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The cast of Last Vegas keep things amiably watchable, but the film is mostly a mellower Hangover retread for the older set.

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Jon Turteltaub

Michael Douglas

Robert De Niro

Morgan Freeman

Kevin Kline

Mary Steenburgen

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If you saw " The Hangover " and thought, "I would enjoy this film more if nothing of consequence happened, and it were clean enough to screen at a retirement home," then "Last Vegas" is custom made for your needs. Written by Dan Fogleman and directed by Jon Turtletaub (" National Treasure "), this tale of four old buddies reuniting in Las Vegas is what you might call "low-impact" comedy. There's really nothing to it except sentimental shtick.

Billy ( Michael Douglas ), a millionaire notorious for resisting matrimony the way most people resist drinking lye, has finally decided to get hitched. His bride-to-be is 30 years old. You don't need to know her name or anything about her because the film isn't really interested in her. She's just the pretext to get the old gang back together. Said gang includes Archie ( Morgan Freeman ), who recently suffered a mild stroke and is being micromanaged to prisonerhood by his well-meaning son; Sam ( Kevin Kline ), happily married but depressed by his loss of lust for life, and Paddy ( Robert De Niro ), a widower who sits at home all day moping and scowling, surrounded by pictures of his beloved. Paddy is the refusenik of the group, in theory—he and Billy had a falling out over Billy's failure to attend Paddy's wife's funeral, and this incident is rooted in a deeper conflict that the film will explain and re-explain and re-re-explain, never with any grace.

What awaits the reunited gang in Las Vegas? Luxury. Great food. Swanky entertainment. If you think this sounds like a feature-length ad for a particular city, bingo. The film's geography-based product placement is over-the-top even by the standards of self-deprecating Hollywood piffle. The gang ends up staying at the Aria, the Aria, the Aria, did I mention the Aria? I must have. The logo seems as though it's in every other shot.

The friends do what people do in Vegas when they'd rather not risk arrest or catch a disease: they gamble; they have nice meals; they walk around and take in the sights; they bicker, sometimes amusingly, sometimes tiresomely. Light and fluffy as it is, this elder fantasy could have been a minor classic had the script created four characters with convincingly detailed comic psychologies, but "Last Vegas" isn't interested in trying that hard. It offloads the burden of characterization onto its actors, and the Aria.

Freeman plays a wily gentleman who seems milquetoast and beaten by life, but was suave once, and could be again. His character's early luck at the card tables sets up the film's voyage into vacation-wealth porn, the hub of which is a penthouse suite that an oil prince might find excessive. De Niro smiles so rarely these days that you'd think he got docked ten grand every time he showed his teeth, so naturally he's the snarling killjoy of the bunch; there are a few moments where he gets to puff up his chest or use his fists, like an aging gangster in a wannabe-Scorsese flick. (At one point he decks a bullying guest played by Jerry Ferrara , a.k.a. Turtle on "Entourage." The resulting comic riff—which finds their hotel escort, endearingly played by Romany Malco , convincing the deckee that the oldsters are scary East Coast mobsters—is as funny as it is obvious.) Michael Douglas plays exactly the type of guy you'd expect Michael Douglas to play: casting him as a privileged, charming old rascal who's terrified of mortality is a slam-dunk by this point, like casting Bruce Willis as a haggard killer with regrets. Kudos to the script for teasing Douglas' mega-slick image, though: "Your teeth, your hair, even your tan is phony," Paddy growls at him.

Two actors elevate the film. One is Kevin Kline. His comparative leanness belies the notion that his character is worn out and worn down; like Freeman, De Niro and Douglas, he looks so fit for his age that you just have to take the script's word that he's succumbing to decrepitude. (There should be a word for fit older actors playing characters in decline. Maybe "oldface.") Nevertheless, you buy him, and the fact that Kline has no established persona to lean on makes his work here more impressive. His Sam—who has rather improbably been given permission to cheat by his wife ( Joanna Gleason ), plus a rubber and an erectile dysfunction pill—is sly as well as spry. Kline deftly underplays every scene and line, timing punchline moments so that you don't see them coming. He has an extraordinary scene late in the picture that I won't describe, except to say that it's terribly written, that it starts out unsavory and then takes a sharp right turn into ridiculousness, and that there are maybe five living actors who could make you believe it, and Kline is one of them.

The other standout is Mary Steenburgen as the independent businesswoman-turned-lounge singer character, Diana. She's the Manic Pixie Dream Dame, reawakening the slumbering youthful spirit in older suitors despite being very close to their age and making no apologies for it. Steenburgen is introduced in a cocktail lounge doing her own singing—she's excellent—and she quickly matches Kline in the scene-stealing department, bantering affectionately with De Niro's earthbound working-class guy and Douglas' Mr. Moneybags. "You're not as charming as you think you are," she tells him, with a sing-song delivery that turns an insult into a dare. It's a shame that "Last Vegas" didn't give Diana more screen time—it would have been nice to hear a woman's version of the anxieties afflicting our four grey-haired dudebros, or get a sense of her personality apart from her function in the Diana-Paddy-Billy triangle—but she's still a kick. You never see a 60-year-old female movie character who's desirable not despite her maturity, but because of it.

There are a few sharp old-guys-still-got-it jokes, including a priceless bit involving rapper 50 Cent as the gang's neighbor in the Aria, the Aria, the Aria, I say the Aria. There are many more corny or clumsily staged bits, and a few that verge on mortifying (including a scene in which the heroes judge a bikini contest emceed by LMFAO member RedFoo, who gives De Niro a lap dance). The picture begins vanishing from the memory the instant that its final credits roll, and everyone involved is probably fine with that. "Last Vegas" is ninety minutes of scenery with a few bright moments, starring actors you like, plus the Aria.

Matt Zoller Seitz

Matt Zoller Seitz is the Editor at Large of RogerEbert.com, TV critic for New York Magazine and Vulture.com, and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in criticism.

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Film credits.

Last Vegas (2013)

Rated PG-13

Robert De Niro as Paddy

Morgan Freeman as Archie

Michael Douglas as Billy

Mary Steenburgen as Diana

Kevin Kline as Dean

Jerry Ferrara as Dean

Romany Malco as Lonnie

Roger Bart as Maurice

Joanna Gleason as Miriam

Jon Turteltaub
Dan Fogelman

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Film Review: ‘Last Vegas’

Four Hollywood legends team for this wan, Geritol-powered 'Hangover' clone, but it's a singing and sparkling Mary Steenburgen who handily steals the show.

By Scott Foundas

Scott Foundas

Film Review: ‘Black Mass’ 9 years ago
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As creaky as an arthritic hip, “ Last Vegas ” does for four leading stars of the ‘70s and ‘80s what movies like “Tough Guys” and “Grumpy Old Men” did for survivors of Hollywood’s storied Golden Age: It lets them show they can still throw a punch, bust a move, and get it up, and that they’re not quite ready for the Motion Picture Home just yet. Beyond that, this genteel “Hangover” for the AARP crowd has little to recommend it, though a smattering of funny gags and the nostalgia value of the cast — none of whom, curiously, have ever shared the screen before — keeps the whole thing more watchable than it has any right to be. Smartly counterprogrammed against fanboy behemoths “Ender’s Game” and “Thor: The Dark World,” this Nov. 1 CBS Films release could score nicely with its target demo but seems unlikely to match the $175 million worldwide haul of surprise 2007 hit “The Bucket List.”

One doesn’t exactly expect “Death in Venice” from a movie that begins on a shot of female cellulite jiggling beneath the surface of a Florida community pool. But as various senior-centric pics have proven, from Martin Brest’s delightful caper “Going in Style” to Ron Howard’s “Cocoon,” going gray isn’t automatically an impediment to a screenplay that consists of more than death and Viagra jokes, plus that other old reliable: alta cockers rendered helpless in the face of modern technology. But “Last Vegas” scribe Dan Fogelman (who wrote the monumentally smarter and shrewder “Crazy, Stupid, Love”) pretty much sticks to the lowest common denominator as he contrives to get four childhood friends together in Sin City for the bachelor party of the last unmarried man among them.

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He’s named Billy and played by a blow-dried, spray-tanned Michael Douglas in what feels like a watered-down version of the actor’s magnificent aging lothario from 2009’s “Solitary Man” (along with his Liberace in “Behind the Candelabra,” the great performance of the second half of Douglas’ career). When Billy impulsively proposes to his strapping 31-year-old girlfriend (in the midst of delivering a friend’s eulogy, no less), best bud Sam ( Kevin Kline ) — the one trapped in that infernal Florida swimming pool — suggests a boy’s weekend in Vegas, and the rest of this white-haired wolf pack is soon to follow. Back when they were kids on the streets of Brooklyn, Billy and his pals were known as the Flatbush Four, though now they’re mainly just flat and bushed: In addition to Sam, there’s stroke survivor Archie ( Morgan Freeman , essentially reprising his “Bucket List” character) and surly widower Paddy ( Robert De Niro ), who hasn’t forgiven Billy for skipping out on his wife’s funeral (she was their shared childhood sweetheart).

From all points they converge on the ultra-luxurious Aria casino resort, where they find themselves comped with a penthouse suite — and a personal concierge (Romany Malco) — after Archie cleans house at the blackjack table. That pretty much gives them the run of the place, though they do make one important side trip to nearby Binion’s, where Billy catches the eye of a jazz chanteuse shimmering in a sparkly mauve gown as she belts out “Only You” in a desolate hotel bar.

The singer, Diana (Mary Steenburgen), is also “of a certain age” and has been around the block a few times, but unlike her male counterparts in “Last Vegas,” she’s been written as more than a one-dimensional type, and she’s played by the marvelous Steenburgen with a richness that goes even beyond what’s on the page. She’s an oasis of real, grown-up emotion in a movie that often feels more sophomoric (and a lot less funny) than the concurrent “Bad Grandpa.” And though she’s supposed to be a former Atlanta tax attorney who got downsized and picked up a mic, Diana could just as easily be Steenburgen’s ebullient Lynda Dummar from “Melvin and Howard” a few decades on, hardened by experience, still looking for love in all the wrong places.

The rest of the movie rarely if ever rises to Steenburgen’s level. Most of the comic payoffs are so obviously telegraphed that the audience can see them coming within a few frames of the setup. (When Sam, who’s been given dispensation by his wife to cheat on her, sidles up to a tall blond stranger seen only from behind, what are the chances she’ll turn out to be a he?) Actors like these can sometimes be a pleasure to watch even when saddled with sitcom material, because their timing and delivery is still better than most. But in “Last Vegas,” everyone seems to be on a mildly diverting paid vacation, especially Freeman, who can scarcely disguise his contempt for the material. He doesn’t just seem to be phoning it in; he seems to be emailing it in from his trailer.

Director Jon Turteltaub keeps things clicking along with the impersonal professionalism honed during his years in the Disney/Touchstone feel-good factory (“Cool Runnings,” “Phenomenon,” “While You Were Sleeping”), with lots of TV-friendly close-ups and touristic Vegas exteriors that could easily be recycled as stock footage. The soundtrack offers the usual golden-oldies playlist (Freeman’s cell phone rings Harry Chapin’s “Cat’s in the Cradle”), save for Steenburgen’s lovely jazz repertoire, which includes a self-penned torch song fully befitting her character: “A Cup of Trouble.”

Reviewed at AMC Empire 25, New York, Oct. 23, 2013. (In Turin Film Festival — opener.) MPAA Rating: PG-13. Running time: 104 MIN.

Production: A CBS Films release presented with Good Universe of a Laurence Mark production. Produced by Laurence Mark, Amy Baer. Executive producers, Nathan Kahane, Jeremiah Samuels, Lawrence Grey.
Crew: Directed by Jon Turteltaub. Screenplay, Dan Fogelman. Camera (Deluxe color, widescreen), David Hennings; editor, David Rennie; music, Mark Mothersbaugh; music supervisor, Mary Ramos; production designer, David J. Bomba; art director, Mark E. Garner; set decorator, Patrick Cassidy; senior set designer, Junstin O’Neal Miller; set designer, Jayme Long; costume designer, Dayna Pink; sound (Datasat/Dolby Digital), David Kelson; supervising sound editors, Kami Asgar, Sean McCormack; re-recording mixers, Kevin O’Connell, Bob Beemer; visual effects, Method Studios, CBS Digital, E3 Media; stunt coordinator, Lonnie R. Smith Jr.; assistant director, Gary S. Rake; casting, Francine Maisler, Melissa Kostenbauder.
With: Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Kline, Mary Steenburgen, Jerry Ferrara, Romany Malco, Roger Bart, Joanna Gleason.

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The 20 Best Movies Set In Las Vegas That Will Inspire You To Visit

Las Vegas has always felt like more than just a city. It's an entertainment hub and a place where someone can have almost any kind of fun they want to have — at virtually any hour of the day or night. The "rules" just feel a little bit different in Vegas than they do anywhere else in the world — sometimes for the better, and sometimes not so much. But either way, it's a place that has a mystique built up around it that lends itself very well to the medium of film and has done so since Hollywood's golden age.

Movies about Vegas are their own subgenre, and almost every kind of movie imaginable has been set in or around the city. A lot of them serve to reinforce the magic, glitz, and glamor of Vegas — while others aren't afraid to show the city's seedier and grittier side.

Of course, that's precisely what makes Las Vegas so intriguing — those two extremes and all the shades of grey in between. From movies about building up Vegas to movies about tearing it down, and from movies celebrating good luck to movies where characters can't catch a break — these are the ultimate Las Vegas films that will have you itching to visit.

1. Viva Las Vegas

There is no better place to start than arguably the classic Las Vegas movie — not to mention the movie tied to the song of the same name that is basically Vegas' theme song. "Viva Las Vegas" is considered one of the better Elvis Presley movies — which range from the sublime to the ridiculous — and it really is a fun film that also features an electric performance from Presely's co-star, Ann-Margret. The chemistry between her and Presley burns right through the screen — which is another thing that was often lacking in many of The King's movies.

While the title doesn't give much away, "Viva Las Vegas" is actually a racing movie . Presley plays a driver named Lucky Lewis, who travels to the city for its first-ever Grand Prix race. Of course, everything in the plot is just an excuse for Presley — and sometimes Ann-Margret — to sing and dance in eye-popping musical numbers. There's also the bonus of it being an excellent opportunity to see images of the Las Vegas of the '60s, which looks very different than it does today.

2. The Cooler

Most casino games are ultimately about luck, and it's in a casino's best interest that its customers have bad luck the majority of the time. In "The Cooler," casino manager Shelly (Alec Baldwin) makes sure the odds stay ever in his favor by hiring a man named Bernie (William H. Macy). Bernie's luck is so bad that it seems to permeate the area around him, so he is hired to be a "cooler" — standing near a table where a player is on a hot streak in an effort to "cool" them down. When Bernie becomes involved with a cocktail waitress named Natalie (Maria Bello), his luck begins to change — and so does his effectiveness as a cooler.

While the premise requires a pretty strong belief in luck as a changeable force, "The Cooler" is an underrated Vegas movie that earned raves for the performances of Baldwin and Bello in particular. As a character, Shelly is also a fan of a more old-school Vegas and doesn't want to succumb to the flashiness of the places on the strip. This leads to the movie being something of a farewell to that dying era of Vegas — hammered home in the closing credits which are overlaid on top of real-life footage of several vintage Vegas casinos being demolished.

3. Vegas Vacation

There's some debate as to whether this is the worst of the "Vacation" movies — with some arguing that the distinction belongs to "European Vacation" instead. Still, being the third-best entry in a franchise — that also includes the bona fide classics "National Lampoon's Vacation" and "Christmas Vacation" — is hardly anything to be ashamed of. Ultimately, "Vegas Vacation" has more than enough of that ol' Griswold family charm to earn its place in the series.

It's fun to see Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo) getting flirty with another man for once when that's usually Clark's ( Chevy Chase ) forte. The fact that the man is Wayne Newton (playing himself) is just a stroke of genius. Aging up the Griswold kids, Rusty (Ethan Embry) and Audrey (Marisol Nichols), just enough to join in on the Vegas fun — if not entirely legally — was also a nice touch. And of course, we get yet another reliably hilarious Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) appearance. One could argue that this would've been the perfect movie to bring the series back to the R-rated raunchiness of its original installment, but there's nothing wrong with a good, family-friendly Vegas comedy either.

4. Diamonds Are Forever

In terms of the chronology of the James Bond movie series , 007 made his first visit to the United States in "Goldfinger" when that movie's titular villain targeted Fort Knox. For Sean Connery's sixth and final (official) time as the suave super spy on film, Bond returned to the U.S. — and in particular, Las Vegas — in "Diamonds are Forever." It's somewhat surprising that it took that long, considering how synonymous the character is with the image of him sitting at a gambling table. Even in "Casino Royale," Bond was gambling in Montenegro, rather than Vegas.

Needless to say, Bond seems right at home at a Las Vegas craps table with a gorgeous woman by his side — in this case, the unfortunately-named Plenty O'Toole (Lana Wood). While it would've been awesome to see Bond spend an entire film in Vegas, or at least return to it a couple of times, its brief appearance in "Diamonds Are Forever" makes it that much more special as a result.

5. Swingers

This movie's attitude to Vegas at the time could be summed up with one memorable quote: "Oh, Mike, you don't want all that ****in' "Pirate of the Caribbean" horse****, or a rock-n-roll grunge tip." That line — spoken by Trent (Vince Vaughn) to Mike ( Jon Favreau ) shortly after they arrive in Vegas in the opening scenes of "Swingers," establishes the idea of the romanticized Vegas, and the reality of the one they're confronted with. Trent and Mike are two guys who want the classic, chill, Rat Pack-era Vegas — perhaps like the one they'd seen in movies — rather than the big, bombastic casinos and resorts that were now the norm.

Nicely coinciding with the swing music revival of the mid-'90s gave "Swingers" the perfect excuse to portray a group of young guys that aren't wooed away by the flashiness of new Vegas, and just want to hold onto whatever was left of old Vegas. The movie might not have spent all that much time in Vegas itself, but the vibe of golden-era Vegas carries on throughout, thanks to the leads' total commitment to that brief period when the decade became the swinging '90s.

If you're going to dive into movies about Las Vegas, it's only right to educate yourself on the history of the city and the man who is largely responsible for making it into what it would eventually become. In the biopic "Bugsy," Warren Beatty plays mobster Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel who travels from New York to California in the '40s to get into the gambling racket. Bugsy soon finds himself dreaming of setting up an entire gambling empire — and sees the opportunity to do just that in a largely undeveloped area of the Nevada desert. This eventually becomes Las Vegas, but of course, the road to building it is not without its bumps.

"Bugsy" was an Oscar darling that year, racking up nine nominations that included best picture, actor, and director (for Barry Levinson). Beatty was only very sporadically appearing in movies by this point, but he generally made it count when he did — and sure enough, his portrayal of the title character was pitch-perfect. As for the movie itself, it's a lavish and engrossing look at when the groundwork was laid for what would become the Las Vegas we know today.

7. Honeymoon in Vegas

Not to be confused with "Leaving Las Vegas" — the Nicolas Cage 1995 Las Vegas movie that earned the actor his first Academy Award — "Honeymoon in Vegas" is instead a lighthearted romantic comedy starring Cage, Sarah Jessica Parker , and James Caan. It sees Jack Singer (Cage) and his fiancée, Betsy (Parker) getting into a sticky situation when they lose a high-stakes poker game to Tommy Korman (Caan). To pay their debts, Tommy demands that Betsy spends the weekend with him as she looks uncannily like his late wife, Donna (also played by Parker).

Don't expect any "Indecent Proposal" type of steaminess with "Honeymoon in Vegas" — there is an agreement that sex is off the table. Instead, what follows is a lot of misadventures and shenanigans in this rather low-stakes but still extremely entertaining Vegas comedy. The climax of the movie features a group of Elvis Presley impersonator skydivers — which tells you a lot about the kind of goofiness to expect in this somewhat old-fashioned screwball comedy. If you're wondering what version of Nic Cage you'll get here, this is in line with the manic, hilarious Cage of "Raising Arizona," and Parker is on excellent form as well — a lot funnier than she often gets credit for.

8. 3000 Miles to Graceland

Kurt Russell has either played Elvis Presley or at least been in Elvis-adjacent projects several times in his career — from his first film role as a child in the Elvis movie "It Happened at the World's Fair" to playing the King himself in John Carpenter's "Elvis" biopic and providing Presley's voice in the Elvis scene from "Forrest Gump" (via IMDb ). In "3000 Miles to Graceland," Russell not only plays a man named Michael Zane — who claims to be Elvis' son — but he then plays Elvis himself in a montage near the end of the film.

All that being said, it's somewhat surprising that "3000 Miles to Graceland" is Russell's only major Las Vegas movie — seeing as how the legacies of Elvis and Vegas are so intertwined. And while it's far from the best Vegas movie, this heist comedy is perhaps among the most underrated.

Its fun premise sees Russell, Kevin Costner, Christian Slater, David Arquette, and Bokeem Woodbine all dress in Elvis costumes to rob a hotel. In order to make it easier for the group to pull off the heist, they plan it during International Elvis Week — when the city is awash in Elvis impersonators. Everyone in the cast is clearly having fun — especially Russell and Costner — in this inventive black comedy, which deserved much better than its critical panning and Razzie nominations .

9. The Gambler (1974)

There are a bunch of movies called "The Gambler," with some being remakes of others and some being standalone offerings. To make things abundantly clear, this is not the one that starred Kenny Rogers and featured his iconic song of the same name. Nor is it the 2014 Mark Wahlberg movie — that one is actually a lackluster remake of this one. Now that we've established what it's not, let's explain what the 1974 movie called "The Gambler" is: A stellar crime drama starring James Caan in a performance that earned him a Golden Globe nomination , and doesn't get enough attention when celebrating the late actor's career.

Caan plays Axle Freed, a seemingly mild-mannered and law-abiding college professor who hides a crippling gambling addiction. Axle's obsession lands him in jail and, later, in the crosshairs of some very dangerous loan sharks. Much of the action takes place in Vegas — which is both heaven and hell for someone who is addicted to gambling — and "The Gambler" does a great job of portraying those dizzying highs and devastating lows in a way few other Vegas movies ever have.

Many may dream of a way to "cheat" Las Vegas — to come up with some way to tip the odds in their favor and guarantee big wins — but in such a way that you won't get caught. "21" is based on the true story of a group of college students who did exactly that, using their mathematical brains to count cards and ensure consistent wins at Vegas blackjack tables (via MIT ). While the movie takes plenty of Hollywood liberties and makes the story a lot flashier and more melodramatic than it actually was, it's still a very entertaining look at an extremely fascinating story.

The movie version sees the whole endeavor spearheaded by a student named Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess), who has a big tuition bill due soon and needs money, fast. He conspires with other students as well as professor Mickey Rosa (Kevin Spacey), and soon they have developed a system with which to all but guarantee a win every time at blackjack. After racking up a tidy sum in this scheme, they soon butt heads with the casino security guard, Cole (Lawrence Fishburne), who eventually threatens to get the FBI involved. It's more "Ocean's Eleven" than the original story probably warranted, but putting that aside, "21" is still well worth a watch for anyone who's ever wanted to stick it to a casino.

11. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Journalist Hunter S. Thompson had a unique vision of Las Vegas — which goes without saying, as he had a unique vision about almost everything. This vision was laid out in his 1971 novel "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," which would eventually be adapted into a film by visionary director Terry Gilliam. Johnny Depp plays Thompson in a road movie that technically does have a plot — he and his lawyer, Dr. Gonzo (Benecio del Toro) are traveling to a motorcycle race that Thompson is supposed to be writing about. But along for the ride is a whole bunch of drugs, and it doesn't take long before the movie has lost any semblance of its original plot and is just about a substance-fueled descent into madness.

Coming from Gilliam, "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" is of course a visual feast, with unsettling camera angles and uncomfortable close-ups conveying the feeling of being lost in a drug-fueled haze. And, like many Gilliam movies, the visuals are the star of the show and the script often feels like an afterthought. Still, getting bogged down in whether or not there is a coherent plot here is completely missing the point, and "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" is best enjoyed by those willing to see a distinctively unique and debaucherously weird view of Vegas.

12. Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story

Vince Vaughn was one of the biggest comedy stars of the 2000s, and one of his best-loved movies from that era is "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story." Vaughn plays Peter LaFleur, who runs a gym that caters to people who don't feel like they belong in the bigger, flashier gyms — facilities like Globo Gym, which happens to be located right across the street and is looking to buy out Average Joe's gym. But how will Peter come up with the money to save his gym and keep it from being shut down by Globo Gym's cocky owner, White Goodman (Ben Stiller)? The obvious answer, of course, is to enter a Las Vegas dodgeball tournament.

The premise is what is. What's important is that it allows for a fun sports comedy set in Las Vegas and featuring Average Joe's doing battle against a series of over-the-top novelty teams — including a German team that allows for a fun David Hasselhoff cameo. If there really was a world dodgeball championship, it probably would be held in Vegas. Would it be this cartoonish and over the top? Maybe not — but movies about Vegas are often at their best when they are portraying that familiar Hollywood caricature of the city. And if you loved this hilarious underdog comedy, you'll likely be excited to hear that Vince Vaughn might be plotting a "Dodgeball" sequel .

13. What Happens in Vegas

It's somewhat surprising that it took until 2008 for someone to make a movie that takes its title from that classic Vegas slogan: "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." It's probably less surprising that the movie is about an impulsive, alcohol-fueled Vegas wedding gone wrong. But this Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz rom-com is actually a lot more fun than its generic premise might have you believe.

Much of the credit for that goes to the cast — not only the two leads but an ensemble full of talent that includes Rob Corddry, Lake Bell, Dennis Farina, Krysten Ritter, Billy Eichner, and Zach Galifianakis, to name just a few. None of the beats that the story takes will surprise you, but that doesn't mean you won't be plenty entertained and laugh out loud a few times along the way. It never gets as randy as its title might have suggested, but that's not necessarily a bad thing in this case.

"Casino" often gets unfairly overlooked when discussing Martin Scorsese's films — particularly his crime epics. It was bound to be forced to live in the shadow of "Goodfellas" as it would be the first movie the director made in this genre since the aforementioned gangster classic. But taken on its own terms — and with a little space from "Goodfellas" — "Casino" is an undeniably excellent film that brings together several Scorsese regulars, and pairs them with his distinctive style in a story about how the mafia had its claws in Vegas back in the '70s.

Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci are great as always here, but it was Sharon Stone who earned an Oscar nomination for her amazing work in the film. Like most Scorsese movies, the cast is full of recognizable faces doing some of their best work. But the real star here is the '70s and '80s Las Vegas backdrop — shown with a style and authenticity that only Scorsese could've accomplished. It might very well be the best Vegas crime movie ever made.

15. Electrick Children

The newest entry in this list is 2012's "Electrick Children," written and directed by Las Vegas native Rebecca Thomas. It tells the story of Rachel McKnight (Julia Garner), a 15-year-old living in a Mormon community who finds out she is pregnant. Convinced she has experienced immaculate conception through an indie rock song she was listening to, she escapes the community with her brother, Mr. Will (Liam Aiken) — who the community believes is the one who actually got her pregnant. They make their way to Las Vegas where the two go on an odyssey through the city and meet a bunch of interesting characters along the way.

Thomas based the story in part on the biblical tale of the Virgin Mary, and also combined elements of her own Mormon upbringing and being raised in Vegas and the conflict those two things caused in her life (via Interview Magazine ). As such, "Electrick Children" does indeed feel like a film that is both about the authentic Las Vegas experience as well as the mysticism that is often built up around it.

