Las Vegas is the Entertainment Capital of the World. The city is a household name around the world.
Therefore, it’s no surprise that there have been legendary movies filmed in Las Vegas. It is a prime location for wonderful storylines because of the luxurious hotels and extravagant entertainment.
There are many films of all genres that feature this city. However, most people only talk about comedies like the Hangover, that was filmed at Caesars Palace, and classics like the 1964 Viva Las Vegas – Little Church of the West and Ocean’s Eleven (1960 and 2001).
But did you know that there are several horror movies that are set in Las Vegas?
#1: Spirits of the Dead (1968)
This film is based on a short story called William Wilson by the legendary horror writer, Edgar Allan Poe.
It focuses on an army officer that kills his doppelganger. The scene that was shot in Vegas involves Wilson (played by Alain Delon) battling Brigitte Bardot, who is smoldering in a casino. The card game shown here is legendary and there is no other movie that has shown such.
2: The Night Stalker (1972)
It became Movie of the Week in 1972. It involves a reporter who is investigating a serial killer in Las Vegas. The reporter (Darren McGavin) suspects that the killer is a vampire.
The film is based on an unpublished novel by Jeff Rice called The Koichak Papers (The Koichak Tapes).
#3: Leprechaun 3 (1995)
The Leprechaun movie franchise developed a cult-like following in the early 90s. Leprechaun (1993) was the first film, but it received many negative reviews. There were even movie lovers that called it “idiotic” and “neither scary nor funny.” It only made a profit of $5 million.
However, its popularity improved, and it became such a cult sensation that Warwick Davis returned as the Leprechaun with five installments. Leprechaun 3 was set in Vegas.
In Rotten Tomatoes, it has an average audience score of 34% with over 10,000 ratings. But don’t let that stop you.
#4: Resident Evil: Extinction (2007)
In 2007, Las Vegas was overrun with horror movies. There were several movies that were created or set in the city, one of which was Resident Evil: Extinction.
Similar to Leprechaun 3, it was the third part of franchise. It had the biggest budget among all the films ($45 million), but also made the most profit in the series ($145 million).
The film is about Alice, who is on her way to Alaska, but stops in Las Vegas. She is ambushed by zombies that the Umbrella Corporation created. Most of the film was shot in the city, but not all of it. It, however, gives some of the best shots of Vegas that a horror film could give.
#5: Vegas Vampires (2007)
As the name suggests, this is a film about vampires in Las Vegas.
The general view of the movie is that it’s bad. It’s so bad that you can’t stop watching it just so that you can know the kind of bad direction it will take.
However, some people that have watched it say that it is quite entertaining. You also catch some really nice shots of Sin City.
#6: The Haunted Casino, Formerly Dead Man’s Hand (2007)
It is sometimes called Casino of the Damned. It only focuses on one casino, not Vegas in its entirety.
Charles Band directed this awful film. Mathew, the protagonist, inherits a dilapidated casino from his uncle. Together with his girlfriends and a couple of friends, he heads to the property to check it out.
Guess what happens next. Yes! They find out that the casino is haunted and they eventually become victims of paranormal activity. Typical stuff, if you ask me.
#7: Hostel III (2011)
I watched this film. At first, I didn’t have an opinion of it. Then I thought that it reminded me of another horror movie I have watched. Yes! Saw!
The first two seemed to me like a repulsive answer to the more popular Saw movies. But this third one.. uuuh.., I don’t know!
This was the last of the franchise that Scott Spiegel made, and he set it in Vegas. It also has a vague European vibe and rather horrific environments after the mayhem starts.
What I can say is that this movie shows Sin City in its highest element; hookers, glamour, bachelor parties, and glitz. It has a lot of drinking and dancing. Very Vegas-y, I guess!
#8: Fright Night (2011)
This is a remake of the 1985 horror film by the same name. It stars Colin Farrell, Imogen Poots, Anton Yelchin, and many others. It is directed by Craig Gillespie.
When several deaths are reported in his neighborhood, Charley (Anton Yelchin) begins to suspect that his neighbor, Jerry (Colin Farrell), is a vampire. The only person that wants to help him is Peter Vincent (David Tennant), who says that he is a vampire killer.
#9: Army of the Dead (2021)
A zombie outbreak takes place in Las Vegas, and mercenaries have to take charge. They venture into quarantine zones with the hope that they will eliminate the problem
Directed by Zack Snyder and starring big names like Dave Bautista, Nathalie Emmanuel, and Chris D’Elia, this is one of my favorite horror movies.
You will like it. There are some plot twists that will keep you entertained, and it also gives nice shots of Sin City.
