Tourist Guide to the Blockbuster Movie Locations in Canada
The vast diversity of Canada gives a wealth of filming settings, from Alberta's icy Rockies to the almost European feel of Québec. Most of the X-Men films, Christopher Nolan's Inception and Interstellar, Oscar-winning The Revenant, and Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven, superhero films like Deadpool, Man of Steel, and others were all made in Canada.
You might already be aware that Danny Boyle's The Beach was shot in Thailand and The Lord of the Rings was shot in New Zealand, but did you know that Canada itself has hosted a load of blockbuster films too? Not only have Canadian towns been used as filming locations, but the breathtaking beauty that is synonymous with the country has also been featured prominently in a huge number of films.
The vast diversity of Canada gives a wealth of filming settings, from Alberta's icy Rockies to the almost European feel of Québec. From the urban centers of Toronto and Vancouver, which you have probably seen on screen far more than you realize, generally as other US, cities. The majority of the X-Men films, Christopher Nolan's Inception and Interstellar, Oscar-winning The Revenant and Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven, superhero films like Deadpool, Man of Steel, Watchmen, and Suicide Squad, the Fifty Shades trilogy, as well as Good Will Hunting, Chicago, The Incredible Hulk, Pacific Rim, the 2014 reboot of Godzilla, and the latest series of Planet of The Apes Movies were all made right in Canada.
So, if you are a movie buff and are planning your trip to Canada, know the spots that you have to include in your itinerary.
Alberta, British Columbia, and the Canadian Rockies
With its mist-shrouded forests and breathtaking mountains, it is a surprise to no one that this world-famous mountain range that straddles the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia has been the backdrop for numerous films.
The Kananaskis Range in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta became 'Wyoming' for Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain (the same area was utilized in Interstellar) and 'Montana' and 'South Dakota' for Alejandro González Iárritu's The Revenant, which saw Leonardo DiCaprio win his first Oscar.
The Rocky Mountaineer railway, which travels right into the heart of The Rockies to the cities of Banff and Jasper, is one of the most popular ways to see the Canadian Rockies and its breathtaking landscapes. Lake Louise is unmissable and one of the most recognized destinations in the Canadian Rockies. It is popular, but it is not undervalued, so be sure to include it in your schedule. If you enjoy nature, the Lake Louise gondola is must-see. It is one of the best sites in Alberta to spot bears! Both black bears and grizzlies can be seen here, and the staff keeps track of all bear sightings.
Montréal, Québec
This bustling city, known as Québec's cultural center, is better known for its food scene, arts, and festivals than for its cinematic skills. However, Montréal has been featured in several films, including Steven Spielberg's hit Catch Me If You Can, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks in a story about a seasoned FBI agent pursuing a teenager who has forged millions of dollars posing as a Pan Am pilot, a doctor, and a legal prosecutor before his 19th birthday. Martin Scorsese's blockbuster The Aviator and Canadian director David Cronenberg's flicks Rabid and Shivers both included the city as a backdrop.
Montréal has several bustling neighborhoods, but one of my favorites was Mile End, a fashionable neighborhood with a creative and artistic attitude. It's a great way to get a sense of what Montréal is all about while also meeting some of the friendliest residents. It's a must-see destination, with antique boutiques, chic eateries, and old-school bagel shops mixed in with lively brunch places and elegant restaurants. Don't miss Dieu du Ciel, Montréal's premier craft brewery, which serves up unique homebrews, and Casa del Popolo, a vegan cafe, coffee shop, indie music venue, and art gallery all rolled into one.
Toronto, Ontario
Toronto in American Psycho
Toronto, also known as Canada's answer to Manhattan, has been in a number of films, but you might not recognize it. There are numerous financial advantages to shooting in Toronto, as the facilities are significantly less expensive than those in New York.
For many years, Toronto has served as a stand-in for 'New York' in films including Moonstruck, Three Men and A Baby, Cocktail, American Psycho, and the first X-Men picture. A few establishing images of the Big Apple will persuade an audience of the location. Even though Good Will Hunting is set in Boston, most of the film was shot in Toronto. A Christmas Story, a perennial favorite, flawlessly mixes Cleveland and Toronto to create the fictitious town of 'Hohman.'
Did you know, a Toronto Street had been meticulously decorated by a Production Designer with litter, garbage sacks, and trashcans to resemble a squalid neighborhood in 'New York.' But when the workers returned after lunch, they found that the city authorities had cleaned up the area and restored the street to its former glory!
Suicide Squad was also primarily shot in Toronto, and if you're planning to book flights to Toronto or plan a vacation there soon, you'll see scenes from the film featuring Yonge Street, Front Street West, Lower Bay Station, Yonge-Dundas Square, the Eaton Centre, and Union Station. The Distillery District, which has been featured in numerous films, is one of the most popular filming locations in the city. In fact, the Victorian warehouses that have become synonymous with the neighborhood have been utilized in over 800 films and television series. The Fly, Cinderella Man, Three to Tango, and the iconic TV show Due South were all filmed there.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Vