5 Times Arizona Made it to the Big Screen
Arizona has some pretty cool architecture and backdrops that movie directors have absolutely loved over the years. The great weather and amazing scenery have often been an ideal backdrop for some great stories — many of which were showcased in some of the biggest movies over the years.
Here’s 5 movies that made it to the big screen and showcased some of the best Arizona locations.
1. Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)
Yup, we’re taking it back to the 80s. But this cult classic features some of the most picturesque desert that Arizona has, helping to set the tone for the movie. Even though much of the film was shot in various locations around California, the iconic scene where Bill and Ted, played by Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter, meet their historical figures takes place in none other than the Arizona desert. Even cooler? The desert is crucial for helping to establish the film’s tone, and adds a pretty striking contrast to the “modern” (AKA 80s) backdrop before they time travel.
2. Jerry Maguire (1996)
“Jerry Maguire,” starring Tom Cruise, might be one of the most quotable movies of all time (remember the classics “show me the money” and “you had me at hello”?). The film features several scenes that were shot at Arizona State University’s Sun Devil Stadium, which plays a key role in the sports side of the movie plot. The stadium's distinctive architecture and the upbeat atmosphere of the football game that was shot there made for some great cinema — and matched pretty perfectly with the film’s central themes of passion, dedication and growth.
3. Wayne’s World (1992)
Oh, Wayne’s World. As one of Mike Meyer’s first films (in fact, this was his big screen debut), the movie is one of the most memorable in all of the 90s archives. Plus, with Dana Carvey as the co-star, the movie had perfectly timed humor, and great chemistry between the two stars, and set the stage for a movie that would stand the test of time (and build a cult following).
One of the most notable scenes featuring Arizona involves Wayne and Garth’s road trip to a rock concert, prominently featuring some AZ backdrops. After all, what better way to portray a road trip than to show a car ride through the desolate Arizona desert.
4. Young Guns II (1990)
“Young Guns II,” starring Emilio Estevez, Kiefer Sutherland, and Lou Diamond Phillips, is a classic Western that continues the story of Billy the Kid. The film uses a ton of Arizona’s desert landscape to help capture the rugged scenery of the Wild West.
For the film, many locations around Tucson (like the Old Tucson Studios) helped to set the scene for the historically inspired drama. And definitely made for some pretty compelling shots on film.
5. Psycho (1960)
Arguably the most famous movie on the list, “Psycho,” starring Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh, features an opening scene that showcases a vintage 1960s downtown Phoenix. Some notable buildings? The Hotel San Carlos, the Luhrs building, and the Security Building. These opening shots add some real authenticity and grounding to the movie’s story location. Plus, they add a pretty cool contrast to the isolated, super foreboding Bates Motel.
Arizona has played a pretty cool role in shaping the history of cinema. Although we mentioned 5 instances where the state was featured, there are many, many more times that the Valley of the Sun co-starred with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. And with new movies being created all the time, who knows when Arizona will make its next big screen appearance. We can’t wait to see!
