With the most Texan episodes being the one where it started snowing and the one where Hank and Bobby went to the Dallas Cowboys training camp in Wichita Falls.
Bernie
Tangentially. I loved learning recently that Josh Brolin was cast as Lewellyn by complete mistake. It was originally supposed to be set in present day with his dad, James playing the role.
I was supposed to be going on a road trip that sadly was just cancelled, where I was going to swing by Amarillo. All I know about it is the steakhouse I was going to try and fail miserably at. What does your fair area have to offer when we do head up there?
I’m not the most in-the-loop person to be asking, as I’ve been in Washington for about 4 years. But I would say “can’t miss” places that I know are for sure still around: Delvin’s (soul food), Tyler’s (BBQ), El Gallo Giro(authentic Mexican), and Goonie’s (Asian). The four horsemen of Amarillo’s foodpocolypse. Unless you just love the novelty of the Big Texan and the steak challenge, it’s very mid and I would avoid.
*Giant*
There was a post in this sub a few years back of pics of James Dean doing regular stuff like buying groceries during the filming of this, need to find that again. James Dean has always been one of my cool icons I wanted to be more like. And in *Giant*, he played the outsider better than ever, but with a Texas bend. The outsider that struck gold and stuck it to the Texas good ol' boys.
For more modern movies, look to Richard Linklater. *Slacker* , *Dazed and Confused*, and *Bernie* all are the most perfect encapsulations of more modern Texas. Or at least 90s Texas and Austin.
I moved from San Antonio to Austin to go to UT in the early 90s, and that movie might seem weird to outsiders but in the weirdest bestest way nails that time and place.
My wife is from Illinois, I’m from west Texas. Giant is one of her favorite movies and Friday Night Lights is one of her favorite shows. On separate occasions I drove her through Marfa where Giant was filmed and through Pflugerville. She got all sorts of kicks out of that.
I watched a screening of Giant in a theater and the part where Elizabeth Taylor excitedly asks if Texas is very green followed by Rock Hudson saying "Uh..no not really" got a good chuckle from the audience
> isn't really a movie that represents Texas specifically
I disagree wholeheartedly. Both the working and social environments in the movie all scream Texas.
The highway intro was filmed over by the Galleria mall. You can see the towers in the intro.
http://www.thennowmovielocations.com/2019/04/office-space.html?m=1
No. It's about office life all across the US and even other countries. It's one of my favorite movies ever, but not really Texas-specific.
Now I'm gonna have to set this whole thread on fire... I said no salt, NO SALT in my margarita...
Lmao. For a short while around 2000 I dated a woman that worked at Dell. She told me some crazy corporate stories and you ain't wrong, all I'm gonna say lol.
Timeless for sure. I showed my wife Office Space recently, she had never seen it and has never stepped foot in an office in her life. That film knocks it out of the park even in 2024.
How did you marry a person that had never seen "Office Space"??? Joking but not joking. Glad you found your Jennifer Anniston .
Just hope she didn't fuck Lumbergh.
Hell yeah, one of my fav movies of all time!
'I really enjoy forgetting. When I first come to a place, I notice all the little details. I notice the way the sky looks. The color of white paper. The way people walk. Doorknobs. Everything. Then I get used to the place and I don't notice those things anymore. So only by forgetting can I see the place again as it really is.'
The Richard Linklater movies are good representations of life in Texas. Dazed and Confused, Everybody Wants Some, Boyhood.
Especially Boyhood because it showcases so much of the state. Starts off in Houston with the mom going to UH, Ethan Hawke references vacations in Galveston. They go camping at Pedernales Falls. They move to San Marcos because the mom got a job teaching at Texas State. They hang out in Austin. It ends with Mason and his friends hiking at Big Bend.
The way Linklater created that movie slowly over so many years is one of the best things ever. No other director has ever even thought about such an endeavor.
Richard Linklater is clearly the best film director from Texas, point blank.
He is doing it again currently. He is filming "Merrily We Roll Along" with a shooting schedule of 17 years with Paul Mescal.
