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10+ Streaming Shows and Movies Featuring Houstonians or Filmed in Houston

If you’ve already finished Tiger King and are looking for your next binge, might I tempt you with some Houston-related finds?

I’ve scoured the internet to round up a few of my recommendations for shows and movies to watch that are somehow related to Houston — whether they were filmed here or feature a Houstonian.

Happy binging!

NONFICTION & TRUE CRIME

Brené Brown: The Call To Courage. I will always claim Brené Brown as a Houstonian. Originally from San Antonio, her first major talk came out while she was a professor at the University of Houston. Plus, she’s all sorts of awesome. Her newest discussion came out last year. (Netflix)

I Am A Killer. OK, so I watched the entirety of season one of this show and holy crap every murder is in Texas, Florida, or Missouri. I found two eps that related to Houston: “Intended Evil” – Season 1, Episode 5, and “Honorable Intentions” – Season 2, Episode 5. (Netflix)

Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room. Yeah, this is a rite of passage for all us Houstonians. Chances are you’re connected in some way to someone who used to work for Enron — probably in far fewer than 6 degrees of separation. ($2.99 on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, etc.)

The Innocence Files. Haven’t watched this one myself, but I did discover that this documentary series that looks into the wrongfully convicted has a Houston-related episode. It’s “The Prosecution: Hidden Alibi” – Season 1, Episode 8. (Netflix)

The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst. This New York real estate mogul went off the deep end right here in Southeast Texas. While he did have an arrest in Harris County, it wasn’t for murder. But his final (?) victim was killed and dumped into Galveston Bay. (Hulu/HBO)

FOODIES

Diners Drive-Ins and Dives. Guy Fieri has graced Houston’s presence many a time, but here are some eps with my fave local “dives.” (Hulu)

  • Kenny & Ziggy’s, “You Pick Em” – Season 7, Episode 6
  • Niko Niko’s, “You Can Say That Again” – Season 7, Episode 7
  • Red Lion British Pub, “By Request” – Season 8, Episode 8
  • The Original Marini’s Empanada House, “From North to South America” – Season 26, Episode 8
  • Irma’s Original, “Wonder Women” – Season 26, Episode 10

Chopped. Chopped is another one of those shows with over 20 seasons and countless chefs from all over the world, but there is one epic Houston showdown that features four Houston chefs: Justin Turner (Bernie’s Burger Bus), Sean Carroll (Melange Creperie), Angela Rowley (Blackbird Foods), and Martin Horsey (Stab It food truck). It’s the episode titled “The Bold and the Baconful” – Season 27, Episode 13. (Hulu)

MOVIES

Reality Bites. A classic! Catch this rom com filmed in Houston and staring Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke, and Ben Stiller. (Hulu with HBO and $3.99 on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, etc.)

Urban Cowboy. This movie was based on Bud (John Travolta) who moved to Pasadena and meets Sissy (Debra Winger). Fun fact: My mom and aunt snuck out of the house to go be extras in one scene. I haven’t yet been able to spy them, but my Pawpaw’s truck makes an appearance. ($2.99 on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, etc.)

Apollo 13 (Hulu with Starz or Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, etc.) and The Martian ($3.99 on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, etc.). Play “I spy” with the Johnson Space Center in these two space films that had scenes on the campus.

Rushmore. You might not have heard of this one, but it was filmed by Houstonian Wes Anderson at his alma mater, St. John’s School. ($2.99 on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, etc.)

Boyhood ($2.99 on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, etc.) – Directed by Richard Linklater, shows spots across Texas

2 thoughts on “10+ Streaming Shows and Movies Featuring Houstonians or Filmed in Houston

  1. While not in Houston proper, Diners, Drive Ins and Dives also went to Bob’s Taco Station in Rosenberg. Best breakfast tacos ever!!! Man… I miss that place.

  2. Pingback: 5 Must-Try Cocktail Kits From Local Bars – It's Not Hou It's Me

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