Introduction
Arizona has been the backdrop for many iconic movies for decades. With its diverse landscapes, from sprawling deserts to rugged mountains, it’s no wonder Hollywood has found a home in the Grand Canyon State. In this article, we’ll explore the five best films shot in Arizona that capture the beauty and spectacle of the state’s most scenic spots. Whether you’re a fan of Westerns, adventure movies, or modern-day classics, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
From the Wild West to Modern Times: Five Films Shot in Arizona
Arizona has always been an ideal location for Western movies, with its vast deserts and rugged terrain making it appear as the perfect Wild West frontier. However, this state’s geography and climate enable filmmakers in modern-day to shoot films of different genres. Here, we have highlighted five movies that were shot entirely or partly in Arizona:
The Princess Diaries (2001)
This light-hearted teenage drama follows teenager Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway), who is informed she is the Princess of Genovia. A significant scene of the film sees Mia and her grandmother (Julie Andrews) visit the Grand Canyon.
The Lone Ranger (2013)
The Lone Ranger movie is set in Texas but was entirely shot in Arizona. The movie takes viewers back to the Wild West, where a Native American hunter (Johnny Depp) and a man of the law (Armie Hammer) embark on a mission of vengeance. The Canyonlands National Park, near the Arizona-Utah border, served as the location for cave-dwelling scenes.
Raising Arizona (1987)
In this acclaimed comedy film, H.I. McDunnough (Nicholas Cage) and pregnant police officer Edwina “Ed” (Holly Hunter) steal a baby from a wealthy family after discovering that they can’t have kids. Although not officially set in Arizona, the film was shot entirely in the state, including the regions of Phoenix and Casa Grande.
The Shining (1980)
Stanley Kubrick’s cult classic movie, The Shining, used the Timberline Lodge in Oregon’s mountains as its main setting. Still, the aerial footage of the lodge was filmed at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park and the majestic opening shot of the movie was filmed at the Glacier National Park in Montana.
A Star is Born (2018)
In this beloved romantic drama, well-established musician Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) falls in love with struggling singer-songwriter Ally (Lady Gaga). The stunning landscape of the Arizona desert and country roads served as the backdrop for the film’s opening scenes.
Uncovering the Beauty of Arizona through Film: A List of Five Must-Watch Movies
Movies have always portrayed the beauty of places, and Arizona is no exception. Arizona’s numerous natural wonders and beautiful landscapes make it an ideal place to be captured on the silver screen. Here are five movies that showcase the state’s natural beauty:
127 Hours (2010)
127 Hours is the true story of mountaineer Aron Ralston, played by James Franco, who’s trapped under a boulder in Utah’s Canyonlands National Park, near the Arizona border. The landscape and the canyons make 127 Hours an ideal movie for those who love exploring the wilderness.
Easy Rider (1969)
Easy Rider tells the story of Billy (Dennis Hopper) and Wyatt (Peter Fonda), who travel from California to New Orleans on their motorcycles. Although the movie is not exclusively set in Arizona, the landscape and the many activities mentioned in the movie suggest Northern Arizona as one of the main locations.
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Little Miss Sunshine tells the story of a family traveling from New Mexico to California for their daughter to compete in a beauty pageant. However, things don’t go as planned, and the family faces many obstacles along the way. A significant scene takes place at the Grand Canyon National Park, showcasing Arizona’s beauty both on and off the screen.
Tombstone (1993)
The movie Tombstone focuses on the Earp brothers, who move to Tombstone as sheriffs to clean up the town. Val Kilmer’s portrayal of Doc Holiday is fantastic and one of the movie’s highlights. The movie captures the essence of Arizona’s beauty with its desert and sweeping mountains.
Psycho (1960)
Hitchcock’s classic thriller, Psycho, was not set in Arizona. Still, the infamous shower scene is now deeply ingrained in cinematic history. The movie’s opening sequence reveals an aerial shot of the city’s sunny skyline and then follows the Phoenix skyline at sunset before zooming in on a hotel room for the film’s opening scene.
Arizona’s Iconic Landscapes on the Big Screen: The Top Five Filmed Movies
Some filmmakers have used Arizona’s striking landscapes to stunning effects, incorporating the state’s iconic locations prominently into their films.
Planet of the Apes (1968)
The iconic ending of Planet of the Apes shows Charlton Heston’s character stranded on a beach, with the Statue of Liberty buried in the sand. This sequence was filmed on the Colorado River Delta in México, with the massive impact coming from unique and strange-looking shapes and vegetation.
