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In the era before CGI dominated filmmaking, most movie sets were real locations adapted to create cinematic magic. Visiting these places allows fans to bridge the gap between fantasy and reality, offering a glimpse into where beloved stories unfolded.
10. Jurassic Park
The 1993 blockbuster was set on Isla Nublar, a fictional island in the Cincos Muertes archipelago. Initially, filming was planned near Costa Rica, but Steven Spielberg opted for a more accessible and breathtaking location to bring the prehistoric park to life.
Long before Oahu, Hawaii, became a hotspot for major productions like Godzilla and the TV series Lost, Universal Studios transformed it into the enchanting yet perilous animal sanctuary from Michael Crichton’s iconic novel. Today, guided tours let visitors traverse the island on horseback, ATVs, or Jeeps, retracing the paths where Malcolm and Ellie encountered the towering brachiosaurus or where Grant, Lex, and Tim fled from the fearsome T-Rex.
9. The Goonies
The quaint town of Astoria, located near Cannon Beach in Oregon, is cherished by locals for its sandy midday strolls, flea market bargains, and scenic countryside drives. Globally, it’s renowned as the filming site of one of the most beloved movies of the 1980s.
The iconic final scene of The Goonies, where the pirate ship breaks free from its hidden cave, remains a timeless cinematic treasure. This unforgettable moment was filmed at one of the Pacific Coast’s famous rock formations. The “Goonie House” is situated at 368 38th Street, with other filming locations scattered nearby. Beach scenes, including “Goonie Rock,” were shot at Haystack Rock, while the final scene’s beach is located at Goat Rock State Beach in California, a considerable distance down the coast.
8. Shawshank Redemption
Widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made, Shawshank Redemption is set in a 1930s penitentiary. The story follows characters portrayed by Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins as they navigate life sentences, searching for purpose behind bars. Through clever strategies, the protagonist orchestrates an escape from one of the nation’s most secure prisons.
Shawshank Prison, much like many settings in Stephen King’s novels, is entirely fictional. However, the Ohio State Reformatory, where the movie was filmed, remains intact and welcomes visitors eager to explore the location where a Rita Hayworth poster and a small rock hammer became tools of Andy Dufresne’s liberation. Although the reformatory closed in 1990, it has since been preserved and reopened as a historical site.
7. Planet Of The Apes
Spoiler alert! The ape-dominated world in the Planet of the Apes series wasn’t set on a far-off planet but in various parts of Arizona, where the iconic cliff walls from the film can still be seen, and Lake Powell in Utah. The lake, formed in the 1960s, took over a decade to reach its full capacity.
Today, Lake Powell has transformed significantly since its appearance in the film, with over 150 meters (500 ft) of water now held by the Glen Canyon Dam. This reservoir supplies water to cities like Flagstaff, Phoenix, and others along the Colorado River. The canyons featured in the movie are accessible by boat and a brief hike, and the area has become a hotspot for cliff diving enthusiasts.
6. The Harry Potter Series
During the early 2000s, Harry, Ron, and Hermione enchanted audiences as they navigated a world filled with magic, monsters, and mystery. The iconic Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, central to the story, is a real location open to visitors—no owl-delivered invitation needed. All it takes is a train ticket (the quintessential mode of travel) and a spirit of adventure to explore this magical setting.
Hogwarts was brought to life through a combination of diverse locations, each contributing its own enchanting atmosphere. Gloucester Cathedral, for instance, served as the setting for many iconic hallway scenes and now offers tours of these famous areas. Additional parts of the school were filmed at Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire and the Bodleian Library in Oxford. Christ Church College in Oxford provided the inspiration for Hogwarts’ dining hall, while Gloucester Castle in Scotland is where Moaning Myrtle’s eerie presence can still be felt.
5. The Indiana Jones Trilogy
Indiana Jones’ adventures took him to more exotic locales than most people visit in a lifetime. One standout location is the temple housing the Holy Grail in The Last Crusade. While interior scenes were likely filmed on a Hollywood soundstage, the breathtaking exterior is the real-life cliff-carved city of Petra in Jordan.
Though the Temple of Kali from Temple of Doom is fictional, the rope bridge where Indy faced off against the shaman is a real structure spanning a gorge at Victoria Falls in Sri Lanka.
4. Back To The Future
Courthouse Square at Universal Studios Hollywood stands as one of the most iconic filming locations in recent decades. It has served as the backdrop for countless productions, including Gremlins, Back to the Future I & II, Batman and Robin, Weird Science, The Nutty Professor, Escape From L.A., Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Bruce Almighty, and The Ghost Whisperer.
While the lot is primarily a facade and many structures have evolved over time, key landmarks like the clock tower remain recognizable. Devastating fires in 1990 and 2008 destroyed much of the original sets, including “New York Street” and the King Kong set, along with numerous film vaults. However, the clock tower and much of the square have survived and remain standing.
The square is included in the studio tour, offering a brief stop for photos. For a more immersive experience, the VIP tour provides extended access and additional photo opportunities.
3. Night Of The Living Dead
Much like the characters in George Romero’s iconic 1965 horror film, many of its filming locations fell into neglect and disrepair over the years. The original farmhouse is gone, and scenes like the basement and radio station were shot in Pittsburgh. However, the cemetery from the opening sequence and the chapel still stand near Romero’s hometown in Evans, Pennsylvania, though they are now in a deteriorated state.
The chapel, once facing demolition, was rescued by preservationists led by Gary Streiner under the initiative “Fix the Chapel.” While roads have been paved and fields developed, the eerie atmosphere of the past lingers. Evans City Cemetery and the monument Barbara leaned against during Johnny’s tragic fate remain untouched, closely resembling the film’s opening scene. The 1990 remake reused the cemetery and introduced a grander farmhouse on Jefferson Street, which still stands today.
2. Friday The 13th
The 1980s were defined by campy horror B-movies, with Friday the 13th being one of the most iconic. Set at Camp Crystal Lake and its surrounding town, the actual filming location is now owned by the Boy Scouts of America, adding an ironic twist to the site where fictional camp counselors met their doom.
The cabins featured in the film are still standing at the NoBeBoSco campground in Blairstown, New Jersey. With occasional permission from the group, visitors can explore the eerie, abandoned camp during the off-season, reliving the chilling atmosphere of the movie.
1. Texas Chainsaw Massacre
After filming wrapped, the infamous home of the cannibalistic family was purchased, relocated to the city, and transformed into a restaurant. Originally situated in Round Rock, Texas, the house was moved to Kingsland and reopened as the Junction House, complete with a Leatherface mannequin greeting guests at the top of the stairs.
Despite its charmingly quirky and unsettling vibe, the restaurant eventually shut down in 2012. It later reopened as the Grand Central Restaurant at the Antlers Hotel. While the new owners avoid emphasizing the property’s dark past, they still cater to horror fans eager to dine in the same location—though certainly not on the same menu—as the infamous on-screen killers.
