as one of the worst James Bond movies, Diamonds Are Forever is not exactly a great showcase for the iconic secret agent. It’s full of flat, belabored humor, the plot is confusing and sluggish, and star Sean Connery (returning to the role after one film away) seems bored with the whole project. But Diamonds is a great showcase for Las Vegas, which is the setting for the majority of the movie and shines in all its gaudy, neon-drenched 1970s glory. The eight featured Vegas hotels are as much the stars of the movie as Connery is, especially the International (now the Westgate), turned into the fictional Whyte House, run b

y the movie’s campy Howard Hughes analogue. With its car chases around downtown and guest appearances by Circus-Circus performers, Di amonds proved that Vegas could be the ideal setting for a major action-adventure blockbuster.

One From the Heart (1982)

Francis Ford Coppola’s elaborate Las Vegas-set musical, shot entirely on sound stages at his American Zoetrope Studios, is one of the most notorious box-office failures of all time, but it’s the kind of boondoggle that’s perfect for Vegas: an ambitious, ego-driven piece of artistic kitsch. And while Coppola didn’t shoot a single frame on location, his version of the city is possibly the Vegas-est Vegas can be, with the deliberately artificial casino facades placed right next to the equally artificial sets of the characters’ living and working spaces. Coppola repurposes and heightens genuine Vegas landmarks to provide a hallucinatory world for his almost abstract love story about a travel agent (Teri Garr) and a mechanic (Frederic Forrest) who break up and explore other lovers over the course of a woozy 48 hours, only to be inexorably drawn back to each other.

Honeymoon in Vegas (1992)

Everyone remembers the jumpsuited skydivers known as the Flying Elvises from this goofy Nicolas Cage/Sarah Jessica Parker rom-com, but much of the story embraces Vegas silliness, from the lavishly appointed Ali Baba Suite at Bally’s where New Yorkers Jack (Cage) and Betsy (Parker) stay in anticipation of their wedding, to the fawning VIP host who caters to the whims of shady businessman Tommy Korman (James Caan), to the parade of Elvis impersonators (including a very young Bruno Mars). The story about Tommy forcing Betsy to spend a weekend with him to pay off Jack’s gambling debts is a bit icky, but writer-director Andrew Bergman keeps the tone light even when Cage is delivering one of his signature unhinged rants.

Leprechaun 3 (1995)

There are plenty of low-budget, direct-to-video horror movies set in Las Vegas, but only one of them stars Warwick Davis as a homicidal, rhyming leprechaun. The third movie in the surprisingly long-running Leprechaun series finds the evil imp in Vegas, where he ends up at the Lucky Shamrock casino, chasing down people who’ve taken coins from his pot of gold. The plot and characters are entirely ridiculous, of course, but there are some fun Vegas-related bits (at one point the leprechaun turns some poor guy into a human slot machine), and the city turns out to be a perfect setting for the demented creature, who gets as much joy from cheating and deceiving people as he does from committing horrible and/or ironic acts of violence.

Showgirls (1995)

Is Showgirls one of the worst movies ever made? Is it so bad it’s good, or is it actually secretly brilliant? Paul Verhoeven’s stripper saga is all of those things and more, depending on who you ask, but regardless of your perspective, the movie is never not entertaining. Joe Eszterhas’ screenplay is full of quotably ridiculous dialogue, and the performances are perversely dedicated, especially Elizabeth Berkley in the role that both defined and essentially ended her career. Berkley’s Nomi Malone is a ruthless social climber who uses her sexuality to get what she wants, both at the Cheetahs gentlemen’s club and in the Stardust’s lavish topless show Goddess . Showgirls presents Las Vegas as a corrupt cesspool, but also as a place where people with genuine artistic ambitions come to make it big. In its strange way, it’s a tribute to the town’s own ruthless ambitions.

Leaving Las Vegas (1995)

Nicolas Cage’s Oscar-winning performance as suicidal alcoholic Ben Sanderson is so broad that it frequently veers into camp, but it’s balanced with remarkable effectiveness by Elisabeth Shue as Sera, the lonely prostitute with whom Ben forms an immediate connection. Las Vegas is a key component of Ben’s plan to drink himself to death, and the town itself is portrayed as a somewhat toxic environment. But it’s also a place where people like Ben and Sera come to escape, even if their demons follow them wherever they go. Working from John O’Brien’s semi-autobiographical novel, writer-director Mike Figgis captures the self-destructive melodrama of someone who’s determined to end his life no matter who he hurts along the way. The movie is as overwrought and ungainly as Ben himself, and just as consumed by tragedy.  

Casino (1995)

While it’s often overshadowed by director Martin Scorsese’s previous collaboration with crime writer Nicholas Pileggi, 1990’s Goodfellas , Casino is every bit the masterful crime epic its predecessor is, another complex examination of loyalty and betrayal among gangsters, in this case the criminal organization that unofficially ran multiple Las Vegas casinos in the 1970s and early ’80s. Robert De Niro gives possibly his last great performance as Lefty Rosenthal stand-in Sam “Ace” Rothstein, and Joe Pesci is delightfully unhinged as Rothstein’s best friend and worst enemy Nicky Santoro. Although it’s fictionalized, the movie is still a fascinatingly detailed look into how the mob controlled Vegas for years, and the difficult, sometimes violent way the city and the industry evolved, led by these bold visionaries who also happened to be vicious criminals. 

The Winner (1996)

Cult filmmaker Alex Cox ( Repo Man , Sid and Nancy ) has disowned his adaptation of Wendy Riss’ play A Darker Purpose , but the movie retains plenty of his off-kilter sensibility, and it works as a sort of Vegas flipside to Repo Man ’s quasi-mystical LA. Vincent D’Onofrio plays an almost otherworldly gambler who appears unable to lose, and who is targeted by gangsters, opportunists and his own sleazy brother as a result. The plot doesn’t make much sense, but Frank Whaley, Rebecca De Mornay, and Billy Bob Thornton all give entertaining performances as the strange characters trying to take advantage of the protagonist. Cox makes great use of both Vegas landmarks (the opening is set at the Pioneer Saloon, and there’s a sex scene atop a piano at the Liberace Museum) and the booming, constantly-under-construction Vegas suburbs of the time, which of course conceal rot and betrayal just underneath.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

Hunter S. Thompson’s Las Vegas is not a pleasant place, and Terry Gilliam’s adaptation of Thompson’s seminal novel captures the kaleidoscopic nightmare experienced by Thompson stand-in Raoul Duke (Johnny Depp, in what may be his definitive role) and his lawyer/accomplice Dr. Gonzo (Benicio del Toro) as they navigate the garish horrors they perceive in the Vegas of 1971. The characters’ drug-fueled journey produces a movie that itself feels like a drug trip, which means it can be exhausting and repetitive, but can also provide unexpected revelations. Using Vegas as a stand-in for America’s worst excesses may have become a cliché, but Fear and Loathing embraces its inherent contradictions, allowing its self-destructive characters to take advantage of depravity while also recoiling from it in horror.

