Feature Films & Television

group of people in movie theater

Feature Films & Television

Arizona has a rich and diverse film history from Sci-Fi and Action Adventures to Comedies and Westerns. For filmmakers, Arizona truly is America's Backlot!

Check out some of your favorite movies below that have been filmed in part or in whole in Arizona.

 (Don't worry, we have many more to upload.)

Do you recognize any of the film locations? Were you involved in any of these productions? We are always looking to confirm film location information with those directly involved in the production, so we encourage you to share details with us about movie locations, production photos or just tidbits of awesome movie nostalgia! Just send us an email at [email protected]!

(Sources: IMDB, IMDBPro, Media Reports)  


TV SeriesDark Winds (2022)

June 12, 2022 (Seasons 1, 2) | Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller | IMDb   

AMC Studios, Fevre River Packet Co., Wildwood Enterprises | Chris Eyre   

On-Location (Various: 2021-ongoing): Navajo Nation (Monument Valley Tribal Park, Kayenta, Tesgi Canyon, Mexican Hat), Petrified Forest National Park (Blue Mesa Badlands), Tuba City (Coal Mine Canyon), Teec Nost Pos, Mexican Water

Distribution: AMC+, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Roku, YouTube 


Paramount Pictures Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)

  

(2017) Action-Adventure, Sci-Fi | Michael Bay | IMDb 
Paramount Pictures

AZ Locations: Luke Airforce Base, Peoria, Glendale 


Uncork'd Entertainment The Covenant (2017)

(2017) Horror | Robert Conway | IMDb 
FunHouse Features 
AZ Locations: Globe/Miami


Fathom EventsIs Genesis History? (2017)

(2017) Documentary | Thomas Purifoy | IMDb 
Compass Cinema
AZ Locations: Grand Canyon National Park, Flagstaff (Meteor Crater), Sedona, Chino Valley (Night Sky, Van Andel Creation Research Center)


Wild Bunch DistributionHell or High Water (2016)

(2016) Crime, Drama, Thriller | David Mackenzie | IMDb
CBS Films
AZ Locations: Safford and Thatcher


Home Box Office (HBO)Westworld (2016)

(2016) TV Series | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi | IMDb
Bad Robot
AZ Locations: Kayenta, Agathla Peak, Monument Valley (Riding scenes) 


Columbia PicturesThe Magnificent Seven (2016)

 

(2016) Action, Adventure, Western | Antoine Fuqua IMDb
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Village Road Show
AZ Locations: San Francisco Peaks, Coconino National Forest  


Broad Green PicturesBad Santa 2 (2016)

(2016) Comedy | Mark Waters | IMDb
Broad Green Pictures
AZ Locations: Phoenix


Warner Bros. How to Be Single (2016)

(2016) Comedy, Drama, Romance | Christian Ditter | IMDb 
New Line Cinema
AZ Locations: Grand Canyon National Park 


Paramount Maximum Ride (2016)

(2016) Action, Adventure, Comedy | Jay Martin | IMDb 
G2
AZ Locations: Phoenix


Twentieth Century FoxThe Revenant (2015)

(2015) Action, Adventure, Drama | Alejandro González Iñárritu | IMDb 
New Regency Productions
AZ Locations: White Mountains, San Francisco Peaks 


Warner Bros.Vacation (2015)

(2015) Adventure, Comedy |  John Francis Daley, Jonathan M. Goldstein | IMDb
BenderSpink
AZ Locations: Historic Navajo Bridge - Highway 89A, Marble Canyon 


Universal PicturesFurious 7 (2015)

(2015) Action, Crime, Thriller | James Wan |IMDb 
Universal Pictures
AZ Locations: Cars dropped from a Lockheed C-130 Hercules high above the Arizona desert over Eloy. 


