For more than 60 years, Anna Maria Island has been a star. The island’s spectacular white sand and turquoise waters have often been used by Hollywood movie producers to create the ideal beach scenes. Some of Hollywood’s biggest icons have graced AMI’s beaches, yet it’s easy to see that the island is the real star.
AMI is a 7.5-mile island located directly south of Tampa Bay in the Gulf of Mexico. The island does not allow high-rise resorts, which keeps the beaches much less crowded. Majestic sunsets, high-quality quartz sand, and low, predictable gulf waves make the island and its surrounding waters a perfect choice for filming.
Here are some of the movies filmed on Anna Maria Island that you may have seen or heard of:
- On an island with you: Anna Maria Island’s first appearance on the big screen was in the 1948 MGM Studios musical “On an Island With You.” The film cast Hollywood legend Esther Williams as the lead in one of her infamous swimsuits, films that combined her stellar acting, singing, and swimming. The film also featured icon Jimmy Durante. The plot of the film centers around a love triangle on a military base in the Hawaiian Islands. AMI perfectly pulls off her role as an exotic island destination in the movie, just as she continues to do every day in real life.
- Out of time: One word… Denzel. Ladies, feel free to pass out. That’s right, Denzel Washington ran the beaches of Anna Maria Island while filming the 2003 MGM movie “Out of Time.” Floribean restaurant Banana Cabana proudly announces that they hosted Denzel’s Appreciation Dinner for the “Out of Time” crew members.
- The perfect Storm: If Denzel isn’t a big enough heartthrob for you, how about George Clooney or Mark Walberg? The 2000 Warner Brothers film The Perfect Storm was partially filmed off the coast of Anna Maria Island. Producers used the calm waters of the Gulf Coast to capture the calm before the storm.
You don’t have to be a movie producer to capture the beauty of AMI. The best movies shot on the island will always be home movies. While it’s nice to see AMI on the big screen, the culture of the island has never been in the spotlight. It is about families and friends enjoying one of the most magnificent beach settings in the world in a calm and relaxed atmosphere. So be sure to bring your camera.