From its mountains to its deserts and Las Vegas, Nevada is the perfect backdrop for films. These 11 movies set in Nevada will make you proud to be from here.
In the words of Nicole Kidman in her famous AMC Theatres commercial, good movies can “feel perfect and powerful,” especially in a “magic” setting, and this can ring doubly true if a film is set in your home state. Seeing a location you love or have always wanted to visit in your state can feel especially poignant, but some films can get lost in the weeds with so many coming out all the time, which has only increased with the rise of streaming-exclusive movies. Luckily, Nevada has a fair share of films set in its beautiful, vast, and wondrous atmosphere, largely thanks to the grand allure of Las Vegas—but not exclusively.
Here, we’re differentiating between movies that were filmed in Nevada and those that are set in Nevada. We’re interested in the latter for this list.
Speaking to Nevada Business, Nevada Film Office director Kim Spurgeon explained, “We rely heavily on what Nevada has to offer organically – its locations.” Still, many movies and TV series film elsewhere, even when set in Nevada. “They come here for exterior shots, but [‘The Cleaning Lady’] is primarily filmed on sound stages in New Mexico, for two reasons: we don’t have large sound stages here, and we’re not competitive with our tax incentive program,” explained Tom Burns, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development.
This is, of course, a bummer, but it’s not to say that some big movies haven’t been filmed in Nevada, with “Independence Day” and “Casino” being two huge examples. With that established, let’s break down 11 of the best films set in Nevada for you to devour on your next movie night.
1. The Hangover (2009)
Todd Phillips’ “The Hangover” is the first example that likely comes to many people’s minds because it’s just so Vegas. The film follows a group of friends who take Sin City by storm for a bachelor party, and with heavy hitters like Bradley Cooper, Ken Jeong, and Zach Galifianakis in the cast, “The Hangover” was always going to be a comedy for the ages. Fuzzy memories? Check. Booze galore? Check. Vegas lights? Check. Raunchy humor? Check. A live tiger causing extra chaos (because there apparently wasn’t enough already)? Check. (Yes, really.) Mike Tyson even shows up as himself—because why not?
“The Hangover” went on to spawn two sequels, but they’re primarily set elsewhere (in Bangkok, Thailand, and on a road trip, respectively). So, sadly, the Vegas shenanigans are limited to the first film, but hey, it’s about the memories made along the way, right?
2. The Women (1939)
Adapted from Clare Boothe Luce’s play of the same name, “The Women” was brought to life by director George Cukor in the late 1930s and remains highly rated. At the time of writing, “The Women” has a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and it’s a departure from other films on this list, as it’s one of the few great movies set in Nevada that isn’t set primarily in Sin City. Instead, the film sees its protagonist, Mary Haines (portrayed by Norma Shearer), hit the road to Reno, where she wants to divorce her husband due to his recently unearthed infidelity.
This film is old-school drama work at its finest, and every speaking role in the movie is a woman, hence the title. The movie was progressive for its time, and in many ways, its progressiveness holds up really well. If that weren’t enough, the legendary Joan Crawford appears in the movie as Crystal Allen, the woman with whom her husband is cheating. Escándalo!
3. Viva Las Vegas (1964)
This one’s all in the name: Director George Sidney’s “Viva Las Vegas” is one of the most famous movies set in Nevada, with Sin City being a selling point for the film. The word “Vegas” comes with connotations of glitz, glamor, and show-stopping scenery, and “Viva Las Vegas” offers these and more in spades, even if told through a restaurant waiting job.
The film stars Elvis Presley as Lucky Jackson and Ann-Margaret as Rusty Martin, and while the movie’s plot is really about Lucky scooting into town for a race as a professional driver, needing to earn some fast cash to spiffy up his car, the film naturally sees him and Rusty form a strong connection.
“Viva Las Vegas” highlights the beauty in the mundane, the small connections that can be made in a big city. It’s beautiful to analyze, and it holds up well. Just take its 86% score on Rotten Tomatoes as proof.
4. Ocean’s Eleven (1960 & 2001)
Unlike the 2018 “Ocean’s Eight,” which centered around a Met Gala heist in New York City, the series’ first film, “Ocean’s Eleven,” hinged on Las Vegas heists. Both the original 1960 film, directed by Lewis Milestone, and the 2001 version of the movie, directed by Steven Soderbergh, are set in Nevada, with a key difference being that the OG featured a series of heists while the remake had the 11-man crew focusing its efforts on one grand robbery. Both casts were packed with big names: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. helmed the 1960 film, while the remake boasted George Clooney, Bernie Mac, and Brad Pitt.
Ultimately, these aren’t the first or last heist movies, but they’re both pure spectacle full of unabashed wit, clever acting choices, and, of course, a healthy dose of nail-biting action.
5. Mars Attacks! (1996)
Of all the films on this list that are set in Nevada, “Mars Attacks!” covers the most ground. Directed by Tim Burton, this movie features not only Las Vegas but also Pahrump, Lake Tahoe, and more, and its cast shines just as much as its environments. Jack Nicholson spearheads the project, with Danny DeVito, Glenn Close, Sarah Jessica Parker, Natalie Portman, and more rounding out the truly huge cast.
As its name suggests, “Mars Attacks!” is about an alien invasion in Nevada—a fitting choice, given that Area 51 is also famously in The Silver State—but it would be underselling the film if we said it didn’t take itself too seriously. No, this is no “Independence Day” with its super-serious stakes and hardcore action; instead, “Mars Attacks!” is a comedy that runs itself ragged with relentless jokes and cameos. Reviews of this film have always been divided—it’s nearly perfectly split on Rotten Tomatoes, sitting at 55%—but it’s a campy time. And if you appreciate camp at its finest, you’ll love this movie.
