1. Ocean’s Eleven (2001) - Bellagio Fountains
Arguably one of the most famous films shot in Las Vegas, the majority of scenes from Ocean’s Eleven was shot at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino, thanks to a deal struck between producer Jerry Weintraub and Steve Wynn, who was the hotel’s owner at the time. The cast and crew were granted 24-hour access to everything the Bellagio had to offer, including its amenities and grounds. The film’s ending scene, which showed all the characters standing in front of the stunning Bellagio Fountains, is definitely the stuff of legends.
2. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) - Red Rock Canyon
One of Johnny Depp’s cult classics, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, was a trip filled to the brim with hallucinogens and psychoactive substances. However, it also featured Red Rock Canyon's vivid scenery, with its towering sandstone cliffs and dramatic fire-red rocks. The rolling hills of the Mojave Desert are also highlighted – undoubtedly a must-see for all those visiting Las Vegas.
3. Rain Man (1988) - Caesars Palace
It goes without saying that Rain Man was one of the films that contributed to Tom Cruise’s status as a Hollywood A-Lister. It showed him, along with Dustin Hoffman, traveling to Las Vegas, where the pair stop by at Caesars Palace. In the movie’s most heartwarming scene, Cruise’s character, Charlie Babbitt, teaches his brother – Hoffman’s character, Raymond – how to dance in one of the hotel’s massive suites.
4. The Hangover (2009) - Caesars Palace
Another well-known film set in Las Vegas, The Hangover was a comedy of epic proportions, starring Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, and Ed Helms, among others. One of the movie’s most well-known scenes was the gang’s arrival at the lobby of Caesars Palace, setting off their wild adventure of debauchery and inebriation. This scene was filmed in the hotel’s actual lobby, making it even more iconic.
5. Leaving Las Vegas (1995) - The Las Vegas Strip
A romantic tragedy film that starred Nicholas Cage, Elisabeth Shue, and Julian Sands, Leaving Las Vegas is famous for featuring the very best of the Strip, showing the glittering lights of the bars, nightclubs, and restaurants that lined its streets. The movie’s other locations include the Excalibur Hotel & Casino, as well as the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino.