The Outlaws of Mendocino relies on tradition — and breaks the mold

MENDOCINO CO., 6/8/26 — California’s North Coast plays a significant role in the history of American cinema. Scores of films were wholly or partially filmed here, including The Lost World: Jurassic Park 2, Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi, East of Eden – and of course, 2025’s big Oscar-winner, One Battle After Another. 

 But for the most part, of course, Mendocino and Humboldt counties are simply locations: the redwoods, the spectacular coast, the picturesque small towns and the bucolic agricultural vistas make for incomparable scene-setting and cinematography. Hollywood visits, drops a lot of money, shoots footage, charms or scandalizes the locals, then leaves. The films are edited, promoted and distributed from Southern California or the Bay Area.