Matthew McConaughey movie shot in Birmingham opens this week — Here’s where to watch it

Watching a movie this week in The Magic City? Why don’t you watch one that has scenes of Birmingham and quite possibly a neighbor or two as an extra?

The much-anticipated film The Rivals of Amziah King, which was shot in Birmingham starring Matthew McConaughey and Kurt Russell, opens this week at local cinemas.

To celebrate the opening, the film’s writer/director Andrew Patterson will participate in a special Q&A session after a screening of the film at Sidewalk Cinema on Friday, August 14, 7:45PM (Tickets are limited).

Amizah King filmed throughout Birmingham 

Who can ever forget all the Matthew McConaughey sightings in the summer of 2023?

According to Film Birmingham, the major motion picture was filmed in residences all over the Birmingham-metro area and at the following places:

• Oakmont-Chapel Presbyterian Church in Hoover
• Kelly Ingram VFW Post 668 near The BJCC
• A Birmingham City Recreation Center
• 7th Avenue North in downtown Birmingham

Movie production employed 500+ and contributed $10M to local economy

In total, the production crew and actors spend two months in Birmingham contributing about $10 million to the local economy.

Other fun facts:

• The film hired 135 crew members with about 75 from the Birmingham metro area
• Approximately 400 extras were employed during the film
• About 4000 night stays at local hotels 
• Film production spent approximately $200,000 a day

“This movie proves that film work is already happening in Birmingham. You don’t have to go somewhere else to find it. We’re extremely proud of the fact that over $10 million was injected into our economy over 60 days. We also got to employ over 500 filmmakers in Birmingham.”

“The opportunity is here. There’s almost always a film shooting in Birmingham. If people are interested in getting into the film industry, there’s a numerous amount of resources and connections to be made. There’s work to be had. It’s (Birmingham film industry) growing, it’s flourishing, and it’s here to stay.”

DeSean Motley, Film Birmingham

Where to watch The Rivals of Amizah King in Birmingham

Want to be the first to see the movie? It is being released in only a few select theaters this week. In Birmingham you can see it at:

• AMC Summit 16
• AMC Vestavia Hills Dine-in
• Sidewalk Cinema 

Did you participate in the production of The Rivals of Amizah King? Got any stories about the Birmingham filming? Share them with us on social media by visiting our Instagram at @bhamnow