AWARD WINNING

Award-winning productions have filmed here. The Las Cruces area has appeared in acclaimed films including Traffic, Brokeback Mountain, Captain Fantastic, and The Mule, along with dozens of other productions.

Star Studded History

Hollywood has come to Las Cruces. The area has welcomed an impressive lineup of talent, including Clint Eastwood, George Clooney, Robert Downey Jr., Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Charlize Theron, Mel Gibson, Bruce Willis, Michael Douglas, Benicio del Toro, Viggo Mortensen, and many more.

DREAM LOCATION

A filmmaker's dream location. From the iconic white gypsum dunes of White Sands National Park and the rugged Organ Mountains to historic Mesilla, downtown Las Cruces, and Spaceport America, the region offers an incredible variety of filming locations— all within a short drive.

IMPACT OF FILM

Film productions do more than showcase the beauty of Las Cruces and Doña Ana County, they create jobs, support local businesses, and generate significant economic activity throughout the region. Cast and crew stay in area hotels, dine at local restaurants, shop at local businesses, and hire regional services throughout production. According to the New Mexico Film Office's FY 2026 economic impact analysis, the film industry continues to be a powerful economic driver while introducing our community to audiences around the world.

• Film productions generated $41.5 million in spending during FY 2026, resulting in $12.2 million in direct local spending and $19.5 million in total economic impact for Doña Ana County.

• Doña Ana County accounted for 13% of all film spending in New Mexico during FY 2026.

• More than one in five film productions in New Mexico were filmed here, with 13 of the state's 63 productions choosing Las Cruces and Doña Ana County.

• Film activity generated an estimated $281,000 in gross receipts for the City of Las Cruces, $151,000 for Doña Ana County, $349,000 for the State of New Mexico, and an additional $30,000–$40,000 in Lodgers Tax.

• Film productions accounted for 9,803 local hotel room nights, providing a significant boost to area hotels and the hospitality industry.

• Since 2025, film-related lodging and visitor spending has generated an estimated more than $2.06 million in direct economic impact, including:

  • 2025: $546,220

  • 2026 Year-to-Date: $1,519,655

• In FY 2026, Film Las Cruces processed 70 film permits, coordinated 41 location scouts, prepared 37 location packages for prospective productions, and worked with 907 local crew members and more than 200 local businesses.

• In 2026, MovieMaker Magazine named Las Cruces one of the Top 10 Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker for the fourth consecutive year.

• Construction is underway on a $27 million film studio, positioning Doña Ana County for even greater film production and economic impact in the years ahead.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, LAS CRUCES

The region has been a filming destination for more than half a century, with productions dating back to the 1960s and continuing through today.

FROM SILVER SCREENS TO SMALL SCREENS

It's not just the movies. In addition to feature films, the Las Cruces area has also been featured in television productions, documentaries, reality programming, and independent films, making it a versatile destination for storytellers of every kind.