Oregon — One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest remains on the must-watch list of almost every film buff. The movie's approach to mental health reveals the ineffectiveness of a closed mental health institution. The film, which was released in 1975, won five Academy Awards in the following year.

The film was so popular that a Netflix show, Ratched, was released in 2020, which follows the journey of the head administrative nurse of the facility, Ratched, from a nurse to a monster.

The comedy-drama, which starred the legendary Jack Nicholson in the role of Mac McMurphy, was mostly shot inside the Oregon State Hospital, which is a public-funded mental hospital. The hospital is the oldest operating mental health hospital in the state. Following the success of the movie, renowned photographer Mary Ellen Mark, alongside writer Kay Folger Jacobs, did a story on the hospital. Also, the film's director, Milos Forman, spent six weeks in the hospital to study actual inmates.

District of Columbia — Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, a 1939 political comedy, which was directed by Frank Capra, was filmed in various locations, including the US Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial. The Washington Post, however, claims that the film was rear-projected on an artificial set, and scenes inside the senate were reproduced later.

In the film, we see Jefferson Smith, a character played by James Stewart, arriving at Union Station, Washington DC. Those of you who did not have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the original Union Station can watch the film to understand just how bustling the station was back in those days. The station was later repurposed as the Visitor Centre in the 70s but was restored as Union Station again in 1988.

The film won just one Academy Award, although it was nominated for eleven of the same. It was preserved in the US National Film Registry back in 1989, for its cultural, historic, and aesthetic significance.

North Carolina - Evil Dead II

Evil Dead II, marketed as Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn, is directed by Sam Raimi and happens to be the second installment of the Evil Dead franchise that was released in 1987. It is a sequel to The Evil Dead, the 1981 horror film. At the center of the story is Ash Williams, played by Bruce Williams.

Aside from Bruce, the star cast comprises Sarah Berry, Dan Hicks, Kassie Wesley, and others. Williams spends his vacation with his girlfriend in a remote cabin located in the woods. He unearths an audio tape that contains recitations from some ancient text. Williams fights against the demons that torment them.

A major part of the filming was done in North Carolina’s Wadesboro. Reshoots were done in Detroit and Chicago. The initial part was shot at the Fryingpan Tunnel along the Blue Ridge Parkway and the climax was shot near the Bonsal Ballast Pits, located in North Carolina’s Lilesville on Highway 74.

Nebraska - Nebraska

The black-and-white comedy road film was written by film director and screenwriter, Bob Nelson and directed by Alexander Payne. Released in 2013, Nebraska stars Will Forte, Bob Odenkirk, June Squibb, and Bruce Dern. The film earned nominations for Palme D’or at the Cannes Film festival in 2013.

The Best Actor Award was grabbed by Bruce Dern. Aside from that, Nebraska was also nominated for the Academy Awards in six categories. It was undoubtedly a commercial success. The plot revolves around a senior resident of Montana and his son who attempt to lay their hands on the sweepstakes prize comprising millions of dollars on a long road trip to the state of Nebraska.

Most of the production happened in places such as Osmond, Hooper, Plainview, Stanton, and Lincoln. Hawthorne, the fictional town in the film, was represented by Plainview. While 21 residents of Nebraska were taken on board, 227 extras were hired.

Nevada - Casino

Based on Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas by American author Nicholas Pileggi, the 1995 epic crime drama was directed by Martin Scorsese. Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, Sharon Stone, Kevin Pollak, Don Rickles, and James Woods star in it. The primary characters in the film are based on real people.

The movie enjoyed a positive critical reception and was a worldwide success. Sharon Stone received maximum acclamation for her performance. She won a Golden Globe in the Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama category. Aside from that, Stone also was nominated in the Best Actress category at the Academy Awards.

When the movie is titled Casino, Las Vegas is an automatic choice. The shooting locations included the Las Vegas Country Club, the Atomic Liquors bar, as well as the Riviera. Such interesting facts about the filming of Casino were revealed by Thrillist, the food and travel magazine.

New Hampshire - On Golden Pond

The 1981 family drama had Mark Rydell calling the shots. The screenplay of the film was adapted from an Ernest Thompson play of the same name. The star cast comprises Katherine Hepburn, Jane Fonda, Dabney Coleman, William Lantau, Doug Mckeon, and Henry Fonda.

Upon its release, On Golden Pond received garnered commercial as well as critical success. It was nominated in ten categories at the 1982 Academy Awards and won in three of those categories. Henry Fonda won the Best Actor Award, Katherine Hepburn won the Best Actress Award, and the film won the Best Adapted Screenplay Award.

Squam Lake was the main spot for the film’s production. The Squam Lakes Science Center offers a cruise ride for tourists. You can easily take a trip around several filming locations. The Squam Lake Inn website provides many interesting details about the filming process.

New Jersey - On the Waterfront

On the Waterfront, directed by the late film and theater director, Elia Kazan, is a crime drama that was released in 1954. Starring Marlon Brando as Terry Malloy, the film also features Lee J. Cobb, Pat Henning, Rod Steiger, Eva Marie Saint, and Karl Malden.

The plot focuses on union violence and corruption among dockworkers, while touching on subjects like widespread corruption, racketeering, and extortion on the waterfronts of New Jersey’s Hoboken. On the Waterfront attained commercial and critical success. It earned 12 nominations at the Academy Awards and won eight - the Best Picture, Best Director (Kazan), Best Actress (Saint), and Best Actor (Brando).

Hoboken was the prime location during the film’s shooting. Budd Schulberg, the screenwriter of the film, did a lot of research around the waterfront bars. The original members of the Hoboken Police Department were taken on board for minor roles.

New Mexico - Ace in the Hole

Expectations were high when the crime drama hit the theaters in 1951. However, as per the reports suggest, Ace in the Hole failed to make it big at the box office. With Billy Wilder directing it, the plot has Chuck Tatum, played by Kirk Douglas, at the center.

Chuck is a disgraced and cynical reporter who leaves no stone unturned to get back his job in a popular newspaper. Aside from Kirk, Ace in the Hole also stars Jan Sterling, along with Porter Hall and Robert Arthur. The film is preserved in the National Film Registry and is considered culturally, aesthetically, and historically important.

A part of the film was shot on a huge set that was located around 20 miles towards the west of Gallup For scenes shot in Albuquerque, a camera was hidden on a truck. The cave-in scenes were shot inside the studio.

North Dakota - Fargo

The black comedy crime drama hit the theaters in 1996. Directed by Joel Coen, the film narrates the story of a pregnant police chief from Minnesota who has been tasked with investigating homicides that occur after a car salesman sets two criminals to work to kidnap his wife.

The purpose was to ask for an extortion amount from his wealthy father-in-law. The film stars Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare, Harve Presnell, and William H. Macy. Fargo went on to get preserved in the National Film Registry.

Quite surprisingly, Fargo wasn’t shot in the city that goes by the same name. Instead, quite a few portions of the film were shot around North Dakota’s Bathgate. Remember the Paul Bunyan statue and the sign that said Welcome to Brainerd, Home of Paul Bunyan? That was made solely with the movie in mind.

Ohio - The Shawshank Redemption

The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 drama that’s adapted from a novel named Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, written by Stephen King. It narrates the story of a banker named Andy Dufresne (played by Tim Robbins) who has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife and her lover.

Along with Tim Robbins, the Frank Darabont-directed film also stars Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, Gil Bellows, Clancy Brown, William Sadler, as well as James Whitmore. Though the film didn’t do well at the box office, it certainly received several nominations for the Academy Awards. It was a commercial flop, but over the years, it became a cult film.

The fictional prison in the film is the Ohio State Reformatory, located in Mansfield. After it shut down in 1990, it, later on, was turned into a tourist destination for the fans of The Shawshank Redemption.

Oklahoma - Rumble Fish

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, Rumble Fish is a 1983 film based on the novel, Rumble Fish authored by S.E. Hilton. The star cast comprises Matt Dillon, Vincent Spano, Mickey Rourke, Diane Lane, Dennis Hopper, and Nicholas Cage.

The film revolves around the relationship between The Motorcycle Boy (played by Mickey Rourke) and his brother Rusty (played by Matt Dillon). The film was shot in avant-garde fashion and has a film noir feel to it. Coppola dedicated the film to August Floyd Coppola, his brother.

The Outsiders House Museum Founder and Executive Director decided to host a dedication and plaque ceremony as a homage to a shooting location for Coppola's film. Rumble Fish is set in Oklahoma's Tulsa. According to sources, many other movies aside from Rumble Fish, such as The Outsiders and Tex have been written and shot at the location.

Rhode Island - Moonrise Kingdom

The comedy-drama from 2012 had Wes Anderson as the director and stars Bruce Willis, Frances McDormand, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, and Edward Norton. Aside from them, Bob Balaban, Jason Schwartzman, Kara Hayward, and Jared Gilman are also in the film.

The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2012 and garnered acclaim from various quarters. The Moonrise Kingdom won nominations at the Golden Globe Awards and the Academy Awards in the Best Musical or Comedy and Best Original Screenplay categories. The Moonrise Kingdom features in the list of greatest films of the 21st century.

The island map in the film was inspired by Fishers Island in New York. Gilman and Hayward (playing Sam and Suzy respectively) had their beach escape in Fort Wetherill State Park in Rhode Island. The park lies at the southern end of Conanicut Island, according to the travel site named Atlas Obscura.

Texas - Paris, Texas

The road film has Wim Wenders at the helm and stars Harry Dean Stanton, Hunter Carson, Nastassja Kinski, Aurore Clement, and Dean Stockwell. Paris, Texas is a co-production between companies in West Germany and France.

While Stanton was seen as Travis Henderson, Dean Stockwell, Aurore Clement, and Hunter Carson portrayed the roles of Walt Henderson, Anne Henderson, and Hunter Henderson respectively. The film hit the big screens in 1984 and went on to win the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in the same year.

Paris, Texas was not shot in Paris. Instead, other locations in the state like Houston, Marathon, Terlingua, and El Paso were chosen for the shoot. Wenders initially wanted to drive straight from Alaska to Texas. However, Sam Shepard, who penned down the script suggested otherwise. He advised him to opt for Texas only. As per Wenders, Texas is mini America as it has everything he wanted for Paris, Texas.

South Carolina - Cold Mountain

Cold Mountain, was written and directed by British director and screenwriter, Anthony Minghella. The epic period war movie was released in 2003 and has been adapted from Charles Frazier's novel of the same name. Starring in it is Jude Law, Renee Zellweger, and Nicole Kidman.

Also in it are Brendan Gleeson, Natalie Portman, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, and Eileen Atkins among others. Upon release, the film became a commercial success and also garnered critical appreciation. Cold Mountain earned seven nominations at the Academy Awards in 2004. Zellweger laid her hands on the Best Supporting Actress award.

Technically, Cold Mountain is in North Carolina, the makers were not in a mood to shoot there. They chose Romania's Carpathian Mountains. The residents were not at all happy with it. Some scenes were shot in South Carolina's Charleston. Other sequences are said to have been filmed in North Carolina and Virginia.

South Dakota - Dances with Wolves

Kevin Costner is the producer, director, and lead actor in this epic Western drama. It is based on the novel of the same name written by Michael Blake in 1988. It narrates the story of John J. Dunbar, a Union Army Lieutenant who makes his way to the American frontier to search for a military post.

The 1990 film was well-received by the audience as well as the critics. Costner's directing abilities were also appreciated and so were the performances, score, screenplay, et al. The Library of Congress has preserved it in the National Film Registry. In the film, Costner is accompanied by Mary McDonnell, Rodney Grant, and Graham Greene.

The majority of the filming was done in South Dakota. The famous bison hunt sequence was shot at the Triple U Buffalo Ranch outside Fort Pierre. It has been officially renamed Standing Butte Ranch.

Tennessee - The Green Mile

The Frank Darabont-directed fantasy drama was released in 1999 and was adapted from a novel that goes with the same name authored by Stephen King. The film stars the legendary Hollywood actor, Tom Hanks who portrays the character of a prison guard at the time of the Great Depression.

He comes across supernatural events after an enigmatic convict (Michael Clarke Duncan) arrives at the death row facility. Aside from Hanks and Duncan, the film also features Bonnie Hunt, James Cromwell, Doug Hutchison, and David Morse. The Green Mile was a hit at the box office and earned four nominations at the Academy Awards.

Though the movie's story is based in Louisiana, Darabont chose to film it in Tennessee, California, and North Carolina. The Tennessee Penitentiary in West Nashville's Cockrill Bend Boulevard was used in place of the Cold Mountain Penitentiary.

West Virginia - Super 8

The sci-fi thriller was produced by Steven Spielberg and has J.J. Abrams as the director. The 2011 film tells a story about a bunch of teenagers who are shooting a Super 8 film of their own when a train gets off its track and releases an ominous presence into the town they belong to.

The cast comprises Joel Courtney, Kyle Chandler, and Elle Fanning. Super 8 garnered a positive response from the audience and critics. Right from Abrams' direction and visual effects to the nostalgic elements and musical score, Super 8 scored on all fronts.

The train crash sequence was filmed at a California ranch. However, a major part of the film was shot in West Virginia's Weirton. There were two basic advantages that West Virginia offered. One is tax incentives. Two, the retro charm and friendly folks of Weirton. This was disclosed by LocationsHub.

Wisconsin - Major League

Major League happens to be a sports comedy-drama written and directed by screenwriter and director, David S. Ward. It stars Charlie Sheen, James Gammon, Rene Russo, Bob Uecker, Dennis Haysbert, Margaret Whitton, Corbin Bernsen with Wesley Snipes, and Tom Berenger.

The film is about the exploits of the baseball team called Cleveland Indians (now Cleveland Guardians). The team in the film is a fictionalized version of the original. Major League is the first installment in the Major League movie franchise.

Though the plot is based in Cleveland, it was shot in Milwaukee. Residents were taken aboard as extras. According to Ward, Cleveland had union issues. Hence, Milwaukee was the first choice for the makers. Ohio has tax breaks and it would have been an advantage had they shot at Cleveland. Ward ensured that Milwaukee wouldn't look out of place.

Utah - Jeremiah Johnson

Sydney Pollack directed the Western film that hit theaters in 1972. Jeremiah Johnson had Robert Redford playing the title character. The film also stars Will Geer, Stefan Gierasch, Allyn Ann McLerie, and Charles Tyner. The plot is partly based on John Jeremiah Johnson, the mountain man who has many legends surrounding him.

His life has been recounted in Crow Killer: The Saga of Liver-Eating Johnson, a book by Raymond Thorp and Robert Bunker as well as the novel named Mountain Man by Vardis Fisher. It got an entry in the Cannes Film Festival in 1972.

Jeremiah Johnson was filmed in Utah and credit goes to the director for capturing the stark and snowy wilderness of Utah. The shooting locations included the Zion National Park, the Uinta National Forest, the Wasatch-Cache National Forest, and the Ashley National Forest, alongside the American Fork Canyons, the Alpine Loop, and the backside of the Sundance Property of Redford.

Virginia - Lincoln

The 2012 biographical historical drama is directed by Steven Spielberg. Daniel Day-Lewis plays Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States. The supporting cast has  Tommy Lee Jones, Sally Field, David Strathairn, Hal Holbrook, James Spader, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

The screenplay was partly based on Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. The performance of the title character by Day-Lewis received worldwide appreciation. He won the Best Actor at the Oscars. Virginia has always been known for its rich legacy of history. Also, the outstanding period of architecture that Petersburg and Richmond offers cannot be ignored.

Therefore, Virginia was an obvious choice for Spielberg who also produced the film. Spielberg also made sure that he doesn't miss out on capturing the Executive Mansion and the State Capitol as well. His directorial genius reflects in all the scenes in Lincoln.

Georgia - Avengers: Endgame

The 22nd film in the MCU or the Marvel Cinematic Universe was an instant hit at the box office. Produced by Marvel Studios, the 2019 superhero film is based on the Avengers, a team of superheroes from Marvel Comics.

This is a direct sequel to the 2018 film, Avengers: Infinity War. Avengers: Endgame has an ensemble cast that includes the likes of Robert Downey Jr, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Josh Brolin, and so on. The film broke several box-office records upon its release and also became the highest-grossing of all time until March 2021.

Several Marvel films have been shot in Georgia. This flick was mostly filmed in the iconic Pinewood Atlanta Studios, now called Trilith Studios in Fayette County. A few scenes have also been filmed in London's Durham Cathedral. Georgia has generous tax policies and that proved to be cost-effective.

Wyoming - Django Unchained

Considered to be a revisionist Western movie, Django Unchained had Quentin Tarantino sitting on the director's chair. The story is about a freed slave and a bounty hunter who hunts down criminals to save the former's wife. Released in 2012, it stars Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, Christoph Waltz, and Samuel L. Jackson.

The supporting star cast comprises Don Johnson, Walton Goggins, and others. Making a massive $425 million across the globe, Django Unchained remains Tarantino's highest-grossing film today. Waltz stood out with his performance and laid his hands on an Oscar, a BAFTA, and a Golden Globe in the Best Supporting Actor category.

The makers initially had the plan to film in California's Mammoth Lake. However, due to the lack of snow, Tarantino shifted the shooting location to Wyoming. Some scenes have been shot at the Evergreen Plantation, a National Historic Landmark in Louisiana's Wallace.

Iowa — The Straight Story

The Straight Story, which is a road drama released in October 1999 in the USA, follows the journey of a World War II veteran who travels across the states of Iowa and Wisconsin to meet his brother. He travels across the states in a lawn mower. The David Lynch-directed G-rated movie depicted the true beauty of the Midwestern American landscape.

The Straight Story is regarded as one of the biggest films in Lynch's directorial career. The film even earned Richard Farnsworth, who plays the role of the protagonist Alvin, a nomination for the Academy Awards in 2000.

The movie was filmed in different locations within the state of Iowa, including the likes of Lensing, Clermont, and Laurens. The town of Clermont, according to an eyewitness, turned into a big movie set, with choppers flying in from different directions and crew members hanging out at places.

Kansas — Paper Moon

Paper Moon, a 1973 road comedy which was directed by American director Peter Bogdanovich, is unique in its casting as it starred Ryan and Tatum O'Neal, a father-daughter duo, as its protagonists. Ryan played the role of Moze and his daughter played the role of his assistant, Addie.

Tatum, who was ten years of age at that time, won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role, and her name was put on record as the youngest person to win the prestigious Academy Award.

For the most part, the film was shot in several small cities in Kansas, including Hays, Wilson, and McCracken. The Midland Hotel, Kansas, was one of the primary shooting locations, while some shots were also filmed on the banks of the Missouri River. The film got so much popularity in Hays that the small town hosted a vintage automobile show in 1930 to celebrate the thirty-year anniversary of the film.

Kentucky — Goldfinger

Goldfinger is probably the greatest Bond movie ever made. The script was so popular that it almost became a template for many other Bond films. James Bond's most famous line, "A martini. Shaken, not stirred," was introduced in this film. It is still the highest-rated Bond film. Legendary actor Sean Connery played the titular character.

Most of the film was shot in parts of England and Switzerland, although Kentucky was a prime location for filming too. The villain himself, Goldfinger, played by German actor Gert Fröbe, plans to release toxic gas into the US Bullion Depository, which is in Fort Knox.

However, only the exterior footage of the Fort Knox was used, and as the production team was not allowed to shoot inside the Fort, the interior was beautifully recreated in the studio. Some last-minute shoots also took place in Kentucky.

Louisiana — 12 Years a Slave

12 Years a Slave, which won three Academy Awards out of nine nominations, was completely based on an 1853 memoir written by Solomon Northup, an abolitionist whose parents were slaves. The film was shot in Louisiana alone.

