Las Vegas is an iconic American city, one that is particularly popular not just among gamblers and sun-seekers, but also with screenwriters, directors, and filmmakers. As a setting, Las Vegas has it all — the glitz and glamour of the casinos and shows, the over-the-top luxury of a Las Vegas hotel, the rugged scenery of the mountains and deserts, upscale neighborhood mansions juxtaposed with down-on-their-luck decrepit apartments, the seedy underbelly of the gaming industry, and even the thriving cities just beyond the Strip. From the lights of the hotels and casinos to the views of soaring mountains and desolate deserts, the city never fails to provide a dramatic backdrop to any storyline.
The following list has a little something for every film lover in any household: from dark dramas like Leaving Las Vegas to classics like Viva Las Vegas, great heist films like all the Oceans 11 variations, or comedies like Fools Rush In and Honeymoon in Vegas. A fan of mob movies? Cue up Casino. In the mood to laugh? Look no further than The Hangover. Looking for something to hit you right in the feels? Turn on Pay it Forward.
These are the best movies set in Las Vegas.
Updated on September 24th, 2023, by Samuel Cormier: If you have always wondered which movies took place in Sin City, then you will be happy to know that this article has been updated with more content.
20 The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas (2000)
Hold onto your Rock Bell phones! The buddy comedy The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas certainly gets creativity points for successfully stone-aging Las Vegas. Which, in a weird way, almost makes sense – after all, the early heyday of Vegas took place while the original TV show was still on the air. Plot-wise, this prequel delves into the relationships between the Flintstones and the Rubbles in their, shall we say, earlier years. The film stars Stephen Baldwin, Mark Addy, Kristen Johnston, and Jane Krakowsi as the two infamous pairs.
What Makes It Great
Borrowing the title from another entry on this list, this film succeeds in re-imagining Las Vegas in a whole new light. Is this an Oscar-nominated masterpiece? No, not by any stretch of the imagination. But it also doesn’t need to be. This is a simple, feel-good comedy that’s set in an interesting world with fun characters… there’s no harm in that! Enjoy indulging your inner child and take in all the ridiculous puns this world has to offer. The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas is currently available to rent on Apple TV, Prime, and Vudu.
19 Last Vegas (2013)
Last Vegas
- Release Date
- October 31, 2013
- Runtime
- 105
In Last Vegas, childhood friends Billy (Michael Douglas), Paddy (Robert De Niro), Archie (Morgan Freeman) and Sam (Kevin Kline) meet up in Las Vegas to celebrate Billy’s bachelor party. However, those friends who have not seen each other in a while quickly realize that Las Vegas is not all that they remembered, and that their friendships may not have stood the test of time as well as they hoped.
What Makes It Great
In Last Vegas, four great Hollywood actors meet for their first ever collaboration. It has been called a milder take on The Hangover, with older characters, which is rare for this type of movie. While not a critical success, the film has been praised for its realistic portrayal of friendship and aging. Despite dealing with deeper topics, the film stays light-hearted and funny throughout. A nice watch with some legendary actors. Last Vegas is currently available to watch on Paramount+.
18 Army of the Dead (2021)
Army of the Dead
Following a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas, a group of mercenaries take the ultimate gamble, venturing into the quarantine zone to pull off the greatest heist ever attempted. Directed by Zack Snyder.
- Release Date
- May 21, 2021
- Runtime
- 2hr 28min
Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead is yet another killer zombie film to add to his already impressive repertoire. Placing the end of the end-of-the-world setting in Las Vegas is nothing new – video games like Dead Rising and Fallout: New Vegas have been mining the place for years. In this version, however, the now-walled city is host to an army of creepy crawly zombies and a group of mercenaries looking to score big.
What Makes It Great
The juxtaposition between the glitz and glam and the living dead is cinematically beautiful in the most grotesque of ways. Needless to say, the stakes of this casino heist have most definitely been raised! Featuring Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera, and Tig Notaro, this action-packed thrill ride is both a zombie film and a Vegas movie unlikely anything you’ve ever seen. This ‘spiritual successor’ to Dawn of the Dead has spawned at least one sequel, with even more on the way.
Army of the Dead is currently available to stream on Netflix.
17 Pay It Forward (2000)
Pay It Forward is set in the towns surrounding Las Vegas. In the film, seventh grader Trevor McKinney (Haley Joel Osment) lives with his single mom (Helen Hunt). Just starting school, his teacher, Eugene Simonet (Kevin Spacey), is emotionally (and physically) scarred. Trevor starts a goodwill movement known as “pay it forward” that soon changes the lives of the struggling adults around him.
What Makes It Great
Be prepared to break out the tissues! This poignant motivational movie actually inspired many similar movements in schools and businesses. The film itself left audiences torn between equal parts sadness, heartbreak, and everlasting hope. While Pay It Forward was a mediocre success at the time of its release, with professional critics judging it as emotional Oscar-bait, nobody can undermine the lasting success of the idea shared in it. Pay It Forward is currently available to rent on Apple TV, Prime, and Vudu.
16 Smokin’ Aces (2007)
The thrilling action-comedy Smokin‘ Aces touts an A-list ensemble cast that includes Ryan Reynolds, Ben Affleck, and Ray Liotta. The story follows a Las Vegas magician-turned-wannabe gangster who decides to snitch on the mob. Their decision causes a swarm of people of varying backgrounds to go after him in order to claim the $1 million bounty on his head. Reynolds portrays FBI special agent Richard Messner, who is enlisted to keep the washed-up performer safe and ensure his testimony. This causes him to go head-to-head with hitmen, bounty hunters, and angry mob members alike.
What Makes It Great
This thrilling Ocean’s 11 x Pulp Fiction mashup was a success at the box office and has gone on to attract a cult following ever since. Although the film contains several different plotlines, it is rather well-balanced and easy to follow thanks to Carnahan’s directing abilities, and the all-star cast makes Smokin’ Aces all the more enjoyable to watch. Some smartly sprinkled dashes of comedy make this film a well-rounded, easily rewatchable one. Smokin’ Aces is currently available to watch on DirecTV.
15 Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
In Sean Connery’s final outing as the iconic secret agent James Bond, the epic spy film Diamonds Are Forever chronicles the debonair Ian Fleming character’s efforts to infiltrate a diamond smuggling ring and the rich business tycoon behind it. In order to do this, Bond must head to the City of Sin to investigate. Once there, he realizes his longtime nemesis, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, is also there, hoping to create a lethal laser satellite. Now he must go undercover as a smuggler alongside Tiffany Case in order to take down this pseudo-dictator.
What Makes It Great
The film includes a memorable car chase scene in which Bond flies through the streets of Vegas in a Ford Mustang (and later on two wheels), in order to elude the police. In doing so, he showcases his legendary hero status in quite a spectacular fashion. In fact, many consider this film the best Connery James Bond, full of humor, action, tricks and gadgets, one of the prettiest Bond Girls, and two of the dumbest villains. Several ad-libs show just how much Connery himself enjoyed making the film, such as the drink-spitting “dry martini shaken with a little bit of carrot cake, and blend it to mush, please”. Diamonds are Forever is currently available to watch on MGM+ and DirecTV.
14 The Cooler (2003)
The Cooler
- Release Date
- November 26, 2003
- Runtime
- 101
The Cooler stars William H. Macy as Bennie, a professional cooler employed by a casino to end the winning streaks of gamblers. A cooler is a person who, when he or she is on a casino floor, causes people’s luck to fail. Winning streaks die in his wake! As it turns out, Bennie is a former gambling addict who is working for Shelly to pay off his debts. Also of note are Maria Bello, who plays a cocktail waitress named Natalie, and Alec Baldwin, who plays the casino manager, Shelly. When Bennie and Natalie fall for each other, his luck suddenly changes, much to the anger of Shelly.
What Makes It Great
Baldwin and Bello were both nominated for Golden Globes for their phenomenal, melancholic work on this excellent film about the consequences of gambling. Unlike many Las Vegas-based movies which celebrate the city’s vices, this one decided to choose realism instead. It successfully conveys the evolution from an addicted gambler to a functioning member of society, notably through a focus on costumes, showing clothes that fit the character better and better during his remission. If the setting might seem basic at first, the approach taken by director Wayne Kramer and performances by Macy, as well as his supporting cast, make it a smart take on Vegas’s gambling culture. The Cooler is currently available to stream on Peacock.
13 Honeymoon in Vegas (1992)
A great Nicolas Cage, Sarah Jessica Parker, James Caan, and a plane full of skydiving Elvis impersonators are just a few reasons Honeymoon in Vegas earns one of the top spots for a comedy set in Vegas. Cage plays Jack Singer, a man who swore to his mother on her deathbed that he’d never get married. When the film opens, he and his girlfriend Betsy (Parker) have been dating for years. Of course, she wants to get married and have a family. He proposes that they fly to Las Vegas to get married. Once there, Jack loses Betsy after getting himself involved in a rigged high-stakes poker game. A series of hijinks ensue that finds Jack stealing a taxi in Hawaii, ending up stuck in San Jose, and eventually donning an Elvis costume and parachuting in to get Betsy back.
What Makes It Great
This ridiculous and light-hearted comedy is certain to have audiences laugh to no end. Cage is true to himself in his insane role, and brings both Caan and Parker up to his energy levels. Honeymoon in Vegas is a true testament to comedy movies from all eras, and delightfully honors the infamy of Las Vegas. A single phrase sums up the ridiculous hilarity of this film: “Flying Elvises, Utah Chapter”… enough said!
Honeymoon in Vegas is currently available to buy on Apple TV and Prime.
12 21 (2008)
21
- Release Date
- March 27, 2008
- Runtime
- 122
Loosely based on the nonfiction book Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six MIT Students Who Took Vegas for Millions by Ben Mezrich, 21 tells the entertaining story of a group of students who ‘cheat’ Las Vegas. The film follows Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess), a shy yet educated college student in dire need of $300,000 to pay for Harvard Medical School, He’s inveigled into a secret group of MIT card counters known as the MIT Blackjack Team, run by a math professor named Micky Rosa (played by, once again, Kevin Spacey). Their plan is to pull a card-counting scam at a Vegas casino… That is, until things go horribly, horribly wrong.
What Makes It Great
21 was a clear success at the time of its release, holding the number-one spot in the United States and Canada for its first two weeks in theaters. The whole concept of card-counting is so appealing to the average viewer, that audiences cannot help but be riveted. Of course, that was aided by an efficient cast led by Jim Sturgess and a simple but effective plot that keeps the viewers on its toes about the fate of the young students. 21 is currently available to watch on DirecTV.
11 Indecent Proposal (1993)
If someone offered you a million dollars to spend the night with them, would you? In 1993, everyone was talking about what they would do if they were faced with the kind of proposal that Woody Harrelson and Demi Moore’s characters received in Indecent Proposal. That was the question at the center of this Las Vegas-based movie also starring Robert Redford.
What Makes It Great
Never mind that in real life, the rich man offering $1 million probably wouldn’t look like Redford… That being said, plenty of theatergoers did vie for knockoffs of Moore’s iconic ’90s black dress. The movie won many awards, many praising the daring concept. While some critiqued the misogynistic gender roles and the restraint of the actual plot, Moore and Redford’s performances were praised as the sexy adulterer and the mysterious, charming millionaire, respectively. If the film was not popular at the time of its release and won several “worst” awards, it has since become somewhat of a cult classic, and Moore a model for sultry women characters. Indecent Proposal is currently available to watch on Paramount+.
10 Fools Rush In (1997)
Fools Rush In is one of the all-time best comedies set in Las Vegas. In it, the late Matthew Perry plays architect Alex Whitman, a straight-laced WASP who is sent to Las Vegas from New York City to oversee the construction of a nightclub. One night, he meets Isabel (Salma Hayek), a sassy Mexican-American photographer. They have a one-night stand and go their separate ways. When they meet up three months later, Isabel tells Alex she’s pregnant. As he gets to know her and her family, a spirited Latino clan, he falls for her.
What Makes It Great
The characters’ cultural differences as well as the difference in lifestyle from his New York City life make up the bulk of the comedy. In one scene, Alex’s parents appear on an escalator sunburned bright red… and hating every minute of it. Legendary rom-com actors Perry and Hayek show incredible chemistry in their cross-cultural love story, which many modern couples can relate to. Full of highs and lows, Fools Rush In delivers a powerful tale of love in Las Vegas. Fools Rush In is currently available to rent on Apple TV, Prime, and Vudu.
9 Viva Las Vegas (1964)
Today, the name Elvis Presley is about as near synonymous with Vegas as it is Graceland. But, back in 1964, both he and actress Ann-Margaret were just two of the biggest stars in Hollywood, thanks to a little diddy called Viva Las Vegas. In the film, Presley played Lucky Jackson, a driver who traveled to Las Vegas to race in the city’s first Grand Prix. Lucky must work as a hotel waiter to pay for his Las Vegas hotel bill. Unfortunately, his car also needs a new engine. He enters the hotel’s talent contest in hopes of winning the cash prize and fixing his engine. Along the way, he encounters further trouble when the hotel’s swim instructor, Rusty Martin, pushes him into the hotel pool.
What Makes It Great
The film became an enormous hit, and today, it is largely considered to be one of Elvis Presley’s best films. Audiences fell for the chemistry between Elvis and Ann-Margaret and, of course, their stunning musical numbers. In fact, the titular track has since become an anthem of the city itself. A fun side note: Viva Las Vegas is also one of Teri Garr’s first films. She would go on to be known for a whole slew of films, including Young Frankenstein and Tootsie. Viva Las Vegas is currently available to watch on Tubi.
8 Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
Leaving Las Vegas is based on the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by John O’Brien, who died by suicide after selling the film rights to his novel. The Academy Award for Best Actor went to Nicolas Cage for his role as an alcoholic screenwriter who goes to Las Vegas to drink himself to death. Cage plays Ben Sanderson, a man from Los Angeles who lost his family and his job; once in Las Vegas, he gets involved with Sera, a hardened prostitute.
What Makes It Great
Needless to say, this film is dark. Between Elizabeth Shue’s character becoming the victim of a violent sexual assault and Cage’s character determined to die by the end, this emotionally devastating look at alcoholism, depression, and loneliness should come with its own set of tissues. Cage is interesting to watch in a drama movie, although he molds himself to the character quite well, bringing in his own flair for nihilism. Shue plays her part perfectly, donning the suit of a prostitute chased by trauma, which is no easy feat. Leaving Las Vegas is currently available to stream on Max, Paramount+, and DirecTV.
7 Bugsy (1991)
Bugsy
- Release Date
- December 10, 1991
- Runtime
- 134
Bugsy is a biographical crime drama that focuses on the rise and fall of the notorious gangster Ben ‘Bugsy’ Siegel (played by Warren Beatty). It highlights the beginnings of Las Vegas. Both a romantic visionary and a psychopathic killer, Bugsy builds a luxury hotel and casino in the middle of the Nevada desert which thereby puts Vegas on the map.
What Makes It Great
The film received 10 Academy Award nominations and won two Oscars for Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction. Bugsy also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama. If you are looking for a time-honored film about the history of Las Vegas, this right here is a perfect choice. The film masterfully deals with the different facets of Bugsy’s life, from his con jobs, to his relationship with his wife, to his very personal set of values. Although Budsy was a reprehensible man, the viewer cannot helped but be drawn into his passions. Bugsy is currently available to watch on Paramount+.
6 One from the Heart (1982)
One from the Heart is a musical romantic drama that tells the story of a bored couple, Hank (Frederic Forrest) and Frannie (Teri Garr), who break off for a day and spend the night with their dream partner. However, when morning comes, one of the pair does not quite want to go back with their partner, and inextricable drama ensues. Will they be able to reconcile?
What Makes It Great
One from the Heart was directed by Francis Ford Coppola, in a surprising attempt at a romantic film from the famous action drama director. In fact, when it came out, the film was a critical and box-office failure, resulting in a decade of financial stress on Coppola’s projects. However, in recent years, the film has finally come out of the shadows. While the simplistic plot can still not be redeemed, a new cult following has praised the stunning visuals, partway between Coppola, David Lynch, and Wes Anderson. One from the Heart is currently available to rent on Vudu.
5 The Hangover (2009)
Comedies set in Las Vegas are usually highly underrated. That was, at least, until 2009, when Todd Philips unleashed upon the world his masterpiece oddity: The Hangover. In this film, a bachelor party, self-titled the Wolf Pack, travels for a night on the town in Sin City. An epic blackout of events ensues, culminating in the disappearance of the groom. The opening scene, which starts with the morning after, is full of wonderful confusion for each character. After they wake up in a trashed Las Vegas hotel room, Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis are forced to try to locate the groom (Justin Bartha), all while coming to grips with the wild consequences of their actions from the night before.
What Makes It Great
This film was an instant comedy classic and an endless source of quotable dialogue and references. When such an insane concept could have easily failed and backfired, a good cast and efficient directing made it the success that it is. The Hangover is the cinematic expression of the tagline “What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas,” even if that tagline includes a trapped mob man, a missing tooth, a marriage, and, oh yeah… Mike Tyson and a tiger. The film was a box office smash hit, grossing $277 million domestic and $468 million worldwide and become a cultural phenomenon in the summer of 2009. The Hangover is currently available to rent on Apple TV, Prime, and Vudu.
4 Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
The 1998 cult classic black comedy Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas features Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro as a zany journalist and a hot-headed attorney. The pair embark on a drug-fueled journey through Sin City in their red Chevrolet Impala convertible, hoping to cover a motorcycle race. Based on the Hunter S. Thompson novel of the same name, this psychedelic ’90s flick chronicles the duo’s misadventures in Vegas as they explore the Strip and its many eye-catching attractions, all the while increasing their already heavy drug use. What could go wrong?
What Makes It Great
Despite a polarizing response upon its initial release, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas has since been regarded as an innovative and surreal classic that both successfully captured the essence of Thompson’s work and served as a bold commentary on the many extremes of the US of A. It is simply a treasure trove of stoner-slash-psychedelic esthetics, that undoubtedly inspired much of the artistic expression of the following years. Not unlike Natural Born Killers, whose cinematography it seems to borrow at times, this movie is either loved or hated. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is currently available to rent on Apple TV, Prime, and Vudu.
3 Hard Eight (1997)
Hard Eight
- Release Date
- February 28, 1996
- Runtime
- 102
Filmed just outside the city, Hard Eight is your usual Vegas affair – a hardened gambler teaches a young homeless man the tricks of the trade. Just as he’s getting good, he falls in line with the wrong crowd, falling for a cocktail waitress (played, interestingly enough, by Gwyneth Paltrow).
What Makes It Great
Paul Thomas Anderson’s Hard Eight may be one of his earliest, most underrated features, but it’s by no means anything to sneeze at. It features some of his soon-to-be mainstay actors, from John C. Reilly to Philip Seymour Hoffman. This film was actually adapted from his short film Cigarettes & Coffee, both of which featured late character actor Philip Baker Hall. Even Samuel L. Jackson, two years fresh off the release of Pulp Fiction, makes an appearance. Paul Thomas Anderson’s cinematic flair is on full display throughout. Hard Eight is currently available to stream on Paramount+ and PlutoTV.
2 Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
The 2001 remake Ocean’s Eleven of the classic 1960 film Ocean’s 11 stars George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, and Julia Roberts. In this grand heist movie, the titular Danny Ocean (George Clooney) assembles a group of ten more criminal experts to achieve one of the biggest robberies in history: the Bellagio, the Mirage, and the MGM Grand casinos in Las Vegas.
What Makes It Great
Ocean’s Eleven is pretty much a perfect movie, jam-packed with stars and brimming with great music and energy. The chemistry between the ensemble cast is absolutely unmatched. The plot is well-paced, with suspense, action, and a dash of humor. Two sequels (Ocean’s Twelve, Ocean’s Thirteen) and a spin-off (Ocean’s Eight) were born from this critical success: a $451 million box office against an $85 million budget. It has helped define the modern image of Vegas on film. Ocean’s Eleven is currently available to rent on Apple TV, Prime, and Vudu.
1 Casino (1995)
Casino
- Release Date
- November 22, 1995
- Runtime
- 178
Martin Scorsese’s Casino is probably one of the best films of all time, gangster or otherwise. It’s based on the book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas by Nicholas Pileggi, who went on to co-write the screenplay with the great Scorsese. The story revolves around Sam “Ace” Rothstein, played by long-time mob actor Robert De Niro. It takes place at the Tangiers Casino, where Ace is a gambling expert and handicapper who oversees the Las Vegas hotel and casino’s operations. Other characters include Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci), a “made man,” and Ginger McKenna (Sharon Stone), Sam’s wife.
What Makes It Great
From fashion to interior design to architecture, this film perfectly captures the look and feel of Las Vegas in the 1970s and early 1980s. It demonstrates all the changes the city underwent during that period as well. The ensemble cast is a joy to watch act together, and the plot is one that has trotted in viewers’ heads ever since. Simply put, Casino is an epic love letter to and dissection of the iconic Sin City. Casino is currently available to stream on Paramount+ and Starz.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