6. Casino (1995)
It’s said that the mob shaped Las Vegas in Sin City’s criminal past, and that certainly shines through in Martin Scorsese’s “Casino.” The film adapts the nonfiction book “Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas” by crime reporter Nicholas Pileggi, who helped write the movie’s screenplay alongside Scorsese.
One of the main reasons to watch this movie is to see Robert De Niro in his heyday. De Niro’s career is long and illustrious—we’re admittedly partial to his work opposite Anne Hathaway in 2015’s “The Intern”—but his leading role as Sam Rothstein (aka Ace) is truly him at his best.
If you haven’t seen “Casino,” you should know that it boils down to this: Ace assumes the Tangiers Casino, but the colorful cast of characters around him, including his ex-wife and probing government officials, begin to put him in the hot seat. It’s a nail-biter in a different way than “Ocean’s Eleven,” but a nail-biter (and popcorn-stuffer) nonetheless. Did we mention that his ex-wife is played by Sharon Stone?
7. Showgirls (1995)
“Showgirls” is a dazzling movie set in Nevada, and it’s not to be confused with “Dreamgirls,” the Jennifer Hudson and Beyoncé-led film from 2006 set in Detroit. “Showgirls” came to us from director Paul Verhoeven, and it was extremely racy for its time, with the movie being surrounded by controversy because of its overt sex scenes.
But what is the movie actually about, you ask? Well, it follows Nomi Malone (portrayed by Elizabeth Berkley), who relocates from San Francisco to Las Vegas to start a new life. There, she makes a new friend and roommate in the form of Gina Ravera’s Molly Abrams, and she begins stripping to get by. Of course, that’s only the beginning; from there, the stars in her eyes only grow bigger and brighter, but we won’t spoil how her journey crescendos.
The film has been endlessly dissected over the years, with some hating it and others finding great depth in it. Ultimately, it had to make this list because it’s one everybody has to watch to form their own opinion.
8. Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
Eleven years after “Ocean’s Eleven” came “Diamonds Are Forever” from director Guy Hamilton, an adaptation of novelist Ian Fleming’s book with the same title. This wasn’t just any spy movie, though. This was a “James Bond” movie, the latest entry in a long series of films that’s still going today.
“Diamonds Are Forever” was Sean Connery’s sixth and final film as Bond, and what a conclusion he gave his time as the beloved character. This movie sees Connery’s most vengeful acting yet, with Bond doing everything in his power to reach the people responsible for his wife’s death. The ensuing adventure is a globetrotting one, with Bond following leads everywhere from Amsterdam to Los Angeles. Eventually, he finds himself in Las Vegas—where else would the titular diamonds be?
This film is different from many others here because it’s not entirely set in Vegas, but if you want a fun romp with some Sin City splashed in, this is the one for you.
9. The Ox-Bow Incident (1943)
Many of the films on this list are decent lengths, but “The Ox-Bow Incident” doesn’t overstay its welcome. Coming in at just an hour and 15 minutes, this film from director William A. Wellman—and adapted from Walter Van Tilburg Clark’s novel of the same name—is a classic Western that’s just done right. The cast is bright, boasting Henry Fonda, Dana Andrews, Frank Conroy, and more, and unlike many other films set in Nevada on this list, it doesn’t prominently feature Las Vegas. Rather, “The Ox-Bow Incident” unfolds in Bridger’s Wells, a fictional town that could potentially be named after the real-life town of Wells.
What’s happening in this made-up locale? Well, cows are going missing, and a shooting has rocked the town, too. A hunt for thieves and a shooter leads to a climax where not everyone is guaranteed to make it out alive.
The film is over 80 years old, but it holds a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, making it another one that’s stood the test of time.
10. Fright Night (2011)
Director Craig Gillespie’s “Fright Night” is the only true horror movie on this list, and it’s one you don’t want to skip out on. Horror queen Toni Collette shines in this remake of the 1985 movie of the same name, as do Anton Yelchin, Colin Farrell, and the rest of the cast. “Fright Night” is a vampire flick set in Nevada that could appear to ride on the coattails of “Twilight,” coming out just three years after the latter’s film series began breaking records. However, with the original movie dating back to the ‘80s, “Fright Night” stands firmly on its own legs without ever actually veering too close to the Stephenie Meyer-adapted quintet of movies. (No, the vampires don’t sparkle like the Cullens.)
It’s ultimately a riveting new-age vampire vs. vampire-hunter tale that takes place in the Las Vegas suburbs, and with a 72% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s worth a shot. (We all know that horror movies don’t get rated highly even when they’re done really well, so that 72% has to be graded on a curve.)
11. Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (2005)
If you’re thinking that this list needs a strong sprinkling of feminine energy, you’re not alone. Enter “Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous,” a 2005 film from director John Pasquin that didn’t receive critical acclaim but is more of a cult favorite, as so many films from this time period are.
Now, we get it: “Miss Congeniality 2” is no “Legally Blonde,” but it does have its own merits. Sandra Bullock and Regina King lead this comedy as Gracie Hart and Sam Fuller, respectively—two FBI agents assigned to work together following the incidents of the first movie that left Gracie without a cover. This duo creates hilarious and heartfelt moments alike, and while it’s undeniably cheesy, this film is a fun frolic across Las Vegas for the ages (and girls’ night with a bottle of wine).
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
