Where Was Tyler Perry’s ‘Joe’s College Road Trip’ Filmed? Discover the Filming Locations for the New ‘Madea’ Movie

By Anna Menta

If your favorite character from Tyler Perry’s Madea movies was Madea’s rude brother Joe, good news: Joe now has his own spin-off movie, Joe’s College Road Trip, which began streaming on Netflix today.

Like all of the Tyler Perry Madea movies, Joe’s College Road Trip is written by, directed by, produced by, and starring Tyler Perry. It’s the 14th movie in the Madea franchise, following last year’s Madea’s Destination Wedding, which was also released on Netflix as part of Perry’s ongoing deal with the streamer. The franchise first launched nearly two decades ago, with Diary of a Mad Black Woman in 2005. Joe’s College Road Trip is a unique entry into the franchise, because it’s the first R-rated Madea movie. If you saw the red band trailer, you’ll know things are about to get spicy for old Joe.

Joe’s College Road Trip follows Madea’s brother Joe (Perry) who takes his grandson BJ (Jermaine Harris) on a cross-country road trip to visit some colleges, and to teach him lessons about life. Most of Perry’s movies these days are filmed at his studio in Atlanta, but this is a road trip film, and Perry really did go on the road. Read on to learn more about where Joe’s College Road Trip was filmed.

Photo: ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection

Where was Tyler Perry’s Joe’s College Road Trip filmed?

Joe’s College Road Trip was filmed in New Mexico, in Tennessee, and in Mississippi.

In New Mexico, the production filmed in January and February 2024 around Las Cruces, a city near the border in southern New Mexico. In a statement shared with the Las Cruces Sun News, local state senator Jeff Steinborn wrote, ““We are thrilled to welcome Tyler Perry and ‘Joe’s College Road Trip’ to Las Cruces. As one of America’s most prolific directors, we’re excited to be able to offer our great outdoor locations and warm winter filming climate to this prestigious film production.”

In Tennessee, the production briefly filmed in Memphis, including a sequence on Memphis’s famed Beale Street, according a local report from the Memphis Commercial Appeal. The crew was spotted filming sequences driving up and down Beale Street in Joe’s red convertible. They also filmed a scene outside the National Civil Rights Museum in downtown Memphis, on Mulberry Street.

“Any time we can showcase Beale and Downtown Memphis in a positive light in the national spotlight, we’re going to do so,” Jon Shivers, director of Beale Street for the Downtown Memphis Commission, told the Appeal. According to Shivers, the street was not closed down for the filming.

Photo: ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection

In Mississippi, Joe’s College Road Trip filmed scenes in Clarksdale, a city in northern Mississippi that is just south of Memphis. In January 2024, the Clarksdale Police Department posted photos on Facebook with Perry and his cast and crew.

“Thanks to Mayor Chuck Espy for arranging a meet and greet with Mr. Tyler Perry,” the CPD wrote in the Facebook post. “Tyler Perry Studios chose Clarksdale, MS to shoot scenes for his upcoming movie, Joe’s College Road Trip. Thank you Mr. Perry for choosing Clarksdale!!”

It seems likely that some of the interiors for Joe’s College Road Trip were filmed at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia.