The Most Famous Movie Filmed In Each State

Year: 1994

Director: Frank Darabont

Why it's great: One of film's greatest tales of hope, The Shawshank Redemption was shot at the historic Ohio State Reformatory. The prison housed inmates for nearly a century until 1990, just a few years before Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, and company made their way behind its bars.

Year: 1994

Director: Tim Burton

Why it's great: Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetle... well, you know what happens when you say his name three times in a row. The quaint town of Corinth, Vermont, served as the location for all of the outdoor scenes for Michael Keaton's bio-exorcist. That's right — this movie wasn't actually shot in the Netherworld.

Year: 2007

Directors: Joel and Ethan Coen

Why it's great: Though some scenes were slated in Las Vegas and West Texas, the Coen Brothers leaned on New Mexico for most of the stunning scenery in this contemporary Western. So don't be afraid to visit the Land of Enchantment today, because you won't actually run into Javier Bardem's murderous Anton Chigurh.

Year: 1989

Director: Mary Lambert

Why it's great: Can you have a true Stephen King adaptation without actually shooting in Maine? The horror maestro penned the script and was heavily involved in the filmmaking process, which is why the entire production took place in his home state.

Year: 1978

Director: Michael Cimino

Why it's great: Robert DeNiro, Christopher Walken, and Meryl Streep lead a star-studded ensemble in this gripping Vietnam War chronicle. Shot between the United States and Thailand, The Deer Hunter used West Virginia's steel mills and factories to portray the intricacies of living in a small industrial town.

Year: 1984

Director: Albert Magnoli

Why it's great: As a lifelong Minnesotan, Prince's love for his home state is all over this '80s epic. His co-star, Apollonia Kotero, actually had to dive into a freezing lake for one scene, though the filmmakers soon became concerned for her life — they pivoted and moved that single shoot to Los Angeles.

Year: 1993

Director: Andrew Davis

Why it's great: Although large parts of this Harrison Ford thriller took place in Chicago, North Carolina actually served as one of its primary locations. Most memorably, the crew derailed an actual train in the Great Smoky Mountains for Dr. Richard Kimble's dramatic escape.

Year: 1996

Directors: Joel and Ethan Coen

Why it's great: Despite the movie's title, the Coen Brothers did not film any scenes in Fargo. But the stark snowscapes of North Dakota provided the perfect amount of eerieness for this black comedy/crime caper. We can only hope that actual North Dakotans are a little more responsible with their woodchippers.

Year: 1996

Director: George Roy Hill

Why it's great: Also shot in other parts of the United States and Mexico, this Western epic chose the Animas River near Durango, Colorado, for one of its most iconic scenes in which Paul Newman and Robert Redford jump off a cliff into the rushing river below.

Year: 1992

Director: Penny Marshall

Why it's great: There's no crying in baseball, but there is sure a lot of Indiana in this sports comedy. League Stadium in Huntingburg transformed into the stomping ground of the Rockford Peaches, and Geena Davis and her pals visited a number of other Indiana stadiums for various scenes.

Year: 2002

Director: Christopher Nolan

Why it's great: In the days before Nolan’s jaw-dropping blockbusters, we were treated to films on a slightly smaller scale. And it could be argued that Insomnia is the best of them. Nolan utilized Alaska beautifully while crafting this tense thriller with Al Pacino and Robin Williams. Plus, the state’s long daylight hours are perfect for a story about a guy who can’t sleep!

Year: 1981

Director: Mark Rydell

Why it's great: On Golden Pond is a lovely little film about family connections, yet you can't help but be drawn to the setting. The movie basks in the beauty of New Hampshire – with Squam Lake standing out in particular. Now you can actually survey the area thanks to the local science center, which hosts a special tour. It’s also chock-full of trivia, so bring a pen!

Year: 2009

Director: Todd Phillips

Why it's great: At its core, The Hangover isn't just a madcap comedy about finding a lost groom. It also covers a big moment in male friendship circles: the stag do. And what better place to host one than Las Vegas, Nevada? Yes, Todd Phillips perfectly captures the delights on offer in the state – from casinos to the picturesque deserts.

Year: 1989

Director: Phil Alden Robinson

Why it's great: If we asked you to name a film with deep ties to Iowa, what would your answer be? It's got to be Field of Dreams, right? This classic really is a love letter to the state and captures the beauty of numerous locales. It has also encouraged lots of people to drop by the place – specifically Dyersville. For reference, that's the home of the movie's famous baseball diamond built by Kevin Costner's Ray Kinsella.

Year: 2008

Director: Clint Eastwood

Why it's great: In Eastwood's mind, no other state could measure up to Michigan when he looked to make Gran Torino. After all, he was set to play a character who once worked within the auto industry. The connection was obvious, and the results are great. Eastwood makes full use of the area – shooting in places like Grosse Pointe Park and Royal Oak.

Year: 1999

Director: Alexander Payne

Why it's great: Alexander Payne and Nebraska are the peanut butter and jelly of Hollywood. The two fit together so well! He's directed some notable films in the state, such as Nebraska and About Schmidt. Mind you — Election is arguably the best of them. It's the most offbeat of teenage comedies when compared to other movies in that sub-genre.

Year: 1999

Director: Frank Darabont

Why it's great: If you're looking to have a good cry, then we can't think of a better movie to watch than The Green Mile. It's painfully sad! But at the same time, Frank Darabont's supernatural drama also does a wonderful job of showcasing the "soft sensibilities" you'd associate with Louisiana. Yep, the three-plus hours zoom by!

Year: 1997

Director: Gus Van Sant

Why it's great: It's hard to imagine Good Will Hunting – a film about the eponymous math genius – working anywhere else. Its ties to Massachusetts run deep, and that can be traced back to the script itself. Locals Ben Affleck and Matt Damon infused it with their experiences of the state – highlighting the differences between Boston and its south side. And that authenticity led to a deserved Oscar for the pair.

Year: 1996

Director: Jan de Bont

Why it's great: Movies can create long-lasting legacies in the places they're filmed. If you want an example, then look no further than Oklahoma. The state was an ideal backdrop to Twister, with the shoot basing itself out of Wakita. Now, the property that accommodated the changing rooms and the art division is a Twister museum. Pretty cool, right?

Year: 1975

Director: Robert Altman

Why it's great: There are few films that have shown the same kind of ambition as Robert Altman's Nashville. Twenty-plus actors jockeying for position as leads? A story that looks to showcase the music of America's most musical city? It all comes together... somehow. Now it's hard to think of another movie that embodies the state of Tennessee like this one.

Year: 2002

Director: Gore Verbinski

Why it's great: For some movies, getting the location right is absolutely key. And it's fair to say that The Ring succeeds in that respect – but not for the reasons you might think! As it turned out, the weather conditions in Washington were perfect for the film's atmosphere. What's a horror story without heavy rain and darkness?

Year: 1953

Director: George Stevens

Why it's great: Has Wyoming ever looked better than it did in Shane? We don't think so. This famous western showcases the beauty of the state's vast, open landscape like no other film has done since. It's truly stood the test of time. The cinematography was deservedly recognized at the Oscars as well.

Year: 1959

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Why it's great: While South Dakota might not be the most glamorous name, it does have an ace up its sleeve. Of course, we're referring to Mount Rushmore. And what movie's best known for utilizing that location? Yep, you guessed it: the cross-country chasing thriller North by Northwest. Who wouldn't want to visit the landmark after watching that finale? It's a doozy!

Year: 1985

Director: Richard Donner

Why it's great: The Goonies is a fantastic movie that people of all ages can enjoy. At the same time, though, it could also double as a high-budget tour of Oregon. Yes, Richard Donner's film which focuses on children who discover some treasure makes full use of the state – giving us an unmatched peek of its damp neighborhoods and eye-catching beaches. It really is the perfect setting.

Year: 1987

Director: Joel and Ethan Coen

Why it's great: As the title suggests, Raising Arizona just couldn't exist outside the Aztec State. Yes, the movie is as much Arizona as the Grand Canyon itself. From the shots of the open landscape to the carefully crafted dialogue that attempts to mirror the locals, the ties are deeply embedded. For reference, the flick revolves around a couple who kidnaps a child from a rich family.

Year: 1989

Director: Peter Weir

Why it's great: How about this for some movie trivia: Dead Poets Society actually did something that no other Hollywood film had done before. All of the production took place in Delaware. That's crazy, right? You'd have thought something would've come prior to that, but nope. Anyway, the drama does a good job of highlighting the local area.

Year: 1980

Director: Michael Apted

Why it's great: Who doesn't love a good biopic? It could be argued that Coal Miner's Daughter is up there with the best of them – taking a peek at Loretta Lynn's rise in the country music world. But that's not all. The movie feels like a love letter to her Kentucky home as well. It also highlights why Lynn refused to blank the state after her explosion in popularity.

Year: 1999

Directors: Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez

Why it's great: It's hard to put into words just how much of a phenomenon The Blair Witch Project was at the end of the 1990s. It also changed the face of horror movies forever. And while the handheld camerawork certainly adds to the creepiness, the location plays its part, too. Yes, Maryland’s vast woodland is utilized to great effect. Would it have worked anywhere else? We're not too sure.

Year: 1979

Director: Woody Allen

Why it's great: Manhattan is up there with Woody Allen's best output, and that's largely down to the depiction of the film's setting. This movie focuses on the travails of a middle-aged man whose wife has left him. And the flick is enamored with New York – capturing its ambiance and spirit perfectly. By the end, you really do feel like you've spent time in Manhattan. The poster's also pretty iconic!

Year: 2004

Director: Nick Cassavetes

Why it's great: On the fence about visiting Charleston, South Carolina? Well, The Notebook might just sway your decision. You see, the romantic drama was shot there, and it makes full use of some beautiful spots. The scenes at Cypress Gardens are particularly eye-catching. And we'd spend most of our time there if we lived in the state!

Year: 1974

Director: Tobe Hooper

Why it's great: How about this for an example of southern hospitality? Back when Tobe Hooper was looking to get The Texas Chainsaw Massacre off the ground, he received a helping hand from an unexpected source. According to Business Insider, a political figure from Austin, Texas, stumped up $60,000 so the director could make it!

Year: 2010

Director: Danny Boyle

Why it's great: To say that 127 Hours had a positive impact on Utah would be a gross understatement. And that's despite the film's bleak story, which revolves around a hiker who gets trapped in a canyon. Danny Boyle's drama offers some incredible shots of the state's red-rock landscape – leading fans to visit the spots. As a result of that, the local tourism board created "127-hour itineraries" that highlighted certain routes to take.

Year: 2016

Director: Barry Jenkins

Why it's great: Cinematography can make or break certain movies. In the case of Moonlight, it's definitely the former. The Barry Jenkins-directed film focuses on a young African-American gay man forging his own path in life. It captures Florida's colors perfectly, and the beaches are also done justice as well. Has the Sunshine State ever looked so good on the big screen?

Year: 1953

Director: Fred Zinnemann

Why it's great: Hawaii wasn't utilized much by major film studios in the earlier days of Hollywood, though From Here to Eternity played a role in changing that. It's one of the earliest examples of a big movie rolling cameras in the state. And it is fair to say that Deborah Kerr and Burt Lancaster's smooch at Halona Beach Cove further immortalized the place. Who wouldn't want to go there after watching that?

Year: 1999

Director: David Lynch

Why it's great: The Straight Story is the most un-David Lynch-like movie made by the famed director. There's not a nightmarish shot in sight! Instead, he focuses on the beauty of the Wisconsin landscape as we watch a man travel cross-country by lawnmower to make amends with his brother.

Year: 2004

Director: Jared Hess

Why it's great: It shouldn't be too surprising to hear that director Jared Hess comes from Idaho. After all, who else would put a local community like Preston under the spotlight in a movie? Of course, we're referring to Napoleon Dynamite. After the film developed a cult following, the town even created an annual celebration in its honor. That's some legacy, right?

Year: 1997

Director: Curtis Hanson

Why it's great: L.A. Confidential revolves around a group of LAPD investigators probing a chain of murders who unveil corruption from within their department. And while talking about Kim Basinger's role in the flick, Curtis Hanson made an interesting point on the setting. He told the Los Angeles Times, "The character represents what I want people to feel about L.A. She's a natural beauty with a phony image. But when you go beyond the image, as when you go beyond L.A. as the city of manufactured illusion, the character isn't only beautiful but totally self-aware."

Year: 1997

Director: Ang Lee

Why it's great: Wealth and freezing winter conditions – these are two things that Connecticut is very much known for! And Ang Lee utilized them to full effect in his movie The Ice Storm. At its core, the film suggests that people living in those areas still have to deal with problems like the rest of us.

Year: 1964

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Why it's great: Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb is some movie. It's in equal parts funny and utterly terrifying – even after all these years. It focuses on a rogue U.S. brigadier who unilaterally triggers a nuclear stand-off with the Soviet Union. And it makes you wonder if any similar scenes have ever taken place inside the Pentagon in Virginia. We certainly hope not!

Year: 2011

Director: Tate Taylor

Why it's great: Facing your past isn't always easy, yet Mississippi did just that when a film crew arrived in the state. The movie in question was The Help – a tale about African-American women employed by rich white households in the '60s. It proved to be a big success in the end – netting Octavia Spencer an Oscar for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role.

Year: 1994

Director: Kevin Smith

Why it's great: Before Smith became a famous director, he had a job at a corner shop in New Jersey. But while there, he made his debut film Clerks by setting up cameras around the store in the evening. Thanks to that approach, the comedy is able to capture the Garden State in ways few others could. And, crucially, it feels real.

Year: 2010

Director: Debra Granik

Why it's great: Sure, Winter's Bone is probably best known for Jennifer Lawrence's breakout performance, but we can't forget about the setting. Missouri is captured in all its glory here – from the vast woodlands to the cabins littering the landscape. The movie sees Lawrence's Ree Dolly taking the role of matriarch as she tries to track down her missing father. It's not the standard backdrop for a Hollywood mystery, yet it works very well.

Year: 2003

Director: Tim Burton

Why it's great: Big Fish is very much a Tim Burton movie. Yet at the same time, it could also be looked at as a love letter to Alabama. The film revolves around a son who tries to discover whether the incredible stories of his late father were really true. A large chunk of the production took place in the Heart of Dixie – covering places like Millbrook and Auburn University. We can't think of a more fitting setting for the magical story.

Year: 1992

Director: Robert Redford

Why it's great: Redford had a clear aim when he started shooting A River Runs Through It. The film depicts two siblings living in Montana who adore the art of fishing. So he wanted to capture the state's vast landscape to give the movie a more authentic feel. We don’t know about you, but we think he succeeded.

Year: 2012

Director: Wes Anderson

Why it's great: If you're in any way familiar with Rhode Island, then Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom will feel like a trip down memory lane. The film showcases all of the state's most recognizable traits – whether it's empty meadows or old church buildings. It’s a fittingly relaxing backdrop for a lovely little movie about two young lovers eloping.

Year: 1996

Director: Billy Bob Thornton

Why it's great: Thornton has enjoyed success in Hollywood, though one of his best performances arguably came in the early part of his career. We're referring to the film Sling Blade, which sees Thornton play a mentally disabled man who has been released from prison after murdering his mother. And one strong point of the movie is its Arkansas setting. Without that, the plot's study of making amends in "rural America" wouldn’t be as effective.

Year: 1986

Director: John Hughes

Why it's great: Hughes absolutely adored Illinois – prompting him to set a good percentage of his films there. But none of them show that love better than Ferris Bueller's Day Off. It’s the ultimate billet-doux to the Prairie State through the eyes of three very different teenagers. Ferris Bueller's Grand Tour of Chicago is a fitting alternative title!

Year: 1939

Director: Victor Fleming

Why it's great: "We're not in Kansas anymore." In a movie filled to the brim with iconic lines, that one has to be The Wizard of Oz's best. But while Dorothy and Toto are lifted away from the state by a tornado, it still has a prominent role in the film. After all, they're trying to get back there. It might lack the pizzazz of Emerald City, but the Sunflower State is ultimately depicted in a positive light.

Year: 1977

Director: Hal Needham

Why it's great: If you can't find the time to go on a road trip around Georgia, don't worry. Smokey and the Bandit has you covered! Yes, this classic action movie was filmed across the Peach State – taking in sights from Helen, Jonesboro and Cumming as the two lead characters run from the law. You're sure to notice if you can peel your eyes away from Burt Reynolds' glorious mustache!

Year: 1976

Director: John G. Avildsen

Why it's great: Rocky is one of those movies with classic scenes littered across its runtime. But is there a better sequence than the jog up the Philadelphia Museum of Art's stairs? It’s sparked countless imitations from visiting fans, and there's even a sculpture of Sylvester Stallone's character at the base. It's the kind of legacy that most films can only dream of. There’s no Rocky Balboa without Pennsylvania.