3 Top TV Shows and Movies Shot in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is renowned for its huge casino-hotels and tourist activities. From the Fountains of the Bellagio to the Eiffel Tower restaurant, the bright lights and famous sites attract visitors worldwide to the location. As such, it is perhaps no surprise that the city has been the main location for numerous movies and TV shows in recent years. Here, we identify three of the most popular TV shows and movies shot in Las Vegas – providing a brief synopsis and some of the notable stats and facts about them.

“The Hangover”

Undoubtedly one of the most popular movies of the 00s, The Hangover follows Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms) and Alan (Zach Galifianakis) as they haplessly attempt to find their lost friend Doug (Justin Bartha) – who has gone missing whilst on his bachelor party in Las Vegas. The movie features many classic lines, including Alan’s famous “Did Caesar live here?” upon his arrival at Caesars Palace. It’s a question that is now regularly asked by guests upon their arrival to Caesars Palace.

The scene helped to increase the popularity of Caesars Palace both in-house, online, and across America, with Caesars one of the most popular PA Apps related to gambling on online casino review site BonusFinder. BonusFinder also features reviews of online casino BetMGM, the online equivalent of the Las Vegas-based MGM Grand – a location that features prominently in 2001 smash hit Ocean’s Eleven. The Hangover includes a link to another gambling themed movie. Who can forget Alan’s imitation of Raymond from the Oscar-winning Rain Man?

“Las Vegas”

“Las Vegas” was a TV series that ran for five seasons between 2003 and 2008. The comedy-drama focused on the lives of employees in the fictional Montecito Casino located on the Las Vegas strip. Whilst production of the series occurred in California, filming also regularly took place in Las Vegas. Longstanding characters Ed Deline (James Caan) and Danny McCoy (Josh Duhamel) helped to enhance the show’s popularity, with almost 12 million viewers regularly tuning in at Las Vegas’s peak. The pilot episode of Las Vegas was shot back in March 2003 and was reportedly produced at a cost of $5 million – making it one of the most expensive pilots in NBC history.

“What Happens in Vegas”

Romantic comedy “What Happens in Vegas“ is a 2008 movie starring Cameron Diaz (Joy McNally) and Ashton Kutcher (Jack Fuller) as a couple who meet by chance in Las Vegas, and whilst on a night out subsequently get married. Before getting the chance to divorce, the couple wins a $3 million casino jackpot and are court-ordered to live together for six months before the divorce can proceed. The title of the movie is based on the famous catchphrase “What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas.” What Happens in Vegas proved a hit at the box office, grossing just shy of $220 million worldwide – ranking second on its opening weekend behind only the superhero movie Iron Man.

Whilst these are just three of the most popular TV shows and movies recently shot in Las Vegas, there are plenty of alternatives for film and TV fans to enjoy. Moving forward, expect film and TV producers to continue using Las Vegas, or The Entertainment Capital of the World – as Las Vegas is often billed – as a location for their projects.