wilmington film studio tours

Screen Gems Studio

• 910-343-3500

The town of Wilmington is well-known for its Hollywood connection, and has set the stage for hundreds if not thousands of movies and television shows over the past few decades. The pinnacle of this cinematic activity can be found at the local EUE Screen Gems Studios, which features elaborate studios along the eastern seaboard in New York City, Atlanta, Georgia, and North Carolina's own mini-Hollywood, Wilmington.

Built in 1985, the full-service studio features 10 stages and 150,000 sq. ft. of column-free shooting space, located just north of Wilmington's bustling downtown. In fact, the complex is currently the largest filming facility in the United States outside of California, and hosts dozens of regular television series and movie sets year after year. An estimated 350 film, television and commercial projects have been shot at the 50 acre site since it was created, including both blockbuster and academy award nominated films, such as "Iron Man 3," "Blue Velvet, "Nights in Rodanthe," "Firestarter," and a number of television series including "Dawson's Creek" and the popular HBO series "Eastbound and Down."

The studio feature seasonal tours, generally on the weekends from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. to visitors who want to explore the incredible facilities, which include sound stages and an impressive "water tank" stage that takes up a massive arena with an all-encompassing indoor pool where underwater scenes are filmed. The tour can also feature a special visit to any sets of television series that are currently filming.

While the movie studio is for the most part closed off to the public, in addition to the tours available, Screen Gems Studios also features some incredible opportunities for bargain hunters as well. When a movie or a television series shuts down, savvy shoppers can find incredible deals on everything that was involved with the filming, from the set decor to the actors' wardrobe. For example after the local favorite television series "One Tree Hill" wrapped up its final season, shoppers in the know were able to score all sorts of goodies from the set, from the clothes used in wardrobe, to the silverware and place settings that were utilized in all of the series' dining scenes. These massive "sales" are usually announced a month or two in advance in community papers, or on the local Screen Gem Studio's website, http://studios.euescreengems.com/nc/.

The tours available at Screen Gems Studios can be somewhat unpredictable, and are generally available when a current television show or movie is being produced, and the facility is effectually wide open. Visitors are advised to call in advance to find out when tours are occurring and to reserve their spot, and as a result, they can view first-hand the hard work that goes into the Wilmington film scene. Tours can be reserved by calling 910-343-3500, and are typically available Saturdays and Sundays.

Movie buffs of all ages will adore a tour through the famed Screen Gems Studios, a highlight of Wilmington's incredible theater and arts scene. As the heart of a large number of summer blockbusters and cult classics, a trip to the Screen Gems Studios is veritably a trip to Hollywood, but with a stunning, coastal Carolina backdrop location. Plan a trip to this southern coastal Mecca for the Hollywood set, and see why Wilmington is quickly building a reputation as one of the best movie and TV locations on the East Coast.

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Wilmington's Famous Film and TV Sites

Tour "hollywood east".

"Hollywood East" and "Wilmywood" are names that have been attributed to Wilmington through the years. With a long list of film and TV credits to its name and home to Cinespace Studios Wilmington and Dark Horse Stages, the Wilmington area has served as the perfect backdrop for blockbuster movies, TV shows and indie productions alike since the early 1980s. Discover favorite movie and beloved TV show locations, like "One Tree Hill" or "Dawson's Creek" with self-guided tours and learn more about projects that are currently in production in Wilmington and its surrounding beaches.

• Top Film & TV Locations
• Wilmywood Movie & TV Location Walk

One Tree Hill Locations Tour

• Dawson's Creek Locations Tour
• The Summer I Turned Pretty Locations Tour

Current Productions

Recently wrapped, coming soon, now playing.

• Stars in Wilmington
• Cucalorus Film Festival
• Filmed in Airlie Gardens

Top Film & TV Locations

Lace up your walking shoes, print this guide or use the map below and head out on a self-guided film location scouting adventure through Wilmington and our Island Beaches. With more than 400 film and TV credits, there are plenty of famous—and infamous—sites to discover.

Wilmywood Movie & TV Location Walk

Get ready for an exciting adventure on the brand new  Wilmywood Movie & TV Location Walk! Join lively, costumed guides every Wednesday and Saturday at 10:30 a.m. for a fun-filled 90-minute tour through the iconic filming locations of Wilmington. Whether it's visiting an active film set, exploring historic interiors or spotting movie props around town, each tour is unique and packed with surprises. 

You'll think you're back in Tree Hill as you make your way through Wilmington with the self-guided One Tree Hill locations tour . Explore popular and recognizable film locations like "The Naley Bench" overlooking the Cape Fear River on the Riverwalk , Greenfield Lake Park , the backdrop to Lucas and Peyton's wedding in season six, or Wilmington's Harry Forden Bridge (694 N. Sixth St.), the one-lane metal truss bridge that appears in the show's opening sequence in seasons 1-4. Join TRIC Tours for an exclusive look inside the iconic TRIC Nightclub in downtown Wilmington. This self-guided tour features replica props from Chase's apartment and Peyton's bedroom, the original Red Bedroom Records door and more. Afterwards, shop for exclusive merchandise at the OTHmerch Souvenir Shop.

Dawson's Creek Locations Tour

Transport yourself to Capeside with the Dawson's Creek self-guided tour to dozens of locations in Wilmington made famous by the popular WB series, "Dawson’s Creek." Follow along the tour to find popular film sites like Hell's Kitchen , which served as a Mollye's Market during season 2-4 and where the Hell's Belles band often performed scenes. Or, spot multiple sites along the Wilmington Riverwalk like where Andie and Pacey's first kissed across from the Alton Lennon Federal Courthouse, located at the foot of Market Street and Water Street. After, head to Airlie Gardens ' Bradley Creek Lawn, which served as the location of Joey and Dawson's dream wedding or stop by the New Hanover County Arboretum's Ability Garden where Jen said her goodbyes to her daughter in the final episode.

Summer I Turned Pretty Locations Tour

Embark on a self-guided tour and visit popular film sites from Amazon Prime Video's hit series, "The Summer I Turned Pretty." Based on the books by New York Times best-selling author, Jenny Han, "The Summer I Turned Pretty" follows Belly, a teenager who spends the summer in Cousins Beach reconnecting with two old friends, Conrad and Jeremiah. The series filmed in Wilmington and its nearby beaches. Visit locations like Fort Fisher State Historic Site in Kure Beach where Cam and Belly cycled along the trails or snap a photo where Taylor and Belly walk along the beach near Crystal Pier in Wrightsville Beach. In Carolina Beach, visit The Fat Pelican , where Laurel and Susannah decide to stop at a local bar. Season two is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video and features several local spots including downtown Wilmington's Hell's Kitchen and the Rooster & The Crow .

Season three of the series, "The Summer I Turned Pretty" is now filming to Wilmington and Island Beaches. The plot continues to follow teenagers Belly, Conrad and Jeremiah's love triangle story in Cousins Beach. Season three will expand to eleven episodes, up from seven and eight in the previous seasons.

Amazon MGM Studios' upcoming romcom "Merv" is now filming in Kure Beach. Currently in production, the film, starring Zooey Deschanel, follows a recently separated couple who take their dog on a beach vacation to cheer him up.

Get ready for The Runarounds , a new series filming in Wilmington, North Carolina. Created by Jonas Pate, the co-creator of Outer Banks , this eight-episode series follows a diverse group of young adults forming a rock band the summer after high school. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Wilmington, Set to be released on Amazon Prime, The Runarounds explores the challenges of young adulthood, as the band members face the pressures of real life while pursuing their dream of becoming the greatest band of all time.

These movies and TV shows recently wrapped up filming. Keep an eye out for their release date!

TV Series: "Outer Banks," a popular Netflix series, recently filmed in the destination. The plot follows teenager John B (Chase Stokes) and three of his best friends, JJ (Rudy Pankow), Kiara (Madison Bailey) and Pope (Jonathan Daviss), as they search for legendary treasure. Season four filming locations included Crystal Pier and Oceanic Restaurant in Wrightsville Beach and Fort Fisher State Recreation Area in Kure Beach. Season four of "Outer Banks" is scheduled to premiere in 2024.

"Monster Summer," a mystery thriller, stars Academy Award-winning director and actor Mel Gibson and rising actor Mason Thames. The plot follows a local boy who begins to suspect a supernatural entity is hunting the children on Martha’s Vineyard. The movie is set to be released Oct. 4 2024.

Based on a best-selling novel by Edward Kelsey Moore, "The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat" will premiere on Hulu Aug. 23 and follows three lifelong friends, nicknamed The Supremes, who find their friendship tested when one is faced with a major life crisis. Emmy award-winning Uzo Adubo from “Orange is the New Black,” Sanaa Lathan from “Love & Basketball” and Oscar-nominated Aunjanue Ellis from “King Richard” lead the cast as The Supremes.

Starring Russell Crowe, "The Exorcism" is now playing in theaters. Filmed in Wilmington in 2019, the film, originally titled "The Georgetown Project," is a psychological thriller following an actor (Crowe) who becomes unhinged while filming a horror movie. The film also stars Adam Goldberg from "Dazed and Confused" Ryan Simpkins from "Revolutionary Road" and Chloe Bailey from "The Little Mermaid." Filming locations include Front Street, Dock Street, Brooklyn Arts Center and more.

Season 3 of "Hightown," a Starz series and television drama is now streaming on Starz website. The series continues to follow a woman’s journey to sobriety that is overshadowed by a murder she feels she must solve. Some filming locations include Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier, Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Center, Wilmington Riverwalk, Elijah’s Oyster & Fish Camp and more. 

“I.S.S.,” a space thriller following astronauts who receive a distressing message from Earth, debuted during this year's Tribeca Film Festival. Put on by LD Entertainment, the movie stars Chris Messina and Pilou Asbaek and is directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite. The film is now playing in select theaters.

"Breakwater," a new thriller film directed by James Rowe, was filmed in Wilmington and is now playing in theatres. The plot follows Dovey (Darren Mann), an ex-con who risks his freedom to help Ray (Dermot Mulroney), a fellow inmate who escaped prison, search for his estranged daughter. Some filming locations include Airlie Chapel located in the Airlie Gardens.

"Zoey 102," a movie sequel to the hit Nickelodeon television series "Zoey 101," was filmed in Wilmington. The movie takes place present day and follows the original "Zoey 101" characters, including Zoey Brooks (Jamie Lynn Spears), Erin Sanders (Quinn Pensky), Matthew Underwood (Logan Reese) and more when they reunite for a wedding. Filming locations include Origins Food and Drink, the Common Desk and Hell's Kitchen. The film is now playing on Paramount+.

Season 2 of the Amazon Studio television series, "The Summer I Turned Pretty,” filmed at Carolina Beach Boardwalk, Cape Fear Country Club, Kure Beach and Fort Fisher. The series continues to follow teenager Belly (Lola Tung) as she spends the summer at Cousin's Beach reconnecting with two old friends, Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno). Season 2 is now streaming on Prime Video.

"Florida Man," a television series starring Edgar Ramirez and Abbey Lee, is now streaming on Netflix. The series follows a former cop who travels from Philadelphia to his home state of Florida for a quick gig. His job is to hunt down a mobster's fugitive girlfriend, but his journey turns into a discovery of buried family secrets. Filming locations include the Rusty Nail, Wilmington Riverwalk, Jack Mackerel's Island Grill, Carolina Beach Boardwalk and Robert's Grocery.

Stars in Wilmington 

You'll be surprised by the number of stars who have filmed in Wilmington and our island beaches. Browse through an extensive listing of stars , including many Oscar, Grammy and Tony Award-winners, who've worked on productions filmed here and see how many you recognize.

Cucalorus Film Festival 

Dubbed as one of the largest film festivals in the South and recognized by Moviemaker Magazine as "One of the Coolest Film Festivals in the World," Cucalorus Film Festival attracts filmmakers, dancers, performers and cultural travelers from all over the world to Wilmington to celebrate the film industry. This annual festival features more than 90 films from around the world, events and a diverse selection of stage performances over the course of five days each November.

Filmed in Airlie Gardens 

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 in Wilmington. Discover film locations featured in "King Kong Lives," Nicholas Spark's "The Choice," "Black Knight," the "Sleepy Hollow" and "Dawson's Creek" TV series and more with their Filmed at Airlie brochure.

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Find a list of TV shows filmed in Wilmington by exploring the Film Commission's website.

Film Credits

See Wilmington's complete list of film credits by exploring the Film Commission's website.

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Film Location Tour

See real locations & actual sets for some of Wilmington’s biggest movies & TV Shows, including Dawson’s Creek, One Tree Hill, Blue Velvet, A Walk to Remember, Fire Starter and more!

This 90 minute fun-filled walking tour will have you laughing and crying, and you better do it on cue if you ever want to work in this town again!

Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students, seniors or military, and children under 6 are free. To purchase tickets online click here . Tours leave rain or shine & meet riverfront at Market and Water Streets.

For more information call (910) 794-1866 or Email Us

Scheduled tour times are:

January 1 st to February 29 th   Saturday-Sunday at 2:00 PM March 1 st to April 30 th  Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday-Sunday at 2:00 PM May 1 st to August 31 st   Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday-Sunday 2:00 PM & Saturdays 10:00 AM September 1 st to October 31 st   Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday-Sunday 2:00 PM November 1 st to December 31 st  Saturday-Sunday 2:00 PM

* No tours Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, or Christmas Day.

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Wilmington studio tours, location walks

By karen olson house.

Tour schedule Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m., weather permitting. Tickets: $12 adults; $10 students and military personnel with an ID; $5 children under 12. Cash only.

EUE/Screen Gems Studios 1223 23rd Street North Wilmington, NC, 28405 (910) 343-3433 (tour hotline) studios.euescreengems.com/nc

Note: At press time, it wasn’t definite that tours would continue past August 2014, and tours can be canceled when productions are in delay. Before you drive there, call the hotline for updates.

EUE/Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington is once again offering public tours. It hosted them for 15 years but stopped in 2011 after the TV show “One Tree Hill” wrapped final production.

More than 350 film, TV and commercial projects have shot on the 50-acre sound stage lot, which boasts 10 stages and the largest special effects water tank east of Los Angeles. Recent movies include “Iron Man 3” “The Conjuring” and “We’re the Millers”. Fox’s “Sleepy Hollow” and CBS’s “Under the Dome” began filming second-season shows this past spring.

Our hour-long tour kicked off with a short sizzle reel that highlights TV shows, commercials and movies shot in North Carolina. It’s shown in the screening room where directors and producers watch the dailies for things like continuity (an example is ensuring hairstyles and clothing visually match in separate scenes). 

Filming “We’re the Millers” in July 2012.

Then our group walked the 10-stage lot and visited some sets inside. Exactly which sets depends on what’s filming there and permissions given. We learned about “swing sets” and the difference between “Wardobe” (care, maintenance and storage) and “Costume” (artistry!).

Hollywood location walk This 90-minute humorous tour with a “self-important director” visits locations of productions filmed in downtown Wilmington. Tourists enjoy identifiable sights from TV shows like “One Tree Hill” and “Dawson’s Creek” and other productions, hear celebrity anecdotes, and glean industry secrets (like how they make it snow in summer).

Tours meet rain or shine at Market and Water streets. Tours can sell out but you can buy tickets online, or at Black Cat Shop, 8 Market Street.

• Adults: $13 plus tax; seniors, students and military: $11, plus tax; children 6 and under:  free.
• Through Aug. 31: Saturdays at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday at 2 p.m.
• Sept. 1–Dec. 31:Tours continue. For specifics, check the website or call (910) 794-1866 hollywoodnc.com

Area info (910) 341-4030 1-877-406-2356 wilmingtonandbeaches.com

We strolled past an old-time fire engine used in “Sleepy Hollow,” learned how productions avoid outside noise and walked through “Under The Dome” sets showing a jail, sheriff’s office and the Sweetbriar Rose Café (where “Dome” townspeople often meet).

We also discovered that sets don’t actually have electricity or plumbing, extension cords are called “stingers,” and you can’t show labels, even on spices, without trademark permission. The tour guides, UNC-Wilmington film studies students, were personable and enthusiastic.

About the Author

Karen Olson House is a contributing editor for Carolina Country.

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Movies and Television Filmed in Wilmington

Cinespace wilmington.

Cinespace Studios acquired the EUE/Screen Gems Studios complex in Wilmington, North Carolina from the Cooney family in 2023 .  One of the largest sound stage and facilities operators in the world, Cinespace offers 109 active stages in Wilmington , Atlanta, Chicago, Toronto, and Studio Babelsberg in Germany – including a mix of state-of-the-art, heritage, and purpose-built stages.

In 1984, famed film producer Dino DeLaurentiis built Wilmington NC’s movie studio now known as Cinespace Wilmington .  Since then, more than four hundred (400) film, television and commercial projects have been produced here.  The quality and volume of the productions have earned Wilmington the monikers, Hollywood East and Wilmywood .

Cinespace Wilmington maintains tremendous capacity to produce award-winning movies and television including ten state-of-the-art stages and a vast array of production equipment.  The 50-acre full-service studio is one of the top filming facilities in the United States.  The studio has attracted and developed a world-class film crew who enjoy living in Wilmington and The Beaches.  

The Wilmington Regional Film Commission website contains locally produced film and television history as well our studio, crew and industry capabilities.  This is an excellent resource for movie and television buffs and production companies.

The University of North Carolina at Wilmington and Cape Fear Community College have film studies and movie and video production programs.

Tours.  Cinespace Wilmington does not provide tours of the studio at this time. 

For film and television fans,  BackroadPlanet.com has produced a summary of Wilmington film and television scene locations you can follow on your own self-guided tour.    Hollywood Location Walk offers a self-guided film tour.

Wilmington NC Ranked Second Best Place to Live and Work as a MovieMaker in Smaller Cities and Towns by MovieMaker Magazine (2023)

Wilmington’s Film History

The history of the film industry in Wilmington, North Carolina began in the 1980s when famed film producer Dino DeLaurentiis built Wilmington’s first movie studio, now known as Cinespace Wilmington.  DeLaurentiis, who had been looking for a location to build a studio outside of Hollywood, was drawn to Wilmington’s coastal setting and proximity to major cities such as New York and Washington D.C.

The studio, which originally opened as DeLaurentiis Entertainment Group (DEG) Studios in 1984, quickly became a popular location for film and television productions.  Some of the early productions filmed at the studio included “Firestarter,” “Blue City,” and “Maximum Overdrive.”  The studio also played host to a number of popular TV shows, including “Dynasty” and “Matlock.”

In the 1990s, the studio was sold to EUE / Screen Gems and underwent a major expansion and renovation.  The expansion included the addition of sound stages, editing suites, and other production facilities, making the studio one of the most advanced and well-equipped in the country.

During this time, Frank Capra Jr. moved to Wilmington to head the studio. Under his leadership, the studio attracted a number of high-profile productions, including “Dawson’s Creek,” “One Tree Hill,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III” and “Black Knight.”  Capra Jr. also helped establish the North Carolina Film Office, which works to attract film and television production to the state.

In 2023, the Cooney family sold EUE / Screen Gems Studios to internationally acclaimed Cinespace Studios  and it continues to operate under that name today.

© Brownie Harris

EUE / Screen Gems Studios former president Frank Capra, Jr. on the backlot in 1997.

In the 2000s, Wilmington continued to solidify its reputation as a film-friendly city and became a go-to destination for a variety of productions.  The studio hosted many successful TV series such as “Dawson’s Creek,””One Tree Hill,” “Sleepy Hollow,” “Eastbound & Down,” “Under the Dome” and “Iron Fist.”  The studio also served as a location for several films, including “Superhero Movie,” “The Conjuring,” and “We’re the Millers.”

In recent years, Wilmington has continued to be a popular location for film and television productions.  The state and city’s film incentives, talented crew base and infrastructure continue to attract productions.  Some of the productions filmed in Wilmington include “Swamp Thing,” “The Conjuring 3,” “The Longest Ride,” and “The Inspectors.”  The studio also has hosted a number of popular TV shows such as “SIX” and “The Terror: Infamy.”

Today, Cinespace Wilmington is considered one of the top film and television production studios in the country, and Wilmington has become a hub for the film industry in North Carolina.  The city’s rich history, diverse locations, and experienced crew base continue to attract productions of all types.  The industry has also had a positive impact on the local economy, creating jobs and boosting tourism.

In summary, the film industry in Wilmington, North Carolina began in the 1980s with the establishment of DeLaurentiis Entertainment Group Studios by Dino DeLaurentiis.  The studio quickly became a popular location for film and television productions, and under the leadership of Frank Capra Jr. in the 90s, Wilmington solidified its reputation as a film-friendly city.  Today, the studio is run by Cinespace Studios’ well known entertainment executives and is considered one of the top film and television production centers in the United States.

Movies Filmed in Wilmington NC

The following movies, television shows and series were shot in the Wilmington area.  Many were filmed at Cinespace Wilmington and its predecessors .

Boys of Summer The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat Eric LaRue Providence

Along For The Ride Breakwater One True Loves

I.S.S. Scream The Black Phone

Halloween Kills The Georgetown Project

Drought Uncle Frank Words On Bathroom Walls

Blue Mountain State: The Rise of Thadland The Choice The Longest Ride The Sin Seer Max Steel

The Squeeze Tammy The Remaining

Iron Man 3 The Conjuring Heart of the Country Jessabelle Mary & Martha Safe Haven Where the Devil Hides We’re The Millers Stuck in Love

Piranha 3DD Hick Journey 2: The Mysterious Island Arthur Newman, Golf Pro The Conjuring 

The Bleeding A Good Old Fashioned The Secret Life of Bees

Bolden! Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever The Marc Pease Experience Nights in Rodanthe

The 27 Club Hounddog The List Remember the Daze Wreckage

Dead Heist Forgiven Two Tickets to Paradise White Men Can’t Dance

Idlewild Loggerheads RedMeansGo Southern Belles

20 Funerals Stateside

Black Knight Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood Domestic Disturbance The Last Summer Off Season A Touch of Fate A Walk to Remember

The Angel Doll The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys Summer Catch

28 Days New Best Friend The Pavilion

The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland Black Dog Bruno Morgan’s Ferry Muppets from Space A Soldier’s Daughter Never Cries Takedown

The Cutoff Dreams and Wishes Enchanted I Know What You Did Last Summer Shadrach Virus Waterproof

Bloodmoon The Jackal The Night Flier This World, Then the Fireworks Traveller

The Grave Kyoko Lolita My Teacher’s Wife To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday

Empire Records Fall Time Once Upon a Time… When We Were Colored The Road to Wellville

Chasers The Crow Horror Story The Hudsucker Proxy It Runs in the Family Radioland Murders

Amos & Andrew Household Saints Super Mario Bros.