The OrchardCartel Land (2015)

(2015) Documentary |Matthew Heineman | IMDb 
A&E Indie Films
AZ Locations: Phoenix, Altar Valley, Nogales, Tucson, Sasabe (vigilante patrols) 


Paramount PicturesTransformers: Age of Extinction (2014)

(2014)  Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi | Michael Bay | IMDb
Paramount Pictures
AZ Locations: Kayenta  


Universal Pictures A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014)

(2014) Romance, Comedy | Seth MacFarlane |IMDb 
Bluegrass Films
AZ Locations: Mexican Water, Monument Valley 


Roadside AttractionsThe Homesman (2014)

(2014) Western, Drama | Tommy Lee Jones | IMDb 
EuropaCorp
AZ Locations: Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, Arivaca


Walt Disney PicturesThe Lone Ranger (2013)

(2013) Action, Adventure, Western | Gore Verbinski | IMDb
Walt Disney Studios, Jerry Bruckheimer Films
AZ Locations: Monument Valley, Canyon De Chelly, Kayenta


Warner Bros.Hangover Part III (2013)

(2013) Comedy, Crime|  Todd Phillips IMDb
Warner Bros. Pictures
AZ Locations (2012): Nogales


Dimension FilmsPiranha 3D (2010)

(2010) Comedy, Horror | Alexandre Aja | IMDb
Dimension Films | Alexandre Aja
AZ Locations (May - July 2009): Lake Havasu City


Universal PicturesThe Kingdom (2007)

(2007)  Action, Drama, Thriller | Peter Berg | IMDb 
Universal Pictures
AZ Locations: Phoenix, Gilbert, Mesa (ASU Polytechnic Campus)


Lionsgate3:10 to Yuma (2007)

(2007) Action, Drama, Crime | James Mangold | IMDb
Lionsgate Films 
AZ Locations: Clifton, Safford, Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area


Warner Bros.Eight Legged Freaks (2002)

(2002) Action, Adventure, Comedy | Ellory Elkayem IMDb
Warner Bros. | Village Roadhouse Pictures
AZ Locations (Jan 2001): Tonopah, Superior (Magma Hotel), Sonoran Desert, Glendale, Page 


USA Films Traffic (2000)

(2000) Crime, Drama, Thriller | Stephen Soderbergh IMDb
Compulsion Inc.
AZ Locations: Nogales


Universal PicturesThe Mummy (1999)

(May 7, 1999) | Action, Adventure, Fantasy | IMDb  

Universal Pictures, Alphaville Films | Stephen Sommers 

AZ Locations (1998): Glen Canyon 

Distribution: Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Hulu, Peacock, YouTube, Google Play 


Feature (Studio) Tri Star / Phoenix Picture U Turn (1997)

Tri-Star, Phoenix Pictures | Oliver Stone  

On-Location (Nov 4, 1996 – Jan 16, 1997): Superior, Florence, Phoenix, Globe 

Distribution: Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Tubi TV, YouTube, Google Play 


Feature (Independent)The Prophecy (1995)

(Sept 1, 1995) | Action, Crime, Drama | IMDb  

First Look International | Gregory Widen 

AZ Locations (Sept. - Nov. 1993): Superior (Apache Leap Mountain, Superior High School, Picketpost Mountain, Magma Hotel), Miami, Globe, Sonoran Desert,  Phoenix

Distribution: Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Roku, Google Play, Pluto TV, YouTube 


Paramount PicturesForrest Gump (1994)

(1994) Drama, Romance | Robert Zemeckis | IMDb
Paramount Pictures
AZ Locations: Monument Valley, Flagstaff, Twin Arrows.


Blind Justice poster

Home Box Office (HBO)Blind Justice (1994)

(1994) TV Movie, Action, Western | Richard Spence | IMDb
Home Box Office (HBO)
AZ Locations: Gold Canyon, Superstition Mountains, Superstition Wilderness, Sonoran Desert, Tonto National Forest, Apache Trail, Tortilla Flat, Apache Junction, Apacheland Studios, Gold Canyon, Superior 


Warner Bros.Arizona Dream

(1993) Comedy, Drama, Fantasy | Emir Kusturica IMDb
Canal+
AZ Locations: San Rafael Ranch State Park, Patagonia, Douglas


TriStar PicturesUniversal Soldier

(1992) Action, Sci-Fi | Roland Emmerich | IMDb 
Studio Canal
AZ Locations: Hualapai Indian Reservation, Bagdad, Verde Valley, Hoover Dam (Arizona-Nevada Border), Ashfork, Chloride, Clarkdale, Cottonwood, Kingman, Sedona, Prescott (Veterans Administration Medical Center)


Dark Wind Poster

Feature (Independent)Dark Wind (1991)

Watch Trailer

(1991) Drama, Mystery  | Errol Morris | IMDb
Carolco Pictures 
On-Location (1990): Navajo Nation, Hopi Reservation, Navajo Nation Reservation, Tuba City
Available on Apple TV, Prime 


Orion PicturesBill & Ted's Excellent Adventures (1989)

Watch Trailer

(1989) Adventure, Comedy | Stephen Herek | IMDb
Orion Pictures
AZ Locations (Spring 1987): Phoenix & Scottsdale (San Dimas, CA); Carefree - Southwestern Studios), Scottsdale (7337 E 2nd St, (Police Station), Coronado High School - 2501 N. 74th Street); Mesa (Golfland-Sunsplash Waterpark - 155 W. Hampton Avenue); Tempe (AMF Tempe Village Lanes - 4407 S. Rural Road (bowling alley scenes), 1010 West Southern Avenue (Circle K);  Phoenix (Showbiz Pizza Place - 8039 N. 35th Avenue (The Ice Cream Parlor), Metrocenter Mall - 9801 N. Metro Pkwy W. (Joan of Arc scenes), N. 18th Street & W. Bethany Home Road (Bill's house),  Flagstaff (environs), Coconino National Forest.


Universal PicturesMidnight Run (1988)

Watch Trailer

(Jul 20, 1988) | Action, Comedy, Crime | IMDb

Universal Pictures, City Light Films| Martin Brest  

On-Location (Oct 26, 1987 – Feb 20, 1988): Miami-Globe, Upper Salt River Canyon, Flagstaff, Sedona, Cameron (plane chase scene), Casa Grande, Williams, Cornville, Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Superior, Ashfork, Winslow. 

Amazon Prime, Hulu, Apple TV, YouTube TV 


20th Century FoxRaising Arizona (1987)

Watch Trailer

(March 6, 1987) |  Comedy, Crime | Joel Coen | IMDb
Twentieth Century Fox  | Circle Films
AZ Locations (1986): Superior, Dudleyville, Carefree (Southwestern Studios), Florence, Apache Junction (Lost Dutchman State Park - 6109 N. Apache Trail (H.I. and Glen's chat in the desert, ending up in beating); Scottsdale (27500 N Alma School Pkwy (Farmers and Mechanics Bank of La Grange, now demolished), N 136th Street & E Del Timbre Drive (H.I. and Ed's trailer), Jokake Inn - North Phoenician Boulevard (Arizona family's house); Mesa (827 E. Main Street (Double Coupons Supermarket), Phoenix (Circle K - 2311 W. Deer Valley Road (Short Stop Convenience Store); 24th Street Water Treatment Plant - North 24th Street (escapees' hole in the ground), Camelback Mountain),  Tempe ( Police Station 120 E. 5th Street, Sun Devil Stadium - 500 East Veterans Way (grown-up Nathan Jr. playing football); Sonoran Desert 


New World PicturesCreepshow 2 (1987)

Trailer  

May 1, 1987 | Feature (Independent), Fantasy, Horror | IMDb  

New World Pictures | Michael Gornick 

On-Location (Sept 1986): Holbrook, 12890 E Main St (Humboldt, AZ), 11891 Iron Kind Rd (Dewey, AZ),


Columbia PicturesUsed Cars (1980)

Jul 11, 1980 | Comedy | IMDb 

Columbia Pictures, A-Team, Amblin Entertainment | Robert Zemeckis 

On-Location (Nov 12 1979 – Jan 1980): Mesa (Berge Ford – 310 E Main Street, Darner Chrysler-Plymouth – 837 W Main Street), Phoenix (Maricopa County Old Courthouse – 125 W Washington, Old City Hall, Camelback Mountain, Indian School Road at 28th St), Tempe (Sun Devil Stadium – 500 E Veterans Way), Superior, Coolidge, Apache Junction, Sonora Desert 


