The USA has the oldest and the largest film industry in the world with Hollywood producing the most films per year, globally. As the long-awaited release of the Beetlejuice sequel hits UK screens on 6th September, and has been mainly shot throughout Massachusetts and Vermont, it’s a great time to explore the locations that have been brought to life on celluloid. Here is a roundup of the USA destinations we represent as ‘scene’ on screen.
Discover New England
New England with its diverse landscape of beautiful coastlines, quaint small towns and beautiful scenery has inspired filmmakers and showrunners to film in the region. Martin Scorsese used Otter Cliff in Acadia National Park to film the cliff scenes in Shutter Island starring Leonardo DiCaprio, the movie was set on an island off the coast of Massachusetts. Popham Beach, at the tip of Maine’s Phippsburg Peninsula was featured in the 1999 film Message in a Bottle. Many of the scenes of Cider House Rules starring a young Tobey Maguire, Charlize Theron and Michael Caine, were filmed at Sand Beach in Acadia National Park.
Rosecliff Mansion in Newport features in several famous movies like 27 Dresses, The Great Gatsby and True Lies. The Mansions of Newport are also a major setting for The Gilded Age and fans can go behind the scenes and get all the insight on The Gilded Age Tour which takes in the four mansions featured in the series.
Many of New England’s locations have also inspired many movies and TV shows and some have been set in the region but not shot there. The creator of Gilmore Girls was inspired by the town of Washington, Connecticut when she stayed at the Mayflower Grace Inn to create the fictional town of Star’s Hollow. Fans can visit all the places that have inspired the hit show including Hartford, New Haven and many more. The famous Mystic Pizza also inspired the movie of the same name starring Julia Roberts.
https://discovernewengland.org/
Meet Boston
Boston is the city where history meets Hollywood. From its cobblestone streets to its storied landmarks, Boston has been the backdrop for some of the most iconic films in movie history—and this fall, the city is rolling out the red carpet for film lovers everywhere. Some of Boston’s most famous offspring are today Hollywood’s leading lights including Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, Uma Thurman and Ben Affleck.
Relive the intense drama of Good Will Hunting, written by Boston locals Matt Damon and Ben Affleck as you stroll through Harvard Square, or immerse yourself in the gritty atmosphere of The Departed while exploring the city’s South Boston neighbourhood. Fans of Mystic River can revisit the hauntingly beautiful spots that brought this masterpiece to life, while those who love the heist thrillers of The Town will feel the adrenaline of Boston’s North End.
Matt Damon has recently expressed his desire to put a statue of the late Robin Williams near the bench where the duo shot a famous scene from the 1997 film Good Will Hunting which has led to a petition pushing for the statue garnering momentum with tens of thousands of signatures.
The famous Fenway Park is featured towards the end of the Brad Pitt starring, Oscar- nominated Moneyball while the Freedom Trail Line features in The Departed. Visitors can take a tour of these famous movie locations by taking the Boston Movie Mile Walking tour or the Boston TV and Movie Bus Tour where they catch a glimpse of the buildings used in famous shows like Boston Legal and Ally McBeal and the streets of that famous chase sequence in The Town.
But Boston isn’t just about drama; comedy fans can’t miss revisiting the hilarious hijinks of Ted, the laugh-out-loud buddy film that captures the quirky side of Boston like no other and stars Boston local, Mark Wahlberg. No trip to Boston is complete without the obligatory selfie by the Cheers pub sign on the corner of Boston Common.
Boston’s theatres are packed with a mix of new releases and classic films that celebrate the city’s cinematic heritage. The Boston Film Festival will spotlight emerging talents, while the Brattle Theatre and Coolidge Corner Theatre offer retrospectives of the films that made Boston a star on the silver screen. Whether you’re revisiting old favourites or discovering new ones, Boston’s film scene promises a captivating journey through the heart of cinema.
https://www.meetboston.com/event/parks-movie-nights/81005/
Tennessee Tourism
With its deep-rooted music scene, beautiful outdoor and charming small towns, Tennessee has drawn filmmakers to the state to create movies for years. To commemorate the upcoming 90th Anniversary of Elvis Presley’s birth, fans of the singer can visit his Graceland, Memphis, where the movie Elvis is set. Elvis is filled with many iconic stops found only in Memphis, including the Presley’s’ apartment in Uptown Square, historic Beale Street Entertainment District, Sun Studios and The Arcade, one of Elvis’ favourite restaurants.
