Albuquerque has long been a hidden outdoor studio cherished by Hollywood.

The intense sunlight of New Mexico, vast desert landscapes, and the reddish hues of the Mojave-style terrain provide nearly all the location conditions that directors crave.

Among them, the AMC drama Breaking Bad (2008–2013) is the work that put Albuquerque on the world map.

The home of protagonist Walter White is actually set at 316 Negra Arroyo Lane in a residential area southeast of Albuquerque, and the actual house used for filming is located on Piermont Drive NE. Even more than ten years after the show ended, fans still line up to take pictures in front of the house, and the story of the homeowner having to put up a fence after fans started throwing pizzas onto the roof has become famous.

The spinoff Better Call Saul (2015–2022) delved even deeper into Albuquerque.

The Wexler-McGill office, which appears as Saul Goodman's law firm, the scenes filmed at the Cortez nightclub in downtown Albuquerque, and the gas station filming locations filled the screen each season.

When combining both works, hundreds of filming locations have been confirmed in and around downtown Albuquerque.

ABQ Trolley Co. operates a dedicated tour bus for Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.

Reservations fill up quickly each season as fans from around the world continue to visit.

Additionally, Albuquerque has traces of various films and dramas. The 2016 film Arrival used the natural scenery of New Mexico and the plains around Albuquerque as its backdrop, and the Coen brothers' No Country for Old Men (2007) was also filmed throughout New Mexico.

The children's adventure film The Book of Life (2014) was inspired by the color sensibility of New Mexico.

Some episodes of the Netflix series Manifest and certain seasons of AMC's The Walking Dead spinoff series Fear the Walking Dead also utilized New Mexico as a backdrop. Creators commonly mention that the reason all these diverse genres chose Albuquerque or its vicinity is due to the New Mexico state government's film production tax credit of up to 35% and over 310 days of sunshine each year.

In the old town area of Albuquerque, there is a large studio complex called Albuquerque Studios. It is considered one of the largest independent studios outside the eastern U.S., equipped with multiple sound stages and outdoor sets. According to the New Mexico Film Office, the economic impact of film and TV production in the state exceeded $800 million in 2022, with Albuquerque at the center of it all.

Reports suggest that just Breaking Bad alone generated tens of millions of dollars in tourism revenue for Albuquerque during its airing. It is rare for a single film to change the face of a city like this, and Albuquerque is one of those rare cases. There are days when, as scenes filled with the New Mexico sunset grace the screen, I feel grateful to be living in this city.