Lights, Camera, Florida: 5 Iconic Films Shot in the Sunshine State

Florida has long been a popular location for filmmakers, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, diverse landscapes, and vibrant cities. Over the years, the Sunshine State has provided the backdrop for many iconic films, spanning various genres and eras. From classic Hollywood productions to beloved cult films, Florida’s cinematic legacy is rich and varied.

Follow That Dream (1962)

Location: Citrus County, Inverness, Crystal River, Yankeetown

Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll, made numerous films throughout his legendary career, but  “Follow That Dream” is widely regarded by his fans as one of his best. The film’s lighthearted tone and Elvis’s undeniable charisma made it a hit with audiences. The movie also captures a slice of 1960s Florida, showcasing the state’s natural beauty before the explosion of development that would come in later decades.

Much of “Follow That Dream” was filmed in Citrus County on Florida's Gulf Coast, a region celebrated for its natural beauty, including crystal-clear springs and dense forests. Inverness, the county seat of Citrus County, also featured prominently, offering the small-town charm essential to the film, with its historic courthouse enhancing the nostalgic atmosphere. The courthouse now houses a museum dedicated to the film, celebrating its connection to the local heritage. Yankeetown, a quaint town in Levy County near the Gulf of Mexico, provided another key location, with its quiet streets and nearby Withlacoochee Bay serving as the perfect backdrop for the Kwimper family's homestead.  Finally, Crystal River, also in Citrus County and renowned for its spring-fed waters and manatee population, contributed to the film's ambiance with its pristine environment and serene waters.

Whether on organized or self-guided tours, fans of the film from around the globe still flock to the area to visit many of the original filming locations, which have retained much of their charm and still offer a glimpse into the Florida of yesteryear.

Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954)

Location: Wakulla Springs, Silver Springs, Jacksonville

“Creature From the Black Lagoon” is a classic monster movie that has left an indelible mark on the horror genre. Directed by Jack Arnold, the film tells the story of a prehistoric creature lurking in the watery depths of the Amazonian jungle, terrorizing a group of scientists on an expedition. Today, fans from around the world continue to visit the area, drawn to the original filming locations that still retain much of their charm. While the story is set in the Amazon, much of the film was actually shot in Florida, particularly at Wakulla Springs and Silver Springs.

Wakulla Springs, located just south of Tallahassee, served as the primary location for the underwater scenes. The crystal-clear waters of the springs provided the perfect setting for the eerie and mysterious underwater sequences, which were groundbreaking at the time. The springs’ unique aquatic environment allowed for stunning underwater cinematography, which added to the film’s otherworldly atmosphere.

Silver Springs, near Ocala, also played a key role in the film, with its lush vegetation and winding waterways doubling as the Amazon jungle. The film’s success helped cement Florida’s reputation as a prime location for underwater filming, and the springs remain popular with filmmakers and tourists alike.

Cool Hand Luke (1967)

Location: Fort Basinger, Stockton

“Cool Hand Luke” is one of the most iconic films of the 1960s, featuring a legendary performance by Paul Newman as the rebellious Luke Jackson. The film tells the story of Luke, a man sentenced to a chain gang in the southern United States after committing a petty crime. While the film is set in the Deep South, many of its key scenes were filmed in Florida.

Fort Basinger, a small, rural community in Central Florida, served as the primary location for the chain gang scenes. The film’s portrayal of life on a chain gang is both brutal and poignant, with the sweltering Florida sun adding to the sense of oppression and despair.

Stockton, another small community in Central Florida, also played a role in the film, with its historic buildings and rural landscapes adding to the film’s authentic southern atmosphere. The film’s famous egg-eating scene, in which Luke eats 50 hard-boiled eggs, was filmed in Stockton and remains one of the most memorable moments in cinematic history.

Cocoon (1985)

Location: St. Petersburg, Tampa Bay

“Cocoon” is a heartwarming science fiction film directed by Ron Howard that tells the story of a group of elderly people who discover a secret to eternal youth. The film was shot primarily in and around St. Petersburg, Florida, with the city’s picturesque waterfront and historic neighborhoods providing the perfect setting for the film’s blend of fantasy and reality.

St. Petersburg’s warm climate, beautiful beaches and charming neighborhoods provided an ideal backdrop for the film’s story of rediscovery and renewal. The Vinoy Park Hotel, with its Mediterranean Revival style, served as the exterior for the retirement community, adding elegance to the film.

The St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club, at 100 years old, it is one of the oldest in the world. The location featured the retirees' leisure activities, emphasizing its vintage charm. The Coliseum, known as "The Finest Ballroom in the South," hosted the film’s dance scenes, enhancing the characters' joy. The film’s success helped boost tourism in the area, and many of the locations featured in the film remain popular with visitors today.

Doc Hollywood (1991)

Location: Micanopy, McIntosh

“Doc Hollywood” is a romantic comedy that stars Michael J. Fox as a young, ambitious doctor who finds himself stuck in a small town in Florida after his car breaks down. The film was shot primarily in Micanopy, a charming, historic town located just south of Gainesville.

Micanopy’s picturesque streets, with their moss-draped oak trees and quaint storefronts, provided the perfect setting for the film’s story of small-town life. The town’s historic district, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, features architecture and laid-back atmosphere added to the film’s nostalgic charm, making it a favorite with audiences. Additionally, scenes were filmed in nearby McIntosh, which added to the film's portrayal of rural Florida.

In the film, Michael J. Fox’s character, Dr. Benjamin Stone, is forced to work at the local hospital to pay off the damage he caused in a car accident. The film’s exploration of the tension between big-city ambition and small-town values resonated with audiences, making it a box office success.

Micanopy and McIntosh remain a popular destination for fans of the film, with many of the locations featured in the movie still standing today.

These five films represent just a small sample of the many movies that have been shot in Florida over the years. Whether you’re a fan of classic cinema or modern blockbusters, the Sunshine State’s cinematic legacy is one that continues to captivate audiences around the world.