Texas has a big story just begging to be told, so it’s no wonder that so many movies and television shows are set in Dallas – Fort Worth. With our diverse landscapes ranging from urban metropolis to wide open spaces and remnants of the Wild West, North Texas has the people and the places to make it story-worthy. Here are 13 movies and series set in the Dallas – Fort Worth area that you should add to your must-see list:
- JFK, 1991
Warner Brothers Movie Poster This film directed by Oliver Stone examines the events that led up to the assassination of John F. Kennedy in Dallas in 1963, including the alleged cover-ups that followed.
- Bonnie and Clyde, 1967
Warner Brothers Movie Poster This landmark film broke many so-called cinematic taboos for its more open portrayal of violence and sex. It starred Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway as the title characters, Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker, who were raised in the Dallas area and infamous for their incredible life of crime.
- Ruby, 1992
Triumph Films Movie Poster Jacky Ruby, the Texas nightclub owner who killed Lee Harvey Oswald in the garage of Dallas’ police station in 1963, is the subject of this conspiracy film. It was released only three months after JFK.
- Dallas TV Series, 1978-1991 and 2012-2014
Ted Eytan/Flickr This photo is of the original cast. The show was shot in large part at the Southfork Ranch outside of Dallas. Southfork is an actual working ranch, but tours are available for those who fell in love with this classic TV series.
- Logan’s Run, 1976
Metro–Goldwyn–Mayer Movie Poster Locals love to mention this futuristic sci-fi film, in part because it starred blonde bombshell Farrah Fawcett, but and also because it was filmed in the Fort Worth Water Gardens and various other Dallas locations.
- Necessary Roughness, 1991
Paramount Pictures Movie Poster This sports comedy film features a fictional Texas football team. The cities of Azle, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Denton were primary locations, and the University of North Texas’ football stadium and college was the site of football games and college scenes throughout the film.
- Dallas, 1950
Warner Brothers Set in Dallas during the Reconstruction era, the movie featured Gary Cooper as a former Confederate seeking revenge on carpetbaggers who killed his family and destroyed their home.
- Walker, Texas Ranger, 1993-2001
CBS Actor Chuck Norris epitomized the rough and tough Texas Rangers. The character was based in Dallas-Fort Worth, with various episodes filmed all around the area. It had a moralistic spin, with characters actively participating in community service and choosing to be drug-free.
- Barney & Friends TV Series, 1992-2002
Lyons Partnership/Hit Entertainment Limited This children’s hit had its roots in the Dallas area! Dallas resident Sheryl Leach created the show in 1987. It started as home video! It was taped first at a studio in Allen, then in Las Colinas, and later in Carrollton. Actresses Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez, both from the Dallas area, had roles in the show.
- State Fair, 1962
20th Century Fox Movie Poster This movie version of the musical includes new songs written by Richard Rodgers (of the renowned Rodgers & Hammerstein partnership), including “The Little Things in Texas.” The film is set in Texas and includes Dallas as part of the plotline.
11/ Love Field, 1992
Orion Pictures Corp. This film is about a Dallas housewife, played by Michelle Pfeiffer, who is obsessed with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. She travels to Love Field Airport to catch a glimpse of the Presidential couple as they arrive by plane. It depicts how people handled the tragedy, as well as what was happening in the nation at the time.
- Executive Action, 1973
Mann Theaters (formerly National General Pictures) This conspiracy-theory thriller about the assassination of John F. Kennedy starred Burt Lancaster. It was released just prior to the 10th anniversary of the tragedy, and opened to great controversy.
- Point Blank, 1998
New Line Cinema / Warner Brothers This direct-to-video movie about prison escapees taking over a shopping mall starred Mickey Rourke and was filmed on location in Fort Worth.
These 13 listed are just a small list of hundreds of shows and movies either set in or about the Metroplex. Have you seen any of these movies or shows set in the Dallas – Fort Worth area? If so, which ones were your favorites? Did you know the area is a popular setting and even has production and animation facilities here?
Warner Brothers Movie Poster
This film directed by Oliver Stone examines the events that led up to the assassination of John F. Kennedy in Dallas in 1963, including the alleged cover-ups that followed.
This landmark film broke many so-called cinematic taboos for its more open portrayal of violence and sex. It starred Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway as the title characters, Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker, who were raised in the Dallas area and infamous for their incredible life of crime.
Triumph Films Movie Poster
Jacky Ruby, the Texas nightclub owner who killed Lee Harvey Oswald in the garage of Dallas’ police station in 1963, is the subject of this conspiracy film. It was released only three months after JFK.
Ted Eytan/Flickr
This photo is of the original cast. The show was shot in large part at the Southfork Ranch outside of Dallas. Southfork is an actual working ranch, but tours are available for those who fell in love with this classic TV series.
Metro–Goldwyn–Mayer Movie Poster
Locals love to mention this futuristic sci-fi film, in part because it starred blonde bombshell Farrah Fawcett, but and also because it was filmed in the Fort Worth Water Gardens and various other Dallas locations.
Paramount Pictures Movie Poster
This sports comedy film features a fictional Texas football team. The cities of Azle, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Denton were primary locations, and the University of North Texas’ football stadium and college was the site of football games and college scenes throughout the film.
Warner Brothers
Set in Dallas during the Reconstruction era, the movie featured Gary Cooper as a former Confederate seeking revenge on carpetbaggers who killed his family and destroyed their home.
CBS
Actor Chuck Norris epitomized the rough and tough Texas Rangers. The character was based in Dallas-Fort Worth, with various episodes filmed all around the area. It had a moralistic spin, with characters actively participating in community service and choosing to be drug-free.
Lyons Partnership/Hit Entertainment Limited
This children’s hit had its roots in the Dallas area! Dallas resident Sheryl Leach created the show in 1987. It started as home video! It was taped first at a studio in Allen, then in Las Colinas, and later in Carrollton. Actresses Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez, both from the Dallas area, had roles in the show.
20th Century Fox Movie Poster
This movie version of the musical includes new songs written by Richard Rodgers (of the renowned Rodgers & Hammerstein partnership), including “The Little Things in Texas.” The film is set in Texas and includes Dallas as part of the plotline.
Orion Pictures Corp.
This film is about a Dallas housewife, played by Michelle Pfeiffer, who is obsessed with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. She travels to Love Field Airport to catch a glimpse of the Presidential couple as they arrive by plane. It depicts how people handled the tragedy, as well as what was happening in the nation at the time.
Mann Theaters (formerly National General Pictures)
This conspiracy-theory thriller about the assassination of John F. Kennedy starred Burt Lancaster. It was released just prior to the 10th anniversary of the tragedy, and opened to great controversy.
New Line Cinema / Warner Brothers
This direct-to-video movie about prison escapees taking over a shopping mall starred Mickey Rourke and was filmed on location in Fort Worth.
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