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When you're feeling in the mood to Viva Las Vegas, watch these iconic movies filmed in the entertainment capital of the world.
Whether it's the delicious food, endless gambling, or world-class entertainment you are seeking, Las Vegas has a little something for everyone. We tend to go at least once a year with my husband's family, but it was only this past year that I really decided to buckle down and learn how to properly play Craps and Blackjack. I've been practicing a lot lately and my family even threw me a Casino Night themed birthday party to celebrate! So fun.
That being said, Vegas has been on my mind lately; it's such a unique place with its own kind of energy. I think everyone should go to Vegas at least once in their lifetime!
It's also so interesting to me how much Vegas has changed over the past almost 100 years. There's a lot of history behind it and it's fascinating to research all the different changes to the Strip.
Today, I've put together a list of movies filmed in Las Vegas over the years. Whether you've never been to Vegas or you've been missing the glitz and the glamour of its flashing lights, these movies will put you into a 'Viva Las Vegas' mood!
Viva Las Vegas is one of my favorite Elvis movies! It's about a race car driver who wants to win Vegas' Grand Prix, but needs a new engine for his car. He tries to raise the money in Las Vegas and meets a beautiful swim instructor along the way. Some scenes for the movie were filmed at the Tropicana as well as the Little Church of the West, just off the Strip.
Ocean's Eleven is a remake of the Frank Sinatra Las Vegas heist movie from 1960. This modern remake spawned several spin-offs including Ocean's Twelve, Ocean's Thirteen, and Ocean's Eight. It was filmed mainly at the Bellagio, since Jerry Weintraub was a producer on the film and was friends with the hotel's owner, Kirk Kerkorian.
The Hangover is about a bachelor party that goes wrong when no one from the group can't remember what happened the night before. The movie was filmed primarily at Ceasars Palace, and reportedly generated tens of millions of dollars in business for the hotel after the release of the film.
Showgirls is about a girl named Nomi who dreams of being a dancer in a Las Vegas show. The movie was universally panned upon release, but has since become a cult classic. Ariana Grande and Liz Gillis even dressed up and reenacted the famous "doggy chow scene" for Halloween.
The original Ocean's 11 stars Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, and Angie Dickinson. It's about a group of friends who plan to stage a heist of several Las Vegas casinos on New Year's Eve. The movie was filmed at The Flamingo, Sands, Desert Inn, Riviera, and Sahara hotels.
Swingers is a movie starring Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn about a heartbroken and struggling comedian trying to recover after a recent breakup. It includes a trip to Vegas, where they try to pick up girls at the Stardust Resort and the Fremont Hotel.
Diamonds are Forever is a James Bond film starring Sean Connery. In the movie, James Bond attempts to infiltrate a diamond smuggling ring. Many of the Las Vegas scenes were filmed at Circus Circus since the owner at the time was a huge fan of the James Bond series.
Casino is a Martin Scorsese Mafia movie set in the 70s, starring Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, and Joe Pesci. It is based on the non-fiction book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas. Filming for the movie was primarily done at the Riviera hotel, but the story itself is reportedly based on the background of the Stardust hotel. For the movie, they used the fictional name of Tangiers hotel.
Last Vegas is a comedy starring Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman, and Kevin Kline about 4 childhood friends who reconnect in Las Vegas for a bachelor party. Most of the Las Vegas scenes were filmed at the Aria Resort & Casino.
This romantic comedy starring Matthew Perry and Salma Hayek is about an uptight project manager who meets a free-spirited photographer while he is in Las Vegas for business. They spend a night together and she later finds out she is pregnant. The movie was filmed in Las Vegas off the Strip, at the Hoover Dam, and at a Vegas home.
Leaving Las Vegas starring Nicolas Cage is based on the real-life story of an alcoholic screenwriter who takes one last trip to Vegas to finish out his final days. This film won Nicolas Cage his first and only Academy Award. The movie was filmed at several locations along the Las Vegas Strip including Circus Circus, Excalibur, Flamingo, The River Palms, and The Mirage, as well as the Strip itself.
This quintessential movie about Blackjack was filmed at Planet Hollywood, Red Rock Casino, and Hard Rock in Vegas. It is based on a true story of the MIT Blackjack team that used card counting to improve their odds against dealers and casinos.
Vegas Vacation stars Chevy Chase and is the fourth movie in the Vacation series. Several of the movies shots were filmed at The Mirage and Las Vegas' Chapel of the Bells.
Jason Bourne features a Las Vegas Strip car chase outside the Aria. Pretty crazy how they were able to shut down parts of the Strip for the movie!
Now You See Me is about a group of magicians who pull off several heists and award their audiences with the money. Filming locations include the Aria, Fremont Street, and the Golden Gate Hotel.
Vegas is one of those iconic American settings for a movie that almost acts as a character itself. It's instantly recognizable and usually plays a big part in the plot of the film. Did I miss any iconic Las Vegas movies on my list? Let me know, I'd be happy to add to it!
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