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)
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
AZ Locations: Luke Airforce Base, Peoria, Glendale
(2017) Horror | Robert Conway | IMDb
FunHouse Features
AZ Locations: Globe/Miami
(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)
(2016) Crime, Drama, Thriller | David Mackenzie | IMDb
CBS Films
AZ Locations: Safford and Thatcher
(2016) TV Series | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi | IMDb
Bad Robot
AZ Locations: Kayenta, Agathla Peak, Monument Valley (Riding scenes)
(2016) Action, Adventure, Western | Antoine Fuqua IMDb
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Village Road Show
AZ Locations: San Francisco Peaks, Coconino National Forest
(2016) Comedy | Mark Waters | IMDb
Broad Green Pictures
AZ Locations: Phoenix
(2016) Comedy, Drama, Romance | Christian Ditter | IMDb
New Line Cinema
AZ Locations: Grand Canyon National Park
(2016) Action, Adventure, Comedy | Jay Martin | IMDb
G2
AZ Locations: Phoenix
(2015) Action, Adventure, Drama | Alejandro González Iñárritu | IMDb
New Regency Productions
AZ Locations: White Mountains, San Francisco Peaks
(2015) Adventure, Comedy | John Francis Daley, Jonathan M. Goldstein | IMDb
BenderSpink
AZ Locations: Historic Navajo Bridge - Highway 89A, Marble Canyon
(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.
(2015) Documentary |Matthew Heineman | IMDb
A&E Indie Films
AZ Locations: Phoenix, Altar Valley, Nogales, Tucson, Sasabe (vigilante patrols)
(2014) Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi | Michael Bay | IMDb
Paramount Pictures
AZ Locations: Kayenta
(2014) Romance, Comedy | Seth MacFarlane |IMDb
Bluegrass Films
AZ Locations: Mexican Water, Monument Valley
(2014) Western, Drama | Tommy Lee Jones | IMDb
EuropaCorp
AZ Locations: Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, Arivaca
(2013) Action, Adventure, Western | Gore Verbinski | IMDb
Walt Disney Studios, Jerry Bruckheimer Films
AZ Locations: Monument Valley, Canyon De Chelly, Kayenta
(2013) Comedy, Crime| Todd Phillips IMDb
Warner Bros. Pictures
AZ Locations (2012): Nogales
(2010) Comedy, Horror | Alexandre Aja | IMDb
Dimension Films | Alexandre Aja
AZ Locations (May - July 2009): Lake Havasu City
(2007) Action, Drama, Thriller | Peter Berg | IMDb
Universal Pictures
AZ Locations: Phoenix, Gilbert, Mesa (ASU Polytechnic Campus)
(2007) Action, Drama, Crime | James Mangold | IMDb
Lionsgate Films
AZ Locations: Clifton, Safford, Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area
(2002) Action, Adventure, Comedy | Ellory Elkayem IMDb
Warner Bros. | Village Roadhouse Pictures
AZ Locations (Jan 2001): Tonopah, Superior (Magma Hotel), Sonoran Desert, Glendale, Page
(2000) Crime, Drama, Thriller | Stephen Soderbergh IMDb
Compulsion Inc.
AZ Locations: Nogales
(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
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
(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
(1994) Drama, Romance | Robert Zemeckis | IMDb
Paramount Pictures
AZ Locations: Monument Valley, Flagstaff, Twin Arrows.
(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
(1993) Comedy, Drama, Fantasy | Emir Kusturica IMDb
Canal+
AZ Locations: San Rafael Ranch State Park, Patagonia, Douglas
(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)
(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
(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.
(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.
(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
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
(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)
(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).
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)
(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).
(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
(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)
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