16. Now You See Me

A huge part of the Las Vegas experience is the high-production stage shows, many of which are focused on magic. "Now You See Me" is a great expression of that on screen, with four magicians pulling off elaborate and hard-to-figure-out stunts to the delight of a huge, cheering audience. Of course, a little movie magic is definitely involved here as some of the tricks being done by the magician team would be nearly impossible to pull off in real life, but nobody said this was a documentary.

"Now You See Me" isn't just a movie about flashy magicians, however. The four stars — Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco — are playing a group of magicians who aren't just interested in being entertainers but are using their shows as cover for elaborate heists. While they at first seem like Robin Hood types — as they rob banks and then give the cash to the audience — it turns out that their intentions may actually be even nobler than that. A heist movie with the protagonists being Las Vegas magicians is definitely a novel concept, and "Now You See Me" definitely lives up to it.

17. Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice

One of the reasons people go to Las Vegas is it gives them an excuse to lose their inhibitions and to try things that they might not try in their regular everyday lives — hence the whole "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" mantra. And that's the premise of the cult classic "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice," which sees two couples travel to Vegas and live out their long-discussed plans of swapping partners for a night.

Released in 1969, the film was definitely risque for its time due to its subject matter, but it isn't as salacious as the premise would suggest. Instead, it's mostly an exploration of monogamy and the emotional risks that can come from experimentation within a relationship. The movie was taken quite seriously in its day, with stars Elliot Gould and Dyan Cannon even receiving Academy Award nominations for playing Ted and Alice Henderson, respectively. Whether viewed as a cautionary tale or just a fascinating look at what can come from this type of Vegas weekend, "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice" is well worth a watch and has aged much better than you might expect.

18. The Hangover

Few movies of the last 20 years or so enjoyed the surprising success that this film did. Released with little initial fanfare, "The Hangover" went on to become a genuine pop culture phenomenon and a box office smash . This raunchy comedy follows a trio of guys — played by Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis — who have to retrace their steps following a wild bachelor party for their friend, Doug (Justin Bartha). In a series of events that they barely remember — seemingly spanning the entire city of Las Vegas — the race is on to find the missing Doug in time for his wedding.

What follows is an absurd escalation of events, each set piece more hilariously bizarre than the last, in a laugh-out-loud romp — the likes of which don't come around that often. Every 10 years or so there seems to be that zeitgeist-capturing comedy like "There's Something About Mary" that gets word-of-mouth buzz and has people filling up theaters in order to see it with a packed audience — and "The Hangover" was definitely one of those movies.

19. Leaving Las Vegas

In some ways, Nicolas Cage's dueling Las Vegas movies represent the two main extremes often associated with the city. And while "Honeymoon in Vegas" sees the city at its silliest, "Leaving Las Vegas" is a powerful look at people for whom Vegas is the place where they hit absolute rock bottom. Cage won his first — and so far only — Academy Award for playing a writer named Ben Anderson, whose alcoholism is slowly destroying his life. Ben then gets involved with a prostitute named Sera (Elizabeth Shue, also nominated for an Oscar ), in a relationship that ultimately doesn't do either one of them any favors in terms of accountability for their own personal demons.

There's no getting around what a downer this movie is, right up to its tragic ending. But the reality is that Vegas is often a downer, and it has enabled many people to fully embrace their vices to the point that they destroy their lives and relationships. It might not be the sunny Vegas of Elvis musicals or the glamorous Vegas of the classic heist films, but it is still Vegas — depicting a very real, and honest version that will resonate with many.

20. Ocean's Eleven

Starting with the 1960 Rat Pack vehicle, then giving way to the Steven Soderbergh-helmed trilogy of "Ocean's Eleven," "Ocean's Twelve," and "Ocean's Thirteen" in the 2000s, and most recently spawning the female-led follow up "Ocean's 8," the "Ocean's" franchise is now a decade-spanning series of movies that can be hard to keep track of. There isn't a truly bad film in the bunch, though some are objectively better than others, and some scratch different itches. But for our money, the ultimate "Ocean's" movie remains 2001's "Ocean's Eleven" starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon. Completing the titular eleven are Bernie Mac, Casey Affleck, Elliot Gould, Don Cheadle, Scott Caan, Eddie Jemison, Shaobo Qin, and Carl Reiner.

On top of being an incredibly inventive heist movie, "Ocean's Eleven" is ultimately an ensemble of incredibly talented people — that also includes Julia Roberts and Andy Garcia — clearly having the time of their lives filming this movie together in Vegas. The subsequent two movies feel a little too much like they were made just so this group could all hang out together again, but it's with the "original" that the finished product is an experience that is every bit as fun to watch, as it evidently was to make.

Last Vegas cast: Who stars in the comedy movie?

By stefani munro | oct 8, 2023.

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 29: (L-R) Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman, Mary Steenburgen and Robert De Niro attend the "Last Vegas" premiere at the Ziegfeld Theater on October 29, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/WireImage)

Get ready to laugh out loud because the 2013 comedy sensation, Last Vegas , has just hit Netflix on October 1, 2023! Directed by Jon Turteltaub, this hilarious film boasts an A-list ensemble that will have you rolling with laughter.

In this heartwarming comedy, four childhood friends reunite in the vibrant city of Las Vegas for a bachelor party like no other, celebrating the last remaining single member of their tight-knit group. IMDb’s official synopsis captures the essence of the movie perfectly:

"“Four friends take a break from their day-to-day lives to throw a bachelor party in Las Vegas for their last remaining single pal.”"

If you’re curious to know who headlines this unforgettable comedy and what roles they play, you’re in for a treat! Join us as we unveil the full star-studded cast of Last Vegas and reveal the character description for the main cast below!

As mentioned, the Last Vegas cast boasts an impressive roster of famous faces! However, Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, and Kevin Kline are taking center stage. Read on to find out more about them and their characters in Last Vegas!

Michael Douglas

Michael Douglas portrays Billy Gerson , the group’s lifelong bachelor who decides to propose to his much younger girlfriend, setting the stage for their unforgettable trip to Las Vegas. But beneath the celebration lies a strained relationship with his old friend, Paddy, stemming from a past disagreement over the loss of Paddy’s wife. Billy’s journey takes an unexpected turn when he crosses paths with Diana, a sultry lounge singer.

This Academy Award-winning actor is known for his iconic performances in classics like Fatal Attraction (1987) and Wall Street (1987). More recently, he’s wowed audiences as Dr. Hank Pym in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Ant-Man series. For a deeper look into Michael Douglas’s life and future projects, follow him on Instagram: @michaelkirkdouglas.

Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro is Patrick “Paddy” Connors , one of the four childhood friends who reunite in Las Vegas for Billy’s bachelor party. He is a widower with a bad temper who is initially reluctant to join the trip and was lured there under false pretenses. He has a strained relationship with Billy, who he feels has neglected their friendship over the last few years. As the escapades unfold Paddy, too, finds himself entangled with Diana.

Robert De Niro is widely regarded as one of the most influential actors of his generation, his legendary career is studded with iconic roles in films like Taxi Driver (1976), Raging Bull (1980), and Goodfellas (1990) . His next film, Killers of the Flower Moon , will be released in theaters worldwide on October 18, 2023.

Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman portrays Archibald “Archie” Clayton , a retired stroke survivor living with his son in New Jersey. His skills as a blackjack player led to some entertaining casino escapades during the Las Vegas bachelor party. Out of the group, he is the most easygoing and carefree and is chasing the last exhilarating moment before being committed to a retirement home.

Morgan Freeman’s illustrious career includes unforgettable performances in The Shawshank Redemption (1994) , Million Dollar Baby (2004), and Invictus (2009), among others. For the latest updates on this iconic actor, follow him on Instagram: @morganfreeman.

Kevin Kline

Kevin Kline is Sam Harris a happily married man who is sent to Las Vegas by his wife to have some fun, relive his youth, and get his “groove back”. He is the most responsible of the group and tries to keep the others out of trouble. Sam is also a bit of a hypochondriac who constantly worries about his health, and carries a trusted bag of pills to cure any and all ailments, Along the way, Sam finds himself amidst comical situations, while also plotting to help Paddy and Billy reconcile.

Kevin Kline’s versatility is showcased in films like A Fish Called Wanda (1988) , Dave (1993), and In & Out (1997).

Check out the A-list actors in action in the official trailer below!

Other actors to star in the 2013 comedy, according to IMDb, include:

Mary Steenburgen as Diana
Jerry Ferrara as Dean
Romany Malco as Lonnie
Roger Bart as Maurice
Joanna Gleason as Miriam
Michael Ealy as Ezra
Bre Blair as Lisa
April Billingsley as Maid of Honor
Andrea Moore as Bachelorette
Noah Harden as Young Billy
RJ Fattori as Young Paddy
Aaron Bantum as Young Archie
Phillip Wampler as Young Sam
Olivia Stuck as Young Sophie

New movies and shows out in October 2023. dark. Next

Screenwriter Dan Fogelman Talks THE GUILT TRIP, LAST VEGAS, THE NEIGHBORS, Being on the 50 SHADES OF GREY Shortlist, and More

Screenwriter Dan Fogelman talks about The Guilt Trip, Last Vegas, being on the 50 Shades of Grey shortlist, ABC's The Neighbors and more

This holiday season, you can celebrate family at the movies with The Guilt Trip , which tells the story of Andy Brewster ( Seth Rogen ), as he embarks on a cross-country road trip with his mother, Joyce ( Barbra Streisand ), to turn one of his inventions into a success. With both funny and poignant moments on their mother-son adventure, each realizes that they just want the other to be happy.

At the film’s press day, writer/executive producer Dan Fogelman spoke to Collider for this exclusive interview about taking a road trip with his own mom to inspire the script, that Barbra Streisand was his mom’s hero, making sure everything in the film came from a place of love, the scene he was most looking forward to seeing brought to life, why mother-son relationships are rarely explored in film, and how he loves it when actors improvise. He also talked about how cool it is to have Robert DeNiro , Morgan Freeman , Michael Douglas and Kevin Kline make up the cast for Last Vegas , which he wrote with Jon Turteltaub directing, what made Imagine (with Al Pacino , Julianne Moore and Jeremy Renner ) the right film for him to make his directorial debut with, how much he’s enjoying the success of the ABC comedy series The Neighbors , which he created, and what interested him in the possibility of writing the 50 Shades of Grey movie (he was on the shortlist). Check out what he had to say after the jump.

Collider: Knowing how much your mom had loved Barbra Streisand, did you suggest her for this role or was her getting cast just a coincidence?

DAN FOGELMAN: Yeah, that’s how it started. Really, this is a small movie about a mother and a son. In some ways, it’s almost a stage play. It’s just two people with not a ton of other characters in the film. When we started saying Barbra and Seth [Rogen], that was when everybody locked in. If we hadn’t gotten both Barbra and Seth, I don’t know if the movie ever would have gotten made. I know that Anne [Fletcher], our director, was very determined, the studio was very determined, and I was very determined. My mom was a Jewish girl from Brooklyn. Once that was even on the radar, I was determined to get it done and make it happen. Barbra was her icon of icons, and hero or heroes. I was really focused on getting this made as a belated love letter to my mom. I could show you pictures of my mom when we took the actual road trip. Everything that happens in the film, happened on that road trip. If you see pictures of my mom at the Grand Canyon next to pictures of Barbra at the Grand Canyon, you would freak out at how much Barbra played her.

During that road trip, did your mom know you were writing it for a movie?

FOGELMAN: Yes, she knew I was writing it for a movie, but she didn’t know about Barbra ‘cause it was still in the early stages. I told my mom I was going to do a movie about a son who hears a story about his mom and takes her on a cross-country road trip, and I wanted to actually take the trip with my mom to see what it would be like to drive cross-country with your mom. And then, I sent emails to a group of my friends and my mom’s friends every night, from every hotel we were at, with an update on what had happened that day ‘cause they all thought I was fucking crazy to be doing this with my mom. That basically became my log of the trip that I then turned into the screenplay.

Was it important to you to make sure that, no matter how upset this mother and son get with each other, it still all comes from a place of love?

FOGELMAN: Yeah, it’s not ugly. I was trying to get the slightly more cinematic version of my relationship with my mom, which I think was a really common relationship. I adored my mom. I thought she was the best. I loved her very much. That was a call for me, even as a 30-some-year-old guy. If something good was happening in my life, I’d call my mom to let her know. If something bad was happening, she’d be somebody whose advice I would seek out. We had a very good relationship, but she drove me crazy, all the time. But, she drove me crazy in a loving way. I couldn’t understand her wiring, all the time. I couldn’t understand how she denied herself pleasure and enjoyment in life. As my career got successful and I wanted to do things for her, she wasn’t able to allow them because she just didn’t work that way. It was always that. It wasn’t necessarily ugly, just complicated.

A lot of times, when mother-son or mother-daughter relationships have been put on screen, they tend to trickle towards ugly, and I don’t find that totally realistic for the wide swath of us and it’s also not that fun to watch. When we took the road trip together, she drove me crazy. We had GPS, but five years ago, it wasn’t what GPS is now. We got lost and she was like, “Stop for directions.” I got frustrated and didn’t want to stop for directors because I thought I could figure it out. She said, “Let’s just stop at this gas station. I have to pee.” She had to pee every five minutes on that trip. She said, “I have to pee, so I’ll ask for directions.” So, I pulled over, she got out, and I was waiting and waiting for her. She got back in the car and I turned back onto the main road and said, “So, which direction are we supposed to go?” She started crying and went, “I forgot to ask for the directions!” I started going, “What?! We just stopped so you could ask for the directions!” And she went, “Now you’re yelling at me!” It was never ugly. It was loving, but frustrated. I think we captured that a lot in the film without it ever getting gross.

Do you think your mom would have actually seen herself in Barbra’s performance?

