Las Vegas: A Cinematic Playground – 15 Iconic Films Set in Sin City

Katrina Sirotta

August 29, 2024 at 10:30 PM

While Hollywood stands as the global hub of entertainment, few places rival the allure and excitement of Las Vegas. Known affectionately as Sin City, Las Vegas delivers on its promise with round-the-clock casinos, an abundance of bars, and the infamous mantra: “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” Its dazzling lights, glitzy atmosphere, and close proximity to Los Angeles make it a prime location for countless film settings.

Although founded in 1905, Las Vegas truly began its rise to fame when El Rancho Vegas opened its doors in 1941. This establishment set the stage for the luxury hotel-casinos we know today. Located on the legendary Strip, El Rancho Vegas boasted amenities like air conditioning, a swimming pool, and a showroom. By the 1950s and ’60s, more casinos emerged, marking a new chapter in Las Vegas history.

The 1960s heralded an entertainment boom in Las Vegas, characterized by live acts and films showcasing the city’s splendor. The Rat Pack’s 1960 original “Ocean’s 11,” starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr., epitomized the glamour and entertainment appeal of Sin City. As decades passed, films began focusing on the high-stakes world of casinos, exemplified by Oscar-winning “Rain Man” and the iconic “Casino.”

As Las Vegas evolves, so does its cinematic portrayal. The 2001 remake of “Ocean’s Eleven” highlights modern Vegas’s sleek side, while 2009’s “The Hangover” offers a comedic, exaggerated glimpse into the city’s notorious debauchery.

Sqore delved into film history to curate a list of 15 outstanding films set in Las Vegas. While you may notice some notable absences like the original “Ocean’s 11” or “Vegas Vacation,” each film on this list had to meet specific criteria: primarily set in Vegas, garner at least 1,000 IMDb user votes, and achieve a minimum 6.5 user rating or 70 Metascore.

Explore the top 15 films set in Las Vegas:

Go (1999)
– Director: Doug Liman
– IMDb user rating: 7.2
– Metascore: 74
– Runtime: 1 hour, 42 minutes

“Go” is a dark comedy that unfolds after a drug deal goes awry. The film follows three different character arcs, one of which takes place in Las Vegas. In Sin City, we witness drug dealer Simon Baines (Desmond Askew) indulge in wild antics with two bridesmaids and inadvertently set a hotel room ablaze. Filming locations included the Riviera Hotel and Casino and the New Frontier Hotel and Casino, both of which no longer exist.

The Night Stalker (1972)
– Director: John Llewellyn Moxey
– IMDb user rating: 7.4
– Metascore: data not available
– Runtime: 1 hour, 14 minutes

“The Night Stalker” centers on a Las Vegas news reporter investigating a series of murders committed by a vampire. Although set in Vegas, only exterior shots were filmed in the city; the rest were completed in studios.

Casino (1995)
– Director: Martin Scorsese
– IMDb user rating: 8.2
– Metascore: 73
– Runtime: 2 hours, 58 minutes

Martin Scorsese’s “Casino” delves into the high-stakes world of gambling empires. The film follows a casino executive and his mafioso friend as they compete for control. Shot entirely on location in Las Vegas, the movie features various hotels, casinos, and restaurants throughout the city.

Bugsy (1991)
– Director: Barry Levinson
– IMDb user rating: 6.8
– Metascore: 80
– Runtime: 2 hours, 16 minutes

“Bugsy” tells the story of Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel, who played a pivotal role in developing Las Vegas. Set in the 1940s during the construction of the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, none of the filming occurred in modern-day Las Vegas. Instead, a replica was built in Southern California to reflect the period accurately.

One from the Heart (1981)
– Director: Francis Ford Coppola
– IMDb user rating: 6.5
– Metascore: 57
– Runtime: 1 hour, 47 minutes

Francis Ford Coppola aimed to create a grandiose love story with “One from the Heart.” Rather than filming in Las Vegas, he constructed an elaborate set on a soundstage to bring his vision to life.

Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
– Director: Mike Figgis
– IMDb user rating: 7.5
– Metascore: 82
– Runtime: 1 hour, 51 minutes

In “Leaving Las Vegas,” Ben Sanderson (Nicolas Cage) decides to drink himself to death after losing everything. While exterior shots showcase the Las Vegas Strip, interior casino scenes were filmed at Gold River Casino and Resort (now Laughlin River Lodge Hotel & Casino) in Laughlin, Nevada.

Lost in America (1985)
– Director: Albert Brooks
– IMDb user rating: 7
– Metascore: 78
– Runtime: 1 hour, 31 minutes

“Lost in America” follows a couple who abandon their responsibilities to travel across America in a Winnebago. One memorable scene occurs at a Las Vegas hotel where Linda Howard (Julie Hagerty) loses their nest egg playing roulette. Filmed at the Desert Inn, this hotel has since been replaced by the Wynn & Encore Resorts.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
– Director: Terry Gilliam
– IMDb user rating: 7.5
– Metascore: 41
– Runtime: 1 hour, 58 minutes

Based on Hunter S. Thompson’s novel, “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” chronicles a drug-fueled road trip from Los Angeles to Nevada. Due to Circus Circus’s refusal to be associated with the film, scenes were shot at fictional Bazooko Circus and other locations like Stardust and Riviera hotels.

Elvis (2022)
– Director: Baz Luhrmann
– IMDb user rating: 7.3
– Metascore: 64
– Runtime: 2 hours, 39 minutes

Although Elvis Presley is synonymous with Las Vegas due to his residency at the International Hotel, none of the scenes in Baz Luhrmann’s biopic were filmed on-site due to COVID-19 restrictions and tax credits. Instead, filming took place in Queensland, Australia.

Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets (2020)
– Directors: Bill Ross IV, Turner Ross
– IMDb user rating: 7.2
– Metascore: 83
– Runtime: 1 hour, 38 minutes

“Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets” mimics a documentary about the final night of a seedy Vegas bar called The Roaring 20s. Despite its realistic feel and genuine patrons (except one professional actor), filming occurred at an actual bar of the same name in New Orleans.

Behind the Candelabra (2013)
– Director: Steven Soderbergh
– IMDb user rating: 7
– Metascore: data not available
– Runtime: 1 hour, 58 minutes

“Behind the Candelabra” explores Liberace’s relationship with Scott Thorson. Though much of the movie is set in Liberace’s homes across Las Vegas and California, filming took place primarily in Los Angeles. Performance scenes were shot at LVH (formerly Las Vegas Hilton), where Liberace frequently performed.

The Lady Gambles (1949)
– Director: Michael Gordon
– IMDb user rating: 6.6
– Metascore: data not available
– Runtime: 1 hour, 39 minutes

“The Lady Gambles” portrays gambling addiction with unflinching realism. Joan Boothe (Barbara Stanwyck) transitions from a reporter to an addicted gambler facing dire consequences. Filming locations included various sites in Nevada and California.

Rain Man (1988)
– Director: Barry Levinson
– IMDb user rating: 8
– Metascore: 65
– Runtime: 2 hours, 13 minutes

In “Rain Man,” Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise) discovers his brother Raymond’s (Dustin Hoffman) exceptional card-counting skills and takes him to Caesars Palace in Las Vegas to win big at blackjack. The iconic casino scene was filmed on location.

Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
– Director: Steven Soderbergh
– IMDb user rating: 7.7
– Metascore: 74
– Runtime: 1 hour, 56 minutes

Steven Soderbergh’s “Ocean’s Eleven” remake features Danny Ocean’s (George Clooney) intricate plan to rob three casinos simultaneously—Bellagio, Mirage, and MGM Grand—owned by Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia). Filming took place at Bellagio.

The Hangover (2009)
– Director: Todd Phillips
– IMDb user rating: 7.7
– Metascore: 73
– Runtime: 1 hour, 40 minutes

“The Hangover” comically depicts a bachelor party gone awry. After starting their night at Caesars Palace, four friends wake up to find the groom missing and no memory of their escapades. Scenes were shot at Caesars Palace lobby and corridors; however, the trashed villa was recreated on a soundstage in Burbank.

Editing by Alizah Salario and Kelly Glass; Copy editing by Paris Close; Photo selection by Michael Flocker.
Story produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio on Sqore.