Billy Bathgate Sleeping With The Enemy (scenes)

Betsy’s Wedding Everybody Wins The Exorcist III Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Tune in Tomorrow…

Cyborg Dream a Little Dream Little Monsters Loose Cannons Weekend at Bernie’s

Collision Course Date with an Angel Dracula’s Widow Hiding Out Track 29 Traxx Weeds

The Bedroom Window Crimes of the Heart No Mercy From the Hip King Kong Lives The Squeeze Trick or Treat

Blue Velvet Manhunter Marie Maximum Overdrive Raw Deal Silver Bullet Year of the Dragon

Firestarter

TELEVISION / SERIES

Welcome to Flatch (season 2) Hightown (season 3) The Summer I Turned Pretty (season 2)

Our Kind of People (season 1) The Summer I Turned Pretty (season 1) George & Tammy Christmas in Harmony

Line Sisters Echoes Florida Man The Summer I Turned Pretty One Summer Our Kind Of People (season 1) Flatch (season 1)

USS Christmas Hightown (season 2)

Reprisal (season 1)

Reprisal (pilot) Swamp Thing (pilot & season 1)

Good Behavior (season 2)

Good Behavior (season 1) Six (season 1)

Good Behavior (pilot) Under the Dome (season 3)

Sleepy Hollow (season 2) Under the Dome (season 2) Secrets and Lies (season 1) Secrets and Lies (pilot) Red Zone (pilot) How and Why (pilot)

Christmas in Conway Sleepy Hollow (season 1) Eastbound & Down (season 4) Under the Dome (season 1) Revolution (season 1)

Eastbound & Down (season 3) Revolution (pilot) Witches of East End (pilot)

Hornet’s Nest A Smile As Big As The Moon One Tree Hill (season 9) Eastbound & Down (season 3) Home & Away Hart of Dixie (pilot) Revenge (pilot) Teen Spirit A Cinderella Story Playing With Guns (pilot 2) One Tree Hill (season 8) Swamp Loggers (season 3) Teen Mom 2

One Tree Hill (season 8) Eastbound & Down (season 2 – 1 episode) Swamp Loggers (seasons 2 & 3) Playing With Guns (pilot 1) Gimme Shelter (pilot) One Tree Hill (season 7) Teen Mom 2

One Tree Hill (season 6) Swamp Loggers (season 1)

Eastbound & Down (season 1) Little Britain USA One Tree Hill (season 5)

Eastbound & Down (pilot) One Tree Hill (season 4)

IQ-145 Madison Rose (pilot) One Tree Hill (season 3) Surface

Ghost Stories One Tree Hill (season 2)

History Channel’s Days That Shook the World One Tree Hill (season 1) The Water Is Wide

HGTV’s Building Character Dawson’s Creek (season 6) One Tree Hill (pilot)

Dawson’s Creek (season 5) The Locket

Dawson’s Creek (season 4) Going to California

Amy & Isabelle Dawson’s Creek (season 3) MTV’s Fear Inspirational Channel Outdoor Channel The Runaway Southern Living Presents

The Color of Love: Jacey’s Story Dawson’s Creek (season 2) Freedom Song The Snooker Report

C15: The New Professionals CNN News Dawson’s Creek (season 1) Funny Valentines Glory, Glory (pilot) Holy Joe MTV News

Ambushed Dawson’s Creek (pilot) Miracle in the Woods Nathan Dixon Ruby Bridges The Wedding What the Deaf Man Heard

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A Walk Through Wilmington: Discover North Carolina’s Film Hub

From teen classics such as "Dawson’s Creek" to Nicholas Sparks titles and the recent hit "The Summer I Turned Pretty," the Wilmington area checks all the boxes for a fulfilling film-focused trip.

Wilmywood, Hollywood East or whatever name you want to call it – Wilmington is a mecca for film and TV production with hundreds of blockbuster and indie films, plus a couple of cult teen dramas, filming here since the early 1980s. Set your own pace with a self-guided tour, enjoy a meal like the stars did and see how many local sites you can spot.

‘The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat’

Wilmington’s recently reimagined Rx Chicken & Oysters takes center stage in this brand-new Hulu movie starring Sanaa Lathan, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Uzo Aduba. This film adaptation of the bestselling book of the same name follows the trio’s friendship through years of joy, turmoil and growth. Rx steps in for Earl’s in the film, so grab a booth where the ladies sat and order up Lucy Bea oysters, which the owners farm themselves in the Stump and Topsail sounds. After dinner, head to the nearby Greenfield Lake to catch a show at the outdoor amphitheater and spot more locations featured in the film.

'George & Tammy'

This production finds Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain portraying country music power couple George Jones and Tammy Wynette. To fit the musical theme, the perfect first stop is Rusty Nail Saloon ; this blues-loving club was used for interior bar scenes. And when more venues were needed, nearby Thalian Hall and Legion Stadium fit the bill. Check all three of the locations’ calendars to catch live music, plays or sporting events. Afterward, dig into Southern home cooking at Ruth’s Kitchen ; the folks there were excited to see their diner get a makeover when it was used for filming. To eat how the cast and crew did, head to Seabird (chef Dean Neff was a 2024 James Beard semifinalist for Outstanding Chef), PinPoint Restaurant , manna or Rumcow .

'The Summer I Turned Pretty'

Based on Jenny Han’s bestselling book, "The Summer I Turned Pretty" follows Belly on her family’s annual vacation with her mom’s best friend and two sons – two sons who suddenly see Belly in a new light. As the drama-filled summer unfolds, South End in Wrightsville Beach , Fort Fisher State Recreation Area , downtown Southport and Papercut Books all play scenic roles.

'Along for the Ride'

In "Along for the Ride" (based on Sarah Dessen's book of the same name), Auden arrives in the beachfront town of Colby feeling like an outsider, but after befriending a fellow insomniac and agreeing to “The Quest,” she starts to feel at home. Grab your bike if you can – just like Auden and Eli do – and stop by several spots in the Wilmington area that stood in for Colby. Window shop on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk like Auden when she first arrived to town, or grab a coffee nearby at North End Café To-Go , which played Beach Beans in the film. Love the mini golf course from the movie? You can find it at Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park in Wilmington. But if The Tip – where all the coolest Colby kids hang out – seems like your move, head to beach access 322 in Kure Beach .

'Halloween Kills'

In the first of two sequels closing out this legendary franchise, "Halloween Kills" continues to follow Michael Myers and his murderous destruction. But don’t worry – though the film is scary, the settings in Wilmington are anything but. Pack a picnic and head to Wallace Park or Veterans Park, where some outdoor scenes were filmed. Or order a local beer and jam to blues music at The Rusty Nail – it stands in as Mick’s Bar and Grill in the movie. And to complete your "Halloween-inspired visit, follow in Jamie Lee Curtis’ footsteps and stop for the “ best food and view ” at The George , pose for a photo next to Michael Myers at Museum of the Bizarre , and spend the night amid luxurious amenities at Dreamers Welcome .

'Dawson’s Creek'

Thanks to the classic teen drama "Dawson’s Creek" being produced in Wilmington for years, dozens of locations throughout the city and its island beaches where scenes were shot or where the stars visited during the show’s run can still be visited today. Restaurants (like Hell’s Kitchen ), inns, characters’ homes, schools, shops (like The Black Cat Shoppe ), marinas and more featured in the show can be explored with self-guided maps from the Wilmington and Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau or online. Make a day of it by walking around and reliving the drama.

'One Tree Hill'

Like "Dawson’s Creek," this teen drama shot mostly in Wilmington and the surrounding beaches during its nine-season run. See all the locations on a "One Tree Hill" walking tour : Sit on the bench along the Riverwalk where Nathan (James Lafferty) gave Haley (Bethany Joy Lenz) a Cracker Jack bracelet, shoot hoops where some of the outdoor basketball games were played, visit the nightlife hotspot where Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) and Brooke (Sophia Bush) went on their tattoo date (must be 21 to enter), buy a Keith Scott Body Shop T-shirt at The Black Cat Shoppe and so much more.

'I Know What You Did Last Summer'

Similar to Wilmington, Southport has proven to be a popular spot for filmmakers because of its gorgeous oak trees, Victorian homes and picturesque river. In 1997, locations all over this coastal city were used to film "I Know What You Did Last Summer," a thriller based loosely off the book of the same name. See where Helen (Sarah Michelle Gellar) was crowned Croaker Queen – and where Barry (Ryan Phillippe) met his fate – when you catch a live show at Amuzu Theatre . Or grab a bite to eat at Fishy Fishy Café , which served as Barry’s gym. To see sites from this film and dozens of others, take a Southport Fun Tour . Reservations are required.

'Empire Records'

Pull up a seat at Rebellion in downtown Wilmington and enjoy a decidedly different view of a cult classic. In the 1995 film, the exterior of the building stood in for Empire Records, the eponymous record store, where this coming-of-age film took place. Starring Liv Tyler and Renee Zellweger near the start of their careers, "Empire Records" follows a day in the lives of a group of teens as they try to save their independent store from being sold to a chain. For the ultimate tribute to this Gen X classic, put together a playlist of your favorite ‘90s hits and recreate the final dance scene in front of the bar.

'The Choice'

One of a number of Nicholas Sparks films shot in our state throughout the years, "The Choice" – the story of two neighbors falling in love then being faced with a powerful dilemma – was mainly filmed in Wilmington and the scenic seaport town of Beaufort. Pay homage to characters in the film by dining at Dockside Restaurant and Bar and Brasserie du Soleil , by visiting Masonboro Island via boat or strolling through the 67-acre Airlie Gardens .

• Real-Life Ways to Experience 'The Choice'

'Safe Haven'

Filmed in Southport and Wilmington, "Safe Haven" hit the big screens on Valentine’s Day 2013. See where Katie (Julianne Hough) attempted to flee from her past when you start your day on the Wilmington Riverwalk , where you can see sites from countless other TV shows and movies, as well. Head to Fort Fisher State Recreation Area , where Katie and Alex (Josh Duhamel) share a kiss, then catch a boat to Southport for more sites including the Southport ferry terminal and American Fish Co. (stood in as Ivan’s Fish Shack, where Katie worked as a waitress).

• See More Sites Where 'Safe Haven' Filmed

'The Longest Ride'

This Nicholas Sparks film adaptation that combines bull riding, art and love was shot all over our state, including Asheville and Winston-Salem in addition to Wilmington. You can begin your exploration in Wilmington’s historic district where you’ll see the Temple of Israel, the Union Station Building and St. Mary’s Catholic School, all of which are locations in the film. For an elegant and romantic overnight stay, book a room at Graystone Inn , where a young Ira (Jack Huston) and Ruth (Oona Chaplin) attended a party.

• Tour the Places That Inspired 'The Longest Ride'

'Iron Man 3'

Much of the filming of this superhero flick was done at sites with limited public access, but you can still admire the stately architecture of Cape Fear Club on Chestnut Street, observe the towering cranes at the state port and drive past New Hanover Regional Medical Center. If you’d like to walk where the actors and actresses did, there’s quite a list to pick from: Various stars were sure to check out Battleship North Carolina (Sir Ben Kingsley took a private tour), Roko Italian Cuisine , Catch (Gwyneth Paltrow was impressed enough to request a private cooking lesson from chef Keith Rhodes) and Brasserie du Soleil .

'We're the Millers'

Join the fake-but-fun Miller family when you spot sites from this 2013 comedy starring Jennifer Aniston that filmed in Wilmington, which stood in as Denver on the big screen. Grab a cup of joe at Port City Java , which represented Burklyn Coffee in the movie – or choose to get your caffeine fix at Folks Café , where the coffee ice cubes prompted Emma Roberts to tweet it was the best coffee she’s ever had. For lunch, you’ll feel nostalgic at Penders Café , which looks much as it did when it opened more than 40 years ago. In the film, David (Jason Sudeikis) is abducted right outside the café after dining at the counter. Other sites include the apartments on Market Street and Brunswick Forest.

'Under the Dome'

Get acquainted with Chester’s Mill, the rural town covered in a mysterious dome, when you visit downtown Burgaw (a half hour north of Wilmington). Here you’ll find the Pender County Courthouse square, familiar storefronts and the diner, all of which stood in flawlessly for Stephen King’s fictional town. In Wilmington, enjoy an expertly crafted cocktail at manna – actress Rachelle LeFevre frequented the restaurant while filming. Continue farther south to Southport, where the Southport ferry landing, Southport Motorcars (Big Jim’s Auto Sales in the show), the Pilot Tower (WYSB radio station) and Southport Post Office should all look familiar.

More TV shows and movies filmed in the area:

• "Welcome to Flatch"
• "Blue Velvet"
• "The Conjuring"
• "Crimes of the Heart"
• "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood"
• "Firestarter"
• "Florida Man"
• "The Secret Life of Bees"
• "Summer Catch"
• "Swamp Thing"

For a full listing of films shot in our state since 1950, visit filmnc.com .

Ends: 9/12/2024

Don't Sweat It Sweepstakes

Sweepstakes, take a totally ‘90s film tour, plan a scenic film tour of the asheville area, enjoy a tasty charlotte-area film and food tour.

Screen Gem Studios

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Another tour that my grandmother, whom I was visiting in Carolina Beach, wanted to take during my stay in the area. I've done some studio tours and whatnot before, having been to Los Angeles and some of the surrounding areas, and figured I'd give the tour of Screen Gem Studios a shot too. Felt a bit like herding cattle in the beginning - waiting in line, buying a ticket, being prodded past the concession table where they were selling t-shirts and water. For what it's worth? Everything is cash only. The 'herd' of us taking the tour was split into two groups, and each group had two guides. We were given the basic guidelines for the tour - no photography, no touching props, stay with the tour group/your party, etc - and then started on our way. We were shown the diner from Under the Dome, a jail set, as well as the sheriff's office. Additional portions of the tour included a look at the outside of some of the production buildings, as well as the back lot from a pretty significant distance away. At the end of the tour, we were taken inside to view the 'sizzle reel' for Screen Gem Studios, used to demonstrate the kind of production value that both THEY can provide, as well as various portions of the film industry in North Carolina. Considering there's various legislation about the film industry that's currently being reviewed, there was a pretty strong emphasis from our guides about supporting the industry, writing to local politicians in support of places like Screen Gems, and the like. TL;DR I wasn't impressed, considering you see maybe 3 small sets during the entire tour and everything else is far, Far, FAR off in the distance...or you just see the outside of a production building. I have to admit that I was pretty bored during this tour.

$12 for a tour, and you better be a DIE HARD "One Tree Hill" fan, or there is really nothing for you. You do not get to see their new water tank facility, which is what I really wanted to see. One thing I did learn, if you see a movie with "EUE/Screen Gems Production", then it was made in Wilmington, if the movie is missing the EUE, then it was done in Cali.

WORST TOUR EVER!!! -They charge you $12 (which is NOT specified anywhere on the website). -The only sets that you tour are One Tree Hill sets (which is NOT mentioned until after you buy your ticket). -You watch one video of the movies shot there in the screening room and the sound and picture quality are worse than 1980s televisions. -They DO NOT let you take pictures on any of the One Tree Hill sets either. It was pretty much a waste of time unless you are obsessed with One Tree Hill. Otherwise, your time and money are better spent at Wrightsville Beach

At the time we went on this tour in the summer of 2009, I didn't really watch One Tree Hill, but knew of the show. And that was the whole purpose of coming here. It was cool to see where they filmed it and after we went here I actually started catching up on some episodes. To see inside on the set, and the cool sports car they always showed. It could've been a little more to see... but overall it was cool.

Overall, my family enjoyed the tour even though none of us had watched "Under the Dome" nor "Sleepy Hollow." It was interesting to see one of the 10 sound stages and stand inside a couple of the sets from "Under the Dome." However, we were disappointed that the tour did not include a visit to the special effects water tank. Be careful, though, who your tour guides are. We quickly switched to another tour group because our original guides (two women and a guy) couldn't speak loud enough to be heard even though the two ladies, who kicked off the tour, were asked a couple of times to speak louder by several people which ironically had the opposite effect. Our new tour guides (three guys) had no problem being heard. However, it would be smart for a production studio like EUE/Screen Gems to invest in a portable PA system when giving tours that people pay money to attend. By the way, it's cash only for the tour admission and any merchandise (t-shirts, hats) that you'd like to purchase.

No more one tree hill, they showed us the diner and the sheriff office for Under the Dome. Was a very informative tour and me and my wife enjoyed it. Ran about an hour. No photography permitted.

Nice place to go. I learned a lot about how a movie goes and is made. It is a studio to visit. I do wish that they showed a lot of other studios and gave some demonstrations as how everything works and had some better props to show case. This was a great little adventure to just enjoy and have some. Just FYI you can't take no pictures so leave your cameras in the car or at home.

I don't watch any of the shows filmed here, but found the tour fascinating. I have a place at Sunset Beach and was looking for something new to do. Well worth the time and money to see how shows are made.

I understand the past reviewers' complaints, but you are getting ON SET. You will NOT get on set on any of the bog studio tours. This is first hand experience. The tour guides are friendly and open. Great tour and unfortunately the dawson's creek sets have now been retired but still worth the admission!

Fantastic tour for anyone interested in filming, and is a real treat for One Tree Hill fans! The website contains the ticket price break-down and essentially anything you need to know. Photography is not allowed on the inside grounds, which may be disappointing but is completely understandable considering copyright and spoiler issues. I've taken the tour 4 times, and would definitely go again the next time I'm in town.

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This Is My South

A travel guide to the Southern USA

Exploring Wilmywood’s Filming Locations

December 3, 2014 By Guest Author 2 Comments

This post has been updated in June 2019 to reflect places that have since closed. New information is in bold.

Wilmington aka Wilmywood and Hollywood of the East: A small town in North Carolina that superstar celebrities visit every year to film television shows and films. I have to admit, the reason I chose to visit Wilmington initially was because it was once Tree Hill and Capeside ( Dawson’s Creek ). So when in town I had to do a Hollywood Locations Walk with Haunted Wilmington Tours. You know I am so glad I did, too.

Spiel Stevenberg was my guide for the day. I picked a great day too as no one else turned up so I had my own private tour – win! Spiel learned straight away what I was here to see. He said a lot of Australian girls actually come over and participate in his tours, all wanting a glimpse of Tree Hill.

Let me begin by saying I loved this tour. Spiel was engaging, entertaining and so passionate. He had several photo albums in his bag, which were full with clippings and photos concerning Wilmywood. He is able to share stories and show you places you never would have noticed. All with an enthusiasm a lot of tour operators lack. So here is a glimpse of what I saw on my tour.

The table where Naley (Nathan and Haley) from One Tree Hill began when Nathan opened up a box of Cracker Jack’s and put the bracelet inside on Haley’s wrist, saying “don’t say I never gave you anything.” The bench is located near the visitor information kiosk on the Riverwalk.

Old City Market

After Dawson’s Creek wrapped the studio sold different props at an auction, including this sign, which is now displayed at the Old City Market entrance. Enter on Water Street and walk to the back. On the left wall you will find signatures from Joshua Jackson, Henry Winkler and the like. I was in the same spot earlier in the day and never noticed. The shop that displayed this sign is no longer open so the sign has been removed. You can still go inside and see the signatures. 119 S Water Street

Empire Records

Spiel had me guessing the Australian actors who had filmed in Wilmington and let’s just say I sucked. I had forgotten Anthony LaPaglia, one of our most successful yet underrated exports, was in Empire Records . The building where this was filmed is still standing. It’s now Rebellion, a restaurant, and a tree now sits right in front of it. 15 S Front Street

We’re the Millers

Yeah, Wilmington was transformed into Denver, Colorado for this movie . We saw the alley where Kenny ran over to ‘save Casey,’ the building they lived in and the coffee shops he frequents. I re-watched the movie after learning this and kept exclaiming, “I’ve been there!” “I know that café!” And so on. The above building served as Jennifer Anniston’s workplace. 28 S Front Street

Blue Post Billiards

So this literal hole-in-the-wall establishment has been used in Tammy with Melissa McCarthy and Susan Sarandon and We’re The Millers as the strip joint where Jennifer Aniston worked.

There was also a TV crew working on a set there when we walked passed for the new show, Secret and Lies (based off the Australian show of the same name). It stars Ryan Phillippe and Juliette Lewis so I was excited to return the following day to stalk some celebrities, but the set was gone by that evening, so I guess they decided to film another scene the following day. Drats!

It was also used as a location in multiple episodes of Good Behavior . It’s a membership bar so you’ll need to purchase a card to drink there. 15 S Water Street

Another big blockbuster filmed here. Although I am yet to watch it, I was told that a big showdown happened between Robert Downey Jr. and his enemy at the State Port. Spiel had the clipping to prove it.

