Lights, Camera, Action! Discover the Movie Magic in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Most of these locations are a long drive out of Albuquerque. Wild Hogs was shot at Madrid, Jemez Springs, Angel Fire and Bonanza Creek Ranch outside Santa Fe. Terminator Salvation used Kirtland Air Force Base in town and then went north to Taos. Both of those films stopped at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. We’re the Millers is the one that actually stayed in Albuquerque itself.
Lights, camera, action. Are you ready for a proper road trip? Get ready to set out through the cinematic country of Albuquerque, New Mexico. This city has stood in as the backdrop for countless blockbuster films, and now it is your turn to go and see what is behind the scenes.
So gather your popcorn, grab your camera, and let us get into the world of movies in the Land of Enchantment.
Key Takeaways:
- Albuquerque, New Mexico is a prime filming location for movies, offering a diverse range of landscapes and stunning natural beauty.
- Exploring movie filming locations can be an exciting and unique way to discover the city’s hidden gems and immerse yourself in the world of your favorite films.
- Visiting these iconic spots provides the perfect opportunity to recreate memorable scenes and capture Instagram-worthy photos.
- Take your travel experience to the next level by indulging in movie-themed activities, such as guided tours or film festivals, that celebrate Albuquerque’s rich cinematic history.
Are you a movie buff after an adventure? Then you are in luck. Picture yourself walking the same streets where your favorite actors once worked. Picture yourself standing in front of the landmarks that carried the scenes you remember. By visiting movie filming locations in Albuquerque, you will feed your inner film fanatic and turn up the finds this city keeps to itself.
As you work through these filming locations, you will end up somewhere between imagination and fantasy. Let your creativity run as you relive the moments you know and put your own spin on them. Who knows?
Maybe you will turn up a quiet corner that even the serious fans have not reached yet. Trust me, when it comes to the magic of movies, Albuquerque puts you in the front row.
In Albuquerque, the possibilities run long. Get out into the desert landscapes that have carried epic car chases and heart-pounding action sequences. Take in the long views that frame the quiet conversations between characters you know.
Or maybe the eclectic cityscape will be what holds you, where the energy of Albuquerque still carries the laughter and the tears of your favorite film stars.
But the road does not stop there. Your journey begins with movie filming locations, and that is only the start of it. Albuquerque is a city full of culture, history and a character all its own.
Take a stroll through Old Town, working through the local cooking and the blend of Northwestern, Spanish and Native American influences.
Ready to channel your inner Spielberg? Then get to it. Grab your map and set out on the movie pilgrimage. Action, romance, comedy or a touch of the supernatural, Albuquerque has all of it. Let your imagination off the leash, lean into your love for movies, and let the whole thing unfold in front of you.
Oh, and do not forget your camera. Trust me, you will want to keep every moment of this silver screen run. Lights, camera, action, and Albuquerque is waiting for you.
Now, get ready to work through the movies filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico and set out on a serious journey through the silver screen. Just scroll down and let it begin. Lights, camera, adventure.
Chasing these locations costs almost nothing beyond fuel. The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge has a free pull-off and a walkway you can cross without paying anyone. Madrid and Jemez Springs are public roads with the buildings still standing where the cameras were. Bonanza Creek Ranch charges for access, so it runs dearer than the rest of the route. Kirtland Air Force Base is closed to you entirely, which makes it the cheapest of the lot to skip.
The Avengers – US Box Office: USD$623.28millions
Director: Joss Whedon
Main Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner
Release Date: 25 April 2012
Filming Locations: East 9th St, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Plum Brook Station, Sandusky, Ohio, USA; Lakeside Court House, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Fairborn, Ohio, USA; Parma, Ohio, USA
Main Plot: If the most powerful heroes on Earth stop Loki and his alien army from enslaving humanity, they will have to learn how to work together and fight as a unit.
Loki, the adopted brother of Thor, allies with the Chitauri Army and uses the power of the Tesseract to travel from Asgard to Midgard. His goal is to conquer Earth and set himself up as king of the universe. Nick Fury, director of the agency S.H.I.E.L.D., starts project Avengers and recruits Tony Stark, who is Iron Man. At the same time, Steve Rogers as Captain America, Bruce Banner as The Hulk, Thor with Thor’s Hammer, Natasha Romanoff as Black Widow, and Clint Barton as Hawkeye fight off the villain Loki and the alien invasion.
Famous quotes:
Steve Rogers: “Thor, what’s his play?”
Thor: “He has an army, called the Chitauri. They’re not of Asgard or any world known. He means to lead them against your people. They will win him the Earth. In return, I suspect, for the Tesseract.”
Steve Rogers: “An army. From outer space.”
Bruce Banner: “So he’s building another portal. That’s what he needs Erik Selvig for.”
Thor: “Selvig?”
Bruce Banner: “He’s an astrophysicist.”
Thor: “He’s a friend.”
Natasha Romanoff: “Loki has them under some kind of spell. Along with one of ours.”
Steve Rogers: “I wanna know why Loki let us take him. He’s not leading an army from here.”
Bruce Banner: “I don’t think we should be focusing on Loki. That guy’s brain is a bag full of cats. You can smell crazy on him.”
Thor: “Have a care how you speak! Loki is beyond reason, but he is of Asgard and he is my brother!”
Natasha Romanoff: “He killed eighty people in two days.”
Thor: “He’s adopted.”
Sequel: The Avengers: Infinity War; Avengers: Age of Ultron; Avengers: End Game
Fun Fact about The Avengers:
- Captain America is the only character in the last credit scene who isn’t eating. That’s because after filming wrapped on this movie, Chris Evans had a buzz cut and started growing out his beard. Since he was already on set filming Snowpiercer (2013) when he was called in to do this extra scene, they had to give him a prosthetic jaw to hide his beard. He covers his face with his palm since the prosthetic makes him look like he was stung by a swarm of angry bees. He can’t use the prosthetic for anything, including eating or talking.
Transformers – US Box Office: USD$623.28millions
Director: Michael Bay
Main Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson
Release Date: 28 June 2007
Filming Locations: Michigan Central Depot – W. Vernor and W. Michigan Avenues, Detroit, Michigan, USA; Hoover Dam, Arizona-Nevada Border, USA; 2182 W 24th St, Los Angeles, California, USA; Holloman Air Force Base, Alamogordo, New Mexico, USA; Dodger Stadium – 1000 Vin Scully Avenue, Chavez Ravine, Elysian Park, Los Angeles, California, USA
Main Plot: The heroic Autobots and the wicked Decepticons of Cybertron have arrived on Earth, and a young human holds the key to their ultimate power. Autobot Bumblebee is the first car that high school senior Sam Witwicky buys, and he doesn’t even know it. With the other Autobots still on their way to Earth, Bumblebee takes the initiative to protect Sam and his girlfriend, Mikaela Banes, from the Decepticon Barricade. The Decepticons launch an attack on a United States military installation in Qatar as they search for the Allspark, escalating the conflict on Earth. Secret government agency Sector 7 kidnaps Sam and Mikaela to aid in their fight against the Decepticons. Still, when they discover that Sector 7 plans to wipe out the Autobots, the pair comes up with their strategy to save the world.
Famous quotes:
Optimus Prime: “With the All Spark gone, we cannot return life to our planet. And fate has yielded its reward: a new world to call home. We live among its people now, hiding in plain sight, but watching over them in secret, waiting, protecting. I have witnessed their capacity for courage, and though we are worlds apart, like us, there’s more to them than meets the eye. I am Optimus Prime, and I send this message to any surviving Autobots taking refuge among the stars. We are here. We are waiting.”
Ironhide: “You have a rodent infestation.”
Sam Witwicky: “A what?”
Ironhide: [aiming cannons at Mojo] “Shall I terminate?”
Sam Witwicky: “No! No! This is a chihuahua. We love chihuahuas.”
Ironhide: “He’s leaked lubricants all over my foot! Hmmph!”
Sam Witwicky: “He peed on you? Bad Mojo! Bad!”
