Most people realize that movies are generally not filmed in the cities in which the films actually take place. Oftentimes it may be less expensive to film in another city/state or weather may preclude a filmmaker’s original desire for setting. Whereas many movies have been filmed in Nevada thus far—like the obvious like Vegas Vacation, Casino, Rain Man, The Cooler, Showgirls, and Leaving Las Vegas —many others have also been filmed in the Silver State. How many of these 11 were you aware were shot in your own backyard?

  1. Misery (1990)

Fan Art This creepy Stephen King adaptation starring James Caan and Kathy Bates had several scenes shot in and around Genoa and Reno.

  1. Charley Varrick (1973)

Wayne Hsieh/Flickr Filmed exclusively in Nevada, this film, starring Walter Matthau, was shot in Reno, Carson City, Dayton, Gardnerville, Mottsville, Sparks, Minden, and Mustang. Prominent landmarks include Pyramid Lake, Boulder Dam, and the Douglas County Courthouse Museum in Genoa (pictured) which served as the Tres Cruces Bank.

  1. The Misfits (1961)

Wikipedia This classic film revolves around a divorcee (Marilyn Monroe) who falls for an aging cowboy (Clark Gable) who tries to remain romantically independent. Nevada filming locations include Pyramid Lake, Dayton, Reno, and Stagecoach.

  1. Sister Act (1992)

Starring Whoopi Goldberg (pictured) as a crime witness masquerading as a nun, this comedy contained several scenes filmed in Reno. Needless to say, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993) was also shot here.

  1. Independence Day (1996)

HeroforPain/Deviant Art This Will Smith sci-fi film about invading aliens had a few scenes filmed in Rachel, Nevada. Other actors include Bill Pullman, Morgan Freeman, and Randy Quaid (pictured)

  1. Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)

Fan Art Fighting aging, Detectives Murtaugh (Danny Glover) and Riggs (Mel Gibson) return for another action-packed installment of the franchise. Several car chase scenes were filmed on Las Vegas freeways and surface streets.

  1. The Wizard (1989)

YouTube This cross-country buddy adventure about a video game championship starring Fred Savage and Christian Slater was filmed in Fallon, Hazen, and Reno.

  1. Top Gun (1986)

Fan Art Many scenes in this Tom Cruise-Kelly McGillis-Val Kilmer vehicle were filmed on and above the Naval Air Station in Fallon.

  1. Transformers (2007)

Wikipedia This Michael Bay-directed sci-fi action-fest starring Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, and John Voigt was partially filmed in Las Vegas and at Hoover Dam. Pictured, the Peterbilt 379 truck used for Optimus Prime.

  1. The Shootist (1976)

Jeff Moser/Flickr Starring John Wayne and Lauren Bacall, this classic western was largely filmed in Carson City.

  1. Love Ranch (2010)

YouTube This Taylor Hackford-directed film about a married couple who opens the first legal brothel, starring Joe Pesci and Helen Mirren (pictured), was partially shot in Reno.

Filmmakers shoot movies in various locales for a variety of reasons. How many of these Nevada-filmed movies were you aware of? Do you know of any others? Please comment below.

Fan Art

This creepy Stephen King adaptation starring James Caan and Kathy Bates had several scenes shot in and around Genoa and Reno.

Wayne Hsieh/Flickr

Filmed exclusively in Nevada, this film, starring Walter Matthau, was shot in Reno, Carson City, Dayton, Gardnerville, Mottsville, Sparks, Minden, and Mustang. Prominent landmarks include Pyramid Lake, Boulder Dam, and the Douglas County Courthouse Museum in Genoa (pictured) which served as the Tres Cruces Bank.

Wikipedia

This classic film revolves around a divorcee (Marilyn Monroe) who falls for an aging cowboy (Clark Gable) who tries to remain romantically independent. Nevada filming locations include Pyramid Lake, Dayton, Reno, and Stagecoach.

Starring Whoopi Goldberg (pictured) as a crime witness masquerading as a nun, this comedy contained several scenes filmed in Reno. Needless to say, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993) was also shot here.

HeroforPain/Deviant Art

This Will Smith sci-fi film about invading aliens had a few scenes filmed in Rachel, Nevada. Other actors include Bill Pullman, Morgan Freeman, and Randy Quaid (pictured)

Fighting aging, Detectives Murtaugh (Danny Glover) and Riggs (Mel Gibson) return for another action-packed installment of the franchise. Several car chase scenes were filmed on Las Vegas freeways and surface streets.

YouTube

This cross-country buddy adventure about a video game championship starring Fred Savage and Christian Slater was filmed in Fallon, Hazen, and Reno.

Many scenes in this Tom Cruise-Kelly McGillis-Val Kilmer vehicle were filmed on and above the Naval Air Station in Fallon.

This Michael Bay-directed sci-fi action-fest starring Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, and John Voigt was partially filmed in Las Vegas and at Hoover Dam. Pictured, the Peterbilt 379 truck used for Optimus Prime.

Jeff Moser/Flickr

Starring John Wayne and Lauren Bacall, this classic western was largely filmed in Carson City.

This Taylor Hackford-directed film about a married couple who opens the first legal brothel, starring Joe Pesci and Helen Mirren (pictured), was partially shot in Reno.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.