For today’s blog, we will be featuring the 14 best Vegas movies! If you are excited, better keep on reading. To kick-start this post, let us know first why Las Vegas is a famous shooting spot for entertainment, like movies.
In case you are not aware, Las Vegas is one of the most populated cities in Nevada. It is called the “Sin City” since it has numerous establishments that promote adult entertainment. That said, do not wonder if most films here contain mature scenes and languages.
If you want to virtually appreciate the bright lights and nightlife in Las Vegas, you might as well see these masterpieces!
1. 21 (2008)
English 2h 3m IMDb
Director: Robert Luketic
Stars: Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey
First on the list is a 2008 real-life film about card counting! 21 is a movie based on the life of the six-member team called MIT Blackjack. A group of students from different universities formed a card counting team. Their main goal is to heist Atlantic City and Las Vegas casinos.
Although the main plot sounds like a bad example of greed and love for money, there are still hidden messages you can untangle once you watch 21. You only need to look beyond what is presented in front of you!
2. The Hangover (2009)
English 1h 40m IMDb
Director: Todd Phillips
Stars: Zach Galifianakis, Bradley Cooper, Justin Bartha
The Hangover is a trilogy film, and this one on the list is the first among them. The 2009 film narrates the story of a group of men– their journey to having a bachelor party for their single friend. But, a comedy film is nothing without a huge twist! See for yourself what it is and why many people loved this film.
The Hangover (2009) has accumulated 25 nominations and 13 wins. As expected, this movie will make you laugh and reminisce about good memories. Indeed, it is a feel-good film.
3. Diamonds are forever (1971)
English 2h IMDb
Director: Guy Hamilton
Stars: Sean Connery, Jill St. John, Charles Gray
If you are searching for some oldie but goodie film, Diamonds are forever might be a fit for you! When you watch Diamonds are forever, expect you’ll consume more time since it is 2-hour long. But, more than that, this film will make your heart race a bit because this is an action film. There are fight scenes that amuse the viewers.
Diamonds are forever also showcase the beautiful scenery of early Las Vegas. If you want to see the changes in the city over the last decades, you can count on this one too.
4. Last Vegas (2013)
English 1h 45m IMDb
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Stars: Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman
First, we want to clarify that that’s how you spell the title. It is not wrong! If you are wondering why, please continue to read. Last Vegas follows the story of four adult men who will do their last bachelor party for their last single friend. Does the title make sense now? We hope it does.
Last Vegas reminds its viewers that even though you are already an adult who has priorities and is always required to make mature decisions, there is still room for enjoyment. It shows that adults can take a break from life too.
5. Electrick Children (2012)
English 1h 36m IMDb
Director: Rebecca Thomas
Stars: Julia Garner, Liam Aiken, Billy Zane
Electrick Children is a movie that won 5 awards, including the Just Film Award at the 2012 Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. Overall, it received eight nominations from different award-winning bodies.
More than the awards, Electrick Children is indeed one of the best Vegas films of all time. The storyline is unique and unusual.
For your preference, the plot of this movie tells the story of a fifteen-year-old Mormon girl who claims that she was impregnated by music. It’s strange, isn’t it? This masterpiece is viewed as intriguing, artistically flawless, and touching.
6. Casino (1995)
English 2h 58m IMDb
Director: Martin Scorsese
Stars: Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci
Here’s another one for the classics! Casino is a film based on the book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas. Which is a nonfiction book about the life of Tony Spilotro and Frank Rosenthal.
The film clearly showcased the early days of Las Vegas. Casino is an excellent movie that received 11 nominations and won 4 awards. Some of these are the Best Production Design and Best Male Dubbing from the Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists (1997)
7. The Godfather II (1974)
English 3h 22m IMDb
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Stars: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall
Let us introduce the next film by how great it is! The Godfather II is one of the outstanding Vegas films everyone should watch. This film ranked as the 4th most rated film in the movie review aggregator IMDb. It also received 20 nominations and won 17 awards, including 6 Oscars.
We won’t spill many details about how the story of The Godfather II goes, but we can tell you what other viewers think of the film. Many people will agree that The Godfather II is a masterpiece. It is the best sequel film ever made!
8. Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
English 1h 56m IMDb
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Stars: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts
There is more for Las Vegas heist films! Ocean’s Eleven is the first movie installment of the Ocean’s Franchise. It is about a group who robbed 3 casinos in Sin City. The cast of this film is star-studded. So, you can expect that the acting is incredible and noteworthy.
Ocean’s Eleven had 20 nominations, and 4 of these they have won, including the Bogey Award in Gold from the 2002 Bogey Awards.
9. Army of the Dead (2021)
English 2h 28m IMDb
Director: Zack Snyder
Stars: Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Ana de la Reguera
Army of the Dead is the newest Vegas film on this list! It is about zombies, so if you are into thrillers and action, you may consider this one. Basically, the story is about a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas and how a group of mercenaries battles it. In the film, you will see their techniques in order to survive.
Army of the Dead is the winner of the 2022 Academy Awards under the category Oscars Fan Favorite.
10. Swingers (1996)
English 1h 36m IMDb
Director: Doug Liman
Stars: Vince Vaughn, Heather Graham, Jon Favreau
From the latest, let’s travel back in time with the next 90s movie! Swingers is a film about break-ups. But the story doesn’t end in sadness, though. As we all know, when break-ups happen, our friends are always there to rescue us. This film is a clear representation of that!
Watching this film will make you realize the worth of your friends or the people around you. Swingers is a comedy-drama film that will teach you about healing and letting go. Swingers also became famous because of featuring the beauty of Vegas Casinos. This movie is worth a watch!
11. Rat Race (2001)
English 1h 52m IMDb
Director: Jerry Zucker
Stars: Breckin Meyer, Amy Smart, Whoopi Goldberg
Rat Race is another comedy film from 2001. It is a movie with star-studded casts like the iconic Rowan Atkinson. Rat Race is inspired by another film called It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World which is also of the same genre.
If you are having a bad time and want to see Las Vegas at the same time, consider watching Rat Race! Indeed, it will make you laugh. It is a refreshing film. But if you are watching with a child, better beware of inappropriate language and scenes.
12. Now You See Me (2013)
English 1h 55m IMDb
Director: Louis Leterrier
Stars: Jesse Eisenberg, Common, Mark Ruffalo
Now You See Me is another American heist film on the list. This movie revolves around the life of a group of magicians that perform only to distract their audiences. Typically, they have a hidden agenda. If you like some magic, you can consider watching this one!
Viewers say that Now You See Me will leave you in awe. You will even wonder how they can do such tricks. This film won the Favorite Thriller Movie in the 2014 People’s Choice Award.
13. Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
English 1h 51m IMDb
Director: Mike Figgis
Stars: Nicolas Cage, Elisabeth Shue, Julian Sands
Leaving Las Vegas has an interesting story. It is a film based on the semi-autobiographical novel by John O’Brien. The book contains partial life experiences and how he overcame the struggles in his life.
The movie also depicts the same scenarios as the novel. So, it is great to watch the film. Leaving Las Vegas has an unusual story that will surely touch your heart. It is dramatic and romantic at the same time. Leaving Las Vegas is indeed a masterpiece! It received so many recognitions and awards.
14. 7 Days to Vegas (2019)
English 1h 32m IMDb
Director: Eric Balfour
Stars: Vincent Van Patten, Ross McCall, Paul Walter Hauser
7 Days to Vegas is also called Walk to Vegas. Well, simply because the main character in this movie walked around Sin City for 7 days! Although it was for a bet, that’s still unbelievable, right?
7 Days to Vegas received what it’s worth. This film won 5 awards, including the Best Feature Film Comedy in the California Independent Film Festival (2019) and the Best Ensemble Feature in the 2021 Garden State Film Festival.
This film is enjoyable, entertaining, and light. You can consider watching 7 Days to Vegas if you want to view the city from a different perspective.
Final Words
The possibilities in Sin City are endless, as shown in the 14 best Vegas movies we just gave you. In this place, you can do everything. From wild bachelor parties, casinos, and betting games, we are sure that you won’t be bored in Vegas.
Las Vegas, for most people, is a place to escape. We hope you can get away from your busy life while watching the films on this list!
