When Broward County was Hollywood East — and movie cameras were everywhere
Several movies have been filmed in Broward County. You might be wondering: Why did Hollywood once come to Broward — and why did it leave?
Here’s the short history.
From the 1960s through the early 2000s, South Florida — including Broward County — was a regular backdrop for Hollywood movies and television shows.
From “Flipper” to “Miami Vice” to “Scarface,” productions were drawn — even if only for a few scenes — to the region’s year-round sunshine, beaches, waterways, Art Deco architecture and reputation for crime-driven storylines.
At the time, Florida aggressively promoted itself as “Hollywood East,” offering tax incentives and logistical support to production companies.
Broward County, in particular, offered practical advantages: easy highway access, varied neighborhoods, quiet residential streets and fewer crowds than the already-booming South Beach.
Fort Lauderdale’s Venice-like canal system and waterfront homes became especially attractive for crime dramas and thrillers, while Hollywood and Dania Beach frequently hosted location shoots.
That momentum peaked in the 1980s and 1990s, when Florida’s incentive programs helped lure a record number of productions.
But the boom didn’t last.
By the late 2000s, as Florida’s political climate shifted, the state began rolling back — and eventually eliminated — its film tax incentives.
Other states, notably Georgia and Louisiana, stepped in with richer, long-term packages that proved far more attractive to studios.
Before it all ended, however, South Florida — and Broward County in particular — left a lasting mark on Hollywood.
Here are some of the notable movies that were filmed in Broward:
There’s Something About Mary (1998)
Stars: Cameron Diaz, Ben Stiller, Matt Dillon
Where filmed: Plantation City Hall and other Broward locations
Why notable: Major box-office hit and one of the most famous comedies ever shot in Broward; Plantation City Hall doubled as a high school.
Marley & Me (2008)
Stars: Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston
Where filmed: Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale
Why notable: Emotional blockbuster about a dog filmed across Broward, including the former Sun Sentinel building and local neighborhoods. Book was written by former Sun Sentinel staffer John Grogan.
Caddyshack (1980)
Stars: Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Rodney Dangerfield
Where filmed: Grande Oaks Golf Club in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County scenes
Why notable: One of the most iconic comedies ever made, with enduring pop-culture influence.
Porky’s (1981)
Stars: Dan Monahan, Mark Herrier, Kim Cattrall
Where filmed: Primarily Miami-Dade County but with Broward influences
Why notable: One of the highest-grossing comedies of the early 1980s. Writer-director Bob Clark based the story on his teenage years in Broward County, including experiences at Fort Lauderdale High School and a real-life club in Oakland Park.
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)
Star: Jim Carrey
Where filmed: Supporting scenes in Broward County
Why notable: Often associated with Miami, but several Broward locations were used during production.
Hoot (2006)
Stars: Logan Lerman, Luke Wilson
Where filmed: Fort Lauderdale, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea locations
Why notable: Family film based on Carl Hiaasen’s novel, filmed extensively in Broward.
Cape Fear (1991)
Stars: Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte
Where filmed: Hollywood, Davie, Broward College locations
Why notable: Director Martin Scorsese’s remake featured multiple Broward locations.
The Devil’s Advocate (1997)
Stars: Al Pacino, Keanu Reeves
Where filmed: Fort Lauderdale and Broward interiors/exteriors
Why notable: High-profile legal thriller with courtroom and city scenes filmed locally.
The Specialist (1994)
Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone
Where filmed: Fort Lauderdale and Broward County
Why notable: Known for large explosions and stunt work that caused significant local disruption.
Fair Game (1995)
Stars: Cindy Crawford, Billy Baldwin
Where filmed: Fort Lauderdale and surrounding Broward locations
Why notable: Action-heavy production remembered locally for road closures and explosive scenes.
Midnight Cowboy (1969)
Stars: Jon Voight, Dustin Hoffman
Where filmed: Hollywood
Why notable: Academy Award winner for Best Picture with rare Broward filming. Throughout the movie, the friends are trying to make their way to Florida. Finals scenes were shot in Fort Lauderdale and the old Great Southern Hotel in Hollywood.
Reversal of Fortune (1990)
Stars: Jeremy Irons, Glenn Close
Where filmed: Fort Lauderdale and Broward County
Why notable: Oscar-winning performance by Irons; courtroom scenes filmed locally.
Bulworth (1998)
Star: Warren Beatty
Where filmed: South Florida, including Broward
Why notable: Political satire requiring large rally and crowd scenes.
Where the Boys Are (1960)
Stars: Dolores Hart, George Hamilton, Yvette Mimieux, Connie Francis
Where filmed: Fort Lauderdale beach
Why notable: The premier Broward movie. Defined Fort Lauderdale’s spring-break image and helped launch the city as a tourist destination.
Wild Things (1998)
Stars: Matt Dillon, Kevin Bacon, Neve Campbell, Denise Richards
Where filmed: Davie, Plantation and other Broward locations
Why notable: Sexual thriller and cult favorite filmed extensively in Broward. Scenes were filmed in Fort Lauderdale. Courthouse scenes were shot in Miami.
Baywatch (2017)
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron
Where filmed: Deerfield Beach and nearby Broward coastal areas
Why notable: Modern reboot of the television show that briefly brought major studio filming back to Broward beaches.
Editor’s note: This list was compiled with the help of artificial intelligence and verified with additional reporting.
This story was originally published December 24, 2025 at 12:27 PM.