Easy Rider (1969)
Easy Rider features beautiful scenic shots (filmed in Northern Arizona) and exciting landmarks like the Monument Valley.
Thelma & Louise (1991)
Thelma & Louise is a cult classic movie set in the American Southwest. The film follows Thelma (Geena Davis) and Louise (Susan Sarandon), who end up on the lamb after shooting Thelma’s rapist. The duo’s journey takes them through Utah, Colorado, and Arizona, and many of the movie’s remarkable scenes were filmed at the Grand Canyon, near the Arizona-Utah border.
Raising Arizona (1987)
Raising Arizona makes another appearance on our list, marking out Arizona’s charming sunsets, deserts, mountains, and cacti.
The Grand Canyon (1958)
The Grand Canyon is undoubtedly one of Arizona’s most iconic landmarks, and the 1958 movie with the same name succeeds in portraying the Canyon as a majestic natural wonder and a location of spiritual significance. The movie was filmed in Technicolor, and aerial footage was filmed from planes, providing an incredible visual viewing experience.
The Arizona Connection: A Look at Five Movies Shot in the Grand Canyon State
The Grand Canyon is one of the most breathtaking natural wonders globally, and it has been used as a backdrop in numerous movies. Here are five movies that were entirely or mainly shot in the Grand Canyon state:
The Big Lebowski (1998)
The Big Lebowski is a comedy movie that follows Jeffrey, “The Dude” Lebowski, as he accidentally gets caught up in a crazy kidnapping plot. The movie was filmed largely in Los Angeles, but one of its most iconic scenes, the dream sequence, involved a tumbleweed rolling down in a desert landscape, which was filmed at Carbon, just outside of Flagstaff.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
The main character in The Wolf of Wall Street lives in Arizona Estates, which is a gated community in Paradise Valley. Although there are no scenes of the Grand Canyon in the movie, it does refer to the Grand Canyon State and helps put a bit of Arizona on the map.
Romancing the Stone (1984)
Romancing the Stone is a romantic comedy in which a romance novelist finds herself on a real-life adventure to save her sister from trouble in Columbia. The movie has iconic scenes filmed at the western Phoenix suburbs, the San Rafael Valley, and the Santa Catalina Mountains.
Starman (1984)
Starman tells the story of an alien who comes to Earth to observe humans and enters the home of a grieving woman. Multiple scenes were filmed in Winslow’s downtown area, near Flagstaff as well, even in a little remote ‘outback’ hotel in the middle of nowhere in Southern Arizona.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade needs no introduction. This movie features one of the state’s most famous landmarks – the Hat Rock, known as ‘the Church,’ and the Canyon of the Crescent Moon, which was shot using a set built at the renowned Red Rock Crossing, near Sedona.
Arizona’s Movie Magic: The Top Five Films Filmed in this Scenic State
Arizona is famous not only for its landscapes but also for the movies that were entirely or mostly shot there. We’ve chosen five movies that have left a considerable footprint, not only in the hearts of Arizona’s residents but also on the visitors who indulge in the beautiful scenery.
Tombstone (1993)
The movie Tombstone tips our list again for incredible action scenes and epic filmmaking. Wyatt Earp and his brothers visit Tombstone, Arizona, intending to try their luck in new businesses. With all the local ups and downs, what once brought profit and success became a source of intrigue and vengeance. The searing desert is showcased to perfection and will likely dazzle those who enjoy the spectacle of the Wild West on the silver screen.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Although Saving Private Ryan is set in France, the iconic opening scene was filmed at Ballantree Park, near Sonoita. The landscape sets the tone for the gripping war film.
Lone Star (1996)
Lone Star tells the story of a small Texas town and the lives of its inhabitants. Although it’s set in Texas, the movie was entirely filmed in Southern Arizona, most notably the town of Douglas, which doubled for a fictional Texas town.
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Little Miss Sunshine gets noted twice in this film list; it is easy to see why it’s considered a classic! The family members all make the long journey from New Mexico to southern California. Arizona is prominent in some scenes, mainly the Hoover family stops in Flagstaff for dinner and to visit the Grand Canyon, the final destination.
Junior Bonner (1972)
Junior Bonner is a Western drama movie. It has its roots in the XXI century, when a rodeo competitor, Junior Bonner, returns to his Arizona hometown where everything has indeed changed for him. The movie was filmed entirely in Prescott, Arizona, and accurately captures the cityscapes and lifestyles of the 70s.