4 Must-Watch Retro Films Set In Las Vegas, Nevada

Despite the abundance of streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, NOW TV, etc., available nowadays, we can all admit that we’ve been in a similar position. Curled on the couch on a Friday night, takeaway laid out on the table in front of us, all that’s left to do is pick something to watch. 

But thirty minutes of scrolling through titles later, we still haven’t found something that takes our fancy, so instead of giving something new a chance, we often resort to watching a retro film or TV series because it’s easier. But why’s this? Because retro stuff gives us that nostalgic feeling that we love, and allows us to visit iconic, old Hollywood destinations like Las Vegas, Nevada, one more time.

As far as old Hollywood goes, Las Vegas is synonymous with entertainment, glitz, and glamour; therefore, it has been a prime destination for old-school/modern movies. From the cult classic ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,’ featuring slot games, desolate desert, etc., to spy films like ‘Diamonds Are Forever,’ these movies showcase the best of the city and have something for everyone. 

In this article, we take a trip down memory lane and explore four must-watch retro films set in Las Vegas, Nevada, so the next time you find yourself struggling to find something to watch, all you’ll have to do is grab the popcorn, put your feet up, and get stuck into some of the most-loved retro films of all time – keep reading to find out more. 

Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas (1998)

Despite having a terrible reception in cinemas, Terry Gilliam’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas has since been named a cult classic that successfully captures the essence of the original writer Hunter S. Thompson’s main character Dr Gonzo’s (Benicio del Toro) infamous casino-filled, semi-autobiographical journalistic journey across Las Vegas in the sixties. 

Accompanied by Raoul Duke (Johnny Depp), the two play slots and wreak havoc along the Las Vegas strip in their iconic red Chevrolet Impala convertible to cover a motorcycle race. The one hour and fifty-eight-minute rendition of their misadventures in Vegas as they visit iconic attractions and indulge in some of Vegas’s much-loved activities.

Or get into the Vegas spirit by stepping into the shoes of Depp and Del Toro’s characters by using online gambling review sites like Online Casinos, where you can find the best places to play online and avoid getting in trouble, as the film depicts! Consider visiting their site for more information and see how their reviews can help you get into the retro, Las Vegas film spirit. 

Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

While the illustrious British spy is yet to step foot in South America, the closet he ever got was in the seventh film Diamonds Are Forever. The film opens with Bond, as portrayed by Sean Connery, being briefed by M on a suspected diamond smuggling ring operating out of South Africa. 

However, despite being teased, Bond’s visit to South Africa never materialises, with most scenes being filmed just outside of Las Vegas in the Nevada desert. In the seventh instalment of the Bond franchise, we witness Bond’s attempt to stop his long-time nemesis Ernst Stavro Blofeld from infiltrating the previously mentioned diamond smuggling ring. 

Some of the movie’s standout moments include the part where Bond supposedly kills himself to get into Chase’s good books, the Vegas car chase, when Bond escapes a near-death experience within a pipe, Blofeld demonstrating the power of his laser and more – a must-watch for any spy film fanatic. 

Casino (1995)

Often listed among the best gambling films of all time, Martin Scorsese’s adaptation of Nicholas Pileggi’s novel Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas tells the chronicles of Robert de Niro’s character Sam ‘Ace’ Rothstein, who is an expert gambler and handicapper at the Las Vegas’s hotel/casino. 

Adding to the Vegas drama is the appearance of the Mafia, a stunningly-beautiful showgirl Ginger McKenna (portrayed by Sharon Stone), who ends up marrying De Niro’s character, and the typical highs and lows of working in a fast-paced environment in the late seventies and early seventies – which is movie showcases perfectly. 

Not only does it give audiences an insight into working within one of the most expensive industries worldwide (and one of the most significant locations to participate in it!), but it also perfectly encapsulates the look and feel of “Sin City” through wardrobe, architecture and much more making it a perfect film for any online gambling fan. 

Fools Rush In (1997)

Any fan of the TV show Friends will be glad to see this recommendation feature on our list. Fools Rush In is a comedy film in which Matthew Perry plays Alex Whitman, a conservative architect who transferred from New York City to Las Vegas to oversee a project. 

During his time in Las Vegas, his character ends up having a one-night stand with the enigmatic, sassy Mexican-American photographer Isabel Fuentes, who falls pregnant after their encounter as the rest of the film documents how they eventually fall for each other. A perfect rom-com for those looking to escape the glitz/glam to see a more everyday side of Vegas.