Ironhide: “Bad Mojo! Ugh, my foot’s gonna rust…”
Sequel: Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles III; Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles: The Secret of The Ooze; Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles; TMNT, Ninja Turtle: The Next Mutation; Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles: The Legend of the Supermutants
Fun Fact about Transformers:
- To keep the film realistic and within budget, the U.S. Department of Defense supported its production. This was the largest project they had supported since “Black Hawk Down (2001)”. The military donated their vehicles as alternate modes for Starscream and Bonecrusher, two Decepticons. They also permitted filming of its F-22 and CV-22 aircraft, the first time these planes have appeared in a feature film since “The Incredible Hulk” in 2003. Soldiers served as extras, and actors were outfitted with authentic uniforms. In exchange for the favor, the filmmakers offered the soldiers a free film screening.
Wild Hogs – US Box Office: USD$168.27millions
Director: Walt Becker
Main Cast: Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence, John Travolta, William H. Macy
Release Date: 27 February 2007
Filming Locations: Madrid, New Mexico, USA; Jemez Springs, New Mexico, USA; Angel Fire, New Mexico, USA; Bonanza Creek Ranch – 15 Bonanza Creek Lane, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA; Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, Taos, New Mexico, USA
Main Plot: When a group of want-to-be bikers from the suburbs to the open road in search of excitement, they meet up with a motorcycle gang from New Mexico known as the Del Fuegos, who turns out to be more than they bargained for.
The lives of these middle-aged men have reached a point where they feel they have nowhere left to take them, so they decide to ride from Cincinnati to the Pacific Ocean. These Wild Hogs tore up the road on their motorcycles and eventually stopped in New Mexico for a drink. However, they did not know that the bar was owned by a vicious biker gang, the Del Fuegos. After the Del Fuegos steal a bike belonging to the Wild Hogs, the men work up a plan to steal the bike back.
Famous quotes:
Doug Madsen: “Ooh boy, my ass is sore.”
Dudley Frank: “Mine too, it’s Woody’s fault for riding us so hard yesterday. The human body wasn’t made to straddle something that big for that long.”
Woody Stevens: “Well, ya know it’s gonna hurt a little bit, but that’s all part of the experience. It’s why we didn’t bring our wives.”
Bobby Davis: “Wut da…? What the hell? Someone wanna explain to me why I’m the one in the dirt? When I got sore jaws from 3 hours of blowin…”
[notices Highway Patrolman]
Highway Patrolman: “Please… Please, for the love of God, finish your sentence.”
Fun Fact about Wild Hogs:
- After the commotion in Madrid, Peter Fonda’s character Damien Blade instructs the Wild Hogs to “Lose the watches.” This may be a reference or tribute in one of the opening sequences of “Easy Rider.” Peter Fonda, as Captain America, glances at his watch at the start of his and Billy’s (Dennis Hopper) journey to New Orleans, removes it, and throws it on the ground.
We’re the Millers – US Box Office: USD$450millions
Director: Rawson Marshall Thurber
Main Cast: Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Emma Roberts, Ed Helms
Release Date: 18 September 2013
Filming Locations: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA; New Mexico, USA; Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA; Wilmington Convention Center, 515 Nutt Street, Wilmington, North Carolina, USA; Wilmington, North Carolina, USA
Main Plot: A seasoned drug dealer in Mexico will make up the existence of a family to disguise the fact that he is attempting to import a huge quantity of marijuana into the United States from Mexico. He will do this as part of his strategy to transport the drug from Mexico into the United States.
David, a low-level pot dealer, had his take for the week stolen, so his employer made him travel to Mexico to pick up a shipment of marijuana. David had no say in it. David wants to improve his chances of crossing the border, so he brings along Rose, a broke stripper, and a pair of youngsters from the neighborhood, and they pretend they are on a family vacation.
Famous quotes:
Styist: “OK, what are we doing today?”
David Clark: “Yeah. I say, give me somethin’ that says, ‘I get up every morning at 5:30 and commute for an hour and a half to some bullshit job where my jag-off boss expects me to kiss his balls all day just so I can afford to keep my ungrateful, screaming kids decked out in Dora the explorer shit and my wife up to her fat ass in self-help videos until the day I get up the courage to put a shotgun in my mouth.”
