The city of Las Vegas, Nevada, is one of the most famous and iconic cities in the United States, and the rest of the world. Known as “Sin City,” Vegas has an enduring reputation for glitz and glamor as well as vice and debauchery. It is no surprise that this combination, as well as the visual spectacle of the neon-lit streets, has led to the city being featured in (and even the centerpiece of) many movies throughout cinema history. Here are just five of the many iconic movies featuring Las Vegas!
The Hangover (2009)
Starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis, this 2009 comedy sees a bachelor party in Vegas go horribly wrong. When the three friends wake up on the morning of the wedding to find a baby in the bedroom, a tiger in the bathroom, and—worst of all—the groom is nowhere to be seen, hilarity ensues. While the movie spawned two sequels, which took the action to Bangkok and Mexico, neither matches the charm of the original, where the city of Vegas provides an iconic backdrop to the chaos.
Mars Attacks! (1996)
This underrated Tim Burton comedy sees an army of Martians invading Earth and wreaking havoc everywhere from Texas to the Taj Mahal. However, the movie’s most iconic scenes take place in Vegas, including a performance by the one and only Tom Jones, who appears as himself. Look out for appearances from Jack Nicholson, Pierce Brosnan, Danny DeVito, and a young Natalie Portman in this one! As well as featuring iconic Vegas locations such as Caesar’s Palace, Mars Attacks! also included ground-breaking computer animation effects.
Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
2001’s Ocean’s Eleven may be a remake of the 1960 original, but it is the remake that is considered by most critics and audiences to be the defining version of the story. With an all-star cast that includes George Clooney, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, Don Cheadle, and Julia Roberts, Ocean’s Eleven features no shortage of glitzy scenes at various casinos. Although the movie makes it all look effortlessly stylish and glamorous, don’t get ideas of planning a heist—you’re probably better off staying in and checking out new bingo sites to get your kicks.
Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
Starring Nicholas Cage as a suicidal alcoholic, Leaving Las Vegas is certainly the least comedic entry on this list, focusing on the city’s seedy underbelly more than its glitz and glamor. With unflinching depictions of addiction, self-destruction, and abuse, this one is less a love letter to Las Vegas and more a dark meditation on the human condition. While best avoided if you are looking for a laugh or a family-friendly option, this movie is an important piece of cinema.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
Based on the cult 1971 novel by Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas stars Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro as a journalist and his assistant who take a road trip through the Nevada desert towards the titular city. Featuring a variety of psychedelic, drug-induced scenes, this movie comes close to capturing the chaos and confusion of the city itself.
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