The film industry is a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States. What some may not realize though is more than one hundred movies have been shot in New Mexico, making the state an important filming destination. Over the course of four years (starting midway through 2010) the film industry created $1.5 billion in total economic output for New Mexico.
So, we’re fans—not just of the movies, but of the jobs that come with them. We all know of movies such as Hell or High Water that was filmed in Clovis in recent years, but here are a few of the other movies that have been filmed here in our beautiful state.
Cowboys and Aliens (2011)
This movie, which is based on the 2006 graphic novel with the same title, was filmed in Santa Fe, Abiquiú, and on the Bonanza Creek Movie Ranch. Part of the filming was done in California, however the majority was around New Mexico.
The Bonanza Creek Movie Ranch had running water and electricity, a far cry from other locations, where buildings consisted of facades. Not really what you’d expect for the filming of a movie, is it? Sometimes it isn’t glitz and glam like we imagine!
Silverado (1985)
The opening scene of “Silverado” was shot in White Rock and Los Alamos, but the film was primarily filmed at Cook Ranch, owned by locals Bill & Marian Cook. The director and cast flew over their land in a helicopter and showed up on their doorstep to offer them a location fee to use their ranch for the film. There were several New Mexican locations used throughout the filming process though, including Galisteo. (Picture shows Galisteo Cemetery.)
The Cowboys (1972)
John Wayne begged director Mark Rydell to give him the part of Wil Anderson in “Cowboys.” It is one of the very few films where John Wayne’s character is killed. Filming locations in New Mexico included sites in Chama, Galisteo, the San Cristobal Ranch in Lamy, and the Eaves Movie Ranch in Santa Fe.
Easy Rider (1969)
This film ahead of it’s time, explores the societal landscape, issues, and tension of the 1960s in relation to drug use, hippie lifestyles, and communal living. The Hedgcock building, where Tito’s Gallery is located, in Las Vegas (on the right) served as the exterior of the jail, while interior jail scenes were shot in Taos.
Wild Hogs (2007)
This film which features Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, and WIlliam H. Macy, is an American Biker Comedy. The diner in the photo was built in the New Mexican town of Madrid, specifically for the movie. It has since been converted into a gift shop that sells memorabilia.
The camping scenes from “Wild Hogs” were filmed in Angel Fire. The bar scene took place in Albuquerque. So, these actors were shooting all over the beautiful state of New Mexico.
No Country for Old Men (2007)
Over half the budget of $25 million for this film was spent in New Mexico. The other was spent filming in our neighboring state of Texas. The motel fight scene in this Oscar-winning movie took place at Albuquerque’s Desert Sands Motel.
Grapes of Wrath (1940)
John Ford won an Oscar for best director for “Grapes of Wrath.” This film is a classic, and we can be proud that it was filmed in New Mexico. The crew even filmed in our area. The train sequence was shot in Santa Rosa and the crew also used locations in Laguna Pueblo and Gallup.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
This movie, which grossed more than $102 million in the United States and was named as the 7th Greatest Western Film of All Time in 2008, was filmed in Taos and Chama. (Chama is pictured.)
The Avengers (2012)
Production began in April 2011 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, before moving to Cleveland, Ohio, in August and New York City in September. The film was converted to 3D in post-production. Pretty cool that Albuquerque was the home to the filming of the majority of this popular superhero film!
Young Guns (1988)
Based on a retelling of the story of Billy the Kid during the Lincoln County War, New Mexico seems like the perfect place for this film to have been recorded. Young Guns was filmed all over Northern New Mexico, in places such as Ojo Caliente, Cerrillos (pictured), Tesuque Pueblo, and Rancho de las Golondrinas. Historian Dr. Paul Hutton called it the most historically accurate of all prior Billy the Kid films.
Young Guns II: Blaze of Glory (1990)
Given that the first movie cost $13 million to make but grossed almost $45 million, it’s no surprise that there was a sequel. “Blaze of Glory” is a retelling of Billy the Kid’s life following the Lincoln County War. It featured locations like White Sands National Monument, Tent Rocks, and the Eaves Movie Ranch (pictured).
Jumanji 3(2019)