FOGELMAN: Yes. My mom’s name was Joyce. She wore sweatsuits and hand-me-down t-shirts from my varying jobs, schools and universities. She collected frogs. Her three best friends were named Anita, Gayle and Diana. Her best friend Anita was somebody who she treated like a de facto therapist. When we drove across the country, we listened to the book Middlesex on tape. We went to a steakhouse. It’s as autobiographical as you can get, while still having Barbra play a completely realized character that wasn’t just my mom. So, she wouldn’t have much choice, but to recognize herself. I would not drink bottles of water at my mom’s house because I never knew how long she’d been refilling them from the sink and putting them back in the refrigerator.

They always say, doing what I do for a living, write what you know and then people will respond to it. I luckily had a very charming, lovable mom who I think everybody could see bits and pieces of their mom in. All I had to do was write a character that was like my mom, and it made my life easier. We started doing focus groups and it was the most exciting thing where I’d see people really responding to the movie and really responding to Barbra. Afterwards, you’d have this Benetton ad of people in the front row of your focus group, of all different races, ethnicities and ages, and they were all going, “She’s just like my mom.” And it wasn’t just a group of Jewish ladies saying it. It was a black woman and an Indian man and a Chinese kid. Everybody was seeing the most charming, annoying, funny parts of their own mothers in this character, and that was really exciting.

Was there a scene that you were most looking forward to getting to see brought to life?

FOGELMAN: There’s a scene in the middle of the movie. In the first half of the movie, the construct of was always to find yourself in Seth’s shoes and identify with the young guy at a crossroads in his life, trying to do a nice thing for his mom and being driven crazy. And then, in the second half of the movie, there’s a turn and you start identifying a little bit more with her and understanding her more. The scene that bridges the two, which is a more dramatic, heavy scene between them, in the middle, is one I worked on a lot with Barbra. That was a really exciting night, when Barbra lets loose on Seth. That was exciting for us.

Why do you think it is that mother-son relationships never seem to be explored in film?

FOGELMAN: And not in a loving way, either. Some of my favorite movies have explored the father-son dynamic, in a very loving way. It can be complicated, but at the end, it’s that moment where you’re crying because of that core relationship. Terms of Endearment is probably my number one touchstone movie, of the last 30 or 40 years. I just loved that relationship between Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger, and the mother-daughter relationship that’s complicated but loving. People seem to be scared of doing that with mothers and sons, for whatever the reason. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s too creepy for people.

Having written something so personal, do you cringe when you hear the actors going off the page and improvising?

FOGELMAN: No, I love it! My first jobs were at Pixar and John Lasseter just doing animation would always allow actors to do that, and then animate to that. It was an early lesson for me that, if you’re lucky enough, as I’ve been in my career thus far, to get really incredible iconic people to do your stuff, you want them to tell your story and you want them to be on page in the important moments, and they usually are. Nobody is out to sabotage an entire script and do an improvisational experiment of a movie, but when they’re feeling something in the moment, let them make it their own. That’s what makes them great actors. Crazy, Stupid, Love I did with Ryan Gosling and [Steve] Carell, who are huge improvisational actors, who are both highly capable, as are Seth and Barbra, of being on-point with the script. Even if they weave from it for a moment, they find their way back into it and it turns out to be your best stuff in the movie. When you meet people at a restaurant and they say, “Oh, you wrote that movie? I love that line,” and it’s a line that you never wrote, you just take credit for it. And if the stuff they added doesn’t work, the director won’t put it in the film. So, I believe in it.

How exciting was it when you heard that the cast of Last Vegas , which you wrote, would be comprised of Robert DeNiro, Morgan Freeman, Michael Douglas and Kevin Kline?

FOGELMAN: It was cool. I wrote that one before The Guilt Trip . We’re towards the end of filming it right now, but I went up to Vegas for the table read, a couple months ago. I was literally sitting at the table with the director (Jon Turteltaub) and the cast, and it was crazy. Sometimes at the table read, people just speak the lines, but they all brought it. You could feel that there was something special in the room. And we all went out to a steak dinner. I was sitting there with all those guys, and it was pretty surreal. I haven’t been able to be there as much on that project, as I was on my last couple of films, but I see the dailies every day and it looks really good.

Had you been thinking about making the leap to your directorial debut for awhile, or could you just not see anyone else directing Imagine ?

FOGELMAN: I feel like I’m ready. Between Anne [Fletcher] and Jon Turteltaub, who is a really good director, and John [Requa] and Glenn [Ficarra] on Crazy, Stupid, Love , they all allowed me to be very present and part of the movie. And I’d literally seen animation through, from start to finish, through to the edit bay process. So, I first wanted to be ready for it, and then I wanted it to be the right script and the right size movie. When I wrote this, it was a combination of it being the right project and the right time. I’m excited. We start pretty soon.

Are you nervous about directing Al Pacino, Julianne Moore and Jeremy Renner?

FOGELMAN: No. Pacino is the nicest guy. He’s sweet and gentle, and I’m really excited about the opportunity to work with him. It’s going to be a crazy cool experience. It’s a high degree of difficulty movie, and it’s a more independently budgeted one, so it will be a challenge. But, I think the film has unlimited upside, and that’s always really exciting. It could be really terrible, but I don’t think it will be. It could be everything. The movie has the potential, if I do it right, to do that, and that’s a really exciting, daunting thing.

What inspired you to write it?

FOGELMAN: I saw one of those weird news stories online, a couple of years ago, about this musician named Steve Tilston, who had done an interview with a music magazine in the late ‘60s. They thought he was going to be the next big thing and he said, “I’m terrified of becoming the next big thing, musically, and what that would do to me, with the fame and money and everything.” And then, a couple of years ago – he’s in his 60's now – and he got a knock on his door or a phone call, and they told him, “We just found the letter, from back in 1969, when John Lennon read that interview in a music magazine and wrote you a letter that you never received, until now.” And the letter basically gave him advice and said, “I’d like to help you. You don’t have to let money and fame ruin your life. Here’s my home phone number. Call me.” And he didn’t get it until he was in his 60's. The real guy, in real life, is the nicest guy. He’s made a nice musical living, and he never sold out. But I thought, “What about a guy whose life had gone completely off the rails, as he feared. He sold out musically and abandoned his family, and then gets this letter that could have course-corrected him, all the way back then. And he goes on this redemption quest in his 60's.” That’s the basis of it. Pacino plays the musician.

How are you juggling your ABC comedy series The Neighbors with writing films, and what do you like about the opportunity to write something long-term?

FOGELMAN: It’s all fun. I have a little bit of Attention Deficit Disorder, so I like to keep it fresh and interesting. With the TV show, it’s like you’re directing a gigantic movie. It is a huge undertaking. We’re doing 22 episodes of the show this year, as I was getting The Guilt Trip finished, another movie shot and have been prepping the one I’m going to direct, so I’ve been all over the place. My girlfriend deserves a big vacation with me, at some point, because I never get to see her anymore. But, it’s fun. TV is like doing a play, every week. I’ve been working on The Guilt Trip for five years, Last Vegas for six years and Imagine for four year, and it won’t be seen for awhile. With the TV show, I write an episode and, three weeks later, it’s on TV in front of six million people. That’s an interesting experience, as well.

Is it true that you were on the short list to write the script for 50 Shades of Grey ?

FOGELMAN: I think so. It was a little overblown. I had one conversation with the producers about it, and that was it. I liked the challenge of it. I thought it could have been a really cool job. The pitch was basically the scene in Crazy, Stupid, Love where [Ryan] Gosling seduces Emma Stone, with a harder sexual quality, but still a romantic comedy. It’s going to be very hard to execute, but the classy version of that movie could be really huge and interesting.

The Guilt Trip opens in theaters on December 19 th .

The 20 Vegas Films You Must See

The Hangover

Las Vegas has been appearing in movies since at least the early 1940s, and the town’s onscreen image has evolved as the city itself has transformed and expanded. In picking the 20 essential Las Vegas movies, I looked at films primarily set in and/or about Las Vegas, not just movies with one memorable Vegas sequence (which leaves out Swingers or the recent Gloria Bell ). With the Las Vegas Film Festival coming up (April 28-May 5), here are iconic Vegas that, whether great, good, or bad, help paint a vibrant picture of our city on the big screen.

Helldorado (1946)

Like most movies starring singing cowboy Roy Rogers, Helldorado is shamelessly cheesy, with a plot designed primarily to showcase Rogers crooning and riding, joined as always by his trusty horse Trigger (who gets second billing). But it’s also a fascinating document of a Las Vegas that was still part of the Old West. Set during the annual Helldorado Days, the movie stars Rogers as a Nevada Ranger on the trail of some money-launderers, with Rogers’ frequent co-star Dale Evans as a sassy socialite who fancies herself an amateur detective. The movie’s Vegas has flashy casinos bordering open landscape, in a city where many of the roads are still dirt. The Helldorado parade (and the associated beard-growing competition) gets as much screen time as the villains’ dastardly plan, and that balance seems about right.

Meet Me in Las Vegas (1956)

Cyd Charisse stars as an imperious ballerina performing at the Sands in this charming MGM musical, which combines plenty of Vegas atmosphere (including performances by Lena Horne and Frankie Laine and an uncredited Frank Sinatra cameo) with old-fashioned Hollywood song-and-dance numbers. Charisse’s Marie Corvier forms an unlikely pair with Dan Dailey’s aw-shucks rancher Chuck Rodwell, who experiences uncanny luck at the tables whenever he holds Marie’s hand. The sleepy plot provides lots of time for musical showcases, including some stunning footwork from Charisse. Along with learning to appreciate Chuck’s charms, the somewhat snobbish Marie also learns to appreciate performing for Vegas crowds, and the movie effectively sells both Vegas glamour (dig those gorgeous outfits) and the Vegas showbiz work ethic.

Ocean’s Eleven (1960)

The truth is that the 2001 remake of this Rat Pack heist movie is much better, but no other film offers the same distillation of the time when Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. dominated Las Vegas. The movie’s first half is extremely slow-moving, and even once the group of former military buddies embark on their plan to steal from five Vegas casinos, the story isn’t particularly suspenseful or lively. But the hangout vibe is excellent, and seeing these guys (also including Rat Pack members Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop) in their element, full of style and swagger (and, it must be said, more than a little chauvinism), makes it clear why they ruled the Strip. Plus, the exquisitely downbeat ending nearly makes up for all the preceding bluster.

Viva Las Vegas (1964)

The title song of this Elvis Presley musical has had a more lasting impact than the movie it came from, thanks to dozens of cover versions and an adoption as the official song of the city. But Viva Las Vegas remains a defining moment for Vegas onscreen, establishing so many of the persistent, indelible elements of the city’s image, from Elvis to showgirls to quickie weddings to, uh, helicopter tours of Hoover Dam. The movie belongs to Ann-Margret as Flamingo pool manager Rusty Martin as much as it belongs to Presley as racecar driver Lucky Jackson, and their real-life competition for screen time gets the best out of both performers. Presley isn’t much of an actor, and the story is pretty undercooked, but there’s infectious fun in the musical set pieces, and a giddy enthusiasm for everything Vegas that still does wonders for the city.

The Only Game in Town (1970)

A critical and commercial failure at the time of its release, the final film from legendary director George Stevens ( Shane , Giant ) has actually aged well, and its oddball pairing of Elizabeth Taylor and Warren Beatty works in its favor for a story of unbalanced (but undeniable) romance. Adapted by Frank D. Gilroy from his stage play, the movie mostly takes place in the small apartment of Las Vegas showgirl Fran (Taylor), and was shot primarily in Paris, on Taylor’s insistence. But whenever Fran and pianist (and gambling addict) Joe (Beatty) leave the apartment, they head into real Vegas locations (including the old Vegas Village general store), showing the everyday side of working-class Strip entertainers. A sort of gentler, melancholy version of the histrionic Leaving Las Vegas , Game captures the feel of the Vegas grind alongside an engaging (if sometimes stilted) romance.

Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

Often cited as one of the worst James Bond movies, Diamonds Are Forever is not exactly a great showcase for the iconic secret agent. It’s full of flat, belabored humor, the plot is confusing and sluggish, and star Sean Connery (returning to the role after one film away) seems bored with the whole project. But Diamonds is a great showcase for Las Vegas, which is the setting for the majority of the movie and shines in all its gaudy, neon-drenched 1970s glory. The eight featured Vegas hotels are as much the stars of the movie as Connery is, especially the International (now the Westgate), turned into the fictional Whyte House, run b

y the movie’s campy Howard Hughes analogue. With its car chases around downtown and guest appearances by Circus-Circus performers, Di amonds proved that Vegas could be the ideal setting for a major action-adventure blockbuster.

One From the Heart (1982)

Francis Ford Coppola’s elaborate Las Vegas-set musical, shot entirely on sound stages at his American Zoetrope Studios, is one of the most notorious box-office failures of all time, but it’s the kind of boondoggle that’s perfect for Vegas: an ambitious, ego-driven piece of artistic kitsch. And while Coppola didn’t shoot a single frame on location, his version of the city is possibly the Vegas-est Vegas can be, with the deliberately artificial casino facades placed right next to the equally artificial sets of the characters’ living and working spaces. Coppola repurposes and heightens genuine Vegas landmarks to provide a hallucinatory world for his almost abstract love story about a travel agent (Teri Garr) and a mechanic (Frederic Forrest) who break up and explore other lovers over the course of a woozy 48 hours, only to be inexorably drawn back to each other.

Honeymoon in Vegas (1992)

Everyone remembers the jumpsuited skydivers known as the Flying Elvises from this goofy Nicolas Cage/Sarah Jessica Parker rom-com, but much of the story embraces Vegas silliness, from the lavishly appointed Ali Baba Suite at Bally’s where New Yorkers Jack (Cage) and Betsy (Parker) stay in anticipation of their wedding, to the fawning VIP host who caters to the whims of shady businessman Tommy Korman (James Caan), to the parade of Elvis impersonators (including a very young Bruno Mars). The story about Tommy forcing Betsy to spend a weekend with him to pay off Jack’s gambling debts is a bit icky, but writer-director Andrew Bergman keeps the tone light even when Cage is delivering one of his signature unhinged rants.

Leprechaun 3 (1995)

There are plenty of low-budget, direct-to-video horror movies set in Las Vegas, but only one of them stars Warwick Davis as a homicidal, rhyming leprechaun. The third movie in the surprisingly long-running Leprechaun series finds the evil imp in Vegas, where he ends up at the Lucky Shamrock casino, chasing down people who’ve taken coins from his pot of gold. The plot and characters are entirely ridiculous, of course, but there are some fun Vegas-related bits (at one point the leprechaun turns some poor guy into a human slot machine), and the city turns out to be a perfect setting for the demented creature, who gets as much joy from cheating and deceiving people as he does from committing horrible and/or ironic acts of violence.

Showgirls (1995)

Is Showgirls one of the worst movies ever made? Is it so bad it’s good, or is it actually secretly brilliant? Paul Verhoeven’s stripper saga is all of those things and more, depending on who you ask, but regardless of your perspective, the movie is never not entertaining. Joe Eszterhas’ screenplay is full of quotably ridiculous dialogue, and the performances are perversely dedicated, especially Elizabeth Berkley in the role that both defined and essentially ended her career. Berkley’s Nomi Malone is a ruthless social climber who uses her sexuality to get what she wants, both at the Cheetahs gentlemen’s club and in the Stardust’s lavish topless show Goddess . Showgirls presents Las Vegas as a corrupt cesspool, but also as a place where people with genuine artistic ambitions come to make it big. In its strange way, it’s a tribute to the town’s own ruthless ambitions.

Leaving Las Vegas (1995)

Nicolas Cage’s Oscar-winning performance as suicidal alcoholic Ben Sanderson is so broad that it frequently veers into camp, but it’s balanced with remarkable effectiveness by Elisabeth Shue as Sera, the lonely prostitute with whom Ben forms an immediate connection. Las Vegas is a key component of Ben’s plan to drink himself to death, and the town itself is portrayed as a somewhat toxic environment. But it’s also a place where people like Ben and Sera come to escape, even if their demons follow them wherever they go. Working from John O’Brien’s semi-autobiographical novel, writer-director Mike Figgis captures the self-destructive melodrama of someone who’s determined to end his life no matter who he hurts along the way. The movie is as overwrought and ungainly as Ben himself, and just as consumed by tragedy.

Casino (1995)

While it’s often overshadowed by director Martin Scorsese’s previous collaboration with crime writer Nicholas Pileggi, 1990’s Goodfellas , Casino is every bit the masterful crime epic its predecessor is, another complex examination of loyalty and betrayal among gangsters, in this case the criminal organization that unofficially ran multiple Las Vegas casinos in the 1970s and early ’80s. Robert De Niro gives possibly his last great performance as Lefty Rosenthal stand-in Sam “Ace” Rothstein, and Joe Pesci is delightfully unhinged as Rothstein’s best friend and worst enemy Nicky Santoro. Although it’s fictionalized, the movie is still a fascinatingly detailed look into how the mob controlled Vegas for years, and the difficult, sometimes violent way the city and the industry evolved, led by these bold visionaries who also happened to be vicious criminals.

The Winner (1996)

Cult filmmaker Alex Cox ( Repo Man , Sid and Nancy ) has disowned his adaptation of Wendy Riss’ play A Darker Purpose , but the movie retains plenty of his off-kilter sensibility, and it works as a sort of Vegas flipside to Repo Man ’s quasi-mystical LA. Vincent D’Onofrio plays an almost otherworldly gambler who appears unable to lose, and who is targeted by gangsters, opportunists and his own sleazy brother as a result. The plot doesn’t make much sense, but Frank Whaley, Rebecca De Mornay, and Billy Bob Thornton all give entertaining performances as the strange characters trying to take advantage of the protagonist. Cox makes great use of both Vegas landmarks (the opening is set at the Pioneer Saloon, and there’s a sex scene atop a piano at the Liberace Museum) and the booming, constantly-under-construction Vegas suburbs of the time, which of course conceal rot and betrayal just underneath.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

Hunter S. Thompson’s Las Vegas is not a pleasant place, and Terry Gilliam’s adaptation of Thompson’s seminal novel captures the kaleidoscopic nightmare experienced by Thompson stand-in Raoul Duke (Johnny Depp, in what may be his definitive role) and his lawyer/accomplice Dr. Gonzo (Benicio del Toro) as they navigate the garish horrors they perceive in the Vegas of 1971. The characters’ drug-fueled journey produces a movie that itself feels like a drug trip, which means it can be exhausting and repetitive, but can also provide unexpected revelations. Using Vegas as a stand-in for America’s worst excesses may have become a cliché, but Fear and Loathing embraces its inherent contradictions, allowing its self-destructive characters to take advantage of depravity while also recoiling from it in horror.

Ocean’s Eleven (2001)

Ocean’s Thirteen (2007)

The bookends of Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s trilogy make Las Vegas look almost impossibly cool, a high-end playground for the crew of suave thieves led by George Clooney’s Danny Ocean. The plots are convoluted, but the characters are impeccably crafted, and the visual style is dazzling. Far superior to its Rat Pack source material, Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Eleven is a lively, funny, and massively entertaining heist movie bursting with great performances, centered on the buddy-comedy che

mistry between Clooney and Brad Pitt. Ocean’s Thirteen is even more of a love letter to Vegas, made at a time when construction on the Strip was booming and new mega-resorts were opening every other month. Both movies capture the energy, glamour and luxury of a Vegas era that came crashing down shortly after.

The Hangover (2009)

Todd Phillips’ raunchy comedy has come to define the hedonistic image of modern Las Vegas, the place where “what happens here, stays here,” and people are free to indulge their darkest desires. The story of three friends trying to piece together their harrowing bachelor party night (in order to locate their missing fourth friend, who’s due to get married) is still consistently funny, with justifiably star-making performances from Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis (and an ultra-luxurious Caesars Palace suite). The movie portrays Vegas as a dangerous adult playground where anything goes, which is equally enticing and terrifying. It’s a place where the characters discover their true selves and actually grow up a bit, although not so much that they can’t repeat the same mistakes in the two (mostly terrible) sequels.

Electrick Children (2012)

Las Vegas native Rebecca Thomas makes the city into an ethereal promised land in her debut feature, a dreamlike fable about a sheltered Utah teenager (Julia Garner) who runs away from a religious compound to seek out the man she believes impregnated her via a holy cassette tape. Garner’s Rachel is a combination of naive and determined, completely ignorant about how babies are conceived but also willing to risk everything to find the father of her child. Garner is fantastic as the open, tender Rachel, who views every new place she visits with wide-eyed wonder. Thomas finds that wonder away from the Strip, in places like Downtown’s Artifice and the Alamo, and at the suburban Desert Breeze Skate Park. The movie builds a sweet teenage romance alongside a sense of the mystical and unknowable.

Fateful Findings (2013)

Las Vegan Neil Breen has become a fixture of the bad-movie circuit thanks in large part to this anti-masterpiece, a stunningly narcissistic piece of outsider art in which Breen stars as a messianic hacker/psychic who is irresistible to women and is the only person who can expose government and corporate corruption to the world. Breen is a terrible filmmaker but also a fascinating figure, a sort of self-made only-in-Vegas character whose unearned confidence in himself takes the place of talent or training. Breen shoots all his self-financed movies in nondescript office buildings and courtyards and in the open desert, although his penchant for stock footage also occasionally includes images of the Strip. Fateful Findings is the purest representation of his baffling, abrasive style, and a reminder that Vegas is still one of the top places for self-indulgent weirdos.

Dealer (2017)

A team-up of some of the most talented local filmmakers of the last few years, Dealer is an omnibus film made by five directors and/or directing teams (Lundon Boyd, Jeremy Cloe, Mike and Jerry Thompson, Ryan and Cody LeBeouf, Adam Zielinski), tied together by Boyd’s character Kelly, a hapless casino card dealer who’s forced into running errands for a mysterious crime boss. Each segment has its own tone, from surreal to sweet to suspenseful, and each highlights a different side of Vegas, from the LeBeoufs’ kaleidoscopic journey through the halls of the Artisan to Cloe’s suburban hangout comedy to the Thompsons’ caper on the waters of Lake Mead. It’s a showcase for homegrown talent that proves its creators are all ready for bigger things.

Screen Rant

How old last vegas' actors were compared to their characters.

Last Vegas features the biggest movie stars of the '70s, '80s, and '90s, but how old were they in the movie compared to their characters?

Last Vegas showcases the first-time onscreen collaboration of four legendary actors: Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, and Kevin Kline.
The characters' ages in the film align closely with the real-life ages of the actors, highlighting their authentic performances and adding depth to the plot.
The humor in the film mainly stems from the characters' ages, highlighting the contrast between their carefree pasts and the responsibilities of their twilight years.

With Last Vegas featuring four celebrated and seasoned movie stars playing elderly protagonists, it's worth taking a look at how the actors' ages compare to their characters. The comedy brings together multiple Hollywood legends as it follows four childhood friends: Billy (Michael Douglas), Paddy (Robert De Niro), Archie (Morgan Freeman), and Sam (Kevin Kline). In their twilight years in the timeframe of the film, the group of men head to Las Vegas for a bachelor party. The big appeal of Last Vegas is undoubtedly the cast of seasoned and illustrious movie stars, each with their own unique and accolade-heavy careers.

Last Vegas delivers on its promise of a buddy comedy with a wild adventure, reminiscent of The Hangover but with a significantly older friend group. However, what makes the 2013 film most exciting is the first-time onscreen collaboration of these four actors. While the comedy might not be anything revelatory, witnessing Douglas, De Niro, Freeman, and Kline sharing the screen is something of a cinematic event. Last Vegas capitalized on the charm of its cast as they navigate Vegas, even though it's totally out of their element. Unsurprisingly, most of the humor stems from the characters' ages. Here's how they match up with the rea-life ages of the actors involved.

Michael Douglas (68) As Billy Gerson (Late 60s)

Michael Douglas was 68 years old when he stepped into the role of Billy Gerson. Douglas' breakthrough role was in the 1979 movie The China Syndrome , and he went on to become famous for playing suave, charismatic, and sometimes overly intense characters, most notably Gordon Gekko in Wall Street . The actor is also best known for his inclination towards erotic thrillers, including Basic Instinct and Fatal Attraction , which established Douglas as a master of the genre. Douglas often portrays skillfully complex and morally ambiguous characters, and his signature style is his confident demeanor that quickly transitions into vulnerability when the situation demands it.

Billy is about to tie the knot in Last Vegas , but it isn't totally clear how old Bill Gerson is, as it isn't ever explicitly stated. Nevertheless, the character's age, which is likely in the late 60s, is extremely relevant, as it serves as the catalyst for the plot and highlights the contrast between his carefree past and the impending responsibilities of marriage. The movie sees Billy marrying a 31-year-old woman. The massive gap isn't too different from Douglas' real life. Douglas is married to Catherine Zeta-Jones, who was just 43 when Last Vegas was in production.

Robert De Niro (70) As Paddy Connors (Early 70s)

Robert De Niro was 70 years old when he played Paddy in Last Vegas . The actor had his breakthrough in 1973 with the Martin Scorsese-directed classic, Mean Streets . Following that, it didn't take long for De Niro to become a household name in Hollywood, as he won his first of two Academy Awards for his performance as Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II . De Niro then became the go-to actor for gangster movies, starring in films such as Goodfellas, Casino, Heat, The Irishman , and many others. The actor became more open to comedies in the 1990s and 2000s, starring in Analyze This, Meet the Fockers, and Dirty Grandpa .

RELATED: Robert De Niro Vs. Leonardo DiCaprio - Which Actor Appears In More Martin Scorsese Movies?

In the movie, Paddy Connors is depicted as the oldest among the group, though his exact age is never revealed. Paddy's character arc centers around the loss of his wife and getting over the grieving process, which includes rating girls out of 10 on stage at a pool party. However, Paddy's age is significant because it underscores the theme of life's fleeting moments and how important it is to seize the present. Like De Niro in real life, Paddy is the most authoritative and fastidious of the group, confirming that there's a little bit of the actors' true personalities in their characters.

Morgan Freeman (76) As Archie Clayton (70)

Morgan Freeman was 76 years old when he was working on Last Vegas . Freeman was the oldest actor in the group by six years, and ironically, the actor didn't have his breakthrough until later in his career. The actor's first major part was in 1987's Street Smart , but audiences didn't truly start paying attention to him until he joined the The Shawshank Redemption cast . The actor is best known for his baritone and authoritative-sounding voice, which has resulted in countless narrations and voice-over work for Freeman. The actor went on to win an Academy Award for his role in Million Dollar Baby .

Archie Clayton's age isn't revealed in Last Vegas , but it's hinted that he's around 70 years old. That means that Freeman is the only actor in the movie who has actually been aged down. Archie's age is perhaps the most important of any of the characters, as the character's arc is about how age shouldn't be a restrictive number. Archie wants to break free of his overprotective family who try to keep him from achieving his ambitions. Ironically, Archie is the most excited of all the characters for the Vegas trip. Based on the similar themes, the Freeman-starring Bucket List would make a great double feature with Last Vegas .

Kevin Kline (65) As Sam Harris (Mid-60s)

Kevin Kline was 65 when he filmed Last Vegas in the early 2010s. Kline's breakthrough role was in the 1983 comedy The Big Chill, which showcased the actor's unrivaled charm and comedic timing. While his costars are mostly known for their dramatic roles, Kline stuck strictly to comedy, starring in cult classics, including A Fish Called Wanda and Dave , but he can still deliver some powerful and emotionally charged scenes too. Kline's acting style combines wit and intelligence, which allows him to make audiences actually believe he could impersonate the President of the United States in Dave .

Sam Harris' age is never mentioned in Last Vegas , and even though he's a retiree, Sam likely retired early, as the character still has a spring in his step, a zest for life, and comes with the message that retirement doesn't mean the end of excitement. Ultimately, none of the characters' ages are drastically different from the actors playing them (outside of Freeman's character). That's because a lot of the characters' traits are clearly loosely based on the actors' real personalities and the types of characters they've played in the past. As a result, it's hard to imagine any other actor playing any of the Last Vegas quartet.

Best Movies Set in Las Vegas – Get Psyched For Your Trip!

By Author Jake Hoffman

Posted on Last updated: October 18, 2023

If you’re anything like me, you burn through movies set in Las Vegas before your trip to help mentally prepare and build excitement for what’s to come.

Most Vegas regulars, at least the degenerates I know, have a go-to pre-Vegas movie playlist.

For me, it’s a routine that must be adhered to before each Las Vegas vacation. Whether you’re a fan of modern movies or ones from earlier incarnations of Vegas with shots of long-lost properties, there are plenty of options.

I figured it would be fun to rank my favorite movies set in Las Vegas – Hopefully, you’re able to find a couple of gems you have yet to see!

Best Las Vegas Movies – Ranked

“Casino” (1995): A Martin Scorsese film that re-visits Las Vegas’ time as a mob town. “Casino” follows Ace Rothstein and his adventure running “The Tangiers”, a fictional casino on the Las Vegas Strip intended to mimic the real story of Stardust.

While not an uplifting movie, “Casino” is one that will have fans of Vegas’ mob era salivating. “Casino” sits atop the rest as the best Las Vegas movie out there. That’s not my opinion. That’s a fact.

“The Hangover” (2009): A comedy that follows a bachelor party as they re-trace their wild night in Las Vegas, “The Hangover’ has been my “night before Vegas” movie for years.

While some movies lose their allure after a viewing or two, this one never gets old.

“Vegas Vacation” (1997): Clark Griswold packs the family up and heads to Las Vegas, however, it doesn’t initially turn out to be the family trip he had envisioned. A hilarious movie about Vegas, the film also catches numerous images of the mid-1990s Strip including Stardust, Riviera, Monte Carlo, Aladdin, Barbary Coast, and Frontier.

Cousin Eddie’s antics, Clark’s misfortune, and Mr. Papagiorio all have me rolling. Every time.

“Ocean’s Eleven” (2001): Danny Ocean (George Clooney) rounds up a gang of 11 to rob Terry Benedict’s casinos which include MGM Grand, Mirage, and the Bellagio.

For my money, there are few scenes more iconic than when the crew slowly disappears while watching the Fountains of Bellagio at the end.

“Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” (1998): Tag along with journalist Raoul Duke as he, and his attorney Dr. Gonzo head to Las Vegas with a suitcase full of narcotics to cover the Mint 400 race.

Buckle up, it’s a wild ride that will make your wildest Vegas trip look tame.

“Rain Man” (1988): Charlie Babbit (Tom Cruise) becomes upset to learn that the majority of his father’s estate is being left to Raymond, a brother he didn’t realize he had who is on the autism spectrum. Charlie goes on a cross-country journey with Raymond, only to end up in Vegas leveraging Raymond’s ability to count cards.

“Last Vegas” (2013): “Last Vegas” follows a group of four older gentlemen as they celebrate a bachelor party in Las Vegas while navigating deep-seated relationship issues along the way. The all-star cast includes Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, and Morgan Freeman.

I feel that “Last Vegas” is a bit underrated by the broader public – It’s one of my favorites.

“Leaving Las Vegas” (1995): In my opinion, “Leaving Las Vegas” is better watched after returning home from your trip to make you feel better about the money you lost, as it’s a tad depressing. The premise of the story revolves around an alcoholic, Ben Sanderson (Nicholas Cage), who moves to Vegas to drink himself to death, although he finds love along the way.

Fortunately, even movies with downtrodden storylines get me fired up for Vegas.

“Swingers” (1996): Initially set in LA, Trent (Vince Vaughn) works with his friend Mike to get over a previous relationship and find new success on the dating scene. They eventually take the party to Vegas, and the rest is history.

Set in the mid-1990s, an abundance of Las Vegas landmarks featured in “Swingers” are no longer around.

“Ocean’s Thirteen” (2007): Danny Ocean (George Clooney) rounds up the crew to rob Willy Bank on the opening night of his new casino “The Bank”. The heist is motivated by the fact that Bank double-crossed his associate Reuben Tishkoff.

“The Cooler” (2003): Bernie (William H. Macy) leverages his perpetual bad luck to be a “cooler” working for a Las Vegas casino to negatively affect the luck of other patrons. Unfortunately for his employer, Bernie falls in love and his luck turns on a dime.

“21” (2008): A group of students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology takes their ability to count cards to Las Vegas. What could go wrong?

“Electrick Children” (2012): Among the more bizarre storylines of any other Las Vegas-based movie on this list, Rachel, a 15-year-old born into a devout religious community believes she was impregnated by the contents of a forbidden cassette tape she listened to, although the truth is far more sinister. She then leaves the community for Las Vegas to find the creator of the tape.

Although the plot of the movie is certainly unique, the film offers a rare snapshot of Vegas during the early twenty-teens.

“Diamonds Are Forever” (1971): While Sean Connery stars as James Bond, the storyline seemed to be a bit of an afterthought. The movie’s worth watching before a trip if only due to the images of early 1970s Vegas, where the movie is set. Fremont Street in 1971 shines. Literally.

“Ocean’s Eleven” (1960): Flashback to the golden era of Las Vegas with Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, and Frank Sinatra as they pull off an improbable caper. While the re-make starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts is cinematically better, the original will appeal to those that long for Vegas of yesteryear.

“ Viva Las Vegas” (1964): Starring Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret, fans of 1960s Las Vegas will deem this an absolute must-watch. As a fan of vintage Vegas myself, the opening 5 minutes are among the best shots of Fremont Street these eyes have seen.

The plot revolves around a racecar driver (Elvis) preparing for the Grand Prix car race while simultaneously falling for Ann-Margret’s character. “Viva Las Vegas” may not have a great storyline (ducks), but those who celebrate Vegas of yesteryear will view it more favorably.

“Honeymoon in Vegas” (1992): Another wild storyline, Jack Singer (Nicholas Cage) and his girlfriend Betsy (Sarah Jessica Parker) scamper to Vegas to get married. Before the wedding, Singer loses $65k in a poker game to an affluent gambler. The Gambler offers to wipe the debt away if he can spend the weekend with Betsy. They agree.

The movie is “OK”, providing a window into early ’90s Las Vegas.

“Showgirls” (1995): An aspiring dancer make the trip to Vegas with the intention of making it big. The story tracks her journey to the big stage. While not exactly critically acclaimed, “Showgirls” is likely the most risque option on this rundown of Vegas movies and provides plenty of mid-90s Vegas imagery.

“The Winner” (1996): The story itself isn’t overly compelling. Essentially, a gambler in Las Vegas is on a tremendous winning streak and can’t lose. This success and his generosity attract a number of people who aim to take advantage of his good fortune.

Although the storyline itself isn’t all that interesting, fans of mid-nineties Vegas will enjoy shots of Fremont Street and the Strip from that era. Tune in to see Sand’s, Harrah’s riverboat facade, Treasure Island’s original sign, Riviera, Barbary Coast, and Stardust.

Hopefully, I was able to help you find a movie or two to add to your pre-trip playlist, or to entertain you on your flight.

Personally, “Casino”, “The Hangover”, “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” and “Oceans 11” sit atop my personal list of the best Vegas movies out there.

Notable Las Vegas Movie Attractions

For the movie buffs out there, check out Las Vegas Movie Tours . Led by a Las Vegas movie expert, passengers are driven in a limo-like bus around to numerous movie sets around the city. Relevant movie clips play as you pass and the tour guide provides additional “behind the scenes” info.

Tour bus with multiple movie screens playing Vegas movie clips

The Movie Prop Experience in Neonopolis is home to a vast collection of props from movies and shows like “Star Wars”, “Gremlins”, “Breaking Bad”, “Titanic”, and SO much more.

I recently visited and found the attraction to be well worth $20. Kids also can get in for free!

See my full Las Vegas Movie Prop Experience Review !

A tour vehicle from the movie Jurassic Park sits in front of the Movie Prop Experience.

See Also: Need Ideas? Check out our ideal 3-day Las Vegas itinerary .

Feature Image: ©kuzina1964/123RF.COM

I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.

Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.

More about me, here .

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Monday 16th of January 2023

I can't believe 3000 miles to grace land wasn't on this list

Thursday 14th of January 2021

Nice list of movies, but you left off a great movie. The Cooler (2003).

Friday 12th of February 2021

@RJ, You are 100% right. Got it added! Such a good one.

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List of films set in Las Vegas sorted by IMDb rating

These are the films that are set in Las Vegas

Movies or TV
IMDb Rating
In Theaters
Release Year

1. The Godfather Part II (1974)

R | 202 min | Crime, Drama

The early life and career of Vito Corleone in 1920s New York City is portrayed, while his son, Michael, expands and tightens his grip on the family crime syndicate.

Director: Francis Ford Coppola | Stars: Al Pacino , Robert De Niro , Robert Duvall , Diane Keaton

Votes: 1,363,371 | Gross: $57.30M

2. Casino (1995)

R | 178 min | Crime, Drama

In Las Vegas, two best friends - a casino executive and a mafia enforcer - compete for a gambling empire and a fast-living, fast-loving socialite.

Director: Martin Scorsese | Stars: Robert De Niro , Sharon Stone , Joe Pesci , James Woods

Votes: 563,574 | Gross: $42.44M

3. Rain Man (1988)

R | 133 min | Drama

After a selfish L.A. yuppie learns his estranged father left a fortune to an autistic-savant brother in Ohio that he didn't know existed, he absconds with his brother and sets out across the country, hoping to gain a larger inheritance.

Director: Barry Levinson | Stars: Dustin Hoffman , Tom Cruise , Valeria Golino , Gerald R. Molen

Votes: 546,352 | Gross: $178.80M

4. The Hangover (2009)

R | 100 min | Comedy

Three buddies wake up from a bachelor party in Las Vegas, with no memory of the previous night and the bachelor missing. They make their way around the city in order to find their friend before his wedding.

Director: Todd Phillips | Stars: Zach Galifianakis , Bradley Cooper , Justin Bartha , Ed Helms

Votes: 845,601 | Gross: $277.32M

5. Ocean's Eleven (2001)

PG-13 | 116 min | Crime, Thriller

Danny Ocean and his ten accomplices plan to rob three Las Vegas casinos simultaneously.

Director: Steven Soderbergh | Stars: George Clooney , Brad Pitt , Julia Roberts , Matt Damon

Votes: 618,775 | Gross: $183.42M

6. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

R | 118 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama

An oddball journalist and his psychopathic lawyer travel to Las Vegas for a series of psychedelic escapades.

Director: Terry Gilliam | Stars: Johnny Depp , Benicio Del Toro , Tobey Maguire , Michael Lee Gogin

Votes: 301,397 | Gross: $10.68M

7. Leaving Las Vegas (1995)

R | 111 min | Drama, Romance

Ben Sanderson, a Hollywood screenwriter who lost everything because of his alcoholism, arrives in Las Vegas to drink himself to death. There, he meets and forms an uneasy friendship and non-interference pact with prostitute Sera.

Director: Mike Figgis | Stars: Nicolas Cage , Elisabeth Shue , Julian Sands , Richard Lewis

Votes: 134,575 | Gross: $32.03M

8. Midnight Run (1988)

R | 126 min | Action, Comedy, Crime

A bounty hunter pursues a former Mafia accountant who is also being chased by a rival bounty hunter, the F.B.I., and his old mob boss after jumping bail.

Director: Martin Brest | Stars: Robert De Niro , Charles Grodin , Yaphet Kotto , John Ashton

Votes: 94,174 | Gross: $38.41M

9. Swingers (1996)

R | 96 min | Comedy, Drama

A wannabe actor has a hard time moving on from a break-up, but he is lucky to have supportive friends.

Director: Doug Liman | Stars: Vince Vaughn , Heather Graham , Jon Favreau , Ron Livingston

Votes: 88,101 | Gross: $4.51M

10. Hard Eight (1996)

R | 101 min | Crime, Drama

Professional gambler Sydney teaches John the tricks of the trade. John does well until he falls for cocktail waitress Clementine.

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson | Stars: Philip Baker Hall , John C. Reilly , Gwyneth Paltrow , Samuel L. Jackson

Votes: 54,863 | Gross: $0.22M

11. Go (1999)

R | 102 min | Comedy, Crime

The aftermath of a drug deal as told from three different points of view.

Director: Doug Liman | Stars: Sarah Polley , Jay Mohr , Scott Wolf , Taye Diggs

Votes: 75,130 | Gross: $16.84M

12. Pay It Forward (2000)

PG-13 | 123 min | Drama

A young boy attempts to make the world a better place after his teacher gives him that chance.

Director: Mimi Leder | Stars: Kevin Spacey , Haley Joel Osment , Helen Hunt , Jay Mohr

Votes: 123,856 | Gross: $33.52M

13. The Cooler (2003)

R | 101 min | Drama, Romance

In an old school Las Vegas casino, its top gambling jinx breaks his curse when he falls in love, much to his boss' consternation.

Director: Wayne Kramer | Stars: William H. Macy , Maria Bello , Alec Baldwin , Shawn Hatosy

Votes: 35,493 | Gross: $8.24M

14. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)

PG-13 | 89 min | Adventure, Comedy

A world-class playboy and part-time secret agent from the 1960s emerges after thirty years in a cryogenic state to battle with his nemesis Dr. Evil.

Director: Jay Roach | Stars: Mike Myers , Elizabeth Hurley , Michael York , Mimi Rogers

Votes: 257,015 | Gross: $53.88M

15. Lost in America (1985)

R | 91 min | Comedy

A husband and wife in their 30s decide to quit their jobs, live as free spirits and cruise America in a Winnebago.