Middle Aged Man: [Indicating his own haircut] “Right here.”
David Clark: [Points in the mirror] “Yeah. That’s it. That’s the one.”
Scottie P.: “You know what I’m sayin?”
David Clark: “Well, I’m awake and I speak English, so yeah, I know what you’re saying.”
Sequel: We’re the Millers 2
Fun Fact about We’re the Millers:
- Will Poulter (Kenny), who plays the role of Kenny, sat up late while listening to TLC’s song “Waterfalls” so that his character could rap along with the music during a sequence that featured the song. Poulter, who considers himself a fan of hip-hop music, made the selection of the song on his own.
Terminator Salvation – US Box Office: USD$125.32millions
Director: MCG
Main Cast: Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Anton Yelchin, Moon Bloodgood
Release Date: 27 May 2009
Filming Locations: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA; Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA; Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, Taos, New Mexico, USA; Taos, New Mexico, USA; College of Santa Fe – 1600 Saint Michaels Drive, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
Main Plot: John Connor received a half-human, half-machine weapon on the eve of an attack against Skynet in 2018. In 2003, on execution row at Longview State Correctional Facility, Marcus Wright agreed to donate his corpse to cancer researcher Serena Kogan. In 2018, following an unsuccessful attack on a Skynet facility, only John Connor survived and discovered the T-800. Marcus appears naked and amnesic. Marcus befriends Kyle Reese and Star, who help him stay the murderous machines. John offers to test a signal that could turn off the devices discovered by the resistance. Marcus decides to aid Kyle when he is abducted by a machine and sent to Skynet. On the way, he saves Blair Williams, who proposes he meet John Connor first. Marcus steps on a mine and undergoes surgery when his roots are revealed.
Famous quotes:
John Connor: “The devil’s hands have been busy. What is it?”
Kate Connor: “It’s real flesh and blood, though it seems to heal itself quickly. The heart is human and very powerful. The brain, too, but with a chip interface.”
Marcus Wright: “What have you done to me?”
Kate Connor: “It has a hybrid nervous system. One human cortex, one machine.”
Marcus Wright: “Blair, what have they done?”
John Connor: “Who built you?”
Marcus Wright: “My name is Marcus Wright.”
John Connor: “You think you’re human?”
Marcus Wright: “I am human.”
Sequel: The Terminator (1984); Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991); Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003); Terminator Salvation (2009); Terminator Genisys (2015); Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)
Fun Fact about Terminator Salvation:
- Some old recordings of Sarah Connor are played throughout the movie. Also, some of her lines from The Terminator are virtually word for word (1984). Linda Hamilton lent her voice and gave the ropes for a part for which she was not given credit; nonetheless, the role was never mentioned.
Frequently asked questions about Top 5 Movies Filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico by US Box Office
Which bridge near Albuquerque turns up in more than one of these films?
The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. Wild Hogs shot there and so did Terminator Salvation, which makes it the one location on this whole list that repeats. It sits north of Albuquerque, past Santa Fe, on the road up toward Angel Fire. There is a pull-off at either end of it and a pedestrian walkway running across the span. Taos itself carried more of it.
Which river runs through the locations used around Albuquerque?
The Rio Grande. It cuts the whole state north to south and the gorge it carved at Taos is the reason that bridge is there at all. Albuquerque sits on that very same river, which is exactly why the city and the gorge keep ending up in the same film credits. Wild Hogs worked its way through Madrid, Jemez Springs and Angel Fire on either side of it. Santa Fe and Bonanza Creek Ranch sit in between the two.
Which trail through New Mexico links these filming locations together?
The run north. Madrid sits on the back road between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, so it comes first of all. Bonanza Creek Ranch is just outside Santa Fe and Jemez Springs branches off to the west. Angel Fire and the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge are the far end of the whole thing, well past Taos. One long day of driving covers it.
More about Albuquerque, New Mexico
