When you think of Texas, you think of cowboys, and when you think of cowboys, you think of Fort Worth. This isn't just an image; cameras have proven it true.

Fort Worth is the fifth most filmed city in Texas, with 331 movies and TV shows set against its backdrop. This number didn't come out of nowhere. There are actually places in Fort Worth that don't require a Hollywood set.

At the center of it all is the Fort Worth Stockyards. Opened in 1893, this livestock district still hosts daily cattle drives and frequently appears as a movie set. The White Elephant Saloon, a favorite spot for the Rangers in Walker, Texas Ranger, is featured here, and the Dutton family filmed scenes crossing Texas in 1883. From Prison Break to Queen of the South to Necessary Roughness to Pure Country, the Stockyards have been used as a reference for "real Texas" across genres. For the production teams, it was an obvious choice since the location naturally evokes the period's atmosphere without needing a set.

Walker, Texas Ranger first aired on CBS in 1993 and ran for eight seasons until 2001. With Fort Worth as its backdrop, the Tarrant County Courthouse appeared as the Rangers Headquarters. This one show brought Fort Worth's name into living rooms across America every week.

1883 picked up that baton, airing on Paramount+ as a prequel to Yellowstone, once again filling the screen with the Stockyards. It's interesting that while the times have changed, the location remains the same.

In 1976, Logan's Run featured the Fort Worth Water Gardens. This is where the Sandman discovers the reality outside the world the computer described, making it a fresh choice at the time to include Fort Worth's downtown in a sci-fi film. The Water Gardens are still located right in the heart of downtown, making it one of the places where first-time visitors to Fort Worth often say, "Hey, I've seen this somewhere." The location itself has created its own memories.

The reason Fort Worth continues to be chosen as a filming location isn't just because of its scenery. Places like the Stockyards maintain the atmosphere of the 19th century, and cowboy culture thrives not just in museums but on the streets. For production companies, it's cost-effective, and for audiences, it feels authentic. If a project is set in Texas, there's no reason not to consider Fort Worth. The city's film history is still ongoing.