10 Movies You Didn’t Know Were Filmed in Nevada
The lights of Las Vegas and the iconic Vegas Strip have long played key roles in many Hollywood films including the likes of “Showgirls,” “The Hangover” and even a few classics like “Viva Las Vegas”. Beyond the bright lights of Sin City, the desert landscape and some familiar landmarks like Hoover Damn have also been featured in a wide range of movies. Explore 10 of our favorite movies filmed in Nevada.
1.Rain Man (1998)
The 1998 film “Rain Man” follows Raymond and Charlie on a cross-country journey to connect as brothers. The scene where Raymond demonstrates his amazing memory via card counting was filmed at Caesars Palace prior to it's expansion. Charlie also teaches Raymond to dance in the casino.
2.The Godfather and The Godfather II (1972 and 1974)
The 1970s classic “The Godfather” and it's sequel both filmed in old Las Vegas with a special focus on the iconic mob ties. The films would turn out to be some of the highest grossing films of their time and put many of the key actors on the map.
3.The Hangover (2009)
“The Hangover” captures the best and worst of a weekend in Las Vegas. With so many crazy things happening that would only happen in Sin City, it is hard to pinpoint the best part of this series of films. While most people cringe at some of disasters as they unfold, a part of most people wishes they came home from a trip to Las Vegas with these epic stories.
4.Top Gun (1986)
1986 brought the best of an elite fighter pilot training program to the big screen. Audiences were amazed by the breathtaking flight scenes, many of which were filmed over the wide open desert of Fallon, Nevada. One of the biggest benefits the crew saw in the desert was the amazing weather.
5.Transformers (2007)
While the later sequels would be filmed in the desert of Texas, the original 2007 film that started it all filmed one of it's biggest scenes on location at Hoover Dam. When the children's toys came were thrust into the real world, Bumblebee would end up in hot water as he was held captive on the dam.
6.Miss Congeniality 2 (2005)
This campy adventure film highlights everything fabulous about Las Vegas. From going undercover at a beauty pageant to working as a female impersonator surrounded by some of the best performers on the Strip, the stars including Sandra Bullock get to live out the true rock star experience of Las Vegas. While the film left a bit to be desired as far as the plot goes, the pure magic of running through the non-stop action of the city is worth a watch.
7.The Misfits (1961)
This classic 1960s film would be the last completed piece by Marilyn Monroe. While it was essentially a failure at the time, it would later be recognized as a sleeper hit for everyone involved. The movie was filmed all over rural Nevada and in Reno proper.
8.Godzilla (2014)
In the 2014 remake of the classic Godzilla, not one but two giant creatures take over the U.S. The female soon-to-be mate of Godzilla tears apart Las Vegas after emerging from a nuclear waster site is the Yuma Mountains. The most iconic features of Las Vegas including the casinos on the Strip are no match for the female version of Godzilla.
9.Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
The original release of this dark look at drugs and the open roads of Nevada was a self proclaimed. After falling short early on, the comedy would reinvent itself as a cult classic that is still popular today. The antics of the main characters take place at various road side attractions and casinos in Nevada.
10.Think Like a Man Too (2014)
This sequel is a classic story of a Las Vegas wedding gone comically wrong. The twists and turns take place as the characters try to apply relationship advice from a best selling book as they fight temptation in Sin City.