Buena Vista PicturesCan't Buy Me Love (1987)

(1987) Comedy, Drama, Romance| Steve Rash |IMDb 
Touchstone Pictures 
Locations: Tucson (Private Homes, The Loft Cinema, Arcade, Winterhaven Neighborhood, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Hill Farm, Pima Air Museum, Scoops, Tucson High School, Tucson Mall) 


Feature (Independent)Near Dark (1987)

(Jan 8, 1987) | Horror | IMDb  

F/M, Near Dark Joint Venture | Kathryn Bigelow 

AZ Locations (Nov 1986): Coolidge, Casa Grande, Eloy, Sonoran Desert, Florence 

Tubi, Roku 


Warner Bros. EntertainmentA Star is Born (1976)

(1976) Drama, Music, Romance | IMDb

On-Location: Tucson (Music Hall, Tucson Community Center, Pima County Courthouse, Old Tucson Studios, Tucson Convention Center, Downtown), Sonoita (Empire Ranch), Tempe (Sun Devil Stadium (concert scenes), Grady Gammage Auditorium, Arizona State University (fundraiser concert and ending concert), Patagonia (San Rafael Ranch House - San Rafael State Natural Area).


National General Pictures (Warner Bros.)Charro! (1969)

March 13, 1969 | Western | IMDb  

National General Pictures | Charles Marquis Warren

On-Location (Jul 22 - Aug 30, 1968): Apacheland Movie Ranch (Gold Canyon - (CLOSED) / Elvis Memorial Chapel was relocated from Apacheland Movie Ranch to Superstition Mountain - Lost Dutchman Museum, AZ), Apache Junction, Apache Trail, Winkelman, Old Tucson Studios (Tucson), Sonoran Desert, Verde River.

Distribution / Theatrical Releases: National General Pictures (Theatrical, USA), Anglo-Amalgamated Film Distributors (Theatrical, UK), British Empire Films Australia (Theatrical, Australia), Centfox (Theatrical, Germany), Fox Films (Theatrical Finland)


Feature (Studio)Psycho (1960)

(50th Anniversary Trailer) 

Sept 8, 1960| Horror, Mystery, Thriller | IMDb  

Alfred J. Hitchcock Productions, Shamley Productions | Alfred Hitchcock  

On-Location (Nov 11, 1959 – Jan 1960): Phoenix (Jefferson Hotel – 109 S. Central, Title and Trust Building – 114 W Adams St, Valley Bank and Trust Company Building – 15 E Monroe St, Hotel San Carlos – 202 N. Central Ave, Heard Security Building – 234 N Central Ave), Gila Bend (Freeway). 

 


Warner Bros.Rio Bravo (1959)

(1959) Action, Drama, Western | Howard Hanks | IMDb
Armada Productions
AZ Locations - Tucson, Sonoran Desert, Sierrita & Tucson Mountains, Ironwood Forest National Monument, Picacho Peak State Park, Old Tucson Studios


Columbia Pictures3:10 to Yuma (1957)

(1957) Drama, Western, Thriller | Delmer Daves IMDb
Columbia Pictures
AZ Locations: Yuma (Territorial Prison scene deleted), Wilcox, Dragoon (Triangle T Ranch, Little Dragoon Mountains, Amerind Foundation), Sonoita (Empire Ranch "Contention City"), Tucson (Old Tucson Studios (Contention City backdrop), Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, Sonoran Desert, Tucson Mountains), Elgin (Railroad scenes), Sedona, (Bisbee exterior set, about Mogollon Dr), Texas Canyon, (stagecoach ambush and Evans' ranch) Willcox (Wilcox Playa)


Feature (Independent)Kingdom of the Spiders (1977)

Trailer 

Nov 1977 |  Horror, Sci-Fi | IMDb  

Arachnid Productions | John ‘Bud’ Cardos 

On-Location (May 14 – Apr 1977): Sedona, Camp Verde, Oak Creek Canyon, Cathedral Rock, Red Rock Crossing (Sedona) 

Distribution: Amazon Prime Tubi, Pluto TV