You might be surprised to find out how many movies were actually filmed in the Abilene area. When I started looking into it, I discovered at least half a dozen movies that were shot right here in our own back yard. Check it out see what you think.


"Friday Night Lights" (2003)

Billy Bob Thornton and Tim McGraw star in 'Friday Night Lights' a movie about the Odessa Permian Panthers high school football team during the '80's. The oil industry was tanking and so was the wining-est high school football team in Texas.

This movie was shot primarily in and around Odessa Texas, with a couple scenes filmed in Abilene during actual games when Permian played Cooper and Abilene High Schools.

Check out the movie trailer for "Friday Night Lights"


"The Stars Fell on Henrietta" (1995)

An elderly, down on his luck 'oil man' played by Robert Duvall finds himself in Henrietta, Texas. Using some unconventional methods, Duvall convinces a poor farmer that there's oil on the farmers land.

The film also stars Brian Dennehy, Billy Bob Thornton and was produced by Clint Eastwood. This movie was shot at a farmhouse just outside the city limits of Abilene, representing the town of Henrietta.

Check out the movie's trailer for "The Stars fell on Henrietta"


"The Whole Wide World" (1996)

This film is a true story about Robert Howard the man that wrote "Connan the Barbarian" played by Vincent D'Onofrio and the young lady that captures his heart played by Renée Zellweger.

The producers and director wanted to keep it as close to authentic as possible. So, this movie was shot in the Cross Plains and Brownwood area.

Check out this trailer for the award winning movie "The Whole Wide World"


"Grand Champion" (2002)

'Grand Champion' is a tale of a young boy played by Jacob Fisher and his prize-winning calf, as they climb up the ranks of Texas stock shows trying to achieve the title of Grand Champion.

The film also stars Emma Roberts, Joey Lauren Adams and a very young (high school age) Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks. This movie was shot in Alpine, Midland and Snyder, Texas.

Check out this trailer for the award winning movie "Grand Champion"


"Independence Day" (1983)

This movie stars David Keith and Kathleen Quinlan who loves her tiny hometown of Mercury, Texas. She dreams of moving away to the big city and becoming a successful photographer. However Keith wins her heart and wants her to stay.

This movie was shot primarily in Anson, Texas with a couple of scenes being shot in Merkel, Texas.

Check out the movie's trailer for "Independence Day"


"Dummy" (2005)

Jeff Bryant plays the technical director for the towns historic theater. Jeff gets trapped inside the old theater building overnight, which is scary enough as it is. However, Bryant discovers a ventriloquist "Dummy" that seems to come to life.

Dummy was filmed nearly entirely at the Paramount Theatre in Downtown Abilene. 

Check out this video for "Dummy" the movie


I found that a lot of movies mention Abilene in them, but these were the ones that were actually filmed in the Abilene area. So, did I miss one, please let me know so that it can be included.

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