10 Best Vegas Movies That You Should Watching Update 03/2024

Best Vegas Movies

Some of cinema’s greatest works have been filmed in and around Las Vegas. There are a few standouts among the others, as determined by user ratings on IMDb.

Las Vegas, the USA’s adult entertainment capital, is a glistening metropolis full of mysteries and charm. It’s no surprise that filmmakers and writers flock to the city. It’s hard not to be enchanted by films set in Las Vegas, what with all the bright neon lights and riotous hues.

There are comedy, action, thrillers, and dramedies among the selections. When it comes to Las Vegas, both its positives and negatives are on display, with some characters finding freedom while others remain stuck. It’s no surprise that movies based in Las Vegas are some of the best in the business.

1. Smokin’ Aces (6.7)

Smokin' Aces

You’re going to cringe watching Smokin’ Acesis, a dark comedy/action picture. Ryan Reynolds and Ben Affleck star in this high-octane action flick about a group of hitmen tracking down a former Las Vegas magician turned mafia leader who has turned rat.

The casino scenes in this film were all shot in the MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa in Las Vegas, despite the fact that the rest of the film was shot elsewhere.

It’s a movie that can do it all, from vicious violence to clever humor and an all-star ensemble, all in one go.

2. 21 (6.8)

Kevin Spacey and Jim Sturgess feature in this slick black jack drama from 2008. Las Vegas card counters attempt to take the city by storm in an undercover operation. Until the casinos decide to fight back, the players work together to defraud the big casinos.

The film was released during the height of Sturgess’s fame, right after he had starred in the Beatles-centric musical, Across the Universe (2008). In this picture, he and Kevin Spacey have excellent chemistry and play their characters to the best of their abilities.

3. The Cooler (6.9)

The Cooler

This 2003 romantic drama starring William H. Macy and Alec Baldwin centers on Bernie Lootz (Macy), a lonely drug dealer. Bernie, on the other hand, isn’t just any dealer; he’s the kind that card players despise because he has a penchant for stealing all the money from gamblers while the casino loses virtually nothing. To jinx his customers, Baldwin portrays Bernie’s overbearing employer.

The supporting cast, led by Macy and Baldwin, is superb. Despite the focus on Lootz’s love affair and the seriousness of the film, there are a few amusing moments.

4. Swingers (7.2)

Mike (Jon Favreau) is a heartbroken guy trying to get over his ex-girlfriend (Trent) with the help of his self-proclaimed woman charmer pal in this classic ’90s comedy (Vince Vaughn).

After their appearances in Swingers, this combo went viral, and much of their current fame can be traced back to their parts in that film.

Since the 1996 release of the picture, Vaughn has starred in and produced a slew of other projects. Iron Man’s debut in 2008 marked the beginning of a successful career for Favreau as a producer/director/actor (2008). Some of the best material in Swingers may be found in the sequences in Las Vegas, as Mike and Trent play blackjack.

5. Leaving Las Vegas (7.5)

Leaving Las Vegas

Nicolas Cage and Elisabeth Shue feature in the romance drama Leaving Las Vegas. During a trip to Las Vegas in 1995, Ben Sanderson, an alcoholic TV writer, sets out to drink himself to death. After meeting Sera, the two begin to develop feelings for each other.

Sanderson’s drunkenness and Sera’s profession make it difficult for their relationship to blossom. At the time of its initial release, this picture was well-received by critics, and contemporary IMDb users agree.

6.  Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas (7.6)

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, a 1998 comedy/drama starring Johnny Depp, is based on Hunter S. Thompson’s classic gonzo novel. The appearance and feel of Las Vegas in this film was undoubtedly the most unusual of any of the other films on our list.

As they search for the “American Dream” in Las Vegas, Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo ingest massive amounts of drugs, including cocaine, LSD, mescaline, and heroine. In Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro deliver a performance that will live long in the memory.

7. The Hangover (7.7)

The Hangover

When it was released in 2009, The Hangover set numerous box office records and spawned two sequels. The Hangover II and The Hangover III, despite the displeasure of many fans, have been the most successful ‘adult’ comedy franchises of the modern period.

Fans of humor will always think of Phil, Stu, and Alan when they think of Cooper, Helms, and Galifianakis. The Hangover is unquestionably the best Las Vegas-based comedy ever made.

8. Ocean’s Eleven (7.7)

It stars everyone from George Clooney and Brad Pitt to Bernie Mac and Casey Affleck in an exciting heist film based on the classic Ocean’s 11from 1960, in which Frank Sinatra starred. Ocean’s Eleveni In the whole Ocean’s franchise, viewers appear to prefer the 2001 film the most.

Ocean’s 8 was also a success when it was released in 2018. A rewatch of the iconic Las Vegas heist film is definitely recommended.

9. Rain Man (8.0)

Rain Man

Charlie Babbit (Tom Cruise) is a sleek, quick-thinking businessman who is scammed out of his inheritance in Rain Man. Raymond, Raymond’s long-lost, autistic brother, has been bequeathed $3 million in his will (Dustin Hoffman). Charlie ‘kidnaps’ Raymond in an effort to persuade the care facility holding Raymond’s money, and it turns out that his brother is an absolute genius.

Charlie and Raymond agreed to play blackjack in Las Vegas after Charlie discovered Raymond’s incredible recall.

An Academy Award for Best Actor went to Dustin Hoffman in 1989, and it also won Best Picture.

10. Casino (8.2)

Casino, Martin Scorsese’s 1995 masterpiece, introduces the mob to Las Vegas. Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone feature in the action/drama. This film contains too many memorable moments. Masterful cinematography and music by Scorsese make this one of his greatest works.

Casino must be the highest-rated picture on this list because of the roller coaster of emotions the audience is subjected to.