The 2005 Johnny Cash biopic Walk The Line was shot in Memphis and stars Nashville native Reese Witherspoon who won an Oscar for her performance in the film. The Hannah Montana Movie starring Miley Cyrus was filmed extensively in Nashville and Franklin, where the singer was born. The Bluebird Cafe, located outside of downtown Nashville, has a starring role in the 2012 TV show Nashville which was inspired by the music industry in the city.
Maverick Helicopters
Catch the Hollywood Stars in 2024, as Maverick Helicopters launched flights over Hollywood and breathtaking views of the Californian coastline on a luxury helicopter experience to view some starry locations.
The Hollywood & Beyond aerial tour will take guests over iconic landmarks including Hollywood, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and the stunning Pacific Ocean. This tour will soar over the exclusive Hollywood Hills and Bel Air, where legendary film personalities reside and views of the upscale Rodeo Drive, UCLA campus, Hollywood Bowl, and Universal Studios in the distance. The world-famous Hollywood Sign is best witnessed from the sky, followed by notable sights like Griffith Park & Observatory and Dodgers Stadium.
In addition, Maverick Helicopters offers Tours from Las Vegas where famous heist movies like Ocean’s 11 and 21 along with romcoms such as What Happens in Vegas and Miss Congeniality 2 were shot.
https://www.maverickhelicopter.com/
Visit San Antonio
An urban oasis, San Antonio and its charming locations have featured in many Hollywood classics that people visiting may recognise. The Alamo, San Antonio’s icon is featured in blockbusters like Miss Congeniality and Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. Originally known as Misión San Antonio de Valero, the Alamo and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Jennifer Lopez secured her first lead actor title in the film Selena. Filmed in the city it tells the tragic story of Singer/Fashion designer Selena Quintanilla known as the Tejano Madonna. The film is credited as JLo’s breakout role. Fans of both the Tejano singer and the actress/singer that played her are always to be seen having their picture taken on the ‘Selena Bridge’ along San Antonio’s River Walk.
The San Antonio Black International Film Festival takes place every October complete with a red carpet reception and some dazzling entertainment. The mission of the festival is to showcase quality films, advocate for, and support filmmakers of African descent.
Fun fact : Supernatural and Gilmore Girls actor Jared Padalecki was born in San Antonio and so was Fast and Furious star Michelle Rodrigues.
https://www.visitsanantonio.com/
Visit Tucson
Since 1925, the international film industry has relied on the Southern Arizona city to provide stunning locations to feature in films of every genre. A variety of films and shows have been made in Tucson. The Fabelmans directed by Steven Spielberg has featured the Saguaro National Park and Tucson Mountain Park while Away We Go directed by Sam Mendes features the JW Mariott Starr Pass Resort & Spa. Martin Scorsese’s Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore was filmed entirely in the Old Pueblo.
Old Tucson Studios is Arizona’s premier Western Amusement Park, Movie Studio, and Events Center. Located 25 minutes outside downtown Tucson, the park is situated between the beautiful Saguaro National Park and Tucson Mountain Park. Since 1939, Old Tucson has been the production site for over 500 western films and TV shows. Old Tucson preserves the significance of the production studio, while offering its visitors guided tours, seasonal events, attractions, live shows, restaurants, and retail outlets.
Tucson also keeps cinema’s magic alive with a wide array of film festivals throughout the year. Tucson has 3 film festivals taking place in the month of October alone – Tucson Terrorfest Film Festival that showcases and celebrates the best of horror and films from all over the world, Film Fest Tucson which is a homegrown film festival and Loft Film Fest that is a showcase for the very best independent and foreign films.
Films in Tucson, AZ | Iconic Filming Locations & Classic Movies (visittucson.org)
Explore Louisiana
Louisiana has long been a frontrunner in the film industry with more than 2,500 movies being shot in the state. It is also nicknamed “Hollywood South” as the state has featured widely in movies and TV shows. Movie lovers can visit many famous locations on Louisiana’s Film Trail including Oak Alley Plantation where the original Interview with the Vampire was shot and Natchitoches, where Steel Magnolias was filmed. Visitors can enjoy a weekend staying in the actual 1830s, six-bedroom, six-and-a-half bath Steel Magnolia House. The bed and breakfast inn is where much of the movie was filmed.
