Famous Movies Made in New Mexico
By ERMW Team
August 1, 2024
New Mexico, with its diverse landscapes – from arid deserts to snow-capped mountains – and generous film incentives, has become a sought-after filming location for Hollywood blockbusters and independent films alike. Here's a glimpse into the diverse range of movies that have found their backdrop in the Land of Enchantment, listed in order of release:
The Magnificent Seven (1960): A classic Western reimagining Akira Kurosawa's "Seven Samurai," shot in various New Mexico locations. The film follows seven gunfighters who are hired to protect a small Mexican village from bandits.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966): This iconic Spaghetti Western, directed by Sergio Leone, was set in New Mexico but filmed in Europe. The film follows three gunslingers who compete to find a fortune in buried Confederate gold.
Red Dawn (1984): This action film, depicting teenagers fighting against a Soviet invasion, used various New Mexico locations for its setting. The film follows a group of high school students who form a guerrilla resistance group after their town is invaded by Soviet and Cuban forces.
Silverado (1985): This Western, directed by Lawrence Kasdan, showcases New Mexico's Bonanza Creek Ranch and Santa Fe National Forest. The film follows a group of misfits who team up to take on a corrupt sheriff.
Young Guns (1988): The story of Billy the Kid unfolds in various New Mexico locations, including Lincoln and White Oaks. The film follows Billy the Kid and his gang as they become outlaws and are hunted by the law.
Independence Day (1996): This sci-fi blockbuster, depicting an alien invasion, features some of its most iconic scenes filmed in New Mexico, including the destruction of the White House. The film follows a group of people who band together to fight off the invading aliens.
Transformers (2007): Based on the popular Hasbro toy line, this sci-fi action film utilized New Mexico's landscapes for some of its key scenes. The film follows the battle between the Autobots and the Decepticons, two warring factions of alien robots who bring their battle to Earth.
3:10 to Yuma (2007): Starring Russell Crowe and Christian Bale, this Western remake beautifully captures the rugged beauty of New Mexico's canyons and deserts. The film follows a rancher who agrees to transport a notorious outlaw to a train station in Yuma, Arizona.
No Country for Old Men (2007): This neo-Western thriller, a Coen brothers masterpiece, won four Academy Awards and showcases the stark beauty of the New Mexico desert. The film follows a hunter who stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong and becomes entangled in a deadly cat-and-mouse chase with a ruthless killer.
Wild Hogs (2007): This comedy about middle-aged friends on a motorcycle road trip features some key scenes filmed in New Mexico, including Madrid and Santa Fe. The film follows a group of suburban bikers who embark on a cross-country road trip, encountering various misadventures along the way.
Terminator Salvation (2009): The post-apocalyptic world of this sci-fi action film is brought to life in the stark landscapes of New Mexico, particularly in the Albuquerque area. The film follows John Connor, the leader of the human resistance, as he battles against the machines in a war-torn future.
Crazy Heart (2009): Starring Jeff Bridges in an Oscar-winning performance as a down-and-out country singer, this drama was filmed in various New Mexico locations, including Santa Fe and Española. The film follows Bad Blake, a talented but troubled musician, as he struggles with alcoholism and tries to rebuild his career and personal life.
The Book of Eli (2010): This post-apocalyptic action film, starring Denzel Washington, features Albuquerque and White Sands National Park as key backdrops. The film follows Eli, a lone wanderer in a desolate wasteland, who protects a sacred book that holds the key to humanity's survival.
True Grit (2010): Another Coen brothers' Western, this remake boasts stunning visuals of New Mexico's rugged terrain, including the Rio Grande Gorge and Abiquiu. The film follows a young girl who hires a tough U.S. Marshal to track down her father's killer.
Thor (2011): New Mexico's scenery, particularly around the town of Galisteo, played a crucial role in bringing the mythical world of Asgard to life in this superhero film. The film follows Thor, a powerful but arrogant god, who is banished to Earth and must learn humility and heroism.