Hell’s Kitchen

Used on both One Tree Hill and Dawson’s Creek , this restaurant houses memorabilia including signed photos of actors as well as the actual boat used on Dawson’s Creek . Hell’s Kitchen was a college bar where the gang hung out in Boston. It was also used as a health foods store in season 1. It was purchased in 2003 and turned into a real restaurant. 118 Princess Street

Alley from A Walk to Remember

Fans of the Nicholas Sparks tearjerker will recognize a number of landmarks from A Walk to Remember in Wilmington. It’s where good girl Jamie discloses her diagnosis to bad boy and new boyfriend Landon. It’s located next to the Old City Market.

The Reel Cafe

The Reel Cafe wasn’t featured in Wilmington television shows or movies, but it has movie memorabilia inside like posters signed by the cast of Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill. There are also drinks named after all of the projects filmed here. 100 S Front Street

Karen’s Café

You always save the best for last. Karen’s Café is empty these days as there is actually another café opened across the street (remember in the last season, coffee wars?) But nonetheless, this is it, the store that went from coffee to clothes to coffee. It now sits vacant. Grace St

You may be wondering about the River Court, which was actually used in every episode except one (the black and white noir episode if you were wondering). It was demolished a few years ago but you can still look across the River Walk to where it was. Supposedly fans could buy a piece of the court off the internet. Of course.

Touring Wilmington’s Filming Locations

The walking tour costs $13 and lasts for 90 minutes. It is excellent value for money when compared to similar tours elsewhere and Spiel is an absolute delight. Tours leave from the Black Cat Shoppe (8 Market Street), which sells Wilmington filmed items like t-shirts for One Tree Hill and was used as the Capeside CD Shop on Dawson’s Creek . I highly recommend it if you have any interest in the film and television industries.

About the Author:  Hayley Simpson is an uncoordinated introvert who doesn’t let her social awkwardness stand in the way of her travel dreams. She left her home in Australia to live the expat life in Vancouver , Canada 18 months ago. Be inspired to escape your comfort zone through her blog, Hayley on Holiday.

The author received a complimentary Hollywood Locations Walk tour thanks to  Wilmington and Beaches . All photos property of the author. 

Looking for a place to stay on your trip to Wilmington? Graystone Inn was used extensively on Dawson’s Creek as well as The Longest Ride . ARRIVE Wilmington is located on the former site of The Wilmingtonian, a hotel that was popular with actors and film crews.

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June 13, 2021 at 10:20 am

Hey uh the Reel Cafe… that’s where Brooke worked as a lobster.

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North Carolina offers several studio options to filmmakers. From the mountains to the coast, filmmakers will find a variety of studio options to suit most production needs. Cinespace Wilmington (formerly EUE/Screen Gems Studios) located in Wilmington is the largest studio complex with 10 stages; while the newly opened Dark Horse Stages, also located in Wilmington, will have an additional 40,000 sq ft to its campus with two new purpose-built stages available for booking starting in December 2024.  Charlotte, Asheville, Raleigh, and areas surrounding Greensboro and Winston-Salem all offer stage options for filmmakers. Explore North Carolina's stages and studios using the navigation bar on the left.

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Wilmington Film Studios and Stages

With two studio complexes and over 200,000 square feet of sound stage space (additional stages coming on-line in 2024) Wilmington is well positioned to accommodate your needs for building sets. Wilmington has the crews, equipment, supplies, and vendors to allow you to build anything that you can dream. From houses, schools, hospitals, and swamps, we have built it all in our stages during the last forty years.

Visit the links below to learn more about Cinespace Studios and Dark Horse Stages .

Visit our New Support Services & Local Crew Members Directorys.

FILM & TV PRODUCTION COMMUNITY

We take projects from script to screen with everything in between! The past five decades, beautiful Wilmington, North Carolina has become the eastern Carolinas’ production hub. Nestled between the famous Cape Fear River and stunning coastal beaches we have blossomed into a world-class production community showcased by our top-notch films, successful TV series, award-winning commercial campaigns, outstanding music videos and creative magazine and catalog shoots!

FILMington, NC started ROLLING back in 1983, when thee Frank Capra Jr. was producing a film adaptation of the Steven King novel “Firestarter” and needed a grand antebellum mansion. His keen scouting eye noticed one of our plantations on a magazine cover so he sought it out in person and the rest is movie-magic history. Mr. Capra fell so in love with the Wilmington area that he persuaded Dino De Laurentis, (who had financed that film), to actually build a studio here and world-class crew talent quickly followed! That D.E.G. Studios, later became CAROLCO Studios, then EUE Screen Gems Studios, and now Cinespace !

Today, The Wilmington Regional Film Commission, Inc . is the central resource for productions seeking information on filming in this region. Johnny Griffin and his staff know this area inside and out, our excellent support services and crew options and are ready to help advise you on next-steps.  www.WilmingtonFilm.com

We also have quite a deep pool of professional actors, talented background artists and specialty performers. FILMington, NC is thousands of award-winning crew members, talented craftsmen and artists, reliable infrastructure support services, friendly local business owners and citizens, all with our un-matched, spectacular locations!

Please feel free to share this website to help spread the word globally about FILMington, NC …the Place to Be.

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Warner Bros.? Paramount? Universal? How to choose the best Hollywood studio tour for you

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When it comes to L.A. outings, the movie studio tour can be easy for locals to overlook. After all, surrounded by Hollywood productions, the entire city can feel like a stage. And if you’ve been on backlots or know people who work in the film and television industries, the magic of the moving picture may already be demystified.

And yet there’s still much to adore about an afternoon jaunt through a filmmaking campus.

In a city that’s too often unjustly stereotyped as favoring the new, the Hollywood studio reminds us of how much history — and, specifically, pop-culture myth-making — is rooted in and around Los Angeles. There in these spaces, you might see a spot where James Dean once stood, roll past the “Psycho” house, step into a partly dressed soundstage or walk through a sound-making Foley factory. Our studios remain working palaces dedicated to crafting dreams.

That all may sound romanticized — the reality of “ making it ” in Hollywood is increasingly challenging, and the studio itself is threatened by a global, digital and consolidating production industry — but it’s only meant to note what’s at risk.

For me, the studio tour was once a go-to destination when out-of-towners came to visit. These days, I like to revisit one every few years, just as a reminder to remain uncynical and to marvel at the talent and cinematic art that this region has invented. And each tour has a slightly different flavor. Whether it’s animation history you crave or museum-like installations, there’s a tour for every kind of film buff.

Universal Studios

Best for: Seekers of thrills and cinematic magic

It’s not an exaggeration to say that if there was no tram tour on the Universal Studios lot, there would be no Universal Studios theme park. Sixty years ago, the backlot tram tour began as a way, in part, to increase commissary sales as tourists liked the opportunity to dine on the lot. Quickly, however, those running the tour had a realization that every studio trek has to confront: looking at giant soundstages or deserted sets is fun for only so long.

Entertainment & Arts

How the Universal Studios tram tour defined the modern theme park

The most important theme park ride ever created? It may just be the Universal Studios tram tour, which dates to the silent film era. Once primarily a behind-the-scenes tour, the trek has evolved to define the modern theme park.

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Thus, Universal Studios pioneered the concept of melding the tour with various attractions — cinematic illusions such as a flash flood, a runaway train or, in the late ’80s, an earthquake simulator. Today, the tram tour — now officially designated as the World-Famous Studio Tour — is but one part of a larger theme park, designed to show us mini-attractions such as an encounter with a shark from “Jaws” or a 3-D ride alongside King Kong. Yes, there are backlot sets, including instantly recognizable locations from “Back to the Future,” “Pyscho,” “Desperate Housewives” and, most recently, “Nope.” But this 60-minute journey is more than a behind-the-scenes look. Instead, the focus is on the emotion and excitement of movie-making mirages.

