Utah may be best known for its outdoor lifestyle, dramatic red rock landscapes, and world-class skiing—but it also has a thriving second life on screen.
From gritty thrillers and heartwarming Disney originals to major motion pictures, filmmakers have long turned to Utah when they need a location that feels just right. With its diverse natural scenery and distinctive neighborhoods, the state has served as the backdrop for everything from Mars landscapes to small-town Americana.
And while southern Utah often steals the spotlight, Salt Lake City and surrounding areas have played a surprisingly big role in film and television history too.
Famous Films Shot Across Utah
Utah’s stunning landscapes, from desert expanses to towering rock formations, have made it a go-to for filmmakers seeking dramatic settings. Here’s a look at some iconic films shot in Utah’s unforgettable outdoor destinations:
- 127 Hours – Danny Boyle’s intense biographical drama follows Aron Ralston’s survival in Bluejohn Canyon near Canyonlands National Park. The slot canyons’ rugged beauty heightens the film’s gripping tension.
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade – The “leap of faith” scene, directed by Steven Spielberg, was shot at Arches National Park, where sandstone arches double as a Middle Eastern setting for this 1989 adventure.
- Thelma & Louise – Ridley Scott’s 1991 road movie ends with the iconic cliff scene at Dead Horse Point State Park, its sweeping canyon vistas amplifying the film’s rebellious spirit.
- Forrest Gump – Robert Zemeckis chose Monument Valley, on the Utah-Arizona border, for Forrest’s emotional run-ending scene, its iconic buttes creating a timeless backdrop.
- Westworld – HBO’s sci-fi series used Glen Canyon and Moab’s red rock landscapes to craft its eerie, futuristic West, blending alien and familiar vibes.
Utah’s diverse terrain and golden-hour lighting make it a filmmaker’s dream, evoking awe and emotion in these cinematic classics.
TV and Movie Locations in Salt Lake City
Beyond the national parks and desert views, Utah’s capital has also made its mark on the screen—often playing itself or standing in for anywhere USA.
Here are a few locations around Salt Lake City you might recognize:
High School Musical
Yes, East High is real—and it’s still a functioning public high school located in the heart of Salt Lake City’s Liberty Wells neighborhood. The original High School Musical trilogy filmed many of its iconic scenes on-site, including classroom shots, cafeteria dance numbers, and the basketball court sequences. The school’s vibrant energy perfectly captured the trilogy’s feel-good vibe, with its real hallways and gym bringing authenticity to the story of teen romance and musical dreams. Fans still flock to see the Wildcat spirit in person, and the films’ mix of catchy tunes and heartfelt moments owes a lot to this lively setting.
Distance from The Citizen:
- East High: 7-minute drive from The Citizen
Dumb and Dumber
While much of the film takes place “across America,” several key scenes were filmed in Salt Lake City, including at Salt Lake International Airport and in downtown’s historic areas. The airport’s chaotic energy was ideal for Lloyd and Harry’s hilarious travel mishaps, and the historic downtown streets added a classic American feel to their wild road trip. The city’s polished look contrasts perfectly with the movie’s over-the-top comedy, making those scenes pop with unexpected charm.
Distance from The Citizen:
- Salt Lake International Airport: 10-minute drive from The Citizen
- Downtown SLC: 5-minute drive from The Citizen
Hereditary
The unsettling horror film may be set in an unnamed town, but it was filmed in neighborhoods throughout Salt Lake and Park City. The scenery adds just as much to the film’s tension as the script. From a modern house in Park City that feels eerily isolated to an apartment in Salt Lake that ramps up the creepy occult vibes, the locations make the horror feel uncomfortably real. A funeral home in Sandy and a high school in Capital Hill blend everyday normalcy with dread, showing off Salt Lake’s knack for setting a chilling mood.
Notable movie locations found in the Salt Lake valley (and their distance from The Citizen):
- The Graham House: White Pine Canyon Road in Park City (40-minute drive from The Citizen)
- Joan’s apartment: 839 E S Temple, Salt Lake City (6-minute drive from The Citizen)
- The Funeral Home: Larkin Sunset Gardens in Sandy (26-minute drive from The Citizen)
- The School: West High School in the Capital Hill neighborhood of Salt Lake City (8-minute drive from The Citizen)
Andi Mack
This Disney Channel show was shot entirely in Salt Lake City and Cottonwood Heights. Familiar coffee shops, parks, and streets appear throughout the series. The show’s grounded, heartfelt storytelling about family and identity shines through in its cozy local spots, like a bustling main street in Magna and schools in Cottonwood Heights and beyond. Lush parks and community hangouts like a library, golf center, and arena give it that authentic Utah flavor, making Andi’s journey feel like it could happen in your own backyard.
Notable locations in the Salt Lake Valley where scenes were filmed (and their distance from The Citizen):
- Magna Main Street: 21-minute drive from The Citizen
- Wasatch Junior High: 16-minute drive from The Citizen
- Liberty Park: 3-minute drive from The Citizen
- Sugar House Park: 14-minute drive from The Citizen
- Skyline High School: 18-minute drive from The Citizen
- Magna Library: 22-minute drive from The Citizen
- Mulligans Golf & Games: 19-minute drive from The Citizen
- Magna-Copper Park: 22-minute drive from The Citizen
- Maverick Center: 15-minute drive from The Citizen
- Avenues Yoga: 11-minute drive from The Citizen
Touched by an Angel
This 90s hit filmed dozens of episodes in and around Salt Lake City. The Union Pacific Depot downtown and Liberty Park made frequent appearances. The depot’s grand, old-school architecture was a perfect stand-in for various city settings, while the park’s serene greenery set the stage for the show’s emotional, uplifting moments. Salt Lake’s warm, welcoming vibe helped make the series’ stories of hope and connection feel right at home.
Distance from The Citizen:
- The Union Pacific Depot: 7-minute drive from The Citizen
- Liberty Park: 3-minute drive from The Citizen
The Sandlot
A fan favorite, The Sandlot was filmed largely in Glendale, just outside Salt Lake proper. You can still visit the original baseball diamond—just don’t forget your PF Flyers. The neighborhood’s retro charm brought the ‘60s setting to life, with the diamond hosting those epic games against “The Beast.” Other spots like a little league field, suburban homes, a drugstore, and a community pool added to the nostalgic, small-town feel that makes this coming-of-age story so timeless.
Distance from The Citizen:
- The Sandlot: 1392 Glenrose Dr S, Salt Lake City (11-minute drive from The Citizen) (p.s. there are several “No Trespassing” signs at this location, so please do not cross over the fenced area.)
- Little League Field: Riverside Baseball Field (14-minute drive from The Citizen)
- Scotty Smalls House: 1556 S 2000 E Salt Lake City (12-minute drive from The Citizen)
- Benny Rodriguez’ House: 1571 S 2000 E Salt Lake City (12-minute drive from The Citizen)
- Ham Porter’s House: 2005 Bryan Ave. S Salt Lake City (12-minute drive from The Citizen)
- Vincent Drug: 7696 N. Main Street Midvale (17-minute drive from The Citizen)
- Valley Vista Park Community Pool: 1691 Gramercy Ave. Ogden (46-minute drive from The Citizen)
Beyond Hollywood: Utah’s Film Festival Scene
Big studio productions aren’t the only ones taking advantage of Utah’s cinematic scenery. The stateBig studio productions aren’t the only ones taking advantage of Utah’s cinematic scenery. The state—especially Salt Lake City and Park City—has become a hub for indie filmmakers and storytellers from around the world.
Sundance Film Festival
Utah’s most famous film event, Sundance, is held every January in Park City and Salt Lake City. It’s where major films like Whiplash, Get Out, and Call Me by Your Name were first introduced to the world. The festival also shines a spotlight on local talent—many indie films screened at Sundance are filmed right here in Utah, often using familiar neighborhoods and landscapes as their backdrop.
Utah Film Center & Tumbleweeds Film Festival
Salt Lake City is home to the Utah Film Center, which screens independent films year-round and organizes the Tumbleweeds Film Festival—a family-friendly celebration of creative youth storytelling. Both highlight voices that are often underrepresented in mainstream film and give Utahns access to groundbreaking work before it hits the wider market.
FilmQuest, Damn These Heels, and More
From horror and sci-fi lovers at FilmQuest (in Provo) to LGBTQ+ stories at the Utah Queer Film Festival in Salt Lake City, Utah’s film scene is anything but one-note. These festivals offer the chance to see bold, locally shot work and connect with a community of creatives pushing the boundaries of independent film.
Roll Credits: Utah’s Cinematic Side Is Just Getting Started
From iconic movie moments and Disney Channel nostalgia to boundary-pushing indie films, Utah continues to surprise with its role in shaping what we see on screen. Whether you’re strolling past East High, catching a local premiere at a downtown theater, or recognizing that red rock vista from your favorite film, there’s something special about living in a place that doubles as a movie set.
