The Best Movies Filmed in Las Vegas

Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise in Rain Man - 1988
Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise in 'Rain Man' - 1988 | Photo by Stephen Vaughan/United Artists/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

Famous for its many casinos, hotels, and over-the-top entertainment, Las Vegas has been redefined throughout the years thanks in large part to the movies filmed in the city.

Jason Bourne (2016)

Matt Damon’s fourth outing as Jason Bourne not only closed the Las Vegas Strip for a spectacular chase sequence but also destroyed 170 cars in search of ultimate realism. The series has prided itself on using practical effects wherever possible, and Jason Bourne is no exception. Filmmakers leapt at the chance to help with the dismantling of the Riviera Hotel & Casino, which was scheduled for demolition.

Matt Damon stars as Jason Bourne

The Hangover (2009)

Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis in ‘The Hangover’

Ocean’s Eleven (2001)

Steven Soderbergh took the original Ocean’s film (see below) and ran with the concept for his remake. The cast is even starrier than the 1960 version, with George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Julia Roberts headlining a twisty plot that delights in wrong-footing the viewer at every turn. The Bellagio, complete with its cascading fountains, is the target of the heist at the heart of the movie.

George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Elliott Gould, and Don Cheadle in ‘Ocean’s Eleven’

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

An exhausting 56-day shoot saw Johnny Depp spend plenty of time in Las Vegas. Sadly for producers, the scenes they really wanted to film were in the casinos, but they were limited by permits that only allowed them to shoot between the hours of 2-6am. This trippy take on the work of Hunter S Thompson features the now defunct Stardust Resort and Casino.

Johnny Depp in ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’

Con Air (1997)

A preposterous action movie, even by the outlandish standards of ’90s action movies, Con Air sees a planeload of dangerous criminals crash land on the Las Vegas Strip. The premiere took place at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, a location that was destroyed in the movie with the help of scale models and special effects. The Sands hotel was scheduled to be demolished anyway, so producer Jerry Bruckheimer had no issues crashing into the building.

Con Air (1997)

Leaving Las Vegas (1995)

In an Oscar-winning performance, Nicholas Cage stars as a suicidal alcoholic determined to drink himself to death in Las Vegas. The grim and seedy side of the city is brilliantly exposed by director Mike Figgis, who has said that the lack of budget helped achieve a level of authenticity in the movie. With no money or permits, shutting down The Strip wasn’t an option, so the scenes on the streets are about as real as they can be.

Nicolas Cage in ‘Leaving Las Vegas’

Casino (1995)

Martin Scorsese’s epic crime drama is based on a non-fiction book that explores the links between the mafia and the gambling world. Robert De Niro portrays a fictional mafia associate sent to Las Vegas to run a casino for the mob. The fictional Tangiers casino was created by using parts of the derelict Landmark Hotel and the Riviera Casino.

Robert De Niro in ‘Casino’ – 1995

Rain Man (1988)

Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman star as unlikely siblings on a road trip that culminates in Las Vegas. Pivotal scenes were shot in Caesars Palace where Hoffman shows off his card-playing skills and also learns to dance. The iconic sequence of the brothers descending an escalator in matching suits has been parodied countless times since the film was released.

Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman in ‘Rain Man’

Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

If ever there was a film series made for the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, then James Bond would be it. Sean Connery stepped back into the 007 role after having declined the chance to star in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969). The plot sees Bond track down an international group of diamond smugglers and end up at the Whyte House casino on the Vegas Strip. In reality, producers used the Las Vegas Hilton to portray the exteriors of the casino and edited around it to make it appear taller on film.

Sean Connery and Lana Wood in ‘Diamonds Are Forever’

Viva Las Vegas (1964)

With Elvis Presley at the peak of his powers, this musical was fast-tracked into production without a script or even a concept to speak of. A functional plot was put together, with Presley and co-star Ann-Margret showing great chemistry together on screen in the finished movie. The climactic scenes were shot at The Little Church of the West wedding chapel, the oldest building on the Las Vegas Strip.

Elvis Presley in ‘Viva Las Vegas’

Ocean’s 11 (1960)

We have to include the original Ocean’s movie, even though it hasn’t aged all that well. The starry cast are in great form, even if they are essentially just playing versions of themselves as part of the infamous Hollywood Rat Pack. Las Vegas was still in the early days of establishing itself as Sin City, a place where gambling, marriage, and divorce were easy to come by, and this film certainly helped build that reputation.

‘Ocean’s 11’
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Winter Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

X
Edit article