Can a star-studded cast save a familiar story from feeling like a retread?

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: When four lifelong friends reunite for a bachelor party in Las Vegas, the result is a comedy that relies heavily on the charisma of its legendary leads. While critics compared it to a mellower version of The Hangover, the film became a surprising commercial success for its studio.

Released in 2013 and directed by Jon Turteltaub, Last Vegas features a powerhouse ensemble cast including Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, and Kevin Kline. The plot follows four childhood friends from Brooklyn who reunite to celebrate the bachelor party of the group's last remaining single member, Billy. The narrative explores themes of aging, long-held grudges, and the complexities of lifelong friendship, centered around a shared history involving a woman named Sophie and a bottle of scotch stolen in their youth.

The film's production, which began in November 2012, saw the cast filming in both Las Vegas and the Atlanta, Georgia, area. Despite the star power, critical reception was lukewarm. Reviewers like Scott Foundas of Variety noted the novelty of seeing these specific actors share the screen for the first time, yet many critics labeled the film a derivative clone of other bachelor party comedies. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 45% approval rating, while Metacritic reports a mixed score of 48 out of 100. However, audiences were more receptive, awarding the film an A- grade via CinemaScore.

Commercially, the project proved to be a significant win for CBS Films. It earned $16.3 million during its opening weekend in the United States and ultimately grossed $134.4 million worldwide by the time it closed in February 2014. This performance established it as the highest-grossing film in the studio's history. While some critics, such as Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, were harsh, the film remains a notable example of how high-profile casting can drive box office performance even when critical consensus remains divided.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• Why the fourth Vacation film became a notorious low point for the comedy franchise
• How a 1992 romantic comedy inspired a brassy Broadway musical decades later
• Can a bromantic comedy survive a pact to stay single in New York City?
• The 2015 Entourage film was a box office disappointment that critics largely panned
• How a 1974 play became a $50 million modern romantic comedy
• A 2003 film challenged the boundaries between religious dogma and same-sex love.
• How a 1964 German-Italian Western became a global box office sensation
• The filmmaker who became a target of the state she documented
• Is romanticizing the past a dangerous trap for the modern dreamer?
• Can a vigilante thriller succeed despite being labeled absurd by critics?
• Can a single night of temptation define the morality of a long-term marriage?
• How Pedro Almodóvar turned uncontrollable passion into his most personal cinematic masterpiece

More in Films · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics