One Tree Hill, Some of your favorite Nicholas Sparks films, Iron Man 3 and the Hunger Games were all filmed in NC. If you are a film guru don’t miss out on these hotspots.
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One of the largest film studios east of California; tours available by appointment.
Filmed here: “One Tree Hill,” “Dawson’s Creek,” “Iron Man 3,” “The Conjuring.”
Cinespace Studios Wilmington
Featured in One Tree Hill (wedding scenes) and Sleeping with the Enemy.
Airlie Gardens
Scenic waterfront areas used in numerous romantic and drama films.
Wilmington Riverwalk - WrightsvilleBeach.com
Iconic waterfall scenes were filmed at Hickory Nut Falls. Fans can hike the trail for a cinematic experience. (last of the Mohicans filming location)
Chimney Rock State Park
Filming Location: “The Hunger Games,” “Richie Rich,” and more
Biltmore’s lavish interior was used in multiple films and TV series.
Biltmore
The Hunger Games filmed several survival and forest scenes here.
Pisgah National Forest
Filming Location: “Dirty Dancing”
Visit the annual Dirty Dancing Festival and the site where Baby and Johnny practiced the lift.
Lake Lure
Filming Location: “The Hunger Games” – District 12
The abandoned Henry River Mill Village near Hickory was transformed into Katniss Everdeen’s hometown.
City of Shelby
Filming Location: “The Hunger Games”
Home to several arena scenes, waterfalls, and the iconic tracker jacker tree sequence
DuPont State Recreational Forest
Filming Location: “Patch Adams”
The university’s classic Southern campus charm made it the perfect backdrop.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Used as a filming site for period dramas and known for its preserved 18th-century village look.
Old Salem Museums & Gardens
Featured in many indie and romantic films for its stunning mountain backdrops.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Inspiration for Mayberry in The Andy Griffith Show.
Visit the Andy Griffith Museum and take the Mayberry Squad Car Tour.
Visit Mount Airy | Mayberry, NC
Filming Location: “Nights in Rodanthe” (2008)
Visit the Inn at Rodanthe, the actual house featured in the film, now available for tours and rentals.
Outer Banks Beaches | Corolla, Currituck County Beach Access
Filming Location: “Safe Haven” (2013)
Explore filming locations used in Nicholas Sparks’ romantic drama, including local restaurants and docks.
Oak Island
Featured in multiple Nicholas Sparks films including:
• “A Walk to Remember”
• “Safe Haven”
• Charming coastal town with a self-guided Safe Haven Movie Tour.
City of Southport
Filming Location: “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby”
Although set in Alabama, many race scenes were filmed at this real NASCAR track
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Filming Location: “The Handmaid’s Tale” (film version – 1990)
The university’s Gothic architecture was used for dystopian scenes.
Duke University
Filming Location: “The Marc Pease Experience” (2009)
Several neighborhoods and schools were transformed for this Ben Stiller comedy-drama.
Greensboro, NC | Home
Inspiration for: “Land of Oz” Theme Park
While not directly a filming location, this vintage theme park is a must-visit for Wizard of Oz fans and holds special events with immersive experiences.
Beech Mountain Resort
Filming Location: “Deliverance” (1972)
Some wilderness scenes were shot in this dramatic landscape, one of the deepest gorges in the eastern U.S.
Linville Gorge Wilderness
Filming Location: “Forrest Gump”
The iconic scene where Forrest runs across the country was partially filmed here.
Grandfather Mountain
While not a location, this is a great stop for film buffs interested in industry education. The department is closely tied to the Wilmington film scene and offers public lectures and screenings.
