One of the classic filming settings for a glitzy and glamorous Hollywood movie is the casino. The excitement, festivity and allure of a casino location are unmatched when it comes to creating a memorable cinematic experience. From gambling at high stakes, creating that extra dose of adrenaline and thrill, to edge-of-the-seat heists, many movies have featured unforgettable casino scenes. In this review, we will walk you through a virtual tour of some of the most iconic casino locations in Hollywood movies. If you are feeling like taking a casino walk-through but do not want to move an inch from your comfortable couch, keep reading!
Iconic casino locations in cinematic blockbusters
The glamour of a casino setting greatly enhances the thrill and excitement associated with a movie. Over the years, many casino locations have been seen to feature in blockbusters in theatres where they have served as perfect backdrops for tightly knit plots. The casino setting has left an indelible mark on the silver screen as well as the imagination of movie enthusiasts. From timeless classics in the retro scene to contemporary blockbusters, many movies have mesmerised viewers with glitzy portrayals of the high-stakes world of gambling. Let us explore some of the most iconic casino locations in Hollywood blockbusters –
- Ocean’s Eleven: The American heist comedy, which stars Hollywood icons like George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts and Matt Damon, uses the famous casino called the Bellagio, Nevada, as a setting. It is one of the most crucial plot points in the movie, the setting where the principal characters plan and attempt a heist. This casino allowed the crew members of the movie to use the actual surveillance footage for filming their scenes, the suspended valet parking and even turned off their fountains for the shoot. The casino was opened in 1998 and has hosted many movies other than Ocean’s Eleven, which includes Ocean’s Thirteen and Focus, which stars Will Smith.
- GoldenEye: Monaco’s Monte Carlo Casino played host to the shooting of this movie, one of the most upscale casinos in Europe. The casino is known for its amazing architecture and interior design. The planning for the architecture of this casino was led by Prince Charles III. Besides being one of the most famous casino locations for its design and for being a favourite haunt of dignitaries, celebs and royalty, it is also a common movie set.
- Rocky III and Rocky V: These two movies in the Rocky Franchise famously featured the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, one of the popular casino locations. The resort is known as one of the biggest single hotels and also one of the largest hotel complexes in the world. The hotel has more than 6,800 rooms, making it one of the largest hotel resorts in the US. The total area of this casino covers 171,500 square feet, and it is known for hosting more than 130 table games and over 2,500 gaming machines.
- Friday Night: The movie features the famous Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. It opened in March 1995 and has featured in quite a few music videos and TV shows, other than films. At its launch, the casino at the resort had an area of 28,000 square feet and then gradually expanded to 61,704 square feet by 2019. The casino was sold in 2018 and closed for some renovations in 2020. The hotel was later reopened in 2021 as Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas.
- Rain Man: This movie starred Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman, where the two protagonists embarked on a road trip. It features the iconic Stardust Casino in quite a few scenes. Located in Las Vegas, the casino plays host to some of the most memorable scenes in the film. Hoffman’s character in the film is an autistic servant who shows his incredible skills at counting cards at the blackjack table, leaving the audience stunned and inspired.
Conclusion
In this review, we have explored some of the most iconic casino locations that have featured in several Hollywood megahits over the years. From the iconic Monte Carlo casino in the James Bond franchise to the Bellagio casino that has featured in the multi-starrer Ocean’s Eleven, the list features several glitzy locations. However, the list goes on, with many more movies featuring casino locations all around the world, including The Tangiers in Goodfellas, the Casino Royale in other James Bond franchise hits and many more. Binge these blockbusters to get a feel of the casino right at home!