Ocean’s Eleven (2001)

Ocean’s Thirteen (2007)

The bookends of Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s trilogy make Las Vegas look almost impossibly cool, a high-end playground for the crew of suave thieves led by George Clooney’s Danny Ocean. The plots are convoluted, but the characters are impeccably crafted, and the visual style is dazzling. Far superior to its Rat Pack source material, Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Eleven is a lively, funny, and massively entertaining heist movie bursting with great performances, centered on the buddy-comedy che

mistry between Clooney and Brad Pitt. Ocean’s Thirteen is even more of a love letter to Vegas, made at a time when construction on the Strip was booming and new mega-resorts were opening every other month. Both movies capture the energy, glamour and luxury of a Vegas era that came crashing down shortly after.

The Hangover (2009)

Todd Phillips’ raunchy comedy has come to define the hedonistic image of modern Las Vegas, the place where “what happens here, stays here,” and people are free to indulge their darkest desires. The story of three friends trying to piece together their harrowing bachelor party night (in order to locate their missing fourth friend, who’s due to get married) is still consistently funny, with justifiably star-making performances from Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis (and an ultra-luxurious Caesars Palace suite). The movie portrays Vegas as a dangerous adult playground where anything goes, which is equally enticing and terrifying. It’s a place where the characters discover their true selves and actually grow up a bit, although not so much that they can’t repeat the same mistakes in the two (mostly terrible) sequels.

Electrick Children (2012)

Las Vegas native Rebecca Thomas makes the city into an ethereal promised land in her debut feature, a dreamlike fable about a sheltered Utah teenager (Julia Garner) who runs away from a religious compound to seek out the man she believes impregnated her via a holy cassette tape. Garner’s Rachel is a combination of naive and determined, completely ignorant about how babies are conceived but also willing to risk everything to find the father of her child. Garner is fantastic as the open, tender Rachel, who views every new place she visits with wide-eyed wonder. Thomas finds that wonder away from the Strip, in places like Downtown’s Artifice and the Alamo, and at the suburban Desert Breeze Skate Park. The movie builds a sweet teenage romance alongside a sense of the mystical and unknowable.

Fateful Findings (2013)

Las Vegan Neil Breen has become a fixture of the bad-movie circuit thanks in large part to this anti-masterpiece, a stunningly narcissistic piece of outsider art in which Breen stars as a messianic hacker/psychic who is irresistible to women and is the only person who can expose government and corporate corruption to the world. Breen is a terrible filmmaker but also a fascinating figure, a sort of self-made only-in-Vegas character whose unearned confidence in himself takes the place of talent or training. Breen shoots all his self-financed movies in nondescript office buildings and courtyards and in the open desert, although his penchant for stock footage also occasionally includes images of the Strip. Fateful Findings is the purest representation of his baffling, abrasive style, and a reminder that Vegas is still one of the top places for self-indulgent weirdos.

Dealer (2017)

A team-up of some of the most talented local filmmakers of the last few years, Dealer is an omnibus film made by five directors and/or directing teams (Lundon Boyd, Jeremy Cloe, Mike and Jerry Thompson, Ryan and Cody LeBeouf, Adam Zielinski), tied together by Boyd’s character Kelly, a hapless casino card dealer who’s forced into running errands for a mysterious crime boss. Each segment has its own tone, from surreal to sweet to suspenseful, and each highlights a different side of Vegas, from the LeBeoufs’ kaleidoscopic journey through the halls of the Artisan to Cloe’s suburban hangout comedy to the Thompsons’ caper on the waters of Lake Mead. It’s a showcase for homegrown talent that proves its creators are all ready for bigger things.

13 Extraordinary Movies Set In Las Vegas That Will Inspire You To Visit!

Posted on Last updated: October 13, 2023

Categories Travel Via Cinema , North America , USA

Sofia De Vera combines a heartfelt passion for cinema with over 15 years of critiquing for esteemed film publications, wielding academic credentials from the University of Southern California and New York University, to serve as your personal guide through the enchanting worlds of film and television.  Her full guest bio can be found here.

Films have the opportunity to be special. They can often transport the audiences to different universes, planets, countries, or even to just a different city. One of the most mesmerizing cities to which movies can transport their audience is Sin City itself, Las Vegas.

After all, this is a city known for its lights, glamor, entertainment, and a place where people can travel from far and wide to live out some of their personal vices, and some great movies set in Las Vegas depict all of that.

Often times it is hard to accurately depict the appeal of Las Vegas without being so over the top in dramatics or scope that people lose the sense of realism for the city. Many times through the history of film, there have been stories the were put to screen that shows off the euphoric sensation that one feels while being in the city.

Some films show what the highs and incredible lows of gambling, bachelor parties, and falling in love in the city that never sleeps can be like – while holding a high quality of entertainment value that these types of films should have. After all, while films set in Hawaii or New Zealand might be for the stunning natural landscapes, but Vegas the appeal is far more .. human.

Many movies set in Las Vegas showcase what some of the deep desires of humans are and highlight why so many take a weekend away here to live out some of their dream vices.

You never know.

Perhaps the films on this list will inspire you with ideas of what to do (or not to do in many cases) if you happen to trek into this man-made oasis in the Nevada desert. However, if you are looking for less illicit ideas that won’t land you in gain, we recommend sticking to our list of fun (and legal) things to do in Las Vegas.

Wondering where to watch? It depends on where you live in the world and which streaming services you have. We link to the streaming service we watch on in each case - be it Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, or elsewhere.

You can get one month free of Amazon Prime (or a 6-month trial for students ) of Amazon Prime and also get immediate access to FREE Two Day shipping, Amazon Video, and Music. While you won't be charged for your free trial, you'll be upgraded to a paid membership plan automatically at the end of the trial period - though if you have already binged all these, you could just cancel before the trial ends.

Apple TV+ also has a one-week trial, and Hulu has a one-month trial (which can be bundled with Disney!). Another option might be using a VPN to access Netflix titles locked to other regions . Netflix is now available in more than 190 countries worldwide and each country has a different library and availability. US Netflix is (understandably) one of the best. 

While we wish everything could just be in one place - for now, it seems these are the best streaming platforms to watch on.

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Viva Las Vegas (1964)

Rain man (1988), casino (1995), leaving las vegas (1995), hard eight (1996), fear and loathing in las vegas (1998), ocean’s eleven and thirteen (2001 and 2007), the cooler (2003), diamonds are forever (1971), the hangover (2009), last vegas (2013).

Is there such a thing as a classic film that is also a Vegas film? I’m not entirely sure if there is, but it would be Viva Las Vegas if there is. This film is arguably one of Elvis Presley’s most famous films and one of the most famous films to feature Las Vegas, but it is Ann-Margeret, the show-stealer in this one.

Every scene she is in, she comes off as the most electrifying force on the screen, her energy is the driving force throughout this film, and she lights up every scene that she is in the way that the Vegas city lights can light up the city streets.

Among the Las Vegas genre of films, this best matches the authentic energy and feel of classical Las Vegas.

Admittedly, it has a more dated feel when watching it in the modern-day. Still, it feels like it does an excellent job of honing in on the original appeal of Las Vegas, and it does so through the characters it shows us, which not every film with Las Vegas at its center does through that lens.

Whether it is Presley or Margaret, they seamlessly translate the liveliness that one can feel once they enter the city limits of Vegas.

When Dustin Hoffman is on, it is hard to find a more enjoyable actor to watch get lost within a role, which is on full display throughout the run time of Rain Man .

