Cinema Goes South of the Border

While Cabo San Lucas is known for its spectacular beaches, phenomenal fishing and unique geography at the “End of the Earth,” this dynamic destination is also known as a popular filming spot for movies. Of particular interest is the fact that some of the biggest flicks to be shot in Cabo were actually set somewhere else, far away. Here are a few of the films that got made in this Mexican hot spot:

The Heartbreak Kid (2007) – A remake of the 1972 film about a man who falls in love with another woman, while on his honeymoon in Cabo San Lucas. Most of the resort scenes were filmed at Esparanza, and some of the beach scenes were filmed near the Palmilla. This one stars Ben Stiller as the groom, Michelle Monaghan as the down-to-earth woman he falls for and Malin Akerman as the new bride (who turns out to be certifiably crazy). The film was co-written and directed by the Farrelly brothers, best known for such broad comedies as “Dumb & Dumber,” “There’s Something About Mary” and “Me, Myself & Irene.”
Troy (2004) – A cinematic treatment of Homer’s “The Iliad,” starring Brad Pitt, Orlando Bloom and Eric Bana. The narrative covers the Trojan War, from the kidnapping of Helen through the siege of Troy by the Greeks. Although filming began in Malta, the shoot was moved to Cabo San Lucas because of events in the Middle East. The beach scenes in Troy were filmed on the beaches in the Corridor.

“Troy” Trivia
During filming in Mexico, two biologists were employed to protect turtles on the beach.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005) – Based on the young adult novel by Anne Brashares. As four best friends spend their first summer apart from one another, they share a magical pair of jeans. Despite being of various shapes and sizes, each one of them fits perfectly into the pants. To keep in touch, they pass the pants to each other, as well as the adventures they go through while apart. The scenes where Bridget (Blake Lively) is in Mexico for soccer camp were filmed along Cabo’s Pacific beaches.
You Don’t Mess with the Zohan (2008) – A Mossad agent from Israel, tired of his dangerous life, moves to New York and becomes a hairdresser. You’ll never see hummus the same way again! Co-written by and starring Adam Sandler, this comedy-romance also stars John Turturro, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Lainie Kazan, Rob Schneider and World Wrestling Federation announcer Michael Buffer. Although the film takes place primarily in Israel and New York, some of the Middle East sequences were shot at Playa Medano in Cabo San Lucas.

“You Don’t Mess with the Zohan” Trivia
Some of the jokes in the film are directly related to a 1992 “Saturday Night Live” sketch titled
“Sabra Price is Right,” which also featured Sandler, Schneider and several other “Zohan” cast members.
Hit List (2012) – Charlotte is a woman with anger management issues whose therapist suggests she write a journal to keep her emotions in check. Unlucky in love, she ventures online to find a boyfriend. Just as she reaches her limit of unsuccessful dates, Charlotte meets her soul mate Lyle. Everything is perfect until Lyle finds Charlotte’s journal and sets out to prove just how deeply he loves her. This dark romantic comedy stars Joey Lawrence and Shirly Brener.
The Far Side of Paradise (1976) – At the beginning of World War II, Liviu, a Romanian count, and his wife Julia come to live on an uninhabited tropical island, where they hope to escape the war and their past. They bring with them all conceivable provisions and their servants, and live in luxury in a mansion-like tent on the beach. Ultimately, as supplies run short, mistrust, greed and jealousy threaten their idyllic lifestyle. Also known as “Foxtrot” and “The Other Side of Paradise,” the film – which was filmed entirely in Cabo San Lucas – stars Peter O’Toole, Charlotte Rampling and Max von Sydow.
The Bold and the Beautiful (TV series) – The long-running soap opera tells a saga of high-fashion glamor, honor, romance, passion and, most importantly, family. A location shoot in 2011 (for episodes that aired in 2012) took place in Cabo.