Tulsa Films: Films made in Tulsa & the Surrounding Area: Tulsa Films

This 1989 cult classic was filmed entirely in Tulsa. In fact, when you listen to the commentary on the DVD, "Weird" Al will tell you the address of every location!  Follow this link to see some of the most memorable locations.  Sadly, Channel 62 is gone.

Available from the West Campus Library

Based on Tulsa native Tracy Lett's play, the film stars Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts. Filming took place in Bartlesville, Pawhuska, and Barnsdall during Fall 2012.

Available from West Campus Library

This film was shot in several of the surrounding communities including Ponca City, Pauls Valley and Guthrie. Keep a close eye out for former Tulsa KJRH meteorologist Jeff Lazalier in the film.

 Available from West Campus Library

This 1996 film starring John Travolta is on a list of films made in Tulsa according to the Oklahoma Film Commission. If it was indeed filmed in Tulsa, figuring out which scenes feature the town is very difficult. Anyone know of the "Tulsa" scenes in this film?

Available from West Campus Library

This film, directed by Sterlin Harjo, was a 2009 selection at the Sundance Film Festival.  It was filmed in Ponca City, White Eagle, Holdenville, Wewoka & Pawhuska. 

Available from West Campus Library

Blood Cult has been reported to have been the 1st film made for the direct-to-video market way back in 1985. If you ever decide to watch this film, be sure to look for the scene shot on the 4th floor of the old downtown Tulsa public library.

The Cherokee Word for Water tells a story that led to Wilma Mankiller's becoming the first modern female Chief of the Cherokee Nation.  Filming began in September 2011 in the Tahlequah area (downtown, Northeastern State University & the Illinois River) and premiered in the Fall of 2012 at the Circle Cinema in Tulsa & the Tahlequah Dream Theater.

A Christmas Snow is a Christian-themed feature film made entirely in Tulsa by director Tracy Trost.

Available from the West Campus Library

Originally released under the title Return to Sender, Convicted was filmed in Tulsa and at the jail in McAlester. It is known to have had scenes shot at the Philbrook Museum.

Available from West Campus Library

The Doe Boy about a Cherokee teen was filmed in the Cherokee Nation's capital city, Tahlequah.

Directed by Anson Williams and starring Christopher Walken, All-American Murder was filmed, in part, in Tulsa (around the University of Tulsa campus) and Stillwater (on the OSU campus). 

Filmmaking has a rich history in northeast Oklahoma, dating back to the early 1900s, with the Millers Brothers 101 Ranch, located in Ponca City, serving as a significant hub for early film productions.

Modern filmmaking in Tulsa and its surroundings took off in the late 1940s, notably with the release of the film "Tulsa." The early 1980s witnessed a filmmaking boom in Tulsa, spurred by the adaptation of novels written by local author S.E. Hinton.

Presently, there is a renewed interest in filmmaking in Tulsa and its neighboring communities, with the recent production of several major motion pictures.

While this guide doesn't present an exhaustive list of films from the greater Tulsa area, it does highlight some of the most noteworthy titles.  

Perhaps the most well-known film made in Tulsa, The Outsiders was written by S.E. Hinton while she was a student at Will Rogers High School. Many known places are easy to find in the Tulsa area including the rebuilt Admiral Twin drive-in and several of the homes used in the production.

Currently on Reserves at Northeast Library

Rumble Fish was the 2nd of two "Tulsa" films directed by Francis Ford Coppola and the 3rd film of four based on S.E. Hinton novels. Explore some of the locations used in the film, and rediscover the unusual soundtrack by Stewart Copeland.

This Casey Affleck and Jessica Alba film was shot in several locations around the area including Guthrie, Enid and Tulsa. Look closely for a scene shot just outside the Atlas Life building in downtown Tulsa.

Available from West Campus Library

This is a Christian-themed film starring Louis Gossett Jr. The Lamp was filmed entirely in Tulsa and may mark a new chapter or the rebirth of filmmaking in Tulsa. Check out this story.

Available from West Campus Library

Directed by Kathryn Bigelow and starring Bill Paxton, Near Dark was filmed in Oklahoma, perhaps even in the Tulsa area. Because the sites are so rural, however, it is difficult to pick out anything noticeable.

Available from West Campus Library

Director Terrence Malick (formerly of Bartlesville) decided to use his prior hometown as well as Pawhuska and Tulsa (briefly) as filming locations for To The Wonder starring Ben Affleck. 

Available from the West Campus Library

Eye of God was filmed just north of Tulsa in two small communities, Skiatook and Collinsville. It was directed by Tulsa native Tim Blake Nelson and stars Tulsa native Mary Kay Place.

Available from West Campus Library 

Written & directed by Sterlin Harjo, Four Sheets to the Wind  was filmed in Tulsa and Holdenville (the director's hometown).  The film has won multiple awards.  

Available from West Campus Library

Directed by David Boyd (Friday Night Lights, The Walking Dead), Home Run was filmed in Tulsa & Okmulgee.  Look for scenes filmed at the old Drillers Stadium.  Premiered Spring 2013 in Tulsa. 

Available from West Campus Library

Directed by Jeremy Lamberton and fimed in Tulsa, Biker Fox takes a look at the life of Frank P. DeLarzelere III, aka "Biker Fox", who is a health-conscious & motivational bicyclist, nature conservationist and muscle car enthusiast.  Known for his colorful attire & personality, it's hard to miss him around town when he's out on his bicycle.

Documentaries

“OAKLAWN,” tells the story behind the public meetings and comments about the investigation into the search of the unmarked graves stemming from the Tulsa Race Massacre.  Vanessa Hall-Harper, Tulsa Community College instructor, has an appearance. 

An uplifting documentary about NBA star and celebrated Jazz musician Wayman Tisdale - a favorite son of Tulsa. 

Available from West Campus Library

Series

Tulsa King is an American crime drama television series created by Taylor Sheridan with Terence Winter show running for Paramount+. The series stars Sylvester Stallone, marking his first leading role in a scripted television series.

Available from West Campus Library

Reservation Dogs is a comedy series about four Native American teenagers growing up on a reservation in eastern Oklahoma. Filming locations include Tulsa, Sand Springs, Pryor, and other Oklahoma towns.  Created by Sterlin Harjo. 

Another made-for-video film, Party Crasher has gained a cult following due, in part, to its poor filmmaking. 

The Rock 'n' Roll Dreams of Duncan Christopher  was was shot entirely in Tulsa during the Fall of 2008.  Released in 2010, it has received several independent film awards.

While most of Fandango was shot in Texas, a small scene was filmed in Tulsa. Check out this site to see the story behind the helicopter scene.  

Available from West Campus Library

This family film, based on the classic book by the same name, is about a young boy living in the Oklahoma Ozark mountains during the depression. Filming locations included West Siloam Springs, Tahlequah, Vian, and the small town of Scraper.

Available from West Campus Library

You would think that a film titled Keys to Tulsa would be filmed entirely here. The majority of the film, however, was shot in Dallas, TX. Although according the Oklahoma Film Commission, Tulsa was used as a location for shooting.      

Available from West Campus Library