However, the film was not shot in any of the locations documented in Solomon's memoir. The principal photography took place in New Orleans, and most of the scenes were shot in and around the Greater New Orleans area, which is south of the Red River Parish, where Solomon was enslaved. In the film, you can marvel at some of the best antebellum plantations.

The Felicity Plantation was used for Edwin Epps's house, the Magnolia Plantation was used for Ford's real estate, and the Destrehan Plantation for the 'gin house' of Edward Epps, and the Bocage Plantation was used for Shaw Farm. Some shots were also taken at Madame John's historic museum and Columns Hotel.

Maine — In the Bedroom

The indie drama film by Todd Field was based on a 1979 short story. The film explores the dynamics of a transitioning family. Matt Fowler and his wife, Ruth, live in Maine. Matt is a practicing doctor. Their son Frank, who is about to complete his graduation, gets into an affair with a single mother, and this leads to a tragedy for all the characters in the film.

The film was shot entirely in a midcoastal town in Maine. You can feel the small-town charm of Camden, which is primarily known as a resort town. Scenes were also shot in Rockport, Owls Head, Old Orchard Beach, Wiscasset, and Trevett.

The amusement park scenes were filmed in Palace Playland, a beachfront amusement park in Maine. Also, in the final version of the film, there is a scene Ruth and Matt are watching a movie at a theatre. This scene was shot inside Strand Theatre, Rockland. Did we mention that Sissy Spacek decorated her house in the movie before filming?

Maryland — Philomena

Philomena is based on the true story of Philomena Lee, who is an Irish advocate for abortion rights. Philomena took help from a journalist to find her son who was forced to sell her three-year son to a Catholic family, as she was an unwed mother back then, and abortion was out of the question.

The film stars Steven Coogan and Judi Dench, among others. A critically acclaimed film, Philomena got nominated for four Academy Awards, and it got nominated and won the Best Screenplay Award Venice film Festival in 2013. Many scenes of the movie were shot in England and Northern Ireland, although Potomac and Poolesville were also important film locations.

Scenes were shot inside the St. Pauls Church, which is a historic church in the heart of Poolesville. The church was transformed into the Catholic family's house for filming purposes. Also, an early 19th-century Potomac house was used for filming some scenes.

Delaware - Dead Poets Society

The 1989 drama movie has Peter Weir as its director and stars Robin Williams as John Keating. The plot dates back to 1959 and is set in a fictional elite conservative boarding school named Welton Academy in Vermont. At the center of the story is an English teacher who teaches poetry to his students and inspires them.

Being a success at the box office, Dead Poets Society garnered several accolades. It won the BAFTA in the Best Film category, the Cesar Award in the Best Foreign Film category, etc. Tom Schulman won the Oscar in the Best Original Screenplay category.

The movie was shot in Delaware, instead of Vermont, and a major part of the filming was done at St. Andrew’s School in Middleton. Other shooting locations were the Old New Castle, Everett Theater, Gunning Bedford Middle School, and Delaware Street, among others.

Florida - The Truman Show

Peter Weir directed this comedy-drama that was released in 1998. The film revolves around Truman Burbank, played by Jim Carrey, a man who grows up on a huge set built with hidden cameras all around to track and capture his life and broadcast across the world as a reality show.

The film’s supporting star cast comprises Laura Linney, Natascha McElhone, Noah Emmerich, Holland Taylor, and Ed Harris. The film earned critical acclaim and was also a commercial success. The film won several nominations at various award ceremonies.

The fictional town of Seahaven was represented by the beautiful Seaside in Florida. The Truman House is located at 31 Natchez Street and you can certainly visit the iconic place where a major portion of the film had been shot. Panama City in Florida and Universal Studios in California were also used while filming.

Alabama - Get Out

Released in 2017, Get Out continues to maintain a strong reputation even today. The critics consider the horror flick one of the best films of the 21st century. The film has been directed, co-produced, and written by Jordan Peele.

It was his first time behind the camera. The Writers Guild of America considers Peele’s screenplay the greatest of the 21st century. Starring Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Richard Herd, Bradley Whitford, Stephen Root, Caleb Landry Jones, and Catherine Keener. The film explores the journey of an African-American photographer when he visits his girlfriend’s estate on the weekend.

The film has entirely been shot in Alabama. The sweetness of the people there and the warmth with which they welcomed the cast and crew are worth mentioning, said Peele. Alabama has plenty of movie lovers living there and that has been a plus point.

Alaska - Insomnia

Insomnia is a 2002 film that has a separate fan base even today. Directed by Christopher Nolan, the psychological thriller stars Al Pacino, Hilary Swank, and Robin Williams. The film has a supporting cast comprising Martin Donovan, Maura Tierney, Paul Dooley, and Nicky Katt.

Insomnia narrates the story of two detectives from Los Angeles visiting Nightmute in Alaska to investigate a murder. There were various reasons why the makers chose Alaska for filming. The story has a unique twist in which Al Pacino’s character experiences tiredness and fatigue.

Moreover, Nightmute is located so far north that the sun doesn’t set for several days on the trot. Will Domer develops Insomnia in the process. However, a good portion of the film was shot in Canada’s British Columbia, while some scenes were filmed in Alaska’s Hyder and Valdez.

Washington - Captain Fantastic

Matt Ross wrote and directed the 2016 drama. Captain Fantastic stars Viggo Mortensen, Kathryn Hahn, Frank Langella, and Steve Zahn. The film tells the story of a family that has been living isolated for ten long years. Circumstances force them to reintegrate into society.

Captain Fantastic premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2016. It was voted as one of the top ten independent films of 2016. Mortensen was highly praised because of his performance in the movie. He went on to receive nominations in the Best Actor category at the Academy Awards, the Golden Globe Awards, and the BAFTA Award.

The director wanted to capture the wilderness of Washington. He chose the Deception Pass State Park. For one sequence, the film location manager opted for Rosario Beach owing to its beauty. Everything from rivers and beaches to deserts and mountains, the camera captured the essence of Washington and it shows in the film.

Pennsylvania - The Silence of the Lambs

The psychological horror flick is widely regarded as one of the greatest as well as one of the most influential films ever made. Jodie Foster's performance as Clarice Starling and Anthony Hopkins' performance as Dr. Hannibal Lecter, received worldwide appreciation.

They were ranked as one the greatest heroines and greatest villains respectively. Buffalo Bill is played by Ted Levine. The Queen Anne Home close to Perrypolis, popular as the Buffalo Bill house didn't find buyers after it was listed for sale in 2015. It's now a boutique accommodation that guests can rent.

The Perrypolis property with a corridor at the center and windows at both ends seemed like a spider's trap for its prey. There is a Workshop of Horrors in the basement. Southwestern Pennsylvania was chosen for filming as the region offered winding roads as well as rolling hills.

Arizona - Psycho

Alfred Hitchcock produced and directed this 1960 psychological thriller flick, while Joseph Stefano wrote the screenplay. The film is adapted from the novel of the same name authored by Robert Bloch. Anthony Perkins stars as Norman Bates, accompanied by John Gavin, Vera Miles, Martin Balsam, and Janet Leigh among others.

The Library of Congress preserved it in the U.S. National Film Registry. Though the film was initially considered controversial, the audience's love for it took the film to higher levels. Psycho is considered one of Alfred Hitchcock's best films and probably his most famous project as well.

Though a studio in California was where a major part of the filming was done. Buckeye, Gila Bend, and downtown Phoenix were also included as shooting locations. Phoenix commemorates Psycho Day on Dec 11 every year. The city offered a perfect backdrop for staging a crime.

New York - Godfather

The 1972 crime is in a league of its own. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, Godfather received universal acclaim and is regarded as one of the greatest films as well as one of the most influential films ever made.

The film has been preserved in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. Marlon Brando and Al Pacino stood out with their performances. Performances from James Caan, Robert Duvall, Richard Castellano, Diane Keaton, and others were also highly praised.

Most of the film's scenes were filmed in New York City as well as Long Island. The locations chosen were Falaise, the Air Force base close to Uniondale named Mitchell Field, and Sands Point mansion. The character of Michael Corleone had his residence in Staten Island which was listed for $1.37 back in 2019. It's the site where Carlo Rizzi dies.

Arkansas - Sling Blade

The Billy Bob Thornton-directed drama has Thornton playing the lead role of Karl Childers. Accompanying him are Dwight Yoakam, John Ritter, J.T. Walsh, Lucas Black, Natalie Canerday, and Robert Duvall. The 1996 film is based on a short film written by Thornton and named Some Folks Call It a Sling Blade.

Sling Blade won the Oscar for the Best Adapted Screenplay award. Thornton earned a nomination in the Best Actor in a Leading Role category. The movie was shot over just 24 days. Benton in Arkansas was the main location for the filming.

However, few sources suggest that there have been some changes in the location since the film was shot. The Dairy Barn diner that was seen in the movie doesn't exist anymore. According to Jeff Nichols, there couldn't be a better location for the film other than Arkansas.

California - Modern Times

The legend of Charlie Chaplin continues to live through his films that are still enjoyed by film lovers all over the world. Written and directed by Chaplin himself, Modern Times is a silent comedy film that acts as a commentary on the desperate times at the time of the Great Depression.

While Chaplin is seen as Little Tramp, the Modern Times star cast also has Henry Bergman, Paulette Goddard, Chester Conklin, and Tiny Sandford. The Library of Congress has preserved it in the U.S. National Film Registry. The film is all the more popular as it was the last time that Chaplin was seen as Tramp and the first time the fans could hear his voice.

The filming of Modern Times took place in locations such as Los Angeles, Santa Clarita, as well as Long Beach California. The interiors of the factory were constructed in Chaplin’s Studios.

Colorado - Badlands

Badlands is a neo-noir period crime drama starring Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek. The story revolves around the character of Holly Sargis (played by Spacek) who is a 15-year-old girl and a spree killer along with Kit Carruther (played by Sheen).

