Explore Movie and TV Show Filming Locations in North Carolina
Who could forget “Bull Durham” with its central setting, Durham Athletic Park, the famous scenes of Chimney Rock in “The Last of the Mohicans,” and the atmospheric “Dirty Dancing” backdrop of Lake Lure?
For travel lovers, cinephiles, and TV fiends alike, visiting fictional locations featured in movies and television is a blast. Joining many famed on-screen regions, North Carolina offers exceptional backdrops with its mountains and ocean shoreline.
According to the North Carolina Film Office, “North Carolina is world-renowned as a film-friendly state with minimal permitting and ready assistance throughout your production.”
You may be surprised at just how many iconic shots from TV and film originated in North Carolina. Heading to the Tar Heel State in the future? Consider stopping by some of these gems throughout the state that brought life to beloved films and shows, past and present.
Modern Blockbusters Filmed in North Carolina
“The Hunger Games”
DuPont State Recreational Forest
Historic Henry River Mill Village
In the first installment of the “Hunger Games” film franchise, DuPont State Recreational Forest became the Panem wilderness where Katniss Everdeen is tasked to survive a fight to the death among two dozen total tributes. The forest includes the pond where Katniss finds a camouflaged Peeta, alongside Triple Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and the covered bridge at High Falls.
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- Several “The Hunger Games” scenes were filmed at DuPont State Recreational Forest near Cedar Mountain. Photo courtesy of Henderson County Tourism Development Authority
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- Henry River Mill Village was District 12 in “The Hunger Games.” Photo courtesy of Henry River Mill Village
Halfway between Charlotte and Asheville is Historic Henry River Mill Village, also known as District 12, home to Katniss and Peeta. Among the many defining structures that shaped the setting for the big screen, the village Company Store served as the Mellark family’s bakery. On organized tours, a guide will take you into the Everdeen’s home, where Katniss awakes at the beginning before the reaping scene.
You’ll also learn about this textile mill village, built in 1905 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019.
Bonus: DuPont State Recreational Forest was also used in the filming of “The Last of the Mohicans.”
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- Photo courtesy of Henry River Mill Village
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- Photo courtesy of Henry River Mill Village
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- Photo courtesy of Henry River Mill Village
“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
Sylva, NC
With a population of less than 3,000, Sylva was the memorable filming site for “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.” Released in 2017 and taking home the Oscar for Best Picture the following year, this crime thriller prominently showcases downtown, including the Jackson County Courthouse.
The Jackson County Courthouse is often seen during scenes in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.” Photo by Marilyn Jones
“Everyone was incredibly kind and a pleasure to work with,” said Nick Breedlove, Jackson County’s director of tourism. “Initially, we assumed it would be a small production, but as truck after truck rolled in with equipment, it quickly became apparent that this was a much bigger operation than we had imagined.
Finding Ebbing
“People still show up looking for Ebbing. They’ll be walking along West Main Street, then stop in front of the old police station because something looks familiar. That’s the building Mildred (Frances McDormand) firebombs in the movie. There’s no plaque, no big sign.”
Instead, tourists find it on their own, Breedlove said, and you can watch the moment it clicks in their heads.
“Nearly a decade after filming, folks are still making the trip, and they leave having eaten at our restaurants and spent a night or two; a good movie continues to drive people to the places it was filmed.”
Bonus: The pivotal scene in “The Fugitive,” starring Harrison Ford — when the train strikes the prison bus — is set just outside Sylva. The wreckage is still there and can be seen while riding the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, boarding in Bryson City.
Most Famous North Carolina Filming Locations
Biltmore Estate – Asheville, NC
Dating back to 1956, Asheville‘s most popular attraction, Biltmore, plays center stage in a series of movies shot on the estate and in the acres of virgin forest surrounding the mansion.
“The Swan,” starring Grace Kelly, was the first movie filmed here. The latest, “A Biltmore Christmas,” was filmed in 2023
The 1994 film “Richie Rich,” featuring a young Macaulay Culkin, shows much of the Biltmore interior. Many filmmakers take advantage of the estate’s 8,000 acres, including formal gardens, nature trails, the French Broad River, Deer Park, and woodlands.
The list goes on: “Forest Gump,” “The Last of the Mohicans,” and “Patch Adams” all filmed scenes here.
Biltmore and surrounding woodlands in Asheville were featured in several films, including “Richie Rich,” “Forrest Gump,” and “The Last of the Mohicans.” Photo courtesy of Biltmore
Wilmington, NC
“Wilmington is a great place to shoot for multiple reasons,” said Johnny Griffin, director of the Wilmington Regional Film Commission, Inc. “It has the generic look of ‘any town USA,’ a mild climate, extensive world-class crew, and state-of-the-art soundstages. We offer a great quality of life, a 25% NC Film Grant program, and a 40-year history of working with productions.”
Touring Wilmington
But that only scrapes the surface.