This film is more about the ideas and themes of Americana more so than Las Vegas, but those parts of Vegas are intertwined with the structure of the film in such an effective way. It feels like the moments between the two main characters Raymond Babbitt and Charlie Babbit, played by Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise, respectively, always feel intimate. The moments in Las Vegas during the film feel equally intimate with the audience.

The scenes that incorporate Las Vegas perfectly capture the essence and the vibe that Las Vegas is known for. It shows off how beautiful this city can be, even amid the insanity that can be found on a night-to-night basis – it helps show that like life, even in the most insane and chaotic situations, there can be beauty under it all.

Rain Man translates the entire city to the screen in such a beautiful and truthful manner. It shows off the lively lights from the strip leaking into the empty and barren hotel rooms. There’s something about how Rain Man incorporates the city’s liveliness that makes me want to transport to that city and moment every single time.

Casino comes during a time of immaculate movie making in Hollywood – the 1990s. It is one of Martin Scorsese’s remarkable achievements as a filmmaker (then again, most of his films could be considered one of his great achievements).

For its over three-hour run time, Casino is one of the more consistently entertaining long epics of the last twenty or so years. Casino is a slow burn that takes a generous amount of time to build the world around its characters, and even when a story is set in a notorious setting like Las Vegas, films need to take their time to set the stage.

Nevertheless, Casino does a fantastic job of showing the audience the characters’ world.

Casino truly shows the business side of Las Vegas. While not every business has ties to the mafia or mob bosses, there is a massive amount of corruption in cities like Las Vegas on the side of politics and the businesses that exist in those cities.

Casino is one of the more intense and exciting mobster films that shows the intensity that can be felt within Las Vegas with a unique spin on it as most audience members will not be a business owner in Las Vegas. Still, Casino’s excitement and the intensity felt within the film attract nature to the infamous city.

The idea of visiting Las Vegas is not always the glitz and glamor, many times, it is a city of pain, grit, and desperation, and the film Leaving Las Vegas does a remarkable job of honing in on the idea that Las Vegas can be a city that breaks you.

Yet, Leaving Las Vegas is a film that shows that even in the darkest moments in our lives, there can be one unifying factor that can be found if we are looking for it, and that is love.

It’s a film that shows that there can be this sense of euphoric magic underneath the despair and chaos of our everyday lives, and it does so in a beautiful way. It’s another film the feels like it authentically shows the beauty and intimacy that can be found in Las Vegas.

Finally, it’s a film that follows the despair and downward spiral that an individual is going through and feels what being a lost soul and searching for rebirth in life can look like in Las Vegas.

This entry on the list is a bit of a stretch as much of the film takes place in Reno, Nevada, and not Las Vegas, but it has more of an essence and feel of Las Vegas and the state of Nevada than most Vegas films. It also has some of the very best themes and performances of any of the films on this list, including a great mentor and mentee dynamic between Philip Baker Hall and John C. Reilly.

Additionally, it has a strong father and son dynamic between the two of them that it is hard not to feel connected to the two’s relationship and feel a connection to them throughout the film.

Hard Eight is partially a gambling film, and then it turns into this crime coverup film, and it has every bit of heart and feels that almost all other Vegas films tend to have. It feels like you are in the casinos with the characters. The lighting, the sound, and every ounce of aesthetic in Paul Thomas Anderson’s debut feature film effortlessly transports the audience into the desert of Las Vegas.

Usually, when watching a film, I try to find out if there is a deeper meaning to what the writing, direction, and story are trying to say, and sometimes there isn’t anything more profound. It feels like Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a film that isn’t truly about anything.

There doesn’t seem to be a lot of deeper meaning here, but that is not always a bad thing. I think that this film is about pain and disgust. I think it is about the human beings as a species and their desire for indulgence, and the indulgence here is a copious amount of drugs, and that seems to be about it.

This film shows a lot of the dirtiness and bad rap that Las Vegas tends to have. It shows that a lot of the time, people go on their journey to Las Vegas to explore their personal self-indulgence through various methods of consuming drugs, binge drinking, excessively gambling, or a mix of the three.

It’s a film that aggressively attacks the senses of the audience, and in many ways, gives a very authentic feel of the aggressive nature of Las Vegas – it’s truly a place that continuously attacks your senses the entire time you are there, both in the best and worst ways.

Over the years, it has become more and more apparent to me that director Steven Soderbergh is truly hit or miss, but man, oh man, when he hits, it is in the most epic and thrilling ways possible. Luckily enough, the Ocean’s franchise is, for the most part, a hit.

Like many movies set in Las Vegas, the events in Ocean’s Eleven and Thirteen are improbable to happen to the audience, but man does it make the city of Las Vegas feel like the most electric city of all time.

The Ocean’s franchise will always have a special place in my heart as they are heist films, and that genre will always have a very special place in my heart. However, it’s an added bonus that these films make Las Vegas feel and look like one of the most exciting places in the entire universe.

Through the ensemble cast, editing, and the magnificent direction by Soderbergh, it feels like one of the truly great and electrifying films that feature the one and only Las Vegas at its epicenter.

This is not the first, nor is it the last film centered around life and love in Las Vegas, but it tackles those ideas in one of the more unique fashions. The Cooler follows Bernie, a worker in a Las Vegas casino who notoriously brings bad luck to those in Las Vegas to gamble, which means good business for the casino.

It feels like a film that does not want to fit into any specific genre, and while that typically can lead to a messier type of story, it genuinely works with this one. It welds together tropes of tragic love stories and dynamic thrillers that examine the exploration of life and love.

Like many of the films on this list, it explores the personal journey someone can go through when they are living in Las Vegas. In addition, it explores the complexities of our relationships in cities like Las Vegas that are so centered on the idea of individuals living out their personal vices.

However, unlike many films, it demonstrates the often harshness and complexity of living in a town like Las Vegas while having the true appeal of a city like Las Vegas for those on the outside looking in.

Admittedly this feels like one of the two guilty pleasures on this list. 21 is a film that follows an MIT student recruited by his professor to become a card counter so they can win enough money to cover his school expenses. While I enjoy its core with its quick pace, easy-to-follow story, and snappy dialogue, I also recognize that it’s not the best-structured film.

With all that being said, this is a great gambling film, and it helps demonstrate the ephemeral feeling gambling gives people and has some solid stakes for the characters throughout the film. It seems difficult to create a high-quality gambling film, but 21 does a solid job of making the card counting and gambling aspects extraordinarily entertaining and engaging.

Every time that I check this out, it immediately makes me want to take a quick trip to Vegas to gamble and play blackjack until I don’t have the energy to anymore.

As Sean Connery’s sixth and final appearance in the official James Bond film series (we don’t count Never Say Never Again here), he went where so many of us do these days, to Vegas! It turned out to be one of the most iconic James Bond film locations of all time and introduced this glitzy gambling mecca to international audiences. So, while this is not one of those movies set in Las Vegas entirely, we still think it is worthy of inclusion!

Following a diamond smuggling investigation, James Bond heads to Las Vegas, where he unveiled a sinister plot headed by his nemesis, Ernst Stavro Blofeld. The production of Diamonds Are Forever shot including almost all of Las Vegas’s biggest hotel and casino properties at the time, including The Riviera, Landmark Hotel & Casino, Dunes Hotel, International Hotel, Las Vegas Hilton, and Circus Circus Las Vegas.

Bond, however, stayed at the Tropicana Las Vegas – though we dare say he would choose a less dated  Vegas hotel with a car park  these days. Black Rock Desert, McCarran International Airport, and Fremont Street were also used as filming locations, but we dare say the most memorable scene of James Bonds’s trip to Vegas is the car chase scene through downtown Las Vegas.

This feat alone requires a portion of the Vegas Strip to be closed at night for three days. Being Vegas, however, a great deal has transformed since Bond ripped through the strip, and it is almost comical to compares 50 years on. 

One of the more over the top and aggressively crude mainstream comedies of the last twenty years, 2009’s The Hangover is a prime example of everything not to do if you decide to have a bachelor party in Las Vegas.

While The Hangover has some humor that hasn’t held up over the last decade or so, it continues to be a rather hilarious rewatch on a cliche, raunchy weekend away in Las Vegas.

Often on Las Vegas trips, it feels like time escapes you, and throughout the runtime of this film, it truly encompasses what that lost time feeling is like. If you’ve had a few adult beverages or dabbled in some recreational drug use in a trip to Las Vegas (in this film’s case, being drugged with roofies), it can feel as if you are at the heart of a mystery you are trying to solve.

The Hangover structurally does a good job of having its characters backtrack the events of the night before as someone who’s had a night out in the city that never sleeps would instead of showing the events in chronological order.

Without any spoilers, let’s just say these guys went a bit wilder than a night at the WOW Vegas show or going to one of the male strip shows in Vegas.

This is the second of my guilty pleasure Las Vegas films. While it still is not an over-the-top great film, it is hard for me to not consider it a fun film and makes me want to take a trip to Las Vegas with my best friends when I’m an old man.

A big part of the appeal of Last Vegas is the fact the core four actors (Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, Michael Douglas, and Kevin Kline) are four of the greatest living actors remaining from their respective generations.

It’s full of generic humor and highly predictable, but it’s just such a fun time. Of this list, it is also easily the most family-friendly film about Las Vegas on this list and comes across as one of the most rewatchable ones as well – it always seems to deliver enjoyment and laughs.

It also makes Las Vegas come across as a truly appealing city to visit with some of your closest pals without having to be too raunchy to get the point across.

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The 25 best films set in Las Vegas

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas — unless they make a movie about it. As a hotbed for frivolity, debauchery, and, in the past, crime, Las Vegas has been a setting for many films. Even the Griswolds went there once. That movie doesn’t make the cut, but here are 25 of the best movies that are set at least partially in Sin City.

'Swingers' (1996)

Vegas, baby. Swingers made the careers of Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau while also getting a bunch of twentysomething dudes in the ‘90s interested in taking a trip to Las Vegas with their friends. While the entire movie doesn’t take place there, you don’t have Swingers without Vegas.

'Ocean’s 11' (2001)

Danny Ocean and his crew had three separate heist adventures in Las Vegas, each time adding another member to the crew. Or, so the numbers in the titles would indicate. We’re focused on the first movie in Steven Soderbergh’s trilogy, though. It’s where it all started and also naturally feels the freshest.

'Casino' (1995)

Martin Scorsese returned to the world of the mob after his hit film Goodfellas . Casino is maybe a little bloated, but it’s another top-notch crime movie from a man who makes them as well as anybody. Robert De Niro once again stars for his friend Marty — this time, as a mobster sent to Las Vegas to run operations out there.

'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' (1998)

Hunter S. Thompson is an acquired taste. Johnny Depp doing an impersonation of his friend Thompson, the godfather of “Gonzo journalism,” is a weird, trippy, druggy movie. It’s odd, and it doesn’t all hang together. However, Terry Gilliam was never going to adapt a Thompson book and not have it be a cult classic.

'Rat Race' (2001)

Rat Race  was sort of an attempt to revamp It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World , but this time, instead of Sid Caesar and Jonathan Winters, it’s…Jon Lovitz and Seth Green. OK, this madcap adventure isn’t as memorable as its likely inspiration. Still, it’s a fun comedy about a race from Las Vegas to Silver City, New Mexico, for a prize of $2 million.

'Lost in America' (1985)

Albert Brooks was a true auteur — starring, writing, and directing films that always felt very “Albert Brooks.” Lost in America is perhaps the quintessential Brooks movie. It’s about two misguided yuppies who set off on a grand adventure. An adventure derailed by a stop in Las Vegas.

'Bugsy' (1991)

If you know anything about Las Vegas history, you know that mobster Bugsy Siegel is largely credited with helping turn Vegas into the city of casinos and gambling it is today. He got a biopic eventually because, while he was not exactly a good guy, he was a weirdly critical figure in American history. Not only that, Warren Beatty plays Siegel in Bugsy . Annette Bening plays his love interest, which is where their relationship began.

'Leaving Las Vegas' (1995)

Nicolas Cage has given some out-there performances and been in some schlock. Leaving Las Vegas is decidedly not that kind of movie. It’s a bleak drama about a man who heads to Las Vegas to drink himself to death. Somehow, it’s even darker than that sounds. However, it won Cage a Best Actor Oscar.

'3000 Miles to Graceland' (2001)

This movie was a box-office flop, but it is a quintessential Las Vegas film. It’s all about the cheap glitz of the city. Plus, it stars Kurt Russell and Kevin Costner! They play two men who have a plan to rob a casino during a convention of Elvis impersonators. A bunch of fake Elvises and a casino robbery? It sounds like a Vegas movie to us!

'The Godfather' (1972)

The Corleones have their hands in a lot of businesses, legitimate and otherwise. As Mafia members, this includes Las Vegas. As you may recall, Fredo is working for Moe Greene in Vegas during this movie. Michael also goes and visits Greene. We see Greene again after that, but it does not go great for him. Or his glasses.

'Rain Man' (1988)

Even if you haven’t seen this Best Picture winner, you likely know one part of Rain Man . Dustin Hoffman’s autistic savant Raymond plays blackjack at a Las Vegas Casino because he knows how to count cards. It’s permeated pop culture and stars not just Hoffman but Tom Cruise. They don’t really make movies of this ilk anymore.

'Mars Attacks!' (1996)

When the Martians attacked the United States, they seemed focused primarily on two cities: Washington D.C., of course, but also Las Vegas. Jack Nicholson actually plays two roles in Tim Burton’s ludicrous, antic comedy. One is the President, but the other is a cowboy Las Vegas developer. Also, Danny DeVito gets high billing for a character known only as “Rude Gambler.”

'Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery' (1997)

Austin Powers may be a British superspy all about that swinging London, but when he is frozen and thawed decades later, he’s got to go where the action takes him. For one portion of this movie, that action is in Las Vegas. There, he poses as Richie Cunningham (alongside his wife, Oprah) and meets Dr. Evil’s femme fatale named, ahem, Alotta Fagina.

'Go' (1999)

A few movies bridge the gap between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Swingers is one of those, but that’s about letting loose, having fun, and being money (baby). Go involves both cities, but this story is about drugs, violence, and young people making terrible mistakes. Interestingly, both movies are directed by Doug Liman.

'Jason Bourne' (2016)

Weird, Liman also directed the first Jason Bourne movie, but not this one, the fourth in the series (fifth, if you include the Jeremy Renner vehicle, The Bourne Legacy ). As usual, Bourne is all over the place in this movie, but the conclusion of this spy saga takes place in Vegas.

'The Hangover' (2009)

The Hangover has sort of taken over the mantle of the epitome of the Vegas debauchery comedy. Does it hold up entirely? No. Do the sequels wear thin? Yes. Having said all that, The Hangover was a massive hit that captured the zeitgeist. It’s not just a defining Vegas film but a defining comedy of the 2000s.

'21' (2008)

Dustin Hoffman could count cards in Rain Man because of how filmmakers perceived autism at the time. In 21 , they can count cards in blackjack because they are a bunch of math whizzes from MIT. This movie is based on a true story about the MIT Blackjack Team that skirted the regulations of Vegas to win big money by counting cards. It’s a fun film, though it is worth noting that the real MIT Blackjack Team was primarily Asian, while they are predominantly white in the movie.

'Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous' (2005)

The sequel to Miss Congeniality is a step down from the original, but that’s the case with most sequels. Nevertheless, Sandra Bullock was back, and that’s usually a good thing. Two of her character’s friends are kidnapped in Vegas, including the reigning Miss America, so Bullock has to head there to sort things out.

'Honeymoon in Vegas' (1992)

Nic Cage is back, though the movie is a bit lighter this time. Skydiving Elvis impersonators are involved. It’s about a couple that head to Vegas for a quickie wedding only to run into complications when a crooked gambler gets involved. It’s like a lighter version of Indecent Proposal with more Elvises.

'Diamonds are Forever' (1971)

James Bond hasn’t spent as much time in Vegas as you might have expected. In fact, Bond’s only real stint in Vegas came in Diamond are Forever . This is the movie where Sean Connery returned after leaving the franchise. He looked a little checked out. Also, this is a weird movie. On the other hand, Diamonds are Forever has a couple of memorable villains.

'Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice' (1969)

This is perhaps better known as the “partner swapping movie.” It’s become a reference due to that fact. It also has quite the cast, including Natalie Wood and Elliott Gould. Bob and Carol are a couple, and so are Ted and Alice. Things get messy. Specifically, messy in Las Vegas.

'Rocky IV' (1985)

As we all know, Rocky and Ivan Drago box in the Soviet Union so that, when Rocky wins, he can basically end communism. However, before that happens, Drago boxes Apollo Creed. Not only that, Drago beats Apollo to death in perhaps the darkest moment in the Rocky franchise. That fight happens at the MGM Grand in Vegas.

'The Gambler' (1974)

You’d think every movie about gamblers would take place in Vegas. That’s not necessarily true. California Split , for example, never makes it to Vegas. The Gambler does, though. The late James Caan plays a professor who is a gambling addict and ends up in Sin City. It does not go well. Caan was nominated for a Golden Globe. Skip the remake with Mark Wahlberg.

'Domino' (2005)

Tony Scott loved to make kinetic, frantic, glossy films. Basically, he was perfect for Vegas. Domino stars Keira Knightley as the titular character, a model turned bounty hunter. Think that’s a ridiculous premise? She’s based on a real person! Domino’s work takes her to Vegas, where things get out of hand.

'Viva Las Vegas' (1964)

We’ve mentioned Elvis impersonators a couple of times. Why not end with the real deal? Elvis Presley and Vegas go hand in hand. Viva Las Vegas is the film that forever connected them. It’s also the name of the song that Elvis released for the film, which became one of his signature hits. You can’t talk about Elvis’ movie career or Las Vegas on screen without this movie.

Chris Morgan is a Detroit-based culture writer who has somehow managed to justify getting his BA in Film Studies. He has written about sports and entertainment across various internet platforms for years and is also the author of three books about '90s television.

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32 Great Movies About Las Vegas

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

Las Vegas. Sin City, a place where those who are looking for a little bit of luck can retreat and gamble – a true paradise for those looking to have fun. Which makes it the perfect setting for a movie. 

The famous Nevada city has had several movies set within its confines, from hilarious comedies that are some of the funniest movies out there, to Zack Snyder features that will take you into a zombie apocalypse. From casinos to schools to heists, Las Vegas-set films have it all. These are some of the best movies set in Las Vegas, and where you can stream them.

The Hangover (2009)

If you want a classic comedy, check out The Hangover . Released in 2009, this film follows a group of friends who decide to go to Vegas to celebrate a wedding. The next morning, none of them can find the groom, and they also have no memory of what happened the night before. Now, it's a race against the clock to retrace their steps and find him before time runs out. 

The Hangover is honestly an absolute Las Vegas classic. I feel like whenever I think of the city, this is one of the first films that comes to mind. All of The Hangover movies are funny, but nothing can quite beat the first. The chemistry The Hangover cast has is impeccable and it’s just so dang funny. This movie defined my middle school years and still continues to be one of my favorite comedies to date. You just have to love it.

Viva Las Vegas (1964)

Oh, you want old-school Vegas? You’re getting old-school Vegas. Viva Las Vegas is a classic musical starring Elvis Presley and Anne-Margret in a simple love story. A race-car driver is trying to mind his business while waiting for the ultimate competition - the Grand Prix. However, his life turns upside down when he meets the woman of his dreams in Las Vegas while he’s working to save up money for a new engine. 

I mean, if you’ve ever heard of the song “ Viva Las Vegas ” from Elvis, it’s from this movie. And, with a musical starring the King of Rock and Roll himself, you know the tunes are going to be banging. While Las Vegas in the film looks nothing like Las Vegas does today, it still has that same Vegas vibe, and the chemistry that these two share is great. 

Ocean's Eleven (2001)

If you’re looking for a heist comedy that takes place in Las Vegas, you have to check out Ocean’s Eleven. A remake of the original film released back in the 1960s (which you should also check out if you like this one), this story follows Danny Ocean and his criminal buddies, who decide to pull the ultimate heist in the city of sin - to rob $160 million from a casino owner. The twist? The casino owner’s girlfriend also happens to be Ocean’s ex-wife, creating an even more chaotic scenario. 

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Ocean’s Eleven is iconic for so many reasons. The background of Las Vegas is expertly used and the action scenes are phenomenal, but what does it for me is the outstanding Ocean’s Eleven cast. You have the likes of George Clooney , Brad Pitt , Julia Roberts , Don Cheadle - all of these Hollywood powerhouses in the same film. And if you end up liking Ocean’s Eleven, there’s a whole Ocean’s franchise for you to watch after. 

Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

James Bond ’s contribution to movies set in Las Vegas is Diamonds Are Forever . Like everything Bond (Sean Connery) does, it oozes cool in 1960s Vegas. The main action takes place on Fremont Street decades before it was closed to traffic. That’s a good thing too, since there is a pretty epic car chase along the original Strip. Of course, there is also a great gambling scene featuring Bond playing craps, alongside Plenty O’Toole (Lana Wood). 

The Godfather (1971)

There isn’t a ton of Las Vegas in The Godfather none of the scenes set in Sin City were filmed there. However, who doesn’t think that Moe Greene could be running your hotel in Vegas? Not to mention thinking of Fredo every time you meet a cocktail waitress. In the sequel, many scenes were filmed in Nevada, but again, not in Las Vegas. Still, it’s a Vegas movie. 

Pay It Forward (2000)

In this sweet romantic drama, Pay It Forward stars Kevin Spacey , Helen Hunt and Haley Joel Osment, telling the story of a young boy who wants to make a difference in the world. So he decides to start a new movement called “pay it forward,” not knowing the impact that it would have not only on his community, but on those he loves, as well. 

Truthfully, this is the only Las Vegas centered movie on this list that I can fully recommend for families, just because many of the others have pretty adult scenes or a lot of gore or violence, but Pay It Forward is just a sweet film. While the reviews at the time of its release weren’t the best, I can look back on it with a smile because I enjoy simple love stories. 

Leaving Las Vegas (1995)

Starring Nicolas Cage and Elisabeth Shue, Leaving Las Vegas is an amazing drama, based on a book of the same name. This film follows a man who has lost his family and his job so he decides to give up on everything and move to Las Vegas so he can drink himself to death and live the rest of his days alone. But, while he’s there, he ends up meeting Elisabeth Shue's character and forming a relationship with her. 

Leaving Las Vegas is arguably the saddest film on this list, as it deals with really heavy issues such as suicide and depression, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a great film featuring wonderful acting. Nicolas Cage is stellar and ended up winning an Oscar for his role in the film, and Elisabeth Shue also scored several nominations, as well. It’s such a great film to watch, especially if you want an amazing movie set in Las Vegas. 

Rain Man (1988)

Many people who go to Las Vegas dream of hitting it big at the blackjack table. Counting cards would be a big help, but it’s not that easy. There is one movie character for whom it is natural though. Ray Babbitt ( Dustin Hoffman ) in Rain Man can’t help but count cards and he’s darn good at it. It’s a little nasty that his brother Charlie (Tom Cruise) manipulates him into it, but it still makes us dream big. 

Vegas Vacation (1997)

Even we have to admit that Vegas Vacation is easily the worst installment in the National Lampoon’s Vacation franchise, but that doesn’t mean it won’t put you in the mood for a trip to the Las Vegas Valley. There are some sneaky funny parts, like Wallace Shawn as the unscrupulous dealer, and Ethan Embry's Rusty as "Mr. Papagiorgio." Plus Audrey takes a trip to one of the coolest tourist spots in town, the Neon Museum. 

Bugsy (1991)

You can’t tell the story of Las Vegas without Ben “Bugsy” Siegel. Siegel was a mobster connected to Meyer Lansky and Murder, Inc. in New York. He is credited with the birth of the famous Las Vegas Strip when he built the Flamingo in the 1940s. Bugsy , starring Warren Beatty as Siegel, tells the story of the mobster, and the construction of the Flamingo. Amazingly, the hotel is still open, the oldest hotel on The Strip. 

Honeymoon In Vegas (1992)

Honeymoon in Vegas is one of the most underrated comedies of the 1990s. Sarah Jessica Parker, Nicolas Cage, and James Caan are all brilliant in this movie about a proposal gone wrong in Las Vegas. It’s filled with showgirls, gambling, flying Elvises, and everything else that screams “Sin City.” Cage is especially hilarious in the movie. 

Now You See Me (2013)

Next up on the list, we have Now You See Me. Another heist film but with a twist of magic, this fun movie (which also has a great sequel) follows a group of magicians who are skilled in what they do – so skilled, in fact, that they are able to use their magic talent to rob banks and other places, often handing off much of their earnings to the audiences they perform for, while keeping some for themselves. 

This is such a fun heist movie. As someone who loves the magicians who are often featured in Las Vegas, the take they do in Now You See Me – with them all being bank robbers – is just so inventive and something that I really loved to see. It’s creative, and with a talented Now You See Me cast, the chemistry is all there for this magic show. 

Ocean's Eleven (1960)

If you want a real taste of “cool” 1960s Vegas, look no further than the original Ocean’s Eleven starring the members of the Rat Pack as the thieves. Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr, and Dean Martin lead the all-star cast in a movie that was, of course, remade in the 21st century with an equally star-studded cast. If we’re honest, the stories about the making of the movie, with all the stars hanging out in Vegas together, are better than the movie, but it’s still super fun to watch. 

Swingers (1996)

“Vegas, baby!” Those two words might just be the most quoted words from visitors to Sin City. They come, of course, from Swingers . While the movie, starring Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau is really more about LA, you can’t have a list like this and not include it because of the iconic scenes in Las Vegas. From meeting the women at the top of the Rio Hotel at the old Voodoo Lounge to the $100 minimum blackjack table, it’s Vegas through and through.

The Cooler (2003)

Starring William H. Macy, in one of his best films , The Cooler is a fantastic movie that you definitely can’t miss. In this film, a man who works as a casino "cooler" (a person who seems to keep gamblers from winning) is quite good at his job, but everything changes when he ends up meeting a lovely woman - and he falls in love with her. Now, he has to figure out his next move when his gift of cooling people's gambling luck begins to fade. 

The Cooler is one of the best movies on this list. It was critically acclaimed when it first came out, and the film has some amazing acting. Alec Baldwin, for example, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role. William H. Macy got a Satellite Award nomination for Best Actor as well - it’s such a good story and one you should definitely watch. 

Casino (1995)

You know, I’m only just now starting to realize how many crime and heist movies there are on this list because, dang, there’s a lot. Casino, a classic Las Vegas film, stars Robert De Niro , Sharon Stone, and Joe Pesci, and tells the story of Sam “Ace” Rothstein, an expert handicapper in gambling who is given the shot to run Tangier Casino for the mob. 

Casino, hands down, is the best film on this list in terms of pure quality. Directed by Martin Scorsese , Casino does an excellent job of showing how casinos were once run by mobs and had a lot of dirty business behind them, but also portrays the story of Ace in a way where you can’t help but want to learn more about him as he begins to change. 

Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas (1998)

One of the most revered stories about Las Vegas is, of course, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Starring Johnny Depp, this black comedy is based on the epic book by Hunter S. Thompson and details the story of Thompson and "his attorney" who are tasked with covering the Mint 400 motorcycle race in Las Vegas their trip gets turned upside down. 

While the film originally bombed at the box office, it’s so fun to re-watch now, as the performances are stellar, and of course, Johnny Depp always rocks whatever role he’s usually in. The partnership between Depp and Benicio del Toro, though, as Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo, flows so well and makes their psychedelic story that much more fun.

Showgirls (1995)

There are some things about Showgirls that are laughably bad. The dialog is unintentionally hilarious and the plot is really just an excuse for all the racey scenes and nothing more. Director Paul Verhoeven has said the movie was misunderstood in its day, but it hasn’t aged well, either. Still, it has some great scenes in Vegas and harkens back to the day of showgirls and the shows they performed in, which are all but gone today. 

One of the big reasons that people return to Las Vegas over and over is the dream of hitting it big in the casino. In 21 , the movie based on the true story of MIT Blackjack team, that dream is re-enforced by convincing card players that they can count cards and take down the house. It’s a pipe dream, but it sure looks glamorous! 

Ocean's Thirteen (2007)

Ocean’s Twelve took Danny and the crew to Europe, but the third movie in the series, Ocean’s Thirteen , brings them back to Las Vegas. The target of their heist is different, but the goal is the same, to embarrass and bankrupt him. This time the antagonist is played by Al Pacino and while the movie hits a lot of the same beats as the first one, the heist is different enough to still make it original and fun. Plus, it's always a treat to see Brad Pitt and George Clooney work together .

Con Air (1997)

Con Air is a masterpiece and fans of the movie will always go to the mat for it, even if doesn't always make sense . While most of it takes place in the sky, of course, the plane crashing into the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas is the most iconic scene in the movie. The final chase scene all takes place in Sin City, so it definitely counts for this list. Put the bunny back in the box. 

Indecent Proposal (1993)

Robert Redford, Demi Moore, and Woody Harrelson all-star in the controversial movie Indecent Proposal . Like another Vegas movie, Honeymoon in Vegas , the plot centers around a…well…proposal that a rich guy makes to a struggling couple who lose at the tables in Las Vegas. It’s a much darker movie, of course, and it was criticized a lot when it was released for its premise, but it was a hit. It might not get you in the mood to hit it big though. 

Director Doug Limen’s second movie, after Swingers, also takes place in Las Vegas. Go is a very different movie though. It’s a frenetic, wild adventure about locals in Las Vegas partying, and partying hard. While it was a moderate hit when it was released, it was acclaimed by most critics and has a pretty healthy cult following today. The film feels like a blur, in the best way, just like a good trip to Las Vegas does. 

Hard Eight (1996)

True to his style, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Las Vegas movie (in his feature directorial debut), Hard Eight is a brooding, methodically paced character study. It also leans heavily into the darker side of casinos, gambling, and Las Vegas. If you’re looking for a party movie, this one isn’t it. But if you want a great director cutting his teeth on an intriguing story with the glitz in the background, this is the one you want. 

Mars Attacks! (1996)

In the ‘50s and ‘60s, the desert outside of Las Vegas was used to test nuclear devices by the US military, so it makes sense that aliens might pick there to land. Anyway, Vegas is the perfect setting for one of Tim Burton’s best movies , Mars Attacks! The ensemble cast goes all out in this spoof of, and love letter to, sci-fi films of the 1950s. If you want to see Vegas get destroyed, this one’s for you. 

3000 Miles to Graceland (2001)

3000 Miles to Graceland has everything you want in a Vegas movie. A super charismatic cast robbing a casino with plenty of witty banter to around, not to mention all the Elvis impersonators you’ll ever see in one place, drives this underrated gem from 2001. It’s got plenty of action too. 

What Happens in Vegas (2008)

We will concede that most of the romantic comedy What Happens in Vegas actually takes place in New York City, but with a title like that – the catchphrase we’re all familiar with – it has to be here. Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher do what so many others have done, they get a quickie marriage after an epic night out in Sin City. They spend the rest of the movie hating each while falling in love with each other, naturally. 

One From The Heart (1982)

Francis Ford Coppola has made some of the most revered movies in Hollywood history, but One from the Heart is not usually listed among them. His 1982 musical/rom-com set in Vegas has garnered a bit of a cult following in the years since it was released and bombed at the box office. Teri Garr and Frederic Forrest have great chemistry and while the movie was mostly shot on soundstages, there is a great scene with the two of them separately walking around Fremont St. in Downtown Vegas. 

Fever Pitch (1985)

Not to be confused with the 2005 movie starring Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon, this Fever Pitch , from 20 years earlier is about a degenerate gambler played by Ryan O'Neal trying to win enough money to pay off another gambling debt. It definitely shows the dark side of gambling, as he struggles to get over his addiction while trying to win at the same time. 

They Came to Rob Las Vegas (1968)

Everyone loves a good heist film , and They Came to Rob Las Vegas is a fun one. Anytime a crew gets together to steal from the mob, it’s going to make for an intense heist. Gary Lockwood and Jack Palance star in this oft-overlooked flick that isn’t the best movie on this list but still has some great shots of the city and the surrounding desert. 

Jason Bourne (2016)

The Jason Bourne series has taken Matt Damon’s titular character all over the world and in his return to the franchise in 2016’s Jason Bourne , he finally goes to Las Vegas. The car chase along The Strip is fantastic and if you love Vegas and great car chases , this one is not to be missed. 

Army Of The Dead (2021)

If you want some zombies, we've got the film for you. The Netflix original, Army of the Dead, released in 2021 features Vegas in a post-apocalyptic state, overrun by zombies. However, when a group of mercenaries are given the chance to steal millions of dollars from a casino before the city is nuked, they throw caution to the wind and dive headfirst into the army of the dead in the hopes that this money will change their lives.

Army of the Dead is so much fun. Often compared to Zack Snyder’s other zombie film , Dawn of the Dead, this one takes the setting of Las Vegas to another level. That, paired with the amazing Army of the Dead cast and some sick casino action scenes, makes this movie a hit. 

With all these great picks, I bet it might be hard to pick just one but trust me when I say no matter what you end up picking, you’re going to have a great time watching them no matter what. Now, if you don’t mind me, I’m going to go and re-watch Army of the Dead again for the millionth time.  

A self-proclaimed nerd and lover of Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire, Alexandra Ramos is a Content Producer at CinemaBlend. She first started off working in December 2020 as a Freelance Writer after graduating from the Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Journalism and a minor in English. She primarily works in features for movies, TV, and sometimes video games. (Please don't debate her on The Last of Us 2, it was amazing!) She is also the main person who runs both our daily newsletter, The CinemaBlend Daily, and our ReelBlend newsletter. 

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Vegas Vacation

1 HOUR 35 MINS

Clark and Ellen Griswold’s disastrous family outing to Vegas includes a visit with boorish Cousin Eddie.

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Chevy Chase Clark Griswold

Beverly D'Angelo Ellen Griswold

Randy Quaid Cousin Eddie

Ethan Embry Russell "R'usty" Griswold

Marisol Nichols Audrey Griswold

Wayne Newton Wayne Newton

Wallace Shawn Marty

Sid Caesar Mr. Ellis

Julia Sweeney Mirage Reception Person

Christie Brinkley Woman in Ferrari

Jerry Weintraub Jilly

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Sunday, June 16

Clark and Ellen Griswold's disastrous family outing includes a visit with boorish Cousin Eddie.

Friday, June 21

Saturday, june 22, saturday, june 29, sunday, june 30, benefits to registering & following.

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I never stay in Las Vegas for more than 2 nights. This is my foolproof itinerary for maximizing a weekend in Sin City.

• I've been to Las Vegas many times in 20+ years and I no longer go there for more than two nights. 
• The perfect Las Vegas trip is weekend-long and has a lot of good food, plus some chill days. 
• I maximize my trip by booking a hotel on the Strip and eating at good Vegas restaurants .

I've been going to Las Vegas regularly since the early 2000s and have adopted a firm policy to never stay more than two nights.

Why? Everything I adore about Vegas the moment I get there — the mesmerizing lights, the crowds of excited people, the nonstop party vibe, the around-the-clock sounds of slot machines and club music, and 24/7 access to food and drinks galore — begins to sour quickly after 48 hours.

When I stay longer, by the time I'm ready to leave, I'm usually a bit hungover, my feet and wallet hurt, I'm sick of lavish meals, and I desperately need alone time.

A well-planned weekend trip also makes it possible for travelers to use fewer PTO days — although almost half of US workers don't take all of their paid time off each year anyway.

So, I've learned how to maximize my weekends in Sin City .

