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You Won’t Believe These 13 Movies Were Filmed Near Arches National Park
Who knew that stunning rock formations and Hollywood flair could go together like peanut butter and jalapenos? Somehow, they just do… and the result is pure cinematic magic.
And it turns out that Arches National Park is more than beautiful views – it’s a star in its own right, photobombing some of the wildest, most breathtaking scenes you’ll see on the big screen. From heroic standoffs to journeys through uncharted terrain, this place has low-key played a huge role in movie magic.
Ever wonder why those epic landscapes seem oddly familiar? Spoiler alert – it’s because you’ve been ogling this iconic desert without even realizing it.
Got your own favorite spot where Hollywood’s snuck in some filming? Spill the beans in the comments! Who knows, your neighborhood gas station might be the next blockbuster backdrop…
Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade (1989)
Who can forget that heart-pounding opening where a young Indy barely escapes trouble – and a “borrowed” hat starts his legendary style? That iconic sequence was filmed in the Double Arch area of Arches National Park, a place that looks like it was sculpted by a team of overly ambitious giants.
The towering sandstone formations provide the perfect backdrop for adventure – or, you know, falling into animal-filled caves. You can practically hear the wind whistling past those arches, daring you to explore… or at least avoid snakes while you’re at it.
Thelma & Louise (1991)
Before the infamous cliff jump broke hearts everywhere, Thelma and Louise cruised through dramatic red rock landscapes that looked too perfect to be real. Turns out they filmed in and around Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, capturing scenery so stunning it should’ve gotten its own credit in the movie.
The contrast of fiery cliffs against wide expanses of sky practically burns itself into your memory, leaving you wondering – how does nature even create something so jaw-droppingly gorgeous? And yes, if road trips had Oscars, this one would take the gold.
City Slickers II: The Legend Of Curly’s Gold (1994)
Remember when some city guys went all cowboy and started chasing treasure? Yep, this sequel moseyed on out to the Moab area, just a stone’s throw from Arches National Park. And the western landscapes here are so rugged they practically yell, “Cowboy up!”
The red desert dirt, endless mesas, and craggy cliffs are the kind of scenery that makes you think about sipping whiskey under the stars (whether or not you actually wanna deal with horses). Curly’s gold may be fictional, but the views? Pure, unfiltered treasure.
Con Air (1997)
When a plane full of convicts gets up to no good, where else would you stage chaos but the rugged desert near Moab? Arches’ distinctive landscape lends this action flick its gritty, wild-west-meets-apocalypse vibe, featuring mesas and crimson cliffs that scream, “Don’t mess with me.”
The dusty winds whipping through the rocky expanse add extra drama, as if the story needed more edge. And if you’ve watched the movie and thought, “Wow, I wouldn’t last a day there,” congratulations – you’ve grasped the mood they were going for perfectly.
Galaxy Quest (1999)
Honestly, if aliens were going to land somewhere, the Arches region wouldn’t be a bad choice. While Galaxy Quest did most of its filming in Goblin Valley State Park, the bizarre, otherworldly formations of the Arches area clearly inspired the film.
With its wind-sculpted curves and glowing sunsets that rival any sci-fi special effect, it’s a place where you half expect an alien to pop out and ask for directions. The rocks look like they’ve been frozen mid-melt, creating a backdrop straight out of your wildest space dreams.
Mission: Impossible II (2000)
Remember Tom Cruise scaling insane cliffs in the opening of Mission: Impossible II? That was filmed at Dead Horse Point State Park, not far from Arches. The sheer drop-offs and crimson towers are a visual punch to the gut (but in the best way).
The stark silence of the desert, interrupted only by the occasional howl of wind, makes the drama even more intense. It’s the kind of landscape that makes your palms sweat just looking at it… and that’s before Ethan Hunt even starts climbing.
Austin Powers In Goldmember (2002)
Leave it to Austin Powers to bring his groovy antics to the Moab area. The movie’s opening sequence hilariously parodies action films, with scenes shot against the rugged terrain that look pulled straight from an adventurous spy’s bucket list.
The rocky backdrop is as bold and dramatic as Austin’s wardrobe (but thankfully, a lot less blinding). The dry desert air, eroded cliffs, and sharp buttes add an oddly epic contrast to the over-the-top humor, proving that even spy comedies need a little desert drama.
Hulk (2003)
When it’s time for Bruce Banner to go green, where else would you film but Arches National Park? Its dramatic rock formations practically beg to be smashed (not that we’re endorsing that, of course).
The movie’s desert scenes tap into the raw, untamable energy of the landscape, matching the sheer power of the Hulk himself. And the otherworldly shapes of the arches and towers feel like the perfect setting for a larger-than-life superhero showdown… or, you know, a long, angry leap into the horizon.
127 Hours (2010)
For 127 Hours, realism was non-negotiable, so filmmakers dragged James Franco (and probably an unreasonable amount of sunscreen) to the unforgiving Moab area. The stark, sun-bleached beauty of the red rock canyons feels almost hostile – as if the landscape itself dares humans to survive.
Each crevice and sheer sandstone wall captures the raw intensity of Aron Ralston’s harrowing ordeal. Do those narrow rock corridors echo with ominous silence or whisper, “What’s your exit strategy?” Either way, you’ll walk away feeling thankful for wide-open spaces, extra water bottles, and an intact range of motion in both arms.
John Carter (2012)
When you’re tasked with creating a Mars-worthy backdrop on a mere Earth budget, the red rocks of Moab might just save you a green-screen fortune. John Carter transformed this Utah wonderland into a Martian playground – proving once again that Arches’ landscapes can do anything and everything.
Sandstone towers and sprawling deserts became a portal to another planet… all while staying firmly grounded in our geological backyard. And just how does a movie that’s so out-of-this-world spectacular manage to do it in one of the oldest landscapes on Earth? Movie magic and Arches, baby!
The Lone Ranger (2013)
The Lone Ranger’s filmmakers clearly understood the assignment – what’s a western without majestic western views? And the Moab area delivered in spades, with its sweeping canyons and untamed wilderness.
Cue galloping horses, dust kicking up golden clouds, and a soundtrack of jingling spurs. Vast horizons made every chase sequence feel larger than life, while the rock formations served as nature’s set design. Sure, the movie’s plot occasionally went off the rails (literally, train scenes!), but at least the backdrop stayed steady.
After Earth (2013)
Earth may have gone post-apocalyptic in After Earth, but Moab’s terrains made the end of humanity look suspiciously photogenic. Those unique formations – jutting out like they have a bone to pick with the sky – gave the film its “nature reclaims all” aesthetic.
Who knew the famed Skyline Arch could double as a futuristic ruin? Kudos to Moab for once again nailing that “otherworldly yet weirdly familiar” vibe. Is it oddly comforting or existentially unsettling? Your guess might depend on how much you love Will Smith’s survival wisdom paired with barren, bone-dry alien squares of… well, not paradise.
Transformers: Age Of Extinction (2014)
Why use boring CGI when you can have Optimus Prime barreling through the jaw-dropping places near Arches National Park? For Transformers: Age of Extinction, the Moab area gave the Autobots and Decepticons a suitably epic stage to duke it out.
The dramatic rock background? Perfect stand-ins for a battle-scarred alien world. The sprawling, arid landscape? Practically begs for an explosion or three. Between the screeches of metal-on-metal carnage and the eerie stillness of Utah’s deserts, it’s hard to say which made the bigger impression (though I’d put my money on the scenery).
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