Miami’s sun-drenched streets and vibrant energy have long captivated Hollywood’s imagination, transforming the city into a star-studded backdrop for countless films. From the glamorous allure of Miami Vice to the high-octane action of Fast and Furious, Miami’s cinematic history is as rich and diverse as its culture. Read along as we take you beyond the screen, revealing the iconic Miami movie locations you can actually visit, allowing you to step into your favorite films and experience the magic firsthand.
Miami: A Hollywood Hotspot
Miami’s Cinematic History
Miami’s allure has captivated the movie industry since the 1920s, evolving from family-friendly portrayals like Flipper to the gritty glamour of Miami Vice. Blockbuster films like Scarface, True Lies, and the Fast and Furious franchise have solidified Miami’s status as a prime filming location.
Since the 1920s, the movie industry has had a crush on the tropical region. Beginning in the 1960s, the country fell in love with Miami through the charming, bottlenose dolphin star Flipper, who swam joyfully off the waters of the Florida coast in a family-friendly series. However, it wasn’t until Miami Vice aired that the lens began to show a less than idyllic view of Miami filled with glitz, glam, fast cars and the seedy underbelly, that piqued Hollywood’s interest. With the blockbuster success of Miami-based films such as Scarface, True Lies and the Fast and Furious action franchise, the city solidified its reputation as a go-to destination for Hollywood films.
Iconic Miami Movie Locations to Explore
Scarface & The Bodyguard at Fontainebleau Miami Beach
Indulge in the glamour of the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, an architectural icon that served as a backdrop for Scarface and The Bodyguard. Relive scenes poolside or in the luxurious penthouse suite.
The next time you find yourself sipping cocktails poolside at the iconic Morris Lapidus-designed Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel you may be in the exact same spot where Al Pacino and Steven Bauer plotted how to hook up with women in Scarface. Another starring role for this architectural gem happened to be in Whitney Houston’s first film The Bodyguard—the penthouse suite, the pool and what is now LIV nightclub all appeared in the flick.
Rock of Ages at Hard Rock Live (Hollywood, FL)
Experience the energy of Rock of Ages at Hard Rock Live, a Hollywood, Florida, venue that transformed into a California concert setting for the film. This state-of-the-art arena hosts major musical acts, sporting events, and comedy shows.
Through movie magic, see the Hard Rock Live transformed into a Hollywood, California, concert venue where Tom Cruise and his movie band, Arsenal, channel their inner rocker in the big-budget 1980s musical Rock of Ages. Located in Florida’s “Hollywood”—the city name—the Hard Rock Live attracts all kinds of music lovers, sports enthusiasts and comedy fans to its state-of-the-art arena. Some of the biggest names in entertainment have appeared here.
The Birdcage on Lincoln Road
Stroll along the vibrant Lincoln Road Farmers Market, a location featured in The Birdcage. This bustling market offers fresh produce, local goods, and a lively atmosphere.
Open year-round every Sunday, the Lincoln Road Farmers Market between Washington Avenue and Meridian Avenue is open from 9 am to 6:30 pm and features fresh fruits, veggies, Zak the Baker bread, local honey, jams, flowers and more. The green market is a lovely way to spend the day along Lincoln Road. But don’t take it from us, “The Birdcage” stars Nathan Lane and the late Robin Williams pick this strip to stroll during the film.
Miami Vice on the Miami River
Explore the gritty beauty of the Miami River, a frequent filming location for Michael Mann’s “Miami Vice.” Consider a boat tour to experience the river’s working waterfront and iconic city views.
Director Michael Mann of Collateral, ALI and Miami Vice fame is known for his fondness of nighttime shooting. So when the movie adaption of the 1980s hit TV show Miami Vice came to town, it was no surprise that most of the movie takes place at night and that it dedicated a sizeable amount of screen time to the Miami River, as it did throughout the run of the television series of the same name. Catch a glimpse of The Ivy condominium towers and the Frame Art gallery and framing shop alongside Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx. But if you want to relive some of the movie’s iconic scenes, we recommend booking a boat tour of Miami’s working river.
Chef at Versailles Restaurant (Little Havana)
Savor authentic Cuban flavors at Versailles Restaurant in Little Havana, a location featured in Jon Favreau’s Chef. Indulge in Cuban coffee, sandwiches, and pastries.
When Jon Favreau’s Chef character, Carl Jasper, quits his job in Los Angeles, he decides to pursue his culinary passion at the famous Versailles restaurant in Little Havana. Here, you can taste the world-famous Cuban coffee, Cuban sandwiches, and “pastelitos” (pastries usually filled with guava paste, cheese, or beef).
Bad Boys II at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami
Experience the stylish elegance of the Mandarin Oriental, Miami, a backdrop for a dramatic entrance in Bad Boys II. The hotel’s MO Bar + Lounge offers sophisticated drinks and bay views.
When detectives Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) in Bad Boys II wanted to make an attention-grabbing entrance, they did it at the stylish Mandarin Oriental hotel lobby overlooking Biscayne Bay. This Forbes Five-Star hotel’s MO Bar + Lounge is also a great place to sample sake hybrids along with wine and coffee.
Iron Man 3 & Bad Boys II at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Explore the opulent Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Coconut Grove, a frequent filming location, most notably as a mansion in Iron Man 3 and Bad Boys II.
If Vizcaya Museum and Gardens looks familiar, it is probably because the former 1920s European-inspired villa in Coconut Grove is a well-known setting for countless blockbuster hits, most recently as Aldrich Killian’s Miami mansion in Iron Man 3. Also the home of drug smuggler Johnny Tapia in Bad Boys II and the party house from Jim Carrey’s zany comedy Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.
Any Given Sunday & Marley and Me at Hard Rock Stadium
Visit the home of the Miami Dolphins, now known as Hard Rock Stadium, featured in sports films like Any Given Sunday and the family-friendly Marley and Me.
Take in a game at the home of the Miami Dolphins and walk through the halls where action-packed films like Any Given Sunday, and Marley and Me cast go on a family outing and where the fictitious football team of HBO’s new series Ballers play. The preseason starts August 2025.
True Lies on the Seven Mile Bridge (Florida Keys)
While not in Miami, the Seven Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys provides a dramatic backdrop for True Lies. Although the destruction was movie magic, the bridge is a memorable cinematic landmark.
Helicopter stunts, explosions and a spy caper involving Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis provide the backdrop to the story that ends with an epic bridge escape and ultimately blowing up the Seven Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys, in the 1994 blockbuster True Lies. Needless to say, it wasn’t the real bridge. However, to movie audiences, the famous narrow road above the turquoise waters certainly looked like the real deal. Beware, the next time you drive to the Keys, you might just make your Hollywood cameo.
There’s Something About Mary at Miami-Dade Cultural Plaza
Explore the Miami-Dade Cultural Plaza, a Mediterranean-style complex featured in There’s Something About Mary. Discover the architecture and the art collection housed within the public libraries.
Surrounded by impressive architecture housing the Miami-Dade Public Library and HistoryMiami, the Cultural Plaza, designed by Phillip Johnson in the style of a classic Mediterranean city plaza, stands out in the Downtown Miami skyline. At the former home of the Center for Fine Arts (later renamed to the Miami Art Museum and closed to become the Pérez Art Museum Miami) is where Cameron Diaz “Mary” takes Matt Dillon “Pat” to an architecture exhibit. In fact, most of the film is shot around Miami. Scattered throughout the public libraries in Miami you’ll find an impressive art collection of over 860 artists, including works by Purvis Young, Edward Ruscha, and Gleason Waite Romer.Steele Rutherford)
