It’s no surprise that Austin is a hub for creativity, especially when it comes to film. From SXSW to countless film festivals, movies and TV have played a big part in making Austin…. AUSTIN. Over the years, the city has served as the backdrop for everything from cult classics to iconic horrors, leaving behind a trail of film history woven right into the fabric of the capital city!
Updated August 2025
DAZED AND CONFUSED (1993)
So many scenes from this coming-of-age cult classic were filmed all over Austin! From the @topnotchsince1971 to the neighborhoods of Hyde Park to Toney Burger Activity Center, the film captured the city’s laid-back vibe long before it became a boomtown!
SPY KIDS 1 (2001) & 2 (2002)
For all our 2000s kids, this family-friendly spy universe was brought to life right here in Austin! Using local sets to film scenes at the Machete Spy Shop and even converting the shores of Lake Travis into the Island of Leeke Leeke!
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (2006-2011)
The beloved TV series about small-town Texas football was shot extensively in and around Austin. Local neighborhoods, schools, & even real high school stadiums doubled as the fictional Dillon, TX!
THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE 1 (1974) & 2 (1986)
Both the original horror masterpiece and its campy sequel were filmed in and around Central Texas. Including iconic rural locations just outside Austin like We Slaughter Barbeque, the Mean Eyed Cat, and the historic house, which once sat in Round Rock, that’s now Hooper's Cafe!
QUEER EYE (2022)
The Fab Five brought their makeovers to Austin in season 6, highlighting local businesses & community stories across the city from the iconic Allen's Boots to Home Slice Pizza!
FEAR THE WALKING DEAD (2017-21)
The zombie drama shifted production to Austin for several seasons, transforming recognizable landmarks and Central Texas landscapes into a post-apocalyptic world!
BOYHOOD (2014)
Richard Linklater’s groundbreaking 12-year project filmed at various Austin locations like @thecontinentalclubatx & @southcongressatx, as it followed Mason’s journey from childhood to adulthood, embedding the city into the story’s fabric.
