Movies Filmed in Miami

It’s no surprise that Miami’s South Beach has attracted filmmakers from Frank Capra to Brian DePalma with the over 800 Art Deco buildings that compose gorgeous backdrops for glamorous stories about characters from celebrities to gangsters to oddballs. Luckily, the hostels Miami offers budget travelers are in these eclectic neighborhoods, like Jazz on South Beach Hostel that’s in walking distance of memorable buildings used in movies like The Birdcage and Scarface. A quick bus ride takes you to fun locations where animal adventures like Ace Ventura and Flipper were brought to the big screen.

The Birdcage
The aerial shot of South Miami along Ocean Drive that opens this film highlighting Florida’s gay community beautifully captures the stunning architecture in this glitzy beachfront neighborhood. Prominently featured in the story of cabaret owner Armand Goldman and his drag queen companion Starina is the Carlyle Condominium Hotel at 1250 Ocean Drive that serves as their residence and location of their venue, the Birdcage Club. This fabulous Art Deco landmark’s facade has changed little since it was built in 1939 and also been used as a location by movie makers Sydney Pollack and Brian DePalma.

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
As the love-him-or-hate-him manic pet detective, Ace Ventura’s hunt for the Miami Dolphin’s missing mascot begins at Pro Player Stadium at 2269 NW 199th Street, which has undergone many high-tech improvements since it was featured in this 1994 movie. The Surfside apartment where Ace hides his secret menagerie is actually the Campton Apartments at 1455 Washington Avenue. Nearby, Villa Vizcaya at 3251 South Miami Avenue is where Ace is invited to a party thrown by fish-collector Ronald Camp. Now a National Historic Landmark, this house has a museum and formal garden that’s open to the public.

There’s Something About Mary
The setting for this romantic comedy featuring “gross-out” scenes like Mary’s discovery of nature’s own hair gel in Pat Healy’s hotel room is South Miami’s famous Cardozo Hotel at 1300 Ocean Drive. Currently owned by Gloria Estefan, this art deco gem was also used by Frank Capra for his 1959 movie A Hole in the Head. The Big Pink Restaurant at 157 Collins Avenue is where Pat meets with Sully and the Miami Dade Cultural Center for the Fine Arts at 101 West Flagler Street is where Mary takes “faker Pat” to see the architectural exhibition.

Flipper
Although it was referred to as the “aquatic Lassie,” the popular 60’s television show and the Flipper movie were instrumental in introducing the public to the charms of these playful sea creatures. Most of the open ocean scenes were filmed at Miami Seaquarium at 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway where the dolphin tank was dressed up as a lagoon using tropical backdrops. Flipper Dolphin Shows are held daily in the original tank and next door at Dolphin Harbor visitors can have personal encounters with tame dolphins in shallow or deep waters.

Scarface
Revealing the seedier side of the South Beach glitter, this bloody movie portrays the Art Deco District as the lair of notorious, yet affluent, gangsters. The pool at the Fontainebleau Hilton Resort and Spa at 4441 Collins Avenue in the heart of Millionaire’s Row is where Montana and his pal Manny Ray chill out and ogle the ladies. Actually, this iconic establishment has been featured in many movies, from Jerry Lewis’ pool pratfall in The Bellboy to the celebrity status bestowed on the 15th floor penthouse suite used in The Bodyguard that has since become the site of Whitney Houston memorials.

Learn more about low budget, yet fun, hostel accommodations in Miami’s Art Deco District at HostelBookers.com, the budget travel specialists.