There's no place like home, especially when a movie was filmed right in your neck of the woods. These are the best films from each state in alphabetical order. You might be surprised by what you learn...

Alabama

Get Out (2017)

Jordan Peele's Oscar-winning debut horror film Get Out was filmed in the Alabama Heart of Dixie. The decision to film in Fairhope and Mobile came at the last minute, necessitated by budget cuts. "I think it might be a better movie than if we had done it here in Los Angeles," Peele said.

Big Fish (2003)

Apart from filming in Paris for a single week, the rest of Tim Burton's Big Fish was shot entirely in Alabama—mostly in Wetumpka and Montgomery. The custom movie set for the town of Spectre still remains in Millbrook, Alabama on the private Jackson Lake Island.

Alaska

Insomnia (2002)

Although Christopher Nolan's Insomnia was filmed on location in Alaska, the actual town of Nightmute, Alaska, is several hundred miles south of the Arctic Circle—meaning that 24/7 daylight would have been impossible. Robin Williams later claimed that the isolation of shooting in Alaska contributed to his drinking relapse.

Into the Wild (2007)

In order to film the Christopher McCandless biopic Into the Wild, the production made four separate trips to Alaska to film during different seasons. Sean Penn waited ten years to make the film in order to make sure he had the McCandless family's full approval.

Arizona

Psycho (1960)

Although much of this Hitchcock horror classic was filmed on a lot in California, some scenes were indeed filmed in Arizona, including downtown Phoenix, Gila Bend, and Buckeye. In the novel, Marion's name was actually Mary; the studio had to change it after discovering that two real people named Mary Crane lived in Phoenix.

Raising Arizona (1987)

This Coen brothers classic was reviled by Herb Drinkwater, the mayor of Scottsdale from 1980 until 1996, who proclaimed that the film had "no redeeming social value" and that it "certainly isn't the image Arizona wants to project." A fun fact: Matthew McConaughey claimed that Raising Arizona is the movie he's watched the most times in his life.

Arkansas

Mud (2012)

Jeff Nichols' Mud was filmed in southeast Arkansas, including the locations Dumas, De Witt, Lake Village, Crocketts Bluff, and Stuttgart. At the time of shooting, Mud was the largest production to have ever been filmed in Arkansas—in fact, roughly half the crew were residents of the state, and production hired over 400 locals as extras.

Sling Blade (1996)

Billy Bob Thornton directed and starred in this Academy Award-winning film. Thornton originally wrote the script in longhand at his family's house in Hot Springs, Arkansas; the entire film was shot in the Saline County town of Benton.

California

Modern Times (1936)

California is easily the most popular shooting location for American movies, including the silent Charlie Chaplin classic Modern Times. The film was shot in Santa Clarita, Los Angeles, and Long Beach. At one point, Chaplin is held at gunpoint in front of a display of wine and liquor barrels; one is labeled "Angelica," which is among the first wines ever made in California.

Chinatown (1974)

Chinatown was inspired by the California Water Waters, which was a series of disputes over southern California water at the turn of the 1900s. Writer Robert Towne claimed that Carey McWilliams's Southern California Country: An Island on the Land (1946) "taught me to look at the place where I was born, and convinced me to write about it."

Colorado

Badlands (1973)

Terrence Malik's neo-noir crime drama Badlands was filmed entirely in Colorado with a low budget of $300,000. The beginning of the film was shot mostly in the southeastern Colorado towns of La Junta and Las Animas. Malick reportedly offered investors no guarantee of completion or distribution, earned nothing for himself; his crew and actors weren't paid much more. The customer, mechanic, and Malick himself all ended up acting in the film.

True Grit (1969)

Although True Grit is set on the border of Arkansas and Oklahoma, the 1969 western was mostly shot in and around Ouray, County. The famous shootout at the end of the movie was filmed in Deb's Meadow. True Grit allowed John Wayne to secure his only Academy Award.

Connecticut

The Ice Storm (1997)

Shot on location in New Canaan, Connecticut, The Ice Storm follows two dysfunctional upper-class families using escapism to deal with social changes in the 1970s. The film takes place during the Southern New England ice storm of 1973 that caused considerable damage to the state.

We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)

The gut-wrenching film was shot on location in Stamford, Connecticut, with a major filming location being J.M. Wright Technical High School. We Need to Talk About Kevin was shot in only 30 days, but it took three or four years for the project to take off in the first place.

Delaware

Blue Ruin (2013)

The establishing shot of Blue Ruin depicts the oceanside boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, featuring the iconic lit-up Dolley's sign. Dolley's is known for its saltwater taffy and lengthy history in the area. Initially, Dwight is living in his car a few miles from the beach.

Dead Poets Society (1989)

Although Dead Poets Society was originally supposed to be filmed at Berry College in Rome, Georgia, the project was shot in Delaware because it would have been too expensive to create fake snow on the campus grounds. The production used students from Delaware local high schools as extras, including the actual Glasgow High School Band, which can be seen in the pep rally scene.

Florida

Edward Scissorhands (1990)

You might be surprised to learn that the houses in the film were part of a real Florida community, entirely unchanged with the exception of a pastel paint job. When the shooting ended, the production returned most of the homes to their original colors, but Tim Burton did admit that some owners liked their new exteriors so much that they opted to keep them.

Scarface (1983)

There was tremendous controversy in Miami over whether the producers should be allowed to shoot in the city. The Miami Tourist Board ultimately decided not to allow it—they were concerned the movie would discourage tourism to Miami since it depicted Miami's Cuban immigrants as gangsters and drug dealers.

Georgia

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

If you wanted to rent Tony Stark's lakeside cabin from Avengers: Endgame, you're in luck. The cozy abode is located just 20 minutes from the Atlanta airport, and it's available to be rented on Airbnb. Plenty of your favorite MCU stars from the movie filmed scenes at the cabin, like Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, and Tom Holland.

Forest Gump (1994)

The park bench that Tom Hanks was sitting on for much of this iconic movie was located in Savannah, Georgia, at Chippewa Square. Since then, the bench has been removed and placed in the Savannah History Museum to prevent it from being damaged, stolen, or vandalized.

Hawaii

Jurassic Park (1993)

Most dinosaur scenes in Jurassic Park were shot on soundstages, but Steven Spielberg wanted the Triceratops scene to be filmed on location in Hawaii; it was the first dinosaur seen by any of the actors. Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy began recruiting members of the design team three years prior to film's release in order to give them ample time to let their imaginations run wild in Hawaii.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

Hawaii is certainly no stranger to the silver screen. Forgetting Sarah Marshall was filmed on the island of Oahu, mostly at the Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore, which kept its real name for the film. The infamous cliff-jumping scene was shot at Laie Point Cliff Jump.

Idaho

Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

Fans of 2004's cult classic Napoleon Dynamite still flock to Preston, Idaho in order to tour the film's locations. According to the circulation manager at The Preston Citizen, "every summer at least 50 groups of fans walk into the office wanting to know more about the film."

Pale Rider (1985)

Set in the mountain region of Lahood, California, this 1985 western was mainly filmed in the Boulder Mountains and the Sawtooth National Recreation Area in central Idaho, just north of Sun Valley. In the opening credits scene, the Sawtooth Mountains south of Stanley are visible.

Illinois

Groundhog Day (1993)

Although the film takes place in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, Groundhog Day was actually shot in Woodstock, Illinois—only fifty miles away from Bill Murray's hometown of Wilmette, Illinois). A small plaque was placed on the curb where Muray continuously steps in a puddle, which reads "Bill Murray stepped here".

The Dark Knight (2008)

Christopher Nolan based his interpretation of Gotham City on Chicago, Illinois, which is where The Dark Knight was primarily filmed. The Gotham license plates were made to look like Illinois license plates so non-prop cars would blend in with the scenery.

Indiana

Public Enemies (2009)

Public Enemies was filmed entirely in the midwest, including Crown Point, Indiana, where John Dillinger was imprisoned and subsequently escaped from jail. The actual 1932 Studebaker Dillinger used during a robbery in Greencastle, Indiana was also used during filming.

A League of Their Own (1992)

League Stadium in Huntingburg, Indiana was home to the Rockford Peaches in the hit film A League of Their Own. Four years prior to its release, David Strathairn starred in another baseball period piece, Eight Men Out, which was also primarily filmed in Indiana.

Iowa

Twister (1996)

This epic disaster adventure film was primarily shot in Iowa due to the way in which the changing seasons affected Oklahoma's topography. The climactic scene featuring the F5 tornado was almost entirely shot around Eldora, Iowa.

Field of Dreams (1989)

If you'd like to visit the real-life Field of Dreams baseball pitch, take a trip to Dubuque County, Iowa, where the Field of Dreams was built specifically for its use in the film. Universal Pictures built the baseball diamond on two farms. When production was completed, the diamond remained.

Kansas

Paper Moon (1973)

Between the book and the film adaptation of 1973's Paper Moon, a number of things changed, including its setting. The novel was set primarily in the rural south, but the film opted to move toward the midwest. The film was shot in the small towns of Hays, McCracken, and Wilson, Kansas, well as St. Joseph, Missouri.

Kentucky

Rain Man (1988)

Louisiana

12 Years a Slave (2013)

The Directors Guild were amazed to learn that it only took 35 days shooting 12 Years a Slave on location in Louisiana, thanks to the incredibly efficient direction of Steve McQueen. The film also marked the reunion of Dwight Henry and Quvenzhané Wallis, who are both Louisiana natives.

Maine

In the Bedroom (2001)

2001's In the Bedroom is set in the mid-coastal town of Camden, Maine, and it stays surprisingly accurate to the dialect, mannerisms, and social customs of the region. Many of the products used in the film, such as Oakhurst brand milk, are real regional products often found on the seacoast of Maine.

Maryland

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

The Blair Witch Project caused so many people to believe that the Blair Witch was a real entity that they flocked to Maryland in hopes of encountering the legend. Apparently, they forgot to stick around for the film's closing credits.

Massachusetts

Jaws (1975)

While Boston has given us plenty of iconic films, Jaws is easily one of the most significant movies to come out of Massachusetts. Although the fictitious Amity Island is supposed to be in New York, the film was really shot in really Martha's Vineyard, the swanky island just south of Cape Cod.

Michigan

Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

Based on the 1958 novel of the same name (and written by a Michigan Supreme Court Justice), Anatomy of a Murder was shot on location in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The inspiration for the book came from a 1952 murder, in which Lt. Coleman A. Peterson shot and killed Maurice Chenoweth in Big Bay, Michigan.

Minnesota

A Simple Plan (1998)

A Simple Plan was primarily shot on location in Minnesota, but funnily enough, the production was plagued by a lack of snow. In an attempt to remedy the situation, the filmmakers scraped together a special effects team to create a combination of fake synthetic snow and shaved ice.

Mississippi

The Help (2011)

Civil rights-era period drama The Help was Mississippi's most significant film production since 2000's O Brother, Where Art Thou? "Honestly, my heart would be broken if it were set anywhere but Mississippi," wrote author Kathryn Stockett in an email to reporters regarding the adaptation.

Missouri

Gone Girl (2014)

Although Gone Girl is based in North Carthage, Missouri, the film was shot in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, about five hours to the east. "The Bar" owned by Nick in the film later became an actual restaurant of the same name.

Montana

The Untouchables (1987)

Montana doubled as Canada in The Untouchables, with Hardy Bridge, which crosses the Missouri River 50 miles north of Helena, serving as the Canadian border. The Hardy Bridge was the final of four potential Montana locations the production looked at before deciding that the scene could be shot in Montana.

Nebraska

Nebraska (2013)

Will Forte was cast in Nebraska specifically because Alexander Payne said that Forte reminded him of the kind of guy one might see around Omaha, even though Forte was born and raised in California. All major characters actually hailed from Nebraska except for Bruce Dern, June Squibb, and Bob Odenkirk, who were born and raised in Illinois.

Nevada

Casino (1995)

New Hampshire

On Golden Pond (1981)

The entirety of this Oscar-winning film was shot on location in New Hampshire during the summer of 1981. Excess footage of Fonda and Hepburn driving around the New Hampshire countryside in the opening credits was later used for the intro of the early '80s CBS sitcom Newhart.

New Jersey

On the Waterfront (1954)

The bulk of this Marlon Brando-led masterpiece was shot in Hoboken, New Jersey, where screenwriter Budd Schulberg walked the streets to get a feel for the longshoremen's lives. Man real longshoremen from Hoboken were used as extras.

New Mexico

No Country for Old Men (2007)

Most of No Country for Old Men was shot in Las Vegas, New Mexico—yes, you read that correctly. There is indeed a Las Vegas, New Mexico. No Country for Old Men is the first and only film to be nominated for both the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Sound Mixing.

New York

The Godfather (1972)

It was actually a struggle for Francis Ford Coppola to get the studio to agree to allow him to film The Godfather in New York, as it was far costlier to shoot on location rather than on a Hollywood lot. The Corleone home, where the famous wedding scene was filmed, is on Staten Island rather than Long Island, as it was depicted in the movie.

North Carolina

Blue Velvet (1986)

This sadistic David Lynch film was filmed in North Carolina. Lumbertown is really Wilmington, NC—a region known as a "movie city" due to the number of films that shoot in the area. The apartment complex where Dorothy Vallens lives is only six stories high even though it is stated that Vallens lives on the seventh floor.

North Dakota

Fargo (1996)

Fargo is one of the only films to be shot in North Dakota. The film was shot during the winter of 1995 in both Minnesota and North Dakota. Due to the unusually low snowfalls that winter, scenes that called for snow-covered landscapes had to be shot in northern Minnesota and North Dakota, rather than the actual towns of Fargo and Brainerd.

Ohio

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Ohio residents may have recognized Maine's fictional Shawshank State Prison as the Ohio State Reformatory. Tourism in Mansfield, Ashland, and Upper Sandusky skyrocketed since the release of the movie, which brought in over 18,000 visitors and led to a $3 million economic boost in 2013.

Oklahoma

The Outsiders (1983)

This 1983 adaptation of The Outsiders was shot on location in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The house used for filming the movie has even opened as a museum to display props from the film; director Francis Ford Coppola had Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, and C. Thomas Howell spend a night in the house to get as close to "brothers" as possible.

Oregon

The Shining (1980)

The classic horror film by Stanley Kubrick takes place at the Overlook Hotel, but the exterior shots actually belonged to the Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood Oregon. Legend has it that the lodge's management requested Kubrick avoid filming in room 217 (as written in the book) for fear that guests would not want to stay there, so Kubrick changed the script to room 237, which didn't exist.

Pennsylvania

Rocky (1976)

Most of the scenes of Rocky jogging through Philadelphia were shot without permits, equipment, or extras. On the other hand, the iconic shot where he runs up the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum was only possible thanks to Garrett Brown, Philadelphia native and inventor of the Steadicam, who used the device professionally for the first time on Sylvester Stallone.

Rhode Island

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

While filming Moonrise Kingdom, Wes Anderson rented an old mansion in Newport, Rhode Island for himself, editor Andrew Weisblum, and director of photography Robert D. Yeoman. Although the cast members were initially meant to stay at a nearby hotel, many ended up staying at the mansion instead, such as Edward Norton and Jason Schwartzman.

South Carolina

The Big Chill (1983)

Lawrence Kasdan wanted the cast of The Big Chill to spend as much time as possible rehearsing together, which is exactly what happened as they trekked from California to Beaufort, South Carolina. The actors had nearly three weeks of rehearsal under their belt before the cameras rolled, which is quite rare for a film.

South Dakota

Nomadland (2020)

Chloé Zhao's Oscar-nominated Nomadland was filmed in South Dakota's Badlands National Park; the film is largely a love letter to its breathtaking scenery. While Fern's story is fictional, Zhao's film is based on Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century by Jessica Bruder.

Tennessee

Cast Away (2000)

While the scenes of Tom Hanks stranded on an island were filmed in Fiji, he was welcomed back to the U.S. at the FedEx headquarters on-site in Memphis. Oddly enough, despite excessive FedEx advertising, the brand didn't have to pay a cent for product placement in the film.

Texas

What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)

While this film was set in the fictional town of Endora, Iowa, it was actually shot in the town of Manor, Texas just east of Austin. Thanks to two major stars appearing early in their careers—Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio—this quiet drama was a huge hit.

Utah

Thelma & Louise (1991)

Even though Thelma & Louise was supposed to be set in New Mexico, it was actually filmed in Utah, just 50 miles southeast of Moab. The final scene, which is meant to take place in the Grand Canyon, was really shot in Dead Horse Point State Park.

Vermont

Beetlejuice (1988)

Tim Burton's Beetlejuice is supposed to take place in Connecticut, but it was really filmed in East Corinth, Vermont, about a 15-minute drive from Burlington. That big old house on the hill was only a facade built for the movie and torn down after filming wrapped.

Virginia

My Dinner With Andre (1981)

Although it claims to take place at the now-famous Cafe des Artistes in New York City, My Dinner With Andre was actually shot in the repurposed Grand Ballroom of the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia, which was then vacant. The filming was done over a period of two weeks, but thanks to movie magic, it looks as if it's happening in real-time.

Washington

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

The central backdrop of 10 Things I Hate About You was actually Stadium High in Tacoma, Washington. Much of the filming took place in the Seattle metropolitan area, where the movie introduced audiences to the Fremont Troll.

West Virginia

The Deer Hunter (1978)

The Deerhunter was shot in West Virginia, it was depicted as the blue-collar town of Clairton, Pennsylvania. The wedding scene at the church took a whopping five days to film—a real priest was even cast as the priest.

Wisconsin

The Straight Story (1999)

The Straight Story was shot along the actual route that Alvin Straight took for his own cross-country journey on a John Deere tractor back in 1994, traveling across Iowa and Wisconsin on a lawnmower to visit his ailing brother.

Wyoming

Django Unchained (2012)

The Wyoming snow convinced Quentin Tarantino to shoot Django Unchained in Grand Teton National Park and the surrounding area. While filming on location in Jackson Hole, Tarantino rented out a local movie theater to show samurai and western movies from his own personal collection.