Aside from Sheen and Spacek, the film also has Ramon Bieri and Warren Oates starring in it. Directed by Terrence Malick, the 1973 film garnered positive reviews from fans and critics alike and won several nominations and accolades at different award ceremonies.

The Library of Congress has preserved the movie in the U.S. National Film Registry. The critics consider Badlands to be one of the greatest films ever made. The story is set in South Dakota and Montana. However, according to sources, it was filmed in the state of Colorado. The sparse cloud cover was an added advantage for the makers.

Missouri - Up in the Air

Jason Reitman directed the 2009 comedy-drama. Written by Sheldon Turner and Reitman, Up in the Air is based on Walter Kim’s novel named Up in the Air. George Clooney stars in it and is accompanied by Vera Farmiga, Danny McBride, and Anna Kendrick.

Right from Reitman's direction and screenplay to everyone’s performances, everything was on point. The movie received critical appreciation and was also a financial success. Up in the Air is rated as one of the best films released in 2009. It won six nominations each at the Academy Awards and the Globe Awards.

It was filmed in St. Louis, Missouri. Lambert International Airport is one of the prime locations. Reitman revealed that plenty of offices that were available for filming in St. Louis benefited the entire team. The abandoned buildings instantly caught his fancy while he was location scouting.

Montana - Little Big Man

The Arthur Penn-directed Western movie is based on Little Big Man, a novel by Thomas Berger. The film became a cult classic over the years owing to the blend of drama, comedy, and adventure present in it. Satire and tragedy have been used in equal measure.

The film stars Dustin Hoffman, Faye Dunaway, Chief Dan George, Jeff Corey, Martin Balsam, as well as Richard Mulligan. Chief Dan George earned a nomination in the Best Supporting Actor category at the Academy Awards in 1970. Little Big Man is considered by many as an anti-establishment film of those times.

The Library of Congress has preserved Little Big Man in the United States National Film Registry. While a majority of the shooting was carried out in Montana, some sequences were filmed in California as well as Alberta, Canada. Little Bighorns and other historic sites were used for shooting.

Hawaii - From Here to Eternity

The 1953 drama romance war movie was written by Daniel Taradash and directed by Austrian Empire-born American filmmaker, Alfred Zinnemann. The plot revolves around the tribulations of three soldiers from the United States Army, First Sergeant Milton Warden, Private Robert E. Lee Prewitt, and Private Angelo Maggio played by Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, and Frank Sinatra respectively.

The three are stationed in Hawaii during a time just before the attack on Pearl Harbor. The film also features Deborah Kerr, Philip Ober, and Donna Reed among others. The title of the film originated from Gentleman-Rankers, an 1892 poem by Rudyard Kipling.

It earned 13 nominations at the Academy Awards in 1954 and won eight. From Here to Eternity has been preserved by the Library of Congress in the National Film Registry. The plot is set in the military base in Hawaii and filmed exactly there.

Idaho - Napoleon Dynamite

After its release in 2004, Napoleon Dynamite went on to become a cult classic and is considered among the 100 funniest movies ever made. Directed by Jared Hess, the film has Jon Heder playing the title character. To give him company, the cast includes Jon Gries, Aaron Ruell, Tina Majorino, Efren Ramirez, and Diedrich Bader.

The film narrates the story of Napoleon who happens to be a nerdy student from high school who has to deal with plenty of dilemmas at the same time. Napoleon befriends an immigrant who has the ambition to become the class president.

He lives with an eccentric family and is dating a fellow student. It's said that the storyline is inspired by Hess' days when he was growing up in Idaho's Preston. This was the reason why he chose Preston to shoot his film. Hess also did a few scenes in Franklin.

Illinois - The Dark Knight

The master (Christopher Nolan) has never failed to surprise his fans, and this was beyond doubt the best in the trilogy. In the second of the 'Batman' series, the creators ensured that Chicago was used as the backdrop for Gotham City, which was used by Nolan when he started filming Batman Begins.

Caped Crusader, played by Christian Bale made an excellent comeback in this film, and it was a treat to watch him play his best to defeat Heath Ledger's 'Joker'. But no matter how great Ledger was, he received the Oscar for the Best Supporting Actor at the 2009 Academy Awards, posthumously.

When asked about the city choice, production designer Nathan Crowley said that he wanted to provide regained strength to city buildings. Most of the authorities had taken away the city from the hoodlums. The clean architecture was a must-have, and he felt it would be the perfect choice to balance the modernist look.

Indiana — Hoosiers

Hoosiers was a sports film and the Hoosier State itself was adequately utilized for filming. Most of the locations used included Elizaville, Danville, Indianapolis, Knightstown, and Brownsburg. Now Indiana's basketball reputation is recognized throughout the world, and the state truly owes it the 1986 movie.

It was inspired by a long chain of events that led to the 1954 state championship game played between the famous Muncie and the small Milan. Almost all major places across Indiana were inserted, like the churches, downtowns, and historic gyms.  WRTV Indianapolis stated that several Indiana residents had lined up in the Brownsburg High School gym area, just to be an extra in the film. And strangely, "… everyone who showed up" was cast!