I tend to group my activities together based on their vibe, which means one day of action, one day of relaxation to prepare for a big night out, and one last day of chill activities before flying home.

It's the perfect formula. Here's how my cousin and I spent a weekend in Vegas on my most recent trip.

We stay busy as soon as we arrive on Friday

After arriving around noon, we headed to The Palazzo at the Venetian Resort — it's my Las Vegas hotel of choice because it's roughly in the middle of the Strip for easy access to just about everything.

Plus, the Uber pickup area is a short walk from rooms here — other resorts can feel like a long maze of rooms and hallways.

If my room isn't ready yet, I typically unwind at Flight Club at Grand Canal Shoppes (attached to the property) with a few rounds of darts or a drink at the life-size carousel bar.

On this trip, once it was time for pre-dinner drinks, we headed to Cheri Rooftop at the Paris Hotel for fun, tasty cocktails and a DJ spinning tunes.

We sat under the hotel's iconic Eiffel Tower, overlooking the Bellagio Fountain. It was a great atmosphere to get our evening started.

Next up was dinner at The Bedford By Martha Stewart , which is also in the Paris Hotel.

The restaurant is inspired by Stewart's 1925 farmhouse in Bedford, New York, and has some of the best roast chicken . I'd come here just for the spectacular bread basket, which can come loaded with rolls, flatbreads, and focaccia.

Then, we strolled over to Horseshoe Lose Vega to see Dita Von Teese's current residency. We saw her famous martini-glass bath, entire dance crew, and sparkling costumes.

After a nightcap at Sala 118 at the Venetian Resort around 11 p.m., we headed back to our hotel.

Saturday is usually the chill day on the itinerary

We got a late start with a 10 a.m. brunch at COMO Poolside Café at Bellagio before popping over to the Cypress Pool a few steps away — this adults-only pool has comfy chairs with umbrellas.

Although I could happily lay here all day, we had spa treatments at the Waldorf Astoria calling our name. I love sitting in the spa's mosaic-tile lounges while overlooking the Strip.

Next, we headed to one of the highlights of any trip to Vegas: high tea at the Tea Lounge at the Waldorf. The room and its views are incredible, and the tea selection and assortment of sandwiches, scones, and sweets are absolute perfection.

For dinner, we headed to KYU at Fontainebleau Las Vegas for incredibly flavorful Asian-inspired and wood-fired dishes. I won't soon forget the stone-pot Thai rice with confit duck and pork-belly bao buns with pastrami crust.

Lastly, live jazz music at Nowhere at Fontainebleau is always a great time and the perfect warm-up for a serious night of dancing at Zouk Nightclub at Resorts World.

The night we were there, T-Pain performed to a packed room of what seemed like one bachelorette party after the next.

Our last day starts slow, but we still do plenty

Getting back to the hotel at 4 a.m. meant a rough start on Sunday —the only reasonable cure was breakfast at Bouchon at The Venetian, where I could stuff my face with chef Thomas Keller's French pastries and truffle fries.

We needed some physical activity, so we headed to the PLAY Playground at Luxor. It has lifesize, immersive games, such as its version of the board game Operation and a parkour course.

Another cool spot to walk around is the Paradox Museum, which has various rooms with illusions that are pure Instagram gold.

Since our flight home wasn't until 7 p.m., we got an early dinner at Brasserie B at Caesar's Palace, one of Bobby Flay 's restaurants. I loved his twist on the blue-crab salad and the yellowtail crudo topped with caviar.

Finally, after an action-packed weekend, we headed back to the airport.

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The 'Friends' Experience Is Coming to Las Vegas — What to Know

'The One in Vegas' is finally a reality.

Courtesy of Original X Productions

Cue up The Rembrandts and grab your besties to dance around the famous Friends fountain, "The Friends Experience" is setting up a West Coast flagship location in Las Vegas to help celebrate the show’s 30th anniversary.  

Dubbed “The One in Vegas,” this Friends Experience — much like the traveling versions — will put visitors right on the recreated sets of the hit show. Guests can chill in Monica’s apartment, relax in the Central Perk coffeehouse, and kick back, literally, in Chandler and Joey’s black lazy boy recliners. And, in true homage to Sin City, Friends fans can reenact Ross and Rachel’s iconic wedding scene and bust through the wedding chapel doors.  

“Las Vegas is the perfect destination to debut The Friends Experience’s second U.S. flagship location,” Stacy Moscatelli, CEO of Original X Productions, a company known for its immersive experiences, said in a statement. “Not only does the city attract millions of Friends fans every year, but Las Vegas plays an integral role in the series featuring some of the show’s most iconic and hilarious moments.”

In addition to the nostalgia-packed sets, fans will get a behind-the-scenes peek into the show’s production and be able to view props and costumes. 

In the five years since it launched, "The Friends Experience" has traveled to 24 cities checking off eight countries along the way. Its first permanent location was in New York City , where the series was set, with Las Vegas and London getting their own anchored activations. 

Calling Friends “nothing short of phenomenal,” Peter van Roden, senior vice president of Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment, said in a statement: “We’ve seen fans from all over the world embrace the chance to relive their favorite moments and connect with the show in a whole new way. With Las Vegas premiering as the West Coast flagship, there’s even more to look forward to as we continue celebrating the 30th anniversary of Friends .”

The all-ages activation opens later this year at MGM Grand — a property with its own ties to Hollywood. The resort was once home to a Wizard of Oz attraction and the MGM Grand Adventures Theme Park, a mini version of Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Universal Studios that lasted from 1993 to 2002.  

Learn more at FriendsTheExperience.com/Vegas .

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Three Days to Vegas

Four grumpy old men go on a road trip from their retired life in Florida to the excitement of Las Vegas in order to stop one of their daughters from marrying the wrong guy. Four grumpy old men go on a road trip from their retired life in Florida to the excitement of Las Vegas in order to stop one of their daughters from marrying the wrong guy. Four grumpy old men go on a road trip from their retired life in Florida to the excitement of Las Vegas in order to stop one of their daughters from marrying the wrong guy.

• Charlie Picerni
• Michael Pietrzak
• George Segal
• 8 User reviews
• 4 Critic reviews

• Gus 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald

• Joe Wallace

• Dominic Spinuzzi

• Marvin Jeffries

• Billy Simpson

• Elizabeth Fitzgerald

• Laurent Perrier

• (as Reginald Vel Johnson)

• Course Marshall

• Kid Golfer #1

• Kid Golfer #2
• (as Bechier K. Sylvain)
• Steakhouse Waitress
• Candace the Bartender
• (as Candace Climent)

• (as Kristine Bajos)
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Did you know

• Trivia Bill Cobbs was a last-minute replacement for Ossie Davis , who died just before production began.
• Goofs At about 20 minutes into it they are cruising through Miami, as they are hanging out the door of the bus a girl with a red bikini top, white shorts and blue socks is roller-blading past in the opposite direction, when the camera changes she is right beside the bus suddenly going in the same direction.
• Connections References Funny Lady (1975)

User reviews 8

• dreamerlives
• Jan 5, 2010
• How long is Three Days to Vegas? Powered by Alexa
• 2007 (United States)
• United States
• Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
• Corner Stone Pictures
• See more company credits at IMDbPro
• $9,500,000 (estimated)

Technical specs

• Runtime 2 hours

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