There is even a lesser known VIP option to exploring the park. Expect to spend around $400 per person for it, but the perks include a longer tour with the ability to walk around the sets, venture into a prop house and likely set foot on a soundstage.

Universal Studios, 100 Universal City Plaza. The tram tour is included with theme park admission, which varies per day but ranges from $109 to $149 per person. For more information , visit universalstudioshollywood.com .

Warner Bros.

Best for: Fans of interactive exhibits, Central Perk selfies and everything “Harry Potter”

Warner Bros. has always had a showman’s approach to its studio tour, opening its gates to the public in the mid-’60s to herald the arrival of “The Great Race” with cars, props and a behind-the-scenes featurette to accompany a backlot venture. It’s a mindset that continues today, as the Warner Bros. Studio Tour aims to walk the line between pure history and entertainment, with numerous recent expansions into interactive installations. Come for the tour, stay for a potion-making mini-game to celebrate the “Harry Potter” franchise or the ability to pose with multiple Batmobiles.

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The standard tour offers about a 60-minute tram outing. Expect to stop and walk among its suburban town, where guides will point out filming locations from “Friends,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “Gilmore Girls,” “Cool Hand Luke” and more, as well as to see the wilds of San Fernando Valley, including a forest area that’s been used in the likes of “Jurassic Park,” “True Blood” and “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.” There’s also a Turner Classic Movies-themed tour , if you lean more toward cinematic classics such as “Casablanca” and “Rebel Without a Cause.”

But what truly separates Warner Bros. from its competitors is recent investments in a re-creation of the “Friends” Central Perk Café — yes, you can dine there — and its surrounding museum-like exhibits. Interactive tables will allow you to explore the actors of Warner Bros. past and present, while special effects stations can add or subtract digital accouterments with the movement of a knob. There’s up-sell green screen photo ops, short films and demonstrations of motion-capture technology. A secondary stop pulls from tricks from the theme park industry, with photo ops pegged to DC superhero films and the “Potter” franchise, including the ability to be assigned a personality by the latter’s wizardly Sorting Hat.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour, 3400 Warner Blvd., Burbank. The standard tour starts at $73 ; Southern California residents receive a $12 discount through Dec. 17 , with deluxe and VIP offerings providing additional exploration of the studio’s backlot. For more information , visit wbstudiotour.com.

Walt Disney Studios

Best for: Disney history buffs and animation lovers

If Disneyland idealizes American stories and Western takes on classic fairy tales, then a trip to the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank grounds them in a bit more reality. But it is still Disney, so expect a little bit of folkloric mythologizing, especially when it comes to company founder Walt Disney.

A centerpiece of the 2½-hour tour — open only to members of the Disney fan club D23, including those with a free membership — is the meticulous restoration of Disney’s five-room office suite. It’s a treasure trove of items belonging to Disney — or re-creations of them, such as a reproduction of the special Oscar he won for “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” with a normal-sized statuette and seven smaller ones. Marvel, too, at the Disneyland master plan, with nods to what were then recently completed projects such as It’s a Small World. The office is preserved as it would have looked at the time of Disney’s death in 1966. (Note: At the time of publication, the office was due for renovation in late 2024.)

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Additionally, no other tour is as dedicated to the art of animation as this one. No real surprise, of course, but guests will visit the original animation building — where “Cinderella” and “Lady and the Tramp,” among many others, were created — and learn about Disney’s many advancements to the medium. Discover, too, the unique construction of the lot, and clever efforts to conceal precious hand-drawn animation cels from the sun. The tour also includes a stop at the Walt Disney Archives, the working research lab dedicated to preserving all things Disney.

The Walt Disney Studios Official Tour, 500 S . Buena Vista St., Burbank. D23 members are allowed to purchase two tickets; ticket cost varies by membership level but starts at $79. For more information , visit d23.com/upcoming-events.

Sony Pictures

Best for: Game show devotees and a vision of Oz

The Times first wrote about a tour of the famed MGM Studios lot in the late ’60s. Times, culture and ownership have changed, and the now Sony Pictures Studio Tour no longer, for instance, provides a look at Esther Williams’ private swimming pool. Today, it begins with a re-creation of the “Seinfeld” set and props from the “Men in Black” films. The Culver City lot still offers the occasional nod to its past, via architectural allusions to MGM’s history or artist Tony Tasset’s 94-foot, 2012-constructed rainbow that references “The Wizard of Oz,” which was filmed at the locale.

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A signature of the modern Sony Pictures tour is a stop on the sets of venerable game shows such as “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune,” provided they’re not in the midst of filming. But even if they are, you’ll still have the opportunity to stand before a green screen and take home a “Jeopardy!” picture as a memento.

You’ll also likely get a look at various working aspects of the studio. On the day I visited, we strolled through the sound production offices to see how Foley artists operate. Imagine a darkened, cramped room that looks like someone’s garage filled with old clothes, crusty leaves, an assortment of footwear and broken machinery.

It was a brief chance to play, as guests stepped among different floor types to create various sounds. We also spent a moment in an overdub room, mimicking the creation of white noise from a crowd.

“Breaking Bad” and Ghostbusters” fans will snare a look at vehicles used in productions. For a different perspective, schedule one of Sony’s evening tours.

Sony Pictures, 3990 Overland Ave ., Culver City. Tours start at $55. For more information, visit sonypicturesstudiostours.com.

Paramount Pictures

Best for: Those looking for Hollywood nostalgia

Paramount dispenses with the slickness and some of the how-to’s of other tours, focusing instead on its historic Hollywood locale on Melrose Avenue. A sense of grandeur permeates the lot, thanks in large part to the ornate archway of the Bronson Gate — which was a filming location for “Sunset Boulevard.” On Paramount’s standard tour, you’ll learn how Alfred Hitchcock nearly destroyed a soundstage to film “Rear Window,” and glimpse the lot’s expansive “blue sky tank,” which can create oceanic illusions. On the day I visited, we explored a soundstage dressed for Taylor Tomlinson’s “After Midnight,” and paused to watch crews ready the lot’s New York streets for filming.

At a prop warehouse specifically geared for the tour, one can step on a transporter from “Star Trek Beyond.” Also present: costumes for the “Halo” series, a full-scale Bumblebee from the “Transformers” films and mushrooms and an “egg mobile” from the “Sonic the Hedgehog” movies. This is more of a gallery-like setup than it is a venture into a working prop house.

The two-hour Paramount tour is relatively intimate, featuring a small group and a tour guide armed with an iPad. Higher-priced options offer a look into more operational archival areas of the lot, but as it stands, it’s primarily a chance to see a historic Hollywood lot, one potentially on the verge of significant change .

Paramount Pictures, 5515 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. Tour start at $65. For more information, visit paramountstudiotour.com.

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Todd Martens is a features columnist at the Los Angeles Times who writes about theme parks and West Coast Experiences, among other topics. Martens joined the Los Angeles Times in 2007 and has covered a mix of interactive entertainment as its game critic and pop music as a reporter and editor. Previously, he reported on the music business for Billboard Magazine. Martens has contributed to numerous books, including “The Big Lebowski: An Illustrated, Annotated History of the Greatest Cult Film of All Time.” He continues to torture himself by rooting for the Chicago Cubs and, while he likes dogs, he is more of a cat person.

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