Louisiana’s historic homes on the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge remain a magnet for blockbuster films. In recent years, 12 Years a Slave was filmed at Felicity Plantation. The Emmy-award winning True Detective’s first season is filled with images of the Louisiana swamps, and in some of its most intense scenes, a historical 1822 brick fort. Fort Macomb (located between New Orleans and Slidell), Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie, the Prairie Cajun town of Eunice (home of the Cajun Music Hall of Fame) and the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road on the outskirts of Lake Charles all serve as prominent locations in True Detective.
https://www.explorelouisiana.com/film
Visit New Orleans
New Orleans is a treasure trove of cinematic gems, offering film lovers a journey through the heart of the Big Easy’s film magic. New Orleans built the first movie theatre in the USA and is still a popular city for filmmakers.
In a city known for its spooky spirit, New Orleans has played host to some of the most unforgettable films of our time. Wander the French Quarter and relive the supernatural allure of Interview with the Vampire; the American Horror Story cast and crew also took to New Orleans for the third season of the series: Coven. The FX horror anthology’s 13-episode season is filled with iconic New Orleans eateries, attractions, and scenery. Scream Queens, a slasher comedy series starring Emma Roberts and Jamie Lee Curtis filmed its first season in New Orleans.
Dive into the deep mysteries of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button as you explore the city’s historic architecture. For a dose of adrenaline, follow the action-packed trails of Jurassic World in City Park or revisit the intense drama of Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave, filmed at the Columns Hotel on St. Charles Avenue which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
https://www.neworleans.com/blog/post/filmed-in-new-orleans/
Visit Mississippi
For more than a century, movie makers have been bringing business to Magnolia State, showcasing the eye-catching visuals of its landscapes and architecture. Iconic locations throughout the entire state have been featured on the Silver Screen and are ready to be rediscovered.
Stroll through the streets of Clarksdale, where the soulful rhythms of the blues come alive in O Brother, Where Art Thou?, a film that perfectly captures the spirit of the Delta. Locations featured in the movie include D’Lo Water Park and Courthouse Square.
Dive into the intense world of A Time to Kill, set against the backdrop of Mississippi’s storied past, or experience the resilience and triumph of the human spirit in The Help, filmed in the charming towns of Greenwood and Jackson. Notable buildings include Brent’s Drugs, the Mississippi Capitol building, and the Mayflower Café, in Jackson, and the former Press Register building in Clarksdale.
Several locations in Mississippi’s oldest city Natchez were featured in the 2014 movie Get On Up starring the late Chadwick Boseman. Natchez was also the setting for 2021’s holiday Hallmark movie Every Time a Bell Rings. Oxford’s picturesque downtown known as the Oxford Square is the backdrop for the classic black and white crime drama Intruder in the Dust. The charming square is still recognisable, even after 70 years!
https://visitmississippi.org/go/film/
Vist Mesa
One of the most iconic film spots near Mesa is now a popular tourist attraction on The Apache Trail (The Apache Trail is a historic scenic driving route in the Tonto National Forest). Apacheland Movie Ranch opened in 1960 in Gold Canyon as a movie set and was operational for many years until a fire consumed most of the property in 2004. The only buildings that escaped being destroyed were the Elvis Presley Chapel that was built for the movie Charro, and the Apacheland Barn which had been used in many Western films. Guests can visit Apacheland and the Elvis Presley Chapel at the Superstition Mountain Museum which is one of the stops along The Apache Trail.
Other Movies filmed in Mesa include Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure : Golfland Sunsplash in Mesa was featured in the waterpark scene, Raising Arizona : Lost Dutchman State Park was where their “starter home” was and Daddy Daughter Trip: Rob Schneider’s movie that was filmed entirely in Arizona and features Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch and the Salt River.
Ends
For media enquiries, more information, hi-res images or video, please contact:
Caroline Donaldson-Sinclair, PR Account Director: caroline@ttmworld.co.uk
For Meet Boston, Discover New England, and Visit San Antonio
David Venables, Senior PR Account Manager: david@ttmworld.co.uk
For Explore Louisiana, Tennessee Tourism, Visit Mesa, and Maverick Helicopters
Billy Greening, PR Account Manager: billy@ttmworld.co.uk
For Visit Mississippi, New Orleans & Company, and Meet Boston
Anisha Hegde, PR Account Executive: anisha@ttmworld.co.uk
For Visit Tucson
Kirsty Dillury, Owner / Chief Communications Officer kirsty@ttmworld.co.uk
For any other enquiries, please visit www.ttmworld.co.uk, email ttmoffice@ttmworld.co.uk or
call +44 (0)208 313 1717