A Texas Film Friendly Community since February 2019.
Camera-Ready Since Before it Was Official
McKinney's official designation as a Texas Film Friendly Community was announced by the Governor in February 2019, after Visit McKinney completed the Texas Film Commission's multi-step training and certification process. However, film crews have found the city long before then. From its ball fields to historic homes, and tree-lined streets to warehouses, McKinney offers a variety of film locations and welcomes new projects.
Commercial filming starts with the city's film permit application (for questions, email Contact-SpecialEvents@McKinneyTexas.org or call 972-547-2651). Shoots in a city park or on a trail should check availability with the Parks Department first.
The most beloved credit is still Benji, the classic family film shot in McKinney from 1973–74 on a $500,000 budget. It was released , and was a $45 million box-office hit. Benji sits on the Texas Film Commission's Texas Classic Film Trail, and people still come to see the Benji House on S. Tennessee Street. Visit McKinney celebrated the film's 50th anniversary with a 2024 event, which consisted of a walking tour of filming locations, a lookalike contest, and a free screening at the McKinney Performing Arts Center.