Arizona Movie Locations

There have been a thousands of movies filmed in Arizona since they’ve been making movies. How many of the movies have you seen? How many of these locations have you been to?

More than 5,000 films and TV shows have been filmed in Arizona since 1913 with the production of Arizona. Here’s a list of my favorites!

National Lampoon’s Vacation 1983

Follow the dysfunctional Griswold family as they make their way on a road trip across America. No road trip would be complete without a trip to the Grand Canyon, which is, of course, in the great state of Arizona. Probably the most well-known park in the state, the popular destination never ceases to amaze. Filmed in Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon

Tombstone 1993

The film is loosely based on real events that took place in the 1880s in Southeast Arizona, including the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and the Earp Vendetta Ride. It depicts several Western outlaws and lawmen, such as Wyatt Earp, William Brocius, Johnny Ringo, and Doc Holliday.

Little Miss Sunshine 2006

A family determined to get their young daughter into the finals of a beauty pageant take a cross-country trip in their VW bus. Filming took place over 30 days in Arizona and southern California, with scenes shot in keeping with the chronological order of the script

Return of the Jedi 1983

Luke Skywalker battles horrible Jabba the Hut and cruel Darth Vader to save his comrades in the Rebel Alliance and triumph over the Galactic Empire. Han Solo and Princess Leia reaffirm their love and team with Chewbacca, Lando Calrissian, the Ewoks and the androids C-3PO and R2-D2 to aid in the disruption of the Dark Side and the defeat of the evil emperor. Tatooine is filmed just outside of Yuma, Arizona

Raising Arizona 1987

When a childless couple–an ex-con and an ex-cop–decide to help themselves to one of another family’s quintuplets, their lives become more complicated than they anticipated. This movie was shot in and around the Phoenix area.

Pyscho 1960

After secretary Marion Crane impulsively steals $40,000 from her job in Phoenix, she checks into the eerie Bates Motel, which is run by shy, awkward Norman Bates and his domineering elderly mother.

8 Legged Freaks 2002

The residents of a rural mining town discover that an unfortunate chemical spill has caused hundreds of little spiders to mutate overnight to the size of SUVs. It’s up to mining engineer Chris McCormack and Sheriff Sam Parker to mobilize an eclectic group of townspeople into battle against the bloodthirsty eight-legged beasts. The town was filmed in Superior, Arizona and the sand chase was filmed around the Safford area. Page, Tonopah and the Sonoran Desert locations were also used.

Stargate 1994

Professor Daniel Jackson teams up with retired Army Col. Jack O’Neil to unlock the code of an interstellar gateway to an ancient Egypt-like world. They arrive on a planet ruled by the despotic Ra, who holds the key to the Earth travelers’ safe return. Now, in order to escape from their intergalactic purgatory, Jackson and O’Neil must convince the planet’s people that Ra must be overthrown. The alien planet is filmed in the dunes outside of Yuma, Arizona… not far from where Tatooine was located.