The Knightstown Gym (better called The Hoosier Gym) was an important setting for the movie. Before every basketball season, there's a big-screen showcasing of Hoosiers to the public, which truly adds to the oomph of the place.

Massachusetts — Good Will Hunting

Both Ben Affleck and Matt Damon were pivotal characters in the movie 'Good Will Hunting' as much as they contributed to the screenplay. Alongside them, Robin Williams also essayed an impactful role. The film kept MIT as one of its main settings, even when there were shots filmed in Toronto, Canada, and other likes Boston and Cambridge in Massachusetts.

The University of Toronto, which stood for Harvard University and MIT, was well shot. For those interested, the iconic L Street Tavern is still there today.

Tim Grafft, who was then the head of locations for the Massachusetts Film Office, told the BBC in 2015 that 'Good Will Hunting' represented Boston in the best possible way. Factually, everything was accurate and made most people from Bulgaria and Kentucky visit the L Street Tavern. The output was so positive that people who stayed in faraway places like Japan, also went down to genuine Boston zones just to enjoy the beer.

Vermont — Beetlejuice

Tim Burton's classics have always been appealing to his fans, especially for the style he implemented, named 'Burtonesque'. This spooky film dealt with the story of a pair of married ghosts who beckon a bio-exorcist (Michael Keaton), to remove the alive Deetz family. They were believed to 'haunt' their home, and Halloween made it difficult for them furthermore.

The film was meant to be set in the Winter River, Connecticut area (a fictional town), but somehow, they changed their ideas, and eventually, the shots were based in the small town of East Corinth, in Vermont.

Beetlejuice location manager, Mary Galloway said that the experience was a stunning one! The eccentric vibes and energy that flourishes in these places are simply out of the world. According to Atlas Obscura, the 1980s-Victorian home had a funky style that the story essayed well. It was constructed on-site for the film and was akin to a façade.

Michigan — Anatomy of a Murder

Rotten Tomatoes rated the film under the 'certified fresh' category. And the way it was depicted after adapting from the novel, deserved every bit of praise. The story was based on a murder that occurred in Big Bay, Michigan; whereby the city was pictured to perfection.

Not many might be aware that the film dealt with the actual murder of an army lieutenant. Since the incident occurred in Michigan, most parts of the films were shot in Big Bay and Marquette County. One can pay a visit to Lumberjack Tavern (and check for the bullet holes in the wall) or drive by the Big Bay Jailhouse and take a halt at Perkins Park and Thunder Bay Inn.

Beaumier Director U.P. Heritage Centre Dan Truckey had told The Detroit News in 2019 that several communities felt quite connected in this place, while the film was being made.

Minnesota - A Simple Plan

This 1998 crime thriller from Sam Raimi dealt with the story of a few friends who chanced upon millions of dollars, alongside a dead pilot at a certain crash site. Finding such fortunes was a matter of luck, so they had to struggle all through the way to hide from the higher authorities.

As per the Washington Post, it was more like a story of corruption and greed, upon finding treasures at Delano, in Minnesota. The plot for the movie required a lot of snow. No wonder, most of the scenes were filmed in Ashland, Wisconsin, after Minnesota proved a tad unsuitable, going by records.

Thankfully, the rest of the filming process went smooth- like the crash site scene, which occurred in places like St. Paul, Golden Valley, and Delano, in Minnesota. The DOP Alar Kivilo had told Live Design in 1999 that the team was indeed lucky enough to find the perfect location in the valley.

Mississippi - Mississippi Burning

Two FBI agents, Gene Hackman, and William Dafoe investigated the disappearance of 3 civil rights workers (Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner) in this movie, set in 1988. One of the best creations of all time, the movie received seven Academy nominations and even won in the category of Best Cinematography.

Sadly, the film met with a lot of criticism after it failed to consider the role of civic rights activists Also, there were historical inaccuracies and factual shortcomings- all of which slightly broke its appeal.

Alan Parker, the director used a few locations extensively, like Braxton, Jackson, and Canton in Mississippi and Alabama. Besides these places, he ensured that locals made their presence felt in different parts of the films, like on-the-street TV interviews, as per The New York Times. The film adopted a great filmmaking style, which struck the right chord with the audience.

Connecticut - The Ice Storm

The 1994 novel was released by the same name, even before the film. This story was about two dysfunctional, affluent families who belonged to the upper echelons in the story, is set in New Canaan, Connecticut.

There was no doubt that the film secured the attention of all and sundry, especially for how every aspect of filming fell into place. The movie secured a good audience rating and critical acclaim, but sadly the people who stayed at New Canaan were not very pleased when the movie was made. It was largely due to certain inconveniences, and how the community was depicted.

One of the senior partners of a New York law firm, Job Taylor told The New York Times in 1996 that there were difficulties making the film. For example, they couldn't park ibn Elm Street for shipping or breakfast or lunch reasons. Had it been the USA, things would have perhaps been a tad different.