“Cinespace Studios is a premier operator of production facilities in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Toronto and Wilmington; another reason filming here is so popular,” said Hannah Almeter, PR senior at Wilmington Communications. “One of the best ways to discover filming locations in downtown Wilmington along the Cape Fear River is to take the Wilmywood Movie & TV Location Tour.”
Cinespace Studios. There are currently no tours available. Photo courtesy Wilmington and Beaches CVB
According to John Hirchak, the tour business co-owner, the experience is made to be informative, fun, and comes with a “huge ‘wow’ factor.”
“We do a lot of name-dropping, and our credit list is huge, so we have plenty to cover. Guests are usually blown away by the volume of things shot here, especially as we are a small city,” he added, describing the tour as 90 to 100 minutes of “action-packed adventure through America’s largest living film set.”
Wilmywood Movie & TV Location Tour offers a look at filming locations in Downtown Wilmington. Photo courtesy of Wilmington and Beaches CVB
Guests can see actual film locations and set pieces, sometimes complemented by behind-the-scenes stories from filming. “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood,” “Domestic Disturbance,” and “Weekend at Bernie’s” are just a few of the many films the tour has featured.
“We show active locations, or locations in upcoming releases, provided they are within walking distance,” Hirchak said.
Another way to tour the downtown area is Springbrook Farms horse-drawn tours. Rescue horses plod along city streets as the guide points out different filming locations.
Airlie Gardens – Wilmington, NC
If you’re looking for one of the most popular filming locations from box office movies and top-rated TV shows, head to Airlie Gardens. Here, you’ll discover film locations featured in “King Kong Lives,” Nicholas Sparks’ “The Choice,” “Black Knight,” the “Sleepy Hollow” and “Dawson’s Creek” TV series, and many more.
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- Nicholas Sparks’ “The Choice” featured Lebanon Chapel in Airlie Gardens near Wilmington. Photo courtesy of New Hanover County
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- Marsh scenes in Nicholas Sparks’ “The Choice” were filmed near Wilmington. Photo courtesy Wilmington and Beaches CVB
Wilmington on Screen: The List Goes On
The list of movies and television shows filmed here is extensive. Over the past four years, several productions have been filmed in and around Wilmington, including “Merv,” “The Confession,” “Boys of Summer,” “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat,” “Eric LaRue,” “Along for the Ride,” and “Scream.”
Spring Garden at Airlie Gardens near Wilmington was featured in Nicholas Sparks’ “The Choice.” Photo courtesy of New Hanover County
Other films include “Iron Man 3,” “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” “Sleeping with the Enemy,” and “The Secret Life of Bees,” but the entire list is far longer.
Recent Productions
Dubbed “Hollywood East” and “Wilmywood” over the years, Wilmington has become a hub for set-jetting, the popular trend of visiting the real-life locations from popular movies and TV shows like “One Tree Hill,” “Dawson’s Creek,” and “The Runarounds.”
“The destination — with over 400 credits to its name — also serves as the backdrop for ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ series, which is currently filming its latest film installment that continues Belly and Conrad’s love story,” Almeter said, nodding to two other recent additions: the series “R.J. Decker,” which premiered in March 2026, and the film “Driver’s Ed,” released on May 15 of this year.
“From a seaside state park to picturesque Southern gardens, local landmarks have been transformed into the settings of classic productions.”
Other On-Screen Locations in North Carolina
Charlotte, NC
“Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby and Days of Thunder” took advantage of Charlotte‘s NASCAR spirit and tradition, highlighting the sport’s enthusiasm. Film sequences were shot at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Rockingham Speedway, and Ricky Bobby’s (Will Ferrell) mansion near Lake Norman.
Another award-winning movie, “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” was filmed in and around Charlotte. Jessica Chastain won the Academy Award, SAG, and Critics’ Choice Awards for Best Actress for her performance in the film’s titular role. Several carefully selected city scenes portray the community 40 years ago, when the PTL (Praise the Lord) Club moved to Charlotte.
Raleigh, NC
Movies filmed in and near Raleigh include “Bull Durham” and “Junebug,” both set in rural Chapel Hill. “Patch Adams” was partly filmed at the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem.
Southport, NC
Less than an hour south of Wilmington is the historic community of Southport, founded in 1792. With only around 4,000 residents, it served as the perfect backdrop for several movies, including Nicolas Sparks’ adaptations of “Safe Haven” and “A Walk to Remember,” “The Secret Life of Bees,” and “Under The Dome.”
Exploring North Carolina’s Film and TV History
Hollywood, TV, film: It’s all fantasy fantasy and fun, made possible by the real-life filming locations you can visit for yourself. The next time you’re in North Carolina and feel some déjà vu, you may actually be in the same place as characters from your favorite TV shows and movies.
If you go: Make use of local tourism boards. Their websites are an excellent source for finding the attractions, restaurants, and accommodations that might interest you.
A special thanks to these local tourism guides, who helped put together this itinerary:
Historic Henry River Mill Village
Discover Jackson County
Biltmore
Wilmington and Beaches CVB
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