It’s fitting that Las Vegas, the city that considers itself the Entertainment Capital of the World, has had a long history of starring roles in major motion pictures. This colorful past goes all the way back to the heyday of Hollywood with films such as “The Atomic Kid” (1954) starring Mickey Rooney; the original “Ocean’s Eleven” (1960) with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr.; and “Viva Las Vegas” (1964) featuring the inimitable Elvis Presley.
Many film buffs say the 1995 mob classic “Casino,” starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone, is the ultimate Vegas movie, but most of the casino shots were filmed at the former Riviera Hotel & Casino, which was demolished in 2016. Though Las Vegas served as a backdrop in most of those early films, you can no longer visit their iconic filming sights. Thankfully, more recent films have put the Las Vegas Strip — and some of its world-class hotels — front and center. So now you can explore Las Vegas and enjoy some of these world-famous hotels for yourself.
Here’s a closer look at the top movies that show off Las Vegas filming locations, along with some of the Vegas history they spotlight, too.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
‘F1: The Movie’ (2025)
“F1: The Movie” zoomed into theaters to tell the story of a fictional race team participating in the Las Vegas Grand Prix, an annual Formula One race that unfolds mostly on the Las Vegas Strip. The film plays out like a love letter to Sin City; many of the action scenes were filmed on the actual racetrack during breaks in the action of the 2023 and 2024 events. As the cars race around the city, you’ll spot the Sphere and Bellagio, a Luxury Collection Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, as well as several other landmarks.
The movie’s lone love scene unfolds on the balcony of a wraparound Terrace Suite at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Autograph Collection. While director Joseph Kosinski likely wanted audiences to focus on Sonny (Brad Pitt’s character) and Kate (Kerry Condon), it’s hard not to notice the Fountains of Bellagio dancing in the background. (FWIW, if your room or suite doesn’t overlook the fountains, you can enjoy some of the best viewing right out front of the Bellagio on the Las Vegas Strip.)
While you’re in town, make sure to also check out these top Las Vegas activities for motorsports fans.
‘Jason Bourne’ (2016)
The fifth installment of the movie series featuring Jason Bourne concludes inside ARIA Resort & Casino, Autograph Collection and — after a fight and a chase, of course — outside on Las Vegas Boulevard. Several scenes were shot in the resort’s modern North Valet Entrance, at the front desk and the escalators leading to the second-story Promenade, and in the on-site convention space.
At one point in the movie, Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) hides behind a column and tails CIA agent Heather Lee (Alicia Vikander) on the bustling casino floor. It would be easy for dedicated fans to reenact this scene near the slot machines in front of the main hotel elevators. Before the chase, Bourne and CIA Director Robert Dewey (Tommy Lee Jones) have a heated confrontation in one of ARIA’s Sky Suites, some of the resort’s largest and swankiest accommodations.
‘Now You See Me’ (2013)
The first film in what became a creative heist series opens with four magicians — in the film they’re played by Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, Woody Harrelson, and Dave Franco — performing a show at the Grand Garden Arena at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. Boxing fans will recognize the backdrop; the hotel has hosted many title fights in this venue over the years. Major awards ceremonies have also been held at the Grand Garden Arena, including the Grammy Awards and Latin Grammy Awards.
“Now You See Me” eventually pivots from Las Vegas, but this scene sets the stage for the rest of the plot: It is during this performance that the main characters rob a bank in Paris, which attracts the attention of the FBI.
‘Last Vegas’ (2013)
“Last Vegas” is a twist on a buddy film, with four legendary actors in the lead roles: Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Kevin Kline, and Morgan Freeman. Entire portions of the film were shot inside ARIA Resort & Casino, Autograph Collection, with scenes taking place in the hotel lobby, on the casino floor, and even in the taxicab line. Other scenes appear to take place inside ARIA’s Sky Suites and the on-site nightclub, but these were sets made to look like the real things.
One of the goofiest scenes in the movie unfolds at the pool, involving the four men connecting over drinks and an appearance by Redfoo, one half of the electronic music duo LMFAO. While you may not hang out with Academy Award–winning actors or famous musicians during your stay, ARIA’s pool is certainly a great place to meet friends for drinks.
Ocean’s 11’ (2001)
This smooth remake of the 1960 classic was filmed both inside and in front of Bellagio, a Luxury Collection Resort & Casino, Las Vegas. Entire chunks of “Ocean’s 11” take place on the casino floor, while several scenes were shot at the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens (which remains one of the best free attractions in Las Vegas) and in the hotel lobby, under Dale Chihuly’s ceiling sculpture of 2,000 glass flowers. The scene where Danny Ocean (George Clooney) crashes dinner to steal some time with Tess (Julia Roberts) was filmed in the former Picasso restaurant.
Picasso is being converted into the Carbone Riviera, a new Italian eatery with outdoor tables and a dock for a small boat that will tool around the fountains. Those same fountains serve as the backdrop for the final scene in which all the thieves in Danny Ocean’s group meet up and then go their separate ways.
‘Lucky You’ (2007):
The dancing fountains at Bellagio, a Luxury Collection Resort & Casino, Las Vegas feature prominently in “Lucky You,” a romantic comedy that tells the story of two poker players (played by Eric Bana and Drew Barrymore) and their love affair.
While the movie’s signature kiss scene unfolds with the fountains as a backdrop, poker room scenes actually were filmed on a set in Los Angeles. This approach was necessary because the Bellagio poker room was being renovated during filming. On the set, filmmakers not only built a replica of the casino’s original poker room, they also filled it with furniture sourced from an auction of items from the original room. It was about as authentic as anybody could get.
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