Director: Albert Brooks | Stars: Albert Brooks , Julie Hagerty , Sylvia Farrel , Tina Kincaid

Votes: 10,195 | Gross: $10.18M

16. Ocean's Thirteen (2007)

PG-13 | 122 min | Crime, Thriller

Danny Ocean rounds up the boys for a third heist after casino owner Willy Bank double-crosses one of the original eleven, Reuben Tishkoff.

Director: Steven Soderbergh | Stars: George Clooney , Brad Pitt , Matt Damon , Michael Mantell

Votes: 367,256 | Gross: $117.15M

17. Bugsy (1991)

R | 136 min | Biography, Crime, Drama

The story of how Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel started Las Vegas.

Director: Barry Levinson | Stars: Warren Beatty , Annette Bening , Harvey Keitel , Ben Kingsley

Votes: 30,982 | Gross: $49.11M

18. 21 (2008)

PG-13 | 123 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller

Inspired by real events and people, 21 is about six MIT students who become trained to be experts in card counting in Black Jack and subsequently took Vegas casinos for millions in winnings.

Director: Robert Luketic | Stars: Jim Sturgess , Kate Bosworth , Kevin Spacey , Aaron Yoo

Votes: 266,396 | Gross: $81.16M

19. Con Air (1997)

R | 115 min | Action, Crime, Thriller

Newly-paroled ex-con and former U.S. Ranger Cameron Poe finds himself trapped in a prisoner-transport plane when the passengers seize control.

Director: Simon West | Stars: Nicolas Cage , John Cusack , John Malkovich , Colm Meaney

Votes: 319,114 | Gross: $101.12M

20. Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

PG | 120 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller

A diamond smuggling investigation leads James Bond to Las Vegas where he uncovers an evil plot involving a rich business tycoon.

Director: Guy Hamilton | Stars: Sean Connery , Jill St. John , Charles Gray , Lana Wood

Votes: 114,093 | Gross: $43.82M

21. Last Vegas (2013)

PG-13 | 105 min | Comedy

Billy, Paddy, Archie and Sam have been best friends since childhood. When Billy proposes to his much-younger girlfriend, they go to Vegas to relive their glory days. However, the decades have changed Sin City and tested their friendship.

Director: Jon Turteltaub | Stars: Robert De Niro , Michael Douglas , Morgan Freeman , Kevin Kline

Votes: 136,851 | Gross: $63.91M

22. Ocean's Eleven (1960)

Approved | 127 min | Comedy, Crime, Music

Danny Ocean gathers a group of his World War II compatriots to pull off the ultimate Las Vegas heist. Together the eleven friends plan to rob five Las Vegas casinos in one night.

Director: Lewis Milestone | Stars: Frank Sinatra , Dean Martin , Sammy Davis Jr. , Peter Lawford

Votes: 25,189 | Gross: $12.32M

23. Rush Hour 2 (2001)

PG-13 | 90 min | Action, Comedy, Crime

Carter and Lee head to Hong Kong for a vacation, but become embroiled in a counterfeit money scam.

Director: Brett Ratner | Stars: Jackie Chan , Chris Tucker , John Lone , Ziyi Zhang

Votes: 238,874 | Gross: $226.16M

24. Fright Night (2011)

R | 106 min | Action, Comedy, Drama

"Fright Night" - A new neighbor moves in next to Charley, who discovers that he is an ancient vampire who preys on the community. Can he save his neighborhood from the creature with the help of the famous "vampire killer", Peter Vincent?

Director: Craig Gillespie | Stars: Anton Yelchin , Colin Farrell , David Tennant , Toni Collette

Votes: 113,077 | Gross: $18.30M

25. Get Him to the Greek (2010)

R | 109 min | Comedy, Music

A record company intern is hired to accompany out-of-control British rock star Aldous Snow to a concert at L.A.'s Greek Theater.

Director: Nicholas Stoller | Stars: Jonah Hill , Russell Brand , Elisabeth Moss , Rose Byrne

Votes: 185,587 | Gross: $60.97M

26. The Gauntlet (1977)

R | 109 min | Action, Crime, Thriller

A hard but mediocre cop is assigned to escort a prostitute into custody from Las Vegas to Phoenix, so that she can testify in a mob trial. But a lot of people are literally betting that they won't make it into town alive.

Director: Clint Eastwood | Stars: Clint Eastwood , Sondra Locke , Pat Hingle , William Prince

Votes: 25,061 | Gross: $35.40M

27. Viva Las Vegas (1964)

Approved | 85 min | Comedy, Musical

A race-car driver preparing for the Grand Prix wiles his time in Las Vegas working as a waiter to pay for his new engine and soon strikes up a romance with a beautiful young woman.

Director: George Sidney | Stars: Elvis Presley , Ann-Margret , Cesare Danova , William Demarest

Votes: 9,214 | Gross: $5.13M

28. Very Bad Things (1998)

R | 100 min | Comedy, Crime, Thriller

A prostitute is killed during a bachelor party and the attendees turn on each other as the wedding approaches.

Director: Peter Berg | Stars: Christian Slater , Daniel Stern , Cameron Diaz , Jon Favreau

Votes: 48,997 | Gross: $9.80M

29. Mars Attacks! (1996)

PG-13 | 106 min | Comedy, Sci-Fi

Earth is invaded by Martians with unbeatable weapons and a cruel sense of humor.

Director: Tim Burton | Stars: Jack Nicholson , Pierce Brosnan , Sarah Jessica Parker , Annette Bening

Votes: 243,375 | Gross: $37.77M

30. Resident Evil: Extinction (2007)

R | 94 min | Action, Horror, Sci-Fi

Survivors of the Raccoon City catastrophe travel across the Nevada desert, hoping to make it to Alaska. Alice joins the caravan and their fight against the evil Umbrella Corp.

Director: Russell Mulcahy | Stars: Milla Jovovich , Ali Larter , Oded Fehr , Iain Glen

Votes: 205,440 | Gross: $50.65M

31. What Happens in Vegas (2008)

PG-13 | 99 min | Comedy, Romance

A man and a woman are compelled, for legal reasons, to live life as a couple for a limited period of time. At stake is a large amount of money.

Director: Tom Vaughan | Stars: Cameron Diaz , Ashton Kutcher , Rob Corddry , Lake Bell

Votes: 187,805 | Gross: $80.28M

32. Fools Rush In (1997)

PG-13 | 109 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance

After a one-night stand with Alex, Isabel realizes that she is pregnant and they decide to get married. However, along with the marriage comes compromise of one's own cultural traditions.

Director: Andy Tennant | Stars: Matthew Perry , Salma Hayek , Jon Tenney , Carlos Gómez

Votes: 39,604 | Gross: $29.29M

33. The Grand (2007)

R | 104 min | Comedy

An improvisational comedy using a handful of actors playing characters competing in an actual poker tournament.

Director: Zak Penn | Stars: Woody Harrelson , David Cross , Dennis Farina , Cheryl Hines

Votes: 6,008 | Gross: $8.11M

34. Vegas Vacation (1997)

PG | 93 min | Comedy

In the fourth outing for the vacation franchise, the Griswolds have to survive Vegas fever when they go to Las Vegas for a fun family vacation.

Director: Stephen Kessler | Stars: Chevy Chase , Beverly D'Angelo , Randy Quaid , Ethan Embry

Votes: 53,111 | Gross: $36.43M

35. Lucky You (2007)

PG-13 | 124 min | Drama, Romance, Sport

A hotshot poker player tries to win a tournament in Vegas, but is fighting a losing battle with his personal problems.

Director: Curtis Hanson | Stars: Eric Bana , Drew Barrymore , Robert Duvall , Phyllis Somerville

Votes: 21,177 | Gross: $5.76M

36. The Hangover Part III (2013)

R | 100 min | Comedy, Crime

When one of their own is kidnapped by an angry gangster, the Wolf Pack must track down Mr. Chow, who has escaped from prison and is on the run.

Director: Todd Phillips | Stars: Bradley Cooper , Zach Galifianakis , Ed Helms , Justin Bartha

Votes: 335,226 | Gross: $112.20M

37. 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001)

R | 125 min | Action, Comedy, Crime

A gang of ex-cons rob a casino during Elvis convention week.

Director: Demian Lichtenstein | Stars: Kurt Russell , Kevin Costner , Courteney Cox , Christian Slater

Votes: 48,749 | Gross: $15.74M

38. Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1991)

R | 98 min | Action, Crime, Drama

Two lone riders hold up a bank's armoured car to save their friend's bar from imminent foreclosure. Soon, the mission goes awry when they discover the vehicle's unexpected cargo.

Director: Simon Wincer | Stars: Mickey Rourke , Don Johnson , Chelsea Field , Daniel Baldwin

Votes: 22,431 | Gross: $7.43M

39. Honeymoon in Vegas (1992)

PG-13 | 96 min | Comedy, Romance, Thriller

Jack loses $65,000 in poker in Las Vegas, where he's marrying Betsy. The wedding will have to wait as the poker winner wants the weekend with Betsy to cancel the debt. She accepts. Whom will she marry?

Director: Andrew Bergman | Stars: James Caan , Nicolas Cage , Sarah Jessica Parker , Pat Morita

Votes: 19,144 | Gross: $35.21M

40. Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003)

PG | 91 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

The Looney Tunes search for a man's missing father and the mythical Blue Monkey diamond.

Directors: Joe Dante , Eric Goldberg | Stars: Brendan Fraser , Jenna Elfman , Steve Martin , Heather Locklear

Votes: 40,416 | Gross: $20.99M

41. Indecent Proposal (1993)

R | 117 min | Drama, Romance

A billionaire offers $1,000,000 to a young married couple for one night with the wife.

Director: Adrian Lyne | Stars: Robert Redford , Demi Moore , Woody Harrelson , Seymour Cassel

Votes: 78,072 | Gross: $106.61M

42. Over the Top (1987)

PG | 93 min | Action, Drama, Sport

Tough trucker Lincoln Hawk is determined to win back his son and triumph at the world arm wrestling championships.

Director: Menahem Golan | Stars: Sylvester Stallone , Robert Loggia , Susan Blakely , Rick Zumwalt

Votes: 59,338 | Gross: $16.06M

43. Corvette Summer (1978)

PG | 105 min | Adventure, Comedy

A high school grad and a hooker-in-training try to track down his stolen Corvette.

Director: Matthew Robbins | Stars: Mark Hamill , Annie Potts , Eugene Roche , William Bryant

Votes: 3,871 | Gross: $15.50M

44. Speedway Junky (1999)

R | 105 min | Crime, Drama, Romance

Johnny wants to be a stock car racer one day. He meets a young, gay hustler in Vegas, who takes him to meet his friends/gang and his "mom", an ex hooker etc.

Director: Nickolas Perry | Stars: Richard Balin , Jaime Bergman , Jesse Bradford , Jordan Brower

Votes: 1,939 | Gross: $0.02M

45. Think Like a Man Too (2014)

PG-13 | 106 min | Comedy, Romance

All the couples are back for a wedding in Las Vegas, but plans for a romantic weekend go awry when their various misadventures get them into some compromising situations that threaten to derail the big event.

Director: Tim Story | Stars: Kevin Hart , Gabrielle Union , Wendi McLendon-Covey , La La Anthony

Votes: 22,775 | Gross: $65.18M

46. Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous (2005)

PG-13 | 115 min | Action, Comedy, Crime

Gracie Hart abandons the life of a field agent to become the public face of the FBI. Yet, when Cheryl Frasier and Stan Fields are kidnapped, she is determined to rescue them, along with her reluctant partner.

Director: John Pasquin | Stars: Sandra Bullock , Regina King , William Shatner , Enrique Murciano

Votes: 80,258 | Gross: $48.48M

47. Leprechaun 3 (1995 Video)

R | 90 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Horror

An evil leprechaun finds himself in Las Vegas, where he proceeds to cause mischief by killing people, granting twisted wishes, and infecting a young man with his green blood.

Director: Brian Trenchard-Smith | Stars: Warwick Davis , John Gatins , Lee Armstrong , John DeMita

Votes: 9,392

48. Cool World (1992)

PG-13 | 102 min | Animation, Comedy, Fantasy

When Jack Deebs was behind bars he found escape by creating Cool World, a cartoon series featuring a vixen named Holli Would. The flesh proves weaker than ink, however, as Holli takes human form in Las Vegas.

Director: Ralph Bakshi | Stars: Gabriel Byrne , Kim Basinger , Janni Brenn , Brad Pitt

Votes: 24,944 | Gross: $14.11M

49. Honey, I Blew Up the Kid (1992)

PG | 89 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family

The Szalinski family is back, this time hilarious disaster strikes when an experiment causes their new toddler son to grow many stories tall.

Director: Randal Kleiser | Stars: Rick Moranis , Marcia Strassman , Robert Oliveri , Daniel Shalikar

Votes: 46,810 | Gross: $58.66M

50. Showgirls (1995)

NC-17 | 128 min | Drama

A mysterious young drifter who calls herself Nomi Malone hitches a ride to Las Vegas, Nevada, and begins working as a strip club dancer, and sets about clawing her way to the top of the Vegas showgirls.

Director: Paul Verhoeven | Stars: Elizabeth Berkley , Kyle MacLachlan , Gina Gershon , Glenn Plummer

Votes: 74,592 | Gross: $20.30M

51. The Amazing Colossal Man (1957)

Approved | 80 min | Action, Drama, Horror

A military officer survives a nuclear blast, only to begin to uncontrollably grow into an increasingly unstable giant.

Director: Bert I. Gordon | Stars: Glenn Langan , Cathy Downs , William Hudson , Larry Thor

Votes: 2,843

52. The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas (2000)

PG | 90 min | Comedy, Family, Romance

In this live-action prequel to The Flintstones (1994), the Flintstones and the Rubbles go on a trip to Rock Vegas, where Wilma Slaghoople is pursued by playboy Chip Rockefeller.

Director: Brian Levant | Stars: Mark Addy , Stephen Baldwin , Kristen Johnston , Jane Krakowski

Votes: 25,435 | Gross: $35.27M

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Where film "Last Vegas" was made! - ARIA Resort & Casino

United States
Nevada (NV)
Las Vegas
Las Vegas Hotels
ARIA Resort & Casino

Bellagio Las Vegas

The Venetian Resort

The Mirage Hotel & Casino

Treasure Island - TI Hotel & Casino, a Radisson Hotel

Luxor Hotel & Casino

Caesars Palace

Rio Hotel & Casino

The Orleans Hotel & Casino

Sahara Las Vegas

The Strat Hotel, Casino & Tower

First, every aspect of our stay was outstanding. The staff were all extremely friendly, helpful, and accommodating. I had such a wonderful time speaking with Laura from Romania at the Blackjack table. Kudos to her for helping me learn Blackjack. Regarding the room: Our original mattress was a little sunken in so I stopped by the front desk to see if there was anything they could do to help. Within minutes, Ashley (not the exact spelling) was on the phone with housekeeping and had a brand-new mattress in the room within an hour!! I was blown away by the service. The new mattress was perfect and so extremely comfortable, by the way. The automation in the room was so much fun to use and made the stay even more enjoyable. My every beaconed wish was at the touch of a finger using the in-room tablet; loved it! I ate at several of the restaurants on the property including Blossom. Blossom was, by far, one of the most elegant and memorable Chinese experiences I have ever had. In true Aria fashion, the staff were impeccably hospitable. The dining room was nothing short of breathtaking and the meal was superb! I honestly cannot begin to say enough about how truly wonderful the Blossom experience truly was and am counting down the days until I return. Overall, our entire stay at Aria was outstanding. The room, bed, sheets, towels, and air conditioning were extremely comfortable. The entire staff went out of their way to please and delight. The property has every amenity possible for a fun and enjoyable stay. I would highly recommend Aria and cannot wait to return!

Cleanliness

Dear Heath, Thank you for your gracious review on TripAdvisor surrounding your recent stay at ARIA. I am elated to hear that you enjoyed so many facets to your visit, including our courteous service staff, delectable restaurants, as well as our innovative in-room technology. I greatly appreciate you recognizing of Laura in Table Games and the service recovery efforts of Ashley at the Front Desk. We strive to create memorable experiences with our guests, and I am glad that we have done that for you. I value your patronage, and eagerly anticipate your next stay with us at ARIA. Best regards, Belisa Suarez Director of Hotel Operations

My recent stay at the Aria was fine until the final night. My water was abruptly shutoff while I was in the bathtub. After about four hours, the water came back on, but was a really dark charcoal almost black color. The water was totally opaque. I called housekeeping, but all I got from them was an apology. I called the front desk and they offered me a $50 food/beverage credit. I explained to them that I needed to check out soon and asked if the credit could be applied on a future date, but was told no. I reluctantly accepted the credit and went to a gift shop and bought some tea and chocolates with it. I don't believe that a five star hotel should have service like this. Very disappointing.

Sleep Quality

Dear Paul, Thank you for taking the time to review our resort. Please accept my sincere apologies for the circumstance with the water being shut off during your stay. Additionally, I am saddened for your expressed displeasure with service regarding this issue. I would like to take this opportunity to learn more about your visit. Our Guest Relations team is currently looking into your concerns and will be reaching out to you directly to obtain additional information. We work hard to provide a setting that delivers comfort and luxury for our guests, and I truly apologize for your disappointing experience. Thank you again for your comments, and I look forward to discussing your concerns in detail with you. Warm regards, Belisa Suarez Director of Hotel Operations

The hotel looks great and all staff were very professional. However, the Aria is missing some pretty minor things that have a big impact. No outlets next to the bed being a big one. Also, the bed was uncomfortable and the water pressure in the shower wasn't great. I'd rather stay elsewhere and head to the Aria for the restaurants and gambling.

Dear Guest, Thank you for taking the time to review our resort. At ARIA, we value guest feedback as part of our continual effort to improve the quality of the overall experience we strive to provide. I am elated to read that our luxurious surroundings and Five Diamond service of our courteous staff created favorable impressions for you. However, it is regrettable for your disappointments with our bedding accommodations and the water pressure of the shower in your guestroom. It is disheartening to know that we fell short in providing you with a magnificent stay. Please know that we take all guest comments seriously and that I will absolutely be sure to share your review with the appropriate areas. Thank you again, and I sincerely hope for the opportunity to serve you again in the future. Kind regards, Belisa Suarez Director of Hotel Operations

Clean convenient and consistant. Close to all that is needed in Vegas. I have never had any kind of issue and they go above and beyond to service you :) Food pool concerts nightclub and views....everything you need at the touch of an ipad too

Dear Guest, Thank you so much for your kind sentiments on TripAdvisor. I am thrilled to read that we served as the perfect accommodations for your recent trip to Las Vegas. Our goal is to offer a sense of luxury and sophistication that is hard to find elsewhere, and your wonderful remarks show me that we are on the right track. Reading your review was an absolute pleasure, and I look forward to welcoming you back to ARIA for another memorable stay soon. With gratitude, Belisa Suarez Director of Hotel Operations

Aria is a well located, clean, and comfortable place to stay. We never have a problem finding beds at the pool, and there are great dining options and a great atmosphere. My husband and I have stayed at many places on the Strip, and Aria is the hotel we keep returning to year after year.

Dear Guest, Thank you for your recent stay at ARIA Resort & Casino. I am thoroughly pleased to read that you enjoyed so many facets to your visit, including our lively and modern atmosphere, lavish guestrooms, as well as our distinct pool deck. With our ellipses pools in an oasis-like setting, our pool deck serves as the perfect place for our guests looking to soak up an indulgent Vegas pool experience. Reading your review was an absolute pleasure, and I eagerly anticipate your return. Yours in service, Catherine Siefert Executive Director of Hotel Operations

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Movie Trivia

25 Essential Road Trip Movies of the Last 25 Years

We’re looking down the horizon and beyond for some of the best road trip movies that defined the genre over the last 25 years! To rev up this list, we selected American movies movies, journeys that begin in the States (where they actually finish is part of the fun). The movies celebrate the sights and sounds of the country, or at least will inspire you to pull out that camping gear, putting the convertible top down, and hitting the open road. These rides can be cross-county ( Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle ), on the freeway ( Dog , Sideways ), trekking across a few state lines ( Little Miss Sunshine , Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas ), hitting a new time zone ( Road Trip ), or even runnin’ coast-to-coast ( Rat Race , Transamerica ). Even the Academy has felt the need for reasonable speed, awarding Best Picture to both Green Book and Nomadland . Carpool lane? Of course: we’ve got an Oscar strapped in the passenger seat!

So whether you’re looking for a map to a long summer drive or fixing a flat in your life, turn to these essential 25 road trip movies of the last 25 years (in chronological order)!

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) 50%

The Straight Story (1999) 94%

Tumbleweeds (1999) 82%

Almost Famous (2000) 91%

Road Trip (2000) 57%

Rat Race (2001) 45%

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004) 75%

Sideways (2004) 97%

Transamerica (2005) 77%

Little Miss Sunshine (2006) 91%

Cars (2006) 75%

Zombieland (2009) 89%

Away We Go (2009) 67%

Paul (2011) 70%

We're the Millers (2013) 48%

Chef (2014) 87%

Grandma (2015) 91%

Mississippi Grind (2015) 91%

Pee-wee's Big Holiday (2016) 83%

Green Book (2018) 77%

Nomadland (2020) 93%

The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021) 97%

Bad Trip (2021) 79%

Dog (2022) 77%

Joy Ride (2023) 90%

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COMMENTS

Last Vegas (2013)
Last Vegas: Directed by Jon Turteltaub. With Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Kline. Billy, Paddy, Archie and Sam have been best friends since childhood. When Billy proposes to his much-younger girlfriend, they go to Vegas to relive their glory days. However, the decades have changed Sin City and tested their friendship.
Last Vegas
Last Vegas is a 2013 American comedy film directed by Jon Turteltaub, written by Dan Fogelman and starring Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Kline and Mary Steenburgen. Three retirees travel to Las Vegas to have a bachelor party for their last remaining single friend.. The film was released to theaters on November 1, 2013, by CBS Films.
Last Vegas
Aug 29, 2019. Rated: C • Apr 9, 2019. Aging pals Billy (Michael Douglas), Paddy (Robert De Niro), Archie (Morgan Freeman) and Sam (Kevin Kline) have been best friends since childhood. When Billy ...
Last Vegas Official Trailer #1 (2013)
Subscribe to TRAILERS: http://bit.ly/sxaw6hSubscribe to COMING SOON: http://bit.ly/H2vZUnLike us on FACEBOOK: http://goo.gl/dHs73Last Vegas Official Trailer ...
Last Vegas movie review & film summary (2013)
Billy ( Michael Douglas ), a millionaire notorious for resisting matrimony the way most people resist drinking lye, has finally decided to get hitched. His bride-to-be is 30 years old. You don't need to know her name or anything about her because the film isn't really interested in her. She's just the pretext to get the old gang back together.
Last Vegas
In Theaters November 1, 2013http://www.lastvegasmovie.comStarring four legends like you've never seen them before, LAST VEGAS tells the story of Billy, Paddy...
Last Vegas
Starring four legends like you've never seen them before, LAST VEGAS tells the story of Billy, Paddy, Archie and Sam - played by Academy Award winners Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, and Kevin Kline - best friends since childhood. When Billy, the group's sworn bachelor, finally proposes to his thirty-something (of course) girlfriend, the four head to Las Vegas with a plan to ...
'Last Vegas' Review: A 'Hangover' for the AARP Crowd
Film Review: 'Last Vegas'. Four Hollywood legends team for this wan, Geritol-powered 'Hangover' clone, but it's a singing and sparkling Mary Steenburgen who handily steals the show. As creaky ...
Last Vegas
A quartet of retirees gather in Las Vegas to celebrate a bachelor party in the honor of their friend and lifelong womanizer. Academy Award® winner Michael Douglas stars as an infamous philanderer who decides to finally settle down and get married to a woman half his age. The festivities officially begin when Academy Award® winning co-stars Robert DeNiro, Morgan Freeman and Christopher Walken ...
The 20 Best Movies Set In Las Vegas That Will Inspire You To Visit
7. Honeymoon in Vegas. Columbia Pictures/YouTube. Not to be confused with "Leaving Las Vegas" — the Nicolas Cage 1995 Las Vegas movie that earned the actor his first Academy Award — "Honeymoon ...
Last Vegas cast: Who are the stars of the comedy movie?
Noah Harden as Young Billy. RJ Fattori as Young Paddy. Aaron Bantum as Young Archie. Phillip Wampler as Young Sam. Olivia Stuck as Young Sophie. Next: New movies and shows out in October 2023 ...
Watch Last Vegas Streaming Online
Starring: Michael DouglasRobert De NiroMorgan Freeman. Director: Jon Turteltaub. PG-13 Comedy Movie 2013. 5.1. hd. Add Paramount+ with SHOWTIME to any Hulu plan for an additional $11.99/month. START YOUR FREE TRIAL. Hulu free trial available for new and eligible returning Hulu subscribers only. Cancel anytime.
Screenwriter Dan Fogelman Talks THE GUILT TRIP, LAST VEGAS ...
Christina Radish (5844 Articles Published) Screenwriter Dan Fogelman talks about The Guilt Trip, Last Vegas, being on the 50 Shades of Grey shortlist, ABC's The Neighbors and more.
Last Vegas Filming Locations: Where Is The Comedy Movie Filmed
Filming Location: Last Vegas [Credits - CBS Films] Stratosphere Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas was used to film the part with the roller coaster ride. The Aria Resort & Casino was used to film most of the movie, including the casino scenes. The scenes where Billy and Paddy push each other in a pool were filmed at this location.
'Last Vegas' Trailer: Old Men Behaving Badly
Published Jul 19, 2013. A new trailer for 'Last Vegas' shows Morgan Freeman, Robert de Niro, Michael Douglas and Kevin Kline as four sexagenarians throwing a bachelor party in Las Vegas. When Paddy (Robert De Niro), Sam (Kevin Kline) and Archie (Morgan Freeman), three friends who have been part of a tight-knit group since their childhood, find ...
The 20 Vegas Films You Must See
Both movies capture the energy, glamour and luxury of a Vegas era that came crashing down shortly after. The Hangover (2009) Todd Phillips' raunchy comedy has come to define the hedonistic image ...
How Old Last Vegas' Actors Were Compared To Their Characters
Last Vegas features the biggest movie stars of the '70s, '80s, and '90s, but how old were they in the movie compared to their characters? ... Ironically, Archie is the most excited of all the characters for the Vegas trip. Based on the similar themes, the Freeman-starring Bucket List would make a great double feature with Last Vegas. Kevin ...
Best Movies Set in Las Vegas
Best Las Vegas Movies - Ranked. "Casino" (1995): A Martin Scorsese film that re-visits Las Vegas' time as a mob town. "Casino" follows Ace Rothstein and his adventure running "The Tangiers", a fictional casino on the Las Vegas Strip intended to mimic the real story of Stardust. While not an uplifting movie, "Casino" is one ...
List of films set in Las Vegas sorted by IMDb rating
6. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) R | 118 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama. 7.5. Rate. 41 Metascore. An oddball journalist and his psychopathic lawyer travel to Las Vegas for a series of psychedelic escapades. Director: Terry Gilliam | Stars: Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro, Tobey Maguire, Michael Lee Gogin.
Where film "Last Vegas" was made!
Movie 'Last Vegas' with Robert Deniro, Michael Douglas, Kevine Kline and Morgan Freeman was shot here. Plus Aria has quite cool bard and restaurants. It is very convenient inside and outside. Enjoy your visit to Aria Resort in Vegas Strip and i hope it won't be your Last Vegas trip!! More.
25 Essential Road Trip Movies of the Last 25 Years
Synopsis: Set in 1973, it chronicles the funny and often poignant coming of age of 15-year-old William, an unabashed music fan... [More] Starring: Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Kate Hudson, Jason Lee. Directed By: Cameron Crowe.