Top Movies Filmed In South Florida

South Florida is a film maker's paradise. The terrain there includes wild swamps full of prehistoric looking animals, rich metropolises along the beach, deep lakes, and even lush tropical forests. It is for that reason that many directors have chosen to shoot movies in South Florida. Below, you'll find a list of the top five movies filmed in South Florida of which there were many. So many, in fact, that Florida has become the third leading state for film production.

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
Miami, FL

A favorite of 90s kids everywhere, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective is a paranormal comedy classic that features quite a bit of Florida. The film not only stars Jim Carrey and Courtney Cox, even the Miami Dolphin's own, Dan Marino, makes an appearance. Ace Ventura would go on to produce sequels and an animated series, as well as a large cult following. The well-remembered comedy is centered in the beachside city of Metropolis and deeply Floridian.

Caddy Shack
Davie, FL

Filmed in 1980 Caddy Shack has become a comedy classic over time. The film features some young actors who would go on to do great things, including Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, and Michael O'Keefe. Even comedy great Rodney Dangerfield has a leading role. South Florida provided some perfect settings for the movie, with its world-famous putting greens. A scene was filmed in Fort Lauderdale's own Plantation Country Club and another at the Boca Raton Hotel and Club, but the most famous Florida location was the Rolling Hills Golf Course in Davie Florida which today is the Grande Oaks Golf Club.

True Lies
Florida Keys, FL

The Seven Mile Bridge located in the Florida Keys is an iconic bridge that spans the distance from Knight's Key and Little Duck Key. The original bridge was featured in an iconic escape scene in True Lies, an iconic and action packed thriller released in 1994. The film stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Arnold, and Bill Paxton. Director James Cameron chose one of the most unique locations in Florida.

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(Credit: Getty Images / Handout)
The Birdcage
Miami, FL

The Birdcage is a classic comedy starring silver screen greats like the late Robin Williams, Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane, and Dianne Wiest. The film centers around two gay nightclub owners in Miami, FL, where it was also shot. This instant box office hit stayed at the number one for three weeks after its debut. This take on Florida gives a head-nod to the widely popularized and vibrant gay community of South Florida.

Scarface
Miami, FL

This movie spawned many quotable one-liners and was packed with action and iconic over-the-top movie moments. The 1989 movie starring Al Pachino was actually a remake of a 1930s classic. The story takes place in Miami, FL and follows a Cuban refugee from rags to riches as he builds a drug empire on the Florida coast. It remains a timeless film and an iconic Florida story.

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Emma Sledge is a freelance writer, executive recruiter, technophile, and social media maven with a penchant for spinning a yarn. She is a graduate of Flagler College and resides in Palm Coast, FL with her husband and a few too many pets. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.