The Avengers (2012): This blockbuster superhero film featured some of New Mexico's most iconic landscapes, including the Valles Caldera National Preserve, in its action sequences. The film brings together a team of superheroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and Hulk, to battle against Thor's adopted brother Loki and his army.
The Lone Ranger (2013): This Western action film, starring Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer, utilized various New Mexico locations like Monument Valley, Rio Grande, and Canyon de Chelly. The film follows Tonto, a Native American warrior, and John Lone Ranger, a lawman, as they team up to fight against corruption and injustice in the American Old West.
The Ridiculous 6 (2015): Adam Sandler's Western comedy, featuring an ensemble cast including Terry Crews, Jorge Garcia, Taylor Lautner, Rob Schneider, and Luke Wilson, was filmed at various locations throughout New Mexico. The film follows Tommy Stockburn, a man raised by Native Americans, as he sets out to find his biological father and discovers he has five half-brothers.
Independence Day: Resurgence (2016): This sequel to the 1996 blockbuster, starring Liam Hemsworth, Jeff Goldblum, and Bill Pullman, also took advantage of New Mexico's diverse landscapes. The film is set twenty years after the events of the first film and follows a new generation of heroes who must defend Earth from another alien invasion.
Hell or High Water (2016): This critically acclaimed neo-Western crime thriller, starring Chris Pine, Ben Foster, and Jeff Bridges, was filmed in several New Mexico towns, including Clovis and Portales. The film follows two brothers who resort to robbing banks to save their family's ranch, while being pursued by a determined Texas Ranger.
Logan (2017):This superhero film, starring Hugh Jackman in his final performance as Wolverine, is set in a dystopian future where mutants are nearly extinct. New Mexico's landscapes were used to depict a harsh and desolate world where Logan cares for an ailing Professor X and must protect a young mutant girl with powers similar to his own.
Avengers: Endgame (2019): This epic superhero film, featuring an ensemble cast of Marvel characters, used New Mexico for some of its key scenes, showcasing the state's otherworldly landscapes. The film follows the remaining Avengers and their allies as they attempt to reverse the actions of Thanos and restore balance to the universe.
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019): This sequel film to the acclaimed television series "Breaking Bad" was filmed in its entirety in Albuquerque, where the original series was also set. The film follows Jesse Pinkman as he tries to escape his past and build a new life after the events of the series finale.
News of the World (2020): This Western drama starring Tom Hanks and Helena Zengel filmed scenes in and around Santa Fe. The film follows Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, a Civil War veteran who travels from town to town reading the news to audiences. He is tasked with returning a young girl, taken by the Kiowa people years earlier, to her family against her will.
Army of the Dead (2021): This zombie heist movie, directed by Zack Snyder, filmed some of its scenes at Albuquerque Studios. The film follows a group of mercenaries who plan a heist on a Las Vegas casino during a zombie outbreak
The Harder They Fall (2021): This stylish Western with an all-star Black cast, directed by Jeymes Samuel, used locations like Santa Fe Studios and the Galisteo Basin. The film follows outlaw Nat Love as he seeks revenge against Rufus Buck, the man who murdered his parents.
The Pale Blue Eye (2022): This gothic thriller, directed by Scott Cooper and starring Christian Bale, filmed in various locations around New Mexico, including Santa Fe and Los Alamos. The film follows a detective who investigates a series of murders at the United States Military Academy with the help of a young cadet named Edgar Allan Poe.
Now Filming
New Mexico's landscapes and film-friendly atmosphere continue to attract filmmakers from around the world, and we can expect to see many more great movies made in New Mexico in the years to come. Here’s a few projects in the works in 2024:
Don't Look Now: A remake of the classic horror film, starring Florence Pugh.
Eddington: A new film from A24, directed by Ari Aster and starring Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone.
Did we miss any?
Send us your suggestions below:
