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Haunted Hollywood Meets Vegas: What To Watch on Halloween

Think you’ve seen it all in Sin City? Think again! This Halloween, we’re rolling out the blood-red carpet for a spine-tingling tour of Vegas’ starring roles in horror flicks. From alien invasions to zombie hordes, our neon oasis has seen more action than a drunk gambler’s credit card.

So grab your popcorn (and maybe a barf bag), as we explore the grislier side of Glitter Gulch. After all, in Vegas, the house always wins—even if the house is haunted!

Mars Attacks! (1996)

Ah, the classic tale of little green men with big, bulbous heads deciding Earth needs a makeover—Vegas style! This campy cult favorite brings alien invasion to the Strip, proving that even Martians can’t resist a good Elvis impersonator.

Tom Jones and Annette Benning in Mars Attacks! Photo: IMDb

This flick features flying saucers zapping the Landmark Hotel & Casino; The Chapel of the Bells gets an otherworldly visit; and let’s not forget the wildly entertaining YESCO neon boneyard scene. Tim Burton and company also venture to thrilling Pahrump, Nevada. Why? Because even aliens need a break from the bright lights occasionally. It’s Area 51’s less famous, more budget-friendly cousin.

Hostel III (2011)

When you think “bachelor party in Vegas,” you naturally think “underground torture ring,” right? No? Well, hang onto your hat, because Hostel III is about to take you on a ride wilder than any Cirque du Soleil show.

Our intrepid (read: doomed) protagonists decide to ditch the typical Vegas debauchery for something a little more… extreme. Two “prostitutes” (air quotes of doom) lure them to a “private party” (more air quotes of doom) way off the Strip.

Now, here’s where things get a bit… awkward. Most of Hostel III wasn’t actually filmed in Vegas. Gasp! The horror! The scandal! The… budget constraints? The “Elite Hunting Torture Place” (two stars on Yelp, terrible continental breakfast) is actually the Detroit Masonic Temple. The interiors? Greektown Casino in Detroit. That menacing high-rise exterior? Detroit Train Station.

But fear not, Vegas purists! They did film “some exterior” shots in our beloved city—also known as B-roll.

Army of the Dead (2021)

Ever wondered what would happen if you combined Ocean’s Eleven with The Walking Dead and sprinkled in a dash of “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” madness? Well, director Zack Snyder did, and boy, did he deliver!

Army of the Dead brings us a Las Vegas overrun by zombies, which, let’s be honest, isn’t that different from the Strip at 3 a.m. on a Sunday. Our ragtag team of mercenaries decides that post-apocalyptic Glitter Gulch is the perfect place for a heist.

Army of the Dead Movie Poster. Photo: IMDb

The film lovingly showcases Vegas landmarks like the MGM Grand, The Mirage, and Mandalay Bay—all with a stylish undead makeover, of course. Bly’s Casino, the heist’s target, is actually The Showboat Atlantic City, proving that even in a zombie apocalypse, movie magic reigns supreme.

If you’re craving some horror with a side of breathtaking scenery, look no further than Red Rock Canyon State Park. This geological wonder has been setting the stage for scares since the 1930s.

“The Mummy” (1932) brought Boris Karloff’s bandaged baddie to these iconic red cliffs, proving that even ancient Egyptian curses appreciate good landscape design. “Jurassic Park” (1993) used Red Rock as a backdrop, because nothing says “prehistoric terror” like Nevada’s rusty-hued rocks. And in a more recent offering, “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” (2021) brought supernatural shenanigans to this natural wonder.

David Manners and Leonard Mudie in The Mummy at Red Rock Canyon. Photo: IMDb

So there you have it, fright fans! From Martian invasions to zombie hordes, from torture tourism to mummies and dinosaurs, Las Vegas and its surrounding areas have seen it all. Happy Halloween, and may the odds be ever in your favor—unlike the poor souls in these films!

Author

  • StaciLayne

    Author of the "Rock & Roll Nightmares" book series, director of the documentary film, "The Ventures: Stars on Guitars."

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Author of the "Rock & Roll Nightmares" book series, director of the documentary film, "The Ventures: Stars on Guitars."