Birmingham is the second-most populous city in the state of Alabama. It is a city with lots to offer, for example, its rich cultural past and terrific food scene. It is a very popular filming location for all different genres of movies, for example, gangster movies to musical comedies, dramas to true stories. So, if you want to know the top locations, here are some of the most famous movies filmed in Birmingham Alabama.
7 Famous Movies Filmed in Birmingham Alabama
1. Talladega Nights (2006)
Locations: some of the racetrack scenes were filmed at the Talladega Superspeedway
Starring Will Ferrell and a host of other famous names, for example, John C Reilly, Michael Clarke Duncan, Leslie Bibb, Amy Adams, Gary Cole, Jane Lynch, and Sacha Baron Cohen, this comedy film follows the exploits of Ricky Bobby played by Will Farrell who is trying to be the best NASCAR driver. However, the arrival of a French Formula One champion threatens his position as number one.
2. Borat (2006)
Locations: Etiquette School of Birmingham and Magnolia Springs Manor
Larry Charles directs this mock-documentary film that chronicles a visit to the United States by Kazakhstani television reporter, Borat Sagdiyev, played by Baron Cohen. Larry Charles filmed two scenes in Birmingham. The first is the one where Borat learns about Southern manners and he visits the Etiquette School of Birmingham. The second scene is the dinner party at Magnolia Springs Manor which Cindy Streit of Etiquette Training Services organises.
3. Failure to Launch (2006)
Locations: Jim’s Barbecue on Broad Street
Tom Dey directs this romantic comedy in which Matthew McConaughey and Sarah Jessica Parker star. There are other famous faces in the film, for example, Zooey Deschanel, Justin Bartha, Bradley Cooper, Terry Bradshaw, and Kathy Bates. The film follows Matthew McConaughey’s character who is a 35-year-old man still living at home with no intention of moving out leaving the comfortable life his parents made for him. However, expert Sarah Jessica Parker is on her way to help him to leave his parents’ house.
4. Verne Miller (1987)
Locations: Alabama Theatre, Tutwiler Hotel, Bessemer Hall of History, Shades Cahaba Elementary School, Piggly Wiggly
In Verne Miller, a movie inspired by real people and events, Scott Glenn stars as a hit-man for Al Capone’s Chicago mob. With many scenes filmed in Birmingham, for instance, in the parking lot of Piggly Wiggly, the film had its world premiere at the Alabama Theatre. Birmingham-native, Carl Spurlock had a role in the movie. He plays a judge.
5. Stay Hungry (1976)
Locations: the Bank for Savings Building, Mountain Brook Parkway, 2nd Avenue North, Joy Young Restaurant, Country Club of Birmingham, Boutwell Auditorium, and the Lyric Theatre
Bob Rafelson directs this movie. He adapted it from a 1972 novel set in the bodybuilding community in Birmingham. There are many famous faces in this movie, for instance, Jeff Bridges, Sally Field, and Arnold Schwarzenegger in his first major role. The story is about a crooked businessman who asks rich kid Craig Blake (Jeff Bridges) to help him buy a gym, which will be demolished for a new development project.
6. Space Jam (1996)
Locations: Hoover Metropolitan Stadium
Joe Pytka directs this live-action/animated sports comedy film in which Michael Jordan stars. The film is about Jordan’s retirement from the NBA in 1993 and his comeback in 1995. For his comeback, the Looney Tunes characters help him win a basketball match against a group of aliens. The director shot the opening scene at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium, where Jordan plays baseball.
7. 42 (2013)
Locations: Rickwood Field, Tutwiler Hotel, the Alabama Theatre
42 is a baseball movie in which Chadwick Boseman stars as Jackie Robinson. There are other famous faces in the film, for example, Harrison Ford as Dodgers owner Branch Rickey as well as Alabama natives Andre Holland, Lucas Black, and Linc Hand. The film follows the story of outfielder Jackie Robinson and his first year in the Major League in 1947.