Are you planning a road trip out to West Texas and want to know which West Texas films to watch to get excited for your trip? After my recent trip out to Big Bend, I realized just how beautiful that part of the country is and just KNEW it had to be the inspiration or setting for some famous movies!

The following films were either set or filmed in West Texas in locations such as Marfa, Lubbock, El Paso, or Terlingua, Texas! Check out my timeline and map below if you want to get a better sense of this beautiful part of the Lone Star State.

1. Giant (1956) – filmed in Marfa, TX
2. The Searchers (1956) – set in Llano Estacado (the “Staked Plain” near Lubbock, TX)
3. Ace High (1968) – set in El Paso
4. The Buddy Holly Story (1978) – set in Lubbock, TX
5. Paris, TX (1984) – opens in Terlingua, TX, though most of it was filmed in Fort Stockton and Marathon, TX
6. Fandango (1985) – filming locations included Alpine, El Paso, Fort Davis, Lajitas, Marathon, Marfa, Monahans, Pecos, San Elizario, and Big Bend Ranch State Park.
7. Kill Bill, Volume 1 (2003) – opens in El Paso
8. Friday Night Lights (2004) – set and partially filmed in Odessa, TX
9. No Country for Old Men (2004) – filmed in Marfa and Big Bend National Park
10. There Will Be Blood (2007) – filmed in Marfa, TX
11. Boyhood (2014) – parts of the film are set in Big Bend Ranch State Park

Thanks for reading! Any films I missed? Leave a comment below! – Lindsay