Memphis Filming Locations in Tyler Perry’s Joe’s College Road Trip (Netflix): Beale Street, Civil Rights Museum, and Bobby Rush

Doesn’t that cover photo get you excited?? Memphis gets prime screen time in Tyler Perry’s Joe’s College Road Trip, now streaming on Netflix (released February 13, 2026). The movie is built around a cross-country journey, and Memphis lands one of the most recognizable “stop on the map” sequences, using real landmarks that every Memphian cherishes.  

Where was Joe’s College Road Trip filmed in Memphis?

It’s pretty obvious by the looks of the movie poster, but the movie was shot all across Downtown Memphis, including:

• Beale Street (with scenes of Joe’s red convertible driving up and down the strip)  

• Outside the National Civil Rights Museum on Mulberry Street  

That choice matters for Memphis visibility. Beale Street is one of the city’s most searched and photographed places, and the National Civil Rights Museum is one of the most visited landmarks in Tennessee. Putting both in a major Netflix release is the kind of exposure cities can’t buy.

“Any time we can showcase Beale and Downtown Memphis in a positive light in the national spotlight, we’re going to do so,” said Jon Shivers, director of Beale Street for the Downtown Memphis Commission, in comments relayed via local coverage.  

Can Memphis keep landing film shoots?

Memphis is cinematic, practical, and increasingly competitive for productions:

• Tennessee promotes a 25% incentive for eligible projects (with minimum spend requirements).  

• The state also touts access to state-owned locations that can be easier (and sometimes cheaper) for productions to secure.  

That combination helps explain why a road-trip movie would choose Memphis for a “signature stop” scene.

Memphis music adds authenticity

The movie also highlighted blues icon Bobby Rush, with his music used in the film (including “I Don’t Want Nobody Hangin’ Around” and “We Got That Thang”).   That’s a smart choice for a Beale Street sequence because it matches what Memphis actually sounds like.

Rush also has real Memphis ties beyond the film:

• Rhodes College honored Bobby Rush with an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities, and he has worked with the Rhodes Mike Curb Institute for Music.

• Rhodes released Memphis-based projects featuring Rush, including a blues arrangement tied to “America the Beautiful.”

That combination makes his inclusion feel earned: a blues icon with deep Delta roots, plus a documented relationship with a Memphis institution.

So, is it worth the watch?

We’re talking about a classic Tyler Perry movie here. While the critics might be harsh, with Rotten Tomatoes giving it a 56% and IMDB a 5.1/10, we all know what we’re walking into. Regardless it’ll be hard not to smile when you see some familiar places.

So if you’re looking for something to Netflix-and-chill this Valentines Day Weekend to and your date loves Memphis, throw this on. Those Beale Street shots might just raise your odds of getting lucky 😂

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