Las Vegas has played host to some of the greatest and most memorable movies in existence. Therefore, when selecting the best movies set in Las Vegas, it is not easy to trim the list but below you will find what we believe to be the greatest movies set in the entertainment capital of the world.
The glitz and glamour of Sin City
We make no apology for beginning with Martin Scorsese’s epic masterpiece, Casino. Released in 1995, the movie stars Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone and is packed full of iconic moments. The movie highlights the deception and greed of those involved as they aim to take control of the gambling empire and win over the affections of an attractive socialite. Think cocaine and homicide and you begin to come close to what you can expect in Casino but to fully appreciate everything this movie has to offer, including Scorsese’s stunning cinematography and music, you simply have to watch the film. It has recently been one of the top Las Vegas based casino movies on Netflix and is worth the subscription alone.
Rainman may not be set fully in Las Vegas but it is without doubt one of the greatest gambling movies of all time, some of which features the blackjack tables of the gambling capital of the world. The movie is based on Charlie Babbit, played by Tom Cruise, who loses his inheritance. However, the businessman finds out that $3 million has been left to his autistic brother, played by Dustin Hoffman. Babbit has not had any contact with his brother for many years and attempts to obtain the money from the care facility without much luck, leading him to ‘kidnap’ is brother. During the course of the movie, Babbit realises his brother is a genius and decides to use his powerful memory to their advantage on the blackjack tables of Las Vegas. Rainman won Best Picture in 1989, with Hoffman landing the Oscar for Best Actor.
The biggest A-list cast assembled on film
For those who love a big name cast, look no further than Ocean’s Eleven. This movie, released in 2001 is a remake of the classic starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, and Angie Dickinson. The update has a stellar cast of its own, boasting Matt Damon, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Julia Roberts. The movie follows Danny Ocean as he attempts to pull off the biggest heist in the history of Las Vegas. Does he succeed? You will have to watch the movie to find out.
We cannot discuss the best movies set in Las Vegas without mentioning two movies that have Las Vegas in the title. Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas is based on the novel by Hunter S. Thompson and stars Johnny Depp. The comedy/drama was released in 1998 and follows Depp and his psychotic lawyer, played by Benicio Del Toro, as they head to Las Vegas with a suitcase full of drugs.
Leaving Las Vegas is another movie with the name of the city in the title and features Nicolas Cage and Elisabeth Shue. The romantic drama follows a television writer who plans to drink himself to death in Las Vegas, until he meets a prostitute named Sera. Their feelings for each other lead to complications due to her line of work and his alcoholism.