In its heyday, North Carolina was referred to as the “Hollywood of the East Coast.” Over 400 feature-length films have been shot here, as well as numerous television shows. So today we’re taking a look at movies that were shot in North Carolina over the years, many of which may surprise you! North Carolina has surely had its 15 minutes of fame, and enjoyed countless cameos as a backdrop for some of the most beloved films ever. You’re sure to recognize these 15 places in North Carolina in famous movies
No one puts Baby in a corner, but they sure put Lake Lure on the center stage with the filming of Dirty Dancing. Today, Lake Lure even hosts an annual Dirty Dancing Festival. It has become one of the most famous places in North Carolina.
2. Pike's Soda Shop and Freedom Park, Charlotte - Shallow Hal
This comedy classic taught us to never judge a book by its cover, but as it was filmed in Charlotte, there are several locations we commonly see in the movie. For one, Pike's Soda Shop where Rosemary and Hal went on one of their first dates and Freedom Park where Hal does a lot of lamenting over his choice of women.
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3. Henry River Mill Village and Triple Falls - The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games was filmed entirely in North Carolina but two of its most recognizable locations are Henry River Mill Village and Triple Falls. Henry River was Katniss' home of District 12. In the iconic scene where Katniss and Peeta finally reunite towards the end of the games, it's indeed at Triple Falls. Today, you can take Hunger Games interactive fan tours that take you to all major locations in the North Carolina mountains.
Over the years, Southport has experienced a boom in tourism due to its cameo in several famous movies and TV shows. Most notably, Safe Haven, A Walk To Remember, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and the famous TV show Dawson's Creek.
The North Carolina coast has inspired the majority of Nicholas Sparks' novels, so it's no wonder the iconic Inn at Rodanthe (formerly the Serendipity House) was the main location for Nights in Rodanthe. While the house has since been moved back from its former location, it's available to use as a vacation rental. Romantic!
7. Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, Sylva - The Fugitive
Aside from Harrison Ford epically jumping off a dam waterfall, the next most memorable scene was of course when the freight train crashes into Richard Kimble's transport bus. With no CGI involved, only real locomotives, the epic scene was shot on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. Best of all, everything was just left there. Yes, you can still find it rusting on the side of the GSMR today.
While the waterfall that everyone searches for was actually filmed in a studio, one actual location you can visit from The Last of the Mohicans is at Chimney Rock. The Cliff Trail is the mountain path where Magua and his men walk with his captive, Alice.
Many of the movies filmed in North Carolina were made here in Wilmington which earned it the nickname 'Wilmywood.' It's a prime location for tons of feature films including A Walk To Remember, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Tammy, and Iron Man 3. This coastal city is home to EUE/Screen Gems Studios which has production office space and several sound stages along with a highly-skilled local film crew.
Several of the iconic running scenes from this 1994 Academy Best Picture were filmed in Asheville. One classic location is the curvy uphill running scene filmed at Grandfather Mountain.
This beloved movie staring the late but great Robin Williams was primarily filmed in North Carolina. Notable locations include Biltmore Estate (pictured), UNC Chapel Hill, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Aside from largely being filmed in a Hollywood Studio, the Green Mile also featured scenes in Blowing Rock and along the Blue Ridge Mountains (pictured).
Last on our list of places in North Carolina in famous movies is located in Lake Norman, where you can find Ricky Bobby's dream house! Apparently, after filming ended, the mansion was left abandoned and several fans found ways to sneak in and get their own shake 'n bake experience.
What did you think of our list of places in North Carolina that showed up in famous movies? Please tell us what we left out in the comments below!
And if you’re a film buff, you’ll definitely want to watch these nine bucket-list-worthy movies, all of which feature North Carolina!
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Paces in North Carolina in famous movies
Melissa Mahoney|March 15, 2021
What television shows have been filmed in North Carolina?
In addition to the above list of places in North Carolina that showed up in famous movies, the Tar Heel State has had many cameos on the small screen, too. From urban locales to mountains and beaches, North Carolina has the diverse terrain that many production companies look for when choosing a location for their projects. We’ve already touched upon many well-known films in the article above, but what about television shows? Over the decades, many series have been filmed across the state. There’s Dawson’s Creek, the beloved show from the 1990s, filmed in Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach. Kenny Powers fans will know all about the in-state locations Eastbound and Down was filmed. And Sleepy Hollow, Under The Dome, Good Behavior, and Reprisal are some of the more recent shows that were shot here. You can view more productions made in North Carolina on the Film Office website.
What are some of the most famous places in North Carolina?
Historic landmarks across the state are some of the best known. Asheville’s Biltmore Estate was once a vacation home to George and Edith Vanderbilt. With 250 rooms and property of 8,000 acres, it has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in the Outer Banks is the tallest brick lighthouse in the country at a height of 210 feet. This iconic structure is part of the National Park Service which offers tours.
What unique attractions can I find in North Carolina?
The Tarheel State is filled with unusual roadside attractions you can’t find anywhere else. Shangri-La Stone Village in Prospect Hill, a small-scale town made by a retired tobacco farmer’s own hands. It’s such an odd yet awesome place to see! In Beech Mountain, you can explore the Land of Oz Theme Park as you stroll down the yellow brick road. It’s a charming attraction for the whole family. These and more attractions can be found in our article, 15 Strange and Wonderful Things Found Only In North Carolina.
