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The Florida Keys’ stunning scenery has long drawn filmmakers, television crews, and global brands. From Hollywood classics to modern streaming hits, the Keys’ tropical beauty and unique character shine on screen, inspiring audiences and fueling tourism.
Immortalized in John Huston’s Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall classic, Key Largo left a lasting mark on the northernmost Florida Key. While much of the filming took place in California, exterior scenes were captured at the Caribbean Club, which continues to welcome visitors with memorabilia from the film. The movie’s popularity was so great that in 1952, Rock Harbor (the original name of the area) was officially renamed Key Largo.
Adding to Key Largo’s cinematic appeal, visitors can take boat rides on the actual African Queen steamboat from Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn’s 1951 adventure classic. After being lovingly restored in 2012, the authentic 100-year-old vessel offers intimate canal cruises for up to six passengers, departing daily from Marina Del Mar at the Holiday Inn complex.
The African Queen, the original vessel from director John Huston’s classic 1951 film by the same name, sails on a Key Largo, Fla., canal. It is steered by Steve Bogart (third from left), son of actor Humphrey Bogart. Built in 1912, the 30-foot boat that carried Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn has been refurbished to provide Florida Keys visitors an opportunity to ride the cinema icon.
James Cameron’s action blockbuster starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis filmed spectacular sequences in the Keys. The Seven Mile Bridge became the setting for dramatic helicopter rescues, created through a mix of real stunts and miniature effects. The Blue Water Lagoon estate on Sugarloaf Key was transformed into the terrorist compound for the film’s climax.
Other major productions filmed in whole or in part in the Keys include 2 Fast 2 Furious, Red Dragon, License to Kill, Meet the Fockers, Miami Vice, Office Space, and many more.
Netflix’s acclaimed series Bloodline filmed all three seasons in the Upper Keys. The Rayburn family’s home was set at the Moorings Village & Spa in Islamorada, while other locations included the Caribbean Club in Key Largo, Anne’s Beach, Pierre’s Restaurant, Coral Bay Marina, and the Hurricane Monument. These authentic backdrops gave the show its distinctive sense of place, making the Keys a character in their own right.
Vince Vaughn stars in this Warner Bros.–produced series that uses locations across the Keys and Miami. Filming highlights include Big Pine Key, Lazy Way Lane, the historic seaport, Duval Street, Sloppy Joe’s, and the Half Shell Raw Bar. A jewelry shop on Duval was even transformed into a fictional T-shirt store called Chest Candy. With a second season on the way, the Keys continue to feature prominently.
The Florida Keys have become a favorite setting for reality and unscripted shows, blending natural beauty with authentic island culture.
The opening of Bad Bunny’s chart-topping hit showcases sweeping aerials of the Seven Mile Bridge, Card Sound Road Bridge, and Islamorada’s La Jolla Resort. With more than 650 million views on YouTube, the video gave the Keys a starring role before shifting to Miami and Puerto Rico.
From Jeep and Ford commercials to Ralph Lauren Polo campaigns, the Keys’ iconic roads, beaches, and backdrops remain favorites for global brands. Islamorada’s Moorings Village is especially popular with photographers, including fashion icon Bruce Weber.
The Keys’ history and ecology continue to inspire filmmakers. Flagler’s Train: The Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad commemorated the 100th anniversary of Henry Flagler’s arrival in Key West, while countless environmental documentaries highlight the region’s fragile marine ecosystems and conservation efforts.
For a comprehensive listing of Florida Keys film productions, visit the website for the Florida Keys & Key West Film and Entertainment Commission.
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