Lodgeur Guide: Houston’s Hollywood Trail – Famous Film Locations
Lights, camera, Houston! From urban cowboys to astronauts, H-Town has played host to some unforgettable on-screen moments. Here’s where to find them!
Houston, We Have a Film Trail! Your Guide to Space City’s Movie Magic
Did you know that “Houston, we have a problem” was actually filmed in Houston? Or that Wes Anderson’s quirky classic “Rushmore” transformed Rice University into a fictional prep school? From Oscar-winning dramas to cult classics, Space City has served as the backdrop for some truly iconic movie and TV moments.
We’ve mapped out the most famous filming locations across the city so you can walk in the footsteps of your favorite stars and recreate scenes from the silver screen. Grab your camera and let’s go location-hopping!
Downtown & Business District
- Houston City Hall (901 Bagby St) – Transformed into the evil OCP headquarters in “RoboCop 2” (1990). Yep, this is where they unveiled that sketchy RoboCop 2 prototype that went haywire! Stream on: Amazon Prime, Apple TV
- JPMorgan Chase Tower (600 Travis St) – Played a starring role in “Armageddon” (1998) as NASA’s mission control. Look up and imagine Bruce Willis getting his asteroid-destroying orders here. Stream on: Disney+
- Bank of America Center (700 Louisiana St) – Catch Charlie Sheen sprinting through that gorgeous red granite lobby in “The Chase” (1994). Those marble floors have seen some action! Stream on: Tubi
- Buffalo Bayou Park (Allen Pkwy & Memorial Dr) – That bench where Jack Nicholson had his heart-to-heart with Shirley MacLaine in “Terms of Endearment” (1983)? Right here. Bring tissues! Stream on: HBO Max
- Main Street & Preston (300 block of Main St) – The backdrop for that super romantic walk in “Jason’s Lyric”(1994). Perfect spot for your own romantic stroll, just saying. Stream on: Starz, Apple TV
- Tranquility Park (400 Rusk St) – In “Arlington Road” (1999), Jeff Bridges gets all paranoid here. The park is way less creepy in real life, promise! Stream on: Netflix
NASA Area
- Mission Control (2101 E NASA Pkwy) – “Houston, we have a problem!” This is THE room from “Apollo 13”(1995) where Ed Harris as Gene Kranz rocks those iconic white vests and refuses to let failure be an option. Stream on: Apple TV, Amazon Prime
- Astronaut Training Facility (2101 E NASA Pkwy) – Remember when Bruce Willis and his oil drilling buddies got spun around in that crazy centrifuge in “Armageddon” (1998)? Happened right here. Try not to get motion sick just thinking about it! Stream on: Disney+
- Saturn V Display (2101 E NASA Pkwy) – Clint Eastwood and Tommy Lee Jones had their “we’re too old for this space stuff” chat here in “Space Cowboys” (2000). The rocket is MASSIVE in person – your selfies won’t do it justice. Stream on: HBO Max
- Neutral Buoyancy Lab (2101 E NASA Pkwy) – That giant pool where astronauts practice spacewalks showed up in “The Challenger Disaster” (2013). It’s basically the world’s most expensive swimming pool. Stream on: Amazon Prime
College Campuses
University of Houston
- Cullen Performance Hall (4800 University Dr) – In “Rushmore” (1998), this building doubled as Rushmore Academy’s chapel where Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman) stages his bizarre plays. Stream on: HBO Max
- Student Center South Plaza (4455 University Dr) – In “Reality Bites” (1994), Winona Ryder and Ethan Hawke’s characters walk through this area discussing post-college existential crises. Stream on: Amazon Prime
- M.D. Anderson Library (4333 University Dr) – In “My Best Friend Is a Vampire” (1987), the main character hides from vampire hunters among the library stacks. Stream on: Tubi
Rice University
- Lovett Hall (6100 Main St) – In “Urban Cowboy” (1980), John Travolta’s character Bud rides his truck past this iconic building on his way into the city. Stream on: Paramount+
- Academic Quad (6100 Main St) – In “Rushmore” (1998), this entire area transforms into the fictional Rushmore Academy, where Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman) and Mr. Blume (Bill Murray) walk and talk about their complicated friendship. Stream on: HBO Max
- Fondren Library (6100 Main St) – In “The Tree of Life” (2011), Sean Penn’s character walks through the book stacks during a contemplative flashback scene. Stream on: HBO Max
- Rice Stadium (2200 University Blvd) – In “Friday Night Lights” TV series, this stadium doubles as a playoff venue during a crucial game in Season 3. Stream on: Hulu, Netflix
Sports Venues
Houston Astrodome
- Main Arena (8400 Kirby Dr) – In “The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training” (1977), the Little League team plays their championship game here, leading to the famous “Let them play!” chant scene.
- Field Level (8400 Kirby Dr) – In “Friday Night Lights” (2004), the high school football state championship was filmed here with Billy Bob Thornton giving his “perfect” speech.
- Upper Deck (8400 Kirby Dr) – In “Brewster McCloud” (1970), the main character secretly lives in the dome’s ceiling and watches events from above in this Robert Altman cult classic.
Minute Maid Park (just renamed Daikin Park)
- Main Field (501 Crawford St) – In “Boyhood” (2014), Ethan Hawke’s character takes his son to an actual Houston Astros game where they discuss life and growing up while watching the game.
- Concourse Level (501 Crawford St) – In “Friday Night Lights” TV series, several scenes show characters walking through this area on their way to scout potential players.
The Galleria Mall
- Ice Skating Rink (5085 Westheimer Rd, Level 1) – “Robocop 2” (1990) filmed a wild shootout scene right by this rink. Nowadays it’s way more peaceful (and has way fewer cyborgs).
- Main Entrance & Food Court (5085 Westheimer Rd) – Chuck Norris walked these halls in “Sidekicks” (1992). No, the floors didn’t shatter beneath his mighty footsteps.
- Neiman Marcus Wing (5085 Westheimer Rd, Level 2) – Remember that kid’s shopping spree in “Blank Check”(1994)? Channel your inner millionaire while window shopping here.
Hip Neighborhoods
Historic Heights
- Heights Boulevard (300 block, Houston Heights) – In “Boyhood” (2014), Ethan Hawke’s character lives in a bungalow here, with several scenes showing the neighborhood’s distinctive architecture.
Montrose
- Montrose Coffee Shop (801 W Alabama St) – Where the angsty twentysomethings from “Reality Bites” (1994) hung out debating the meaning of life. Still a perfect spot to have your own existential crisis over excellent coffee!
- Anderson Fair Retail Restaurant (2007 Grant St) – Ethan Hawke’s character belted out tunes here in “Reality Bites”. This legendary spot has hosted actual folk legends like Townes Van Zandt, so you’re in good company.
River Oaks
- River Oaks Boulevard (3900 block) – In “Terms of Endearment” (1983), Shirley MacLaine’s character lives in one of these mansions, showcasing her wealthy lifestyle.
Other Notable Locations
Pasadena
- Gilley’s Club (former location: 4500 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena) – In “Urban Cowboy” (1980), John Travolta and Debra Winger’s characters meet and romance at this legendary honky-tonk, with the mechanical bull riding scenes becoming iconic.
Port of Houston
- Ship Channel Turning Basin (111 East Loop North) – In “Hellfighters” (1968), John Wayne’s character battles dangerous oil well fires with this industrial backdrop visible.
- Container Terminal (111 East Loop North) – In “Rush Hour” (1998), Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan engage in a climactic shipping container chase scene here.
Uptown/Galleria Area
- Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park (2800 Post Oak Blvd) – In Drake’s “Hotline Bling” music video, several scenes were filmed with the 64-foot semicircular water feature as a backdrop.
- Williams Tower (2800 Post Oak Blvd) – In “RoboCop 2” (1990), this skyscraper serves as the headquarters for the evil OCP corporation.
You’re Ready for Your Close-Up!
The best way to experience these filming locations is to group them by area. Start downtown in the morning, head to the campuses, and finish with NASA if you have time. Many of these spots are free to visit, though some (like Space Center Houston) require admission.
After you’ve worked up an appetite touring these film locations, check out our guide to Houston’s Famous TV Foodie Spots to dine at restaurants made famous by Guy Fieri, Anthony Bourdain, and other culinary TV stars!
Roll Credits: Your Houston Movie Adventure Awaits
From Oscar-winning dramas to summer blockbusters, Houston’s diverse landscapes have provided the perfect backdrop for countless films and TV shows. Whether you’re a film buff, a casual moviegoer, or just looking for unique places to visit in the city, these iconic filming locations offer a new way to experience H-Town’s charm and diversity. Grab your camera, channel your inner film director, and hit the Houston film trail!
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