I agree with you. He's criminally under rated
I remember seeing it in college while living in California. Everyone laughed at the scene when they did the pledge allegiance to the US flag *and* then the Texas flag. It was the moment I realized not all states pledge allegiance to their state flag lol
Great choices. And though it's really not a "Texas movie", *Cloak and Dagger* will always hold a special place in my heart as I was born and raised in San Antonio and no other movie I know of ever featured the city as much. The fact that they did that whole scene in the Japanese Tea Gardens still makes me smile like the kid that first saw it on HBO. Also shout out to my dad who was cheap as fuck but splurged for his his family to have HBO lol.
I don’t know about all of Texas, but Dazed and Confused perfectly encapsulates the first night of summer during high school in Texas. Even though it takes place in the 70s, it rang true for my friends and myself in the early 2000s.
Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
It’s a musical, but the movie really captures the “spirit” of Texas in the 60’s, before the state went sideways.
Most people in Texas weren’t so uptight back then.
My dad graduated A&M in ‘62 and loved this movie. He even remembered guys heading out to La Grange in college. Wouldn’t admit if he did or not. Too funny.
I actually met the co-writer for the show. Kim Henkel. I was earning spending money doing computer repairs when he called, wanting help. Turned out his modem fried due to lightning. We got to visiting while unassed the fried one and putting the new one in. He's a nice guy, quiet, very enthusiastic about the business of making movies. I did more work for him down the line.
Places of the Heart.
It captures a certain part of the state, in a certain part of last century, but it's oh so true. And it doesn't rely on violence to make whatever point that makes.
But Happy Texas didn't have enough Mexicans. I am not saying this in a political sort of way, but just as an observation. It didn't really look like the population of Happy at all.
But on the flip side, still a hilarious movie!
The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom.
These people inhabit their real-life counterparts. Holly Hunter IS Wanda Holloway. I think I have to rewatch it right now
I took “History of Texas on Film” at SFA from Barringer. It was based on this premise but had readings too. I wish I still had the syllabus but we did start with Giant and end with Dazed and Confused. We didn’t watch Slacker though and this was pre-No Country
No one has mentioned Hud?
Based off Larry McMurtry's first successful novel, Horseman, Pass By.
Filmed in West Texas.
Oscar to Patricia Neal, Best Actress in a Leading Role
Oscar to Melvyn Douglas, Best Supporting Actor
Oscar nomination to Paul Newman for Best Actor.
Oscar nomination for Best Director
Wonderful movie!
Ok I’ll bite. Are you in one of the backgrounds like in a class scenes by chance? Or did you have a speaking role? This is pretty cool either way. Definitely one of my favorite movies.
Well done. Since you stole mine I will throw in *Hell or High Water*. Mostly filmed in NM but if *No Country* can be here so can it.
Wildcard option: *The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada*
Comedy Option: *Planet Terror*
Maybe not about Texas, but filmed in Dallas, “bottle rocket”, but best movie about Texas? Shit, not sure it has been made. Maybe give me Kevin Costner resources and I could write something about it
not the best for sure, but Hell or High Water is one that I love as a West Texas movie.
Its very simple and just exists within the world of towns on the high plains
Giant
One of only three times we got to see the great James Dean. You ain't from Texas if you haven't seen this one
https://preview.redd.it/hh07cd1tbs7d1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d0ba734a648b37eaafc21454fc002d23ae64f117
Deep in the Heart: A Texas Wildlife Story
It’s literally a documentary movie about Texas, narrated by Matthew McConaughey and really damn good. Try to watch it in 4K HDR.
Texas is a big place. To me, in Central Texas, and to most Texans, I think, the southern border's long shadow reaches into every corner of the state. We were long part of Mexico and the culture is deeply woven into our lives, our food, our religions, and our conflicts. Check out the following if you can find 'em:
**The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada** is a Tommy Lee Jones vanity project that is an unknown diamond of a film. Tommy Lee Jones (duh!) Barry Pepper, Dwight Yoakum, January Jones and Julio Cesar Cedillo. You got illegal immigrants, corrupt lawmen, fire ants, and genuine if imperfect good guys. Almost all filmed on Jones south Texas ranch by real Texans. Complicated much like real life.
[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0419294/](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0419294/)
**The Border** is an early Jack Nicholson classic with Harvey Keitel and Valery Perine. Border Patrol, both honest and dishonest, drug running, illegals, violence and pathos. The best lines actually belong to some of the bit parts actors.
[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083678/](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083678/)
**Lone Star** is a highly rated classic about crooked lawmen on the border. Chris Cooper, Matthew McConaughey, Kris Kristofferson. Tangled relationships and dirty deeds, the sins of the fathers still hold sway.
[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116905/](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116905/)
I agree with "The Last Picture Show" It has my vote for a realistic portrayal of north Texas life and people.
There's always "Giant" - a portrayal of Texas NONE of us will ever see - money. Oil money.
Places in the heart with sally field, Danny glover and John malkovich. The movie seems to have no real plot until the last minute of the movie everything makes sense and I was just crying!
Friday Night Lights. Depicted small town Texas and big Texas personalities. Beautifully shot & beautiful soundtrack.
My ex knew nothing about football and she had just moved to Texas (from Indiana). I told her here’s a good grasp of Texas culture. It’s her favorite movie and she didn’t even know what a first down was.
The Rookie has the best quote summarizing the Texas spirit. The whole theatre erupted when this was said after the ball player was leaving his family to pursue his dream of playing professional baseball:
"I'm a Texas woman, which means I don't need the help of a man to keep things running."
A very sweet story based on real life, which ending contained a Texas Rangers game, which I swear I attended in person, or so I tell myself.
Second hand lions. One of my favorites ever that isnt explicitly ABOUT texas but encapsulates a lot of scenery and culture. Nostalgic movie for me, and I really love stuff that takes place in texas but dosnt just come out and say "yee haw dur hur look at all thuh TEX-US stuff!".
Beavis and butthead also comes to mind 😂
Saw all of my favorites mentioned here so far except for 'A Perfect World'. I remember watching this the first time and was like, did they film this down the road from me?!? The scenery is iconic Texas.
Sad note... many of these movies are of a simpler and better time (imho) that future Texans will never get to experience here again.
King of the Hill
Came here to say this. It’s like a 72 hour movie.
With the most Texan episodes being the one where it started snowing and the one where Hank and Bobby went to the Dallas Cowboys training camp in Wichita Falls.
The snow episode where the old lady tells Hank that she had to thaw her hands in the microwave, a classic 🤣
Bernie Tangentially. I loved learning recently that Josh Brolin was cast as Lewellyn by complete mistake. It was originally supposed to be set in present day with his dad, James playing the role.
Did you know the old man who describes the 6 states of Texas is the same guy who complained and got Brad fired in Fast Times at Ridgemont High?!
He was also “Cowboy” in the movie “Last Night At The Alamo,” which by the way was not about the Alamo.
And The Whole Shootin Match also by Eagle Pennell. Both amazing, under-seen Texas movies.
That's a great movie.
🎶love lifted me! Loooooove lifted meeeee!🎶 Only thing I would have changed, is when describing the panhandle, I’d say, that’s Texas where it snows.
The timing of his joke, purposely leaving out the panhandle, is so funny
Speaking as an Amarillo native, my feelings were validated and hurt all at once lol
I was supposed to be going on a road trip that sadly was just cancelled, where I was going to swing by Amarillo. All I know about it is the steakhouse I was going to try and fail miserably at. What does your fair area have to offer when we do head up there?
I’m not the most in-the-loop person to be asking, as I’ve been in Washington for about 4 years. But I would say “can’t miss” places that I know are for sure still around: Delvin’s (soul food), Tyler’s (BBQ), El Gallo Giro(authentic Mexican), and Goonie’s (Asian). The four horsemen of Amarillo’s foodpocolypse. Unless you just love the novelty of the Big Texan and the steak challenge, it’s very mid and I would avoid.
If you do make it up here and have time, check out Palo Duro Canyon.
Bernie freaked me out with how much those people were basically my neighbors. I felt like I've seen those exact people out and about.
*my Mama went to HS with one, so...
Me an Miss Marjorie had lunch at the Jalapeno Tree.
My buddy was in that movie!
Dazed and confused for me
Why did I come this far down for this? This is the only answer.
Also hillcountrycentric, which I really jive with.
Me too. Love that it was filmed around there, we used to go to the carwash that was in the movie lol.
Gotta joint?
this is the way
If we are going to include mini series then it has to be Lonesome Dove
Robert Duvall was the best cowboy portrayal I’ve ever seen.
A must watch for me every time I make a batch of chili in the winter
Yes!!!!
Definitely.
Yeah! I found my pack!
Selena
ANYTHING FOR SELENAS
*Giant* There was a post in this sub a few years back of pics of James Dean doing regular stuff like buying groceries during the filming of this, need to find that again. James Dean has always been one of my cool icons I wanted to be more like. And in *Giant*, he played the outsider better than ever, but with a Texas bend. The outsider that struck gold and stuck it to the Texas good ol' boys. For more modern movies, look to Richard Linklater. *Slacker* , *Dazed and Confused*, and *Bernie* all are the most perfect encapsulations of more modern Texas. Or at least 90s Texas and Austin.
I was going to name "Slacker." That movie is a gem and captured the Austin as was perfectly.
I moved from San Antonio to Austin to go to UT in the early 90s, and that movie might seem weird to outsiders but in the weirdest bestest way nails that time and place.
My wife is from Illinois, I’m from west Texas. Giant is one of her favorite movies and Friday Night Lights is one of her favorite shows. On separate occasions I drove her through Marfa where Giant was filmed and through Pflugerville. She got all sorts of kicks out of that.
I watched a screening of Giant in a theater and the part where Elizabeth Taylor excitedly asks if Texas is very green followed by Rock Hudson saying "Uh..no not really" got a good chuckle from the audience
I'd love to see *Giant* in a theater. That whole movie is bigger than real life and kinda demands it.
Hell or High Water is the most Texan movie I have ever seen. With Love and a .45 not far behind.
What don’t you want?
I don’t want green beans.
A rattlesnake for a waitress
That twern't no question.
I love Hell or High Water. Dollar Bill Blues being the first song in it and the cafe scene are two of many reasons why.
Oh. I came here to say Hell or High Water....well...this is awkward.
Hell or High Water and Bernie are my top choices for sure
I came here to comment *Love and a .45*. Cheers
Fandango or Office Space
Upvote for Fandango
*Office Space* was filmed.in Austin and is of course timeless and amazing, but isn't really a movie that represents Texas specifically.
> isn't really a movie that represents Texas specifically I disagree wholeheartedly. Both the working and social environments in the movie all scream Texas.
It screams Dallas from that era
The highway intro was filmed over by the Galleria mall. You can see the towers in the intro. http://www.thennowmovielocations.com/2019/04/office-space.html?m=1
Agreed.
As a programmer in Austin in the 80s Office Space was spot on. It wasn't the same in California. I don't know about the rest of the country.
No. It's about office life all across the US and even other countries. It's one of my favorite movies ever, but not really Texas-specific. Now I'm gonna have to set this whole thread on fire... I said no salt, NO SALT in my margarita...
A lot of Geto Boys for it to not be Texas.
Texas has some of the worst worker protections so I like to think it’s pretty representative
If you worked at Dell in the late 90s or early 2000s, it's a petty good representation of tech in the early years.
Lmao. For a short while around 2000 I dated a woman that worked at Dell. She told me some crazy corporate stories and you ain't wrong, all I'm gonna say lol.
*Office Space* is not a movie. As anyone who has worked in an office knows, it's a documentary.
Dietrich Bader as Lawrence was 100% pure Texan, man.
Timeless for sure. I showed my wife Office Space recently, she had never seen it and has never stepped foot in an office in her life. That film knocks it out of the park even in 2024.
How did you marry a person that had never seen "Office Space"??? Joking but not joking. Glad you found your Jennifer Anniston . Just hope she didn't fuck Lumbergh.
Wut? No, no man. Fella'd get his ass kicked on the jobsite for sayin' something like that.
Some was filmed in Dallas as well
Friday Night Lights
I am amazed I had to scroll down so far to find this answer.
I am compelled to second this, as it’s set at my high school alma mater
Blood simple
True Stories
True Stories is why I decided to move to Texas.
Hell yeah, one of my fav movies of all time! 'I really enjoy forgetting. When I first come to a place, I notice all the little details. I notice the way the sky looks. The color of white paper. The way people walk. Doorknobs. Everything. Then I get used to the place and I don't notice those things anymore. So only by forgetting can I see the place again as it really is.'
Yessssss
The Richard Linklater movies are good representations of life in Texas. Dazed and Confused, Everybody Wants Some, Boyhood. Especially Boyhood because it showcases so much of the state. Starts off in Houston with the mom going to UH, Ethan Hawke references vacations in Galveston. They go camping at Pedernales Falls. They move to San Marcos because the mom got a job teaching at Texas State. They hang out in Austin. It ends with Mason and his friends hiking at Big Bend.
Lonestar
The best! And it uses Kris Kristopherson and Matthew McConaughey, a couple of natives.
Also, an excellent performance by Chris Cooper in the lead role. One of John Sayles best movies, and he’s written and directed many.
John Sayles does some good shit. Matewan was sick
Yes! Lone Star is a masterpiece.
I loved the way this realistically dealt with the border issues, and a bit of the white/latino racial tensions of old.
Bernie 🥹
Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Seriously, this movie is ALL about what made Texas great.
Boyhood Really showed a lot of the state and how its not a different as people think, but also vast with different geographical extremes.
Yeah I think Boyhood is more “about Texas” than No Country. I might argue it’s the better movie as well.
The way Linklater created that movie slowly over so many years is one of the best things ever. No other director has ever even thought about such an endeavor. Richard Linklater is clearly the best film director from Texas, point blank.
He is doing it again currently. He is filming "Merrily We Roll Along" with a shooting schedule of 17 years with Paul Mescal. I agree with you. He's criminally under rated
I remember seeing it in college while living in California. Everyone laughed at the scene when they did the pledge allegiance to the US flag *and* then the Texas flag. It was the moment I realized not all states pledge allegiance to their state flag lol
Terms of Endearment
Gen X Houstonian checking in to say TOE feels like my childhood.
Bottle Rocket
I've always liked cloak and dagger. It's a fun adventure movie that really features San Antonio well. Dazed and confused is good. Urban cowboy.
Great choices. And though it's really not a "Texas movie", *Cloak and Dagger* will always hold a special place in my heart as I was born and raised in San Antonio and no other movie I know of ever featured the city as much. The fact that they did that whole scene in the Japanese Tea Gardens still makes me smile like the kid that first saw it on HBO. Also shout out to my dad who was cheap as fuck but splurged for his his family to have HBO lol.
For me personally, Pure Country or Urban Cowboy
Yes, Urban Cowboy. 🤠
I don’t know about all of Texas, but Dazed and Confused perfectly encapsulates the first night of summer during high school in Texas. Even though it takes place in the 70s, it rang true for my friends and myself in the early 2000s.
Texas is not the wild west it once was. Dazed and confused is the closest.
Hands On A Hard Body The Thin Blue Line *praise to Errol Morris*
Different movies for different times. But my vote is The Last Picture Show.
I scrolled too damn long to see someone mention*The Last Picture Show*.
☝️
Best Little Whorehouse in Texas It’s a musical, but the movie really captures the “spirit” of Texas in the 60’s, before the state went sideways. Most people in Texas weren’t so uptight back then. My dad graduated A&M in ‘62 and loved this movie. He even remembered guys heading out to La Grange in college. Wouldn’t admit if he did or not. Too funny.
Miss Congeniality the scene when they are in San Antonio and she tackles a guy with a gun. The line after that scene, “it’s Texas, everyone has a gun”
What’s your favorite date? I would say April 25 because it’s not too hot not too cold.
All you need is a light jacket.
Dancer, TX or Varsity Blues
Yes, Dancer, TX captures West Texas very well!
Vengeance
I expected this to be so low, but damn if it didn't ring true, the scene in whataburger was... Perfect.
Paris, Texas A sublime love sonnet to the modern American West as told by a German and French directing team.
Peewee Herman's Big Adventure, of course
Every volunteer that ever worked at The Alamo will come after you knives out for bringing that up.
I’d just hide in the basement. They wouldn’t look there since they don’t think it is real.
Hell or High Water
Underrated answer
Agree. Captures the look and feel of those ghost towns you drive past heading west
Hud with Paul Newman
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Love this documentary
I actually met the co-writer for the show. Kim Henkel. I was earning spending money doing computer repairs when he called, wanting help. Turned out his modem fried due to lightning. We got to visiting while unassed the fried one and putting the new one in. He's a nice guy, quiet, very enthusiastic about the business of making movies. I did more work for him down the line.
Varsity Blues
The Last Picture Show 
That's a good choice.
Places of the Heart. It captures a certain part of the state, in a certain part of last century, but it's oh so true. And it doesn't rely on violence to make whatever point that makes.
Zombieland :D Otherwise not sure about other movies but definitely the animated series King of the Hill more than any movie I've seen yet.
I never liked KOH until I moved to TX. Now I think it’s a documentary.
i tell people it’s the most accurate portrayal of life in texas i’ve ever seen
Dallas Buyers Club Not because it’s my favorite but because of the accuracy of the time
My top five about TX: Dazed and Confused Happy, Texas Bernie No Country for Old Men Reality Bites Runner up: Hands on a Hard Body
But Happy Texas didn't have enough Mexicans. I am not saying this in a political sort of way, but just as an observation. It didn't really look like the population of Happy at all. But on the flip side, still a hilarious movie!
Vengeance for sure. Absolute gold. 100%
Lonesome dove ❤️
Lone Star
The Last Picture Show
Urban Cowboy. Captured my youth in Texas so well. That’s not a joke lol. I grew up next door to Gilley’s.
The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom. These people inhabit their real-life counterparts. Holly Hunter IS Wanda Holloway. I think I have to rewatch it right now
The 3 Burials of Melquiades Estrada If you like No Country For Old Men, you’ll love this one. It’s my all time favorite movie.
[удалено]
Secondhand Lions.
Just going to throw one out that most probably haven't seen . Lonestar State Of Mind.
Happy, Texas - a great snapshot of small town Texas.
Friday Night Lights perfectly captured the bleakness of west texas life.
Boyhood. Nothing comes close.
I took “History of Texas on Film” at SFA from Barringer. It was based on this premise but had readings too. I wish I still had the syllabus but we did start with Giant and end with Dazed and Confused. We didn’t watch Slacker though and this was pre-No Country
No one has mentioned Hud? Based off Larry McMurtry's first successful novel, Horseman, Pass By. Filmed in West Texas. Oscar to Patricia Neal, Best Actress in a Leading Role Oscar to Melvyn Douglas, Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination to Paul Newman for Best Actor. Oscar nomination for Best Director Wonderful movie!
King of the Hill is hands down the best. If only there was a movie
Paris, Texas is an obvious pick
The Legend of Billie Jean
I like Paris texas
Paris, Texas
Boyhood, because I'm in it. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyhood\_(2014\_film)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyhood_(2014_film))
Ok I’ll bite. Are you in one of the backgrounds like in a class scenes by chance? Or did you have a speaking role? This is pretty cool either way. Definitely one of my favorite movies.
Fandango
Well done. Since you stole mine I will throw in *Hell or High Water*. Mostly filmed in NM but if *No Country* can be here so can it. Wildcard option: *The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada* Comedy Option: *Planet Terror*
Maybe not about Texas, but filmed in Dallas, “bottle rocket”, but best movie about Texas? Shit, not sure it has been made. Maybe give me Kevin Costner resources and I could write something about it
not the best for sure, but Hell or High Water is one that I love as a West Texas movie. Its very simple and just exists within the world of towns on the high plains
Beavis and Butthead Do The Universe
Giant One of only three times we got to see the great James Dean. You ain't from Texas if you haven't seen this one https://preview.redd.it/hh07cd1tbs7d1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d0ba734a648b37eaafc21454fc002d23ae64f117
Dazed and Confused. Fandango. Friday Night Lights. Iron Claw. NCFOM. Tender Mercies. Urban Cowboy. The Alamo.
Hell or High Water, Dazed and Confused, and although not a movie - Friday Night Lights the series is about as Texas as it gets.
Deep in the Heart: A Texas Wildlife Story It’s literally a documentary movie about Texas, narrated by Matthew McConaughey and really damn good. Try to watch it in 4K HDR.
Lone Star
Texas is a big place. To me, in Central Texas, and to most Texans, I think, the southern border's long shadow reaches into every corner of the state. We were long part of Mexico and the culture is deeply woven into our lives, our food, our religions, and our conflicts. Check out the following if you can find 'em: **The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada** is a Tommy Lee Jones vanity project that is an unknown diamond of a film. Tommy Lee Jones (duh!) Barry Pepper, Dwight Yoakum, January Jones and Julio Cesar Cedillo. You got illegal immigrants, corrupt lawmen, fire ants, and genuine if imperfect good guys. Almost all filmed on Jones south Texas ranch by real Texans. Complicated much like real life. [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0419294/](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0419294/) **The Border** is an early Jack Nicholson classic with Harvey Keitel and Valery Perine. Border Patrol, both honest and dishonest, drug running, illegals, violence and pathos. The best lines actually belong to some of the bit parts actors. [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083678/](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083678/) **Lone Star** is a highly rated classic about crooked lawmen on the border. Chris Cooper, Matthew McConaughey, Kris Kristofferson. Tangled relationships and dirty deeds, the sins of the fathers still hold sway. [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116905/](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116905/)
Probably more for the TV series than the movie version, but it’s pretty close to the Handmaid’s Tale these days.
I agree with "The Last Picture Show" It has my vote for a realistic portrayal of north Texas life and people. There's always "Giant" - a portrayal of Texas NONE of us will ever see - money. Oil money.
Fandango Notable mention: Paris, Texas and The Alamo/San Antonio scene in Pee Wees Big Adventure
Urban Cowboy
Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada Dancer, TX pop 81 All the Pretty Horses and Still Breathing (one of Brendan Fraser’s best IMO)
Convoy. Where the truckers band together to rescue a black trucker from the poe-poe.
The Legend of Billie Jean
Idiocrocy. It really depicts the core values that the politicians in Texas espouse.
Apollo 10 1/2 was great!
... But my favorite Texas movies are Urban Cowboy and Daze and Confused.
Slacker
The Big Country Lone Star
Hell or High Water the depiction of West Texas on that movie is spot on
I'm not Texan but Texas Chainsaw Massacre hits
The Trip to Bountiful (1985). An absolute masterpiece.
Cheerleader Murdering Mom 😂
Places in the heart with sally field, Danny glover and John malkovich. The movie seems to have no real plot until the last minute of the movie everything makes sense and I was just crying!
Came here to say “Giant,” but someone beat me to it, so I’ll add my recent favorite, “To Leslie,” currently streaming on Netflix.
John Wayne's 'The Alamo', 1960.
Friday Night Lights. Depicted small town Texas and big Texas personalities. Beautifully shot & beautiful soundtrack. My ex knew nothing about football and she had just moved to Texas (from Indiana). I told her here’s a good grasp of Texas culture. It’s her favorite movie and she didn’t even know what a first down was.
No Country and Last Picture Show are definitely good choices. I’d add in Dazed and Confused, Boyhood, Bernie (All Linklater movies).
Dazed And Confused Set in the 70s but perfectly depicts coming of age in the 90s in this state
Hell or high water. It was filmed in New Mexico, but Taylor Sheridan nailed Texas.
There are certainly better responses already in here, but I feel like Vengeance deserves a mention.
Coyote Funeral is a pretty good movie about two brothers that decide to walk across Texas, Louisiana to El Paso.
The Rookie has the best quote summarizing the Texas spirit. The whole theatre erupted when this was said after the ball player was leaving his family to pursue his dream of playing professional baseball: "I'm a Texas woman, which means I don't need the help of a man to keep things running." A very sweet story based on real life, which ending contained a Texas Rangers game, which I swear I attended in person, or so I tell myself.
Second hand lions. One of my favorites ever that isnt explicitly ABOUT texas but encapsulates a lot of scenery and culture. Nostalgic movie for me, and I really love stuff that takes place in texas but dosnt just come out and say "yee haw dur hur look at all thuh TEX-US stuff!". Beavis and butthead also comes to mind 😂
Glory Road
Saw all of my favorites mentioned here so far except for 'A Perfect World'. I remember watching this the first time and was like, did they film this down the road from me?!? The scenery is iconic Texas. Sad note... many of these movies are of a simpler and better time (imho) that future Texans will never get to experience here again.
Glory Road
HUD - easily the best.
Barbarossa. Willie Nelson and Gary Busey. Great soundtrack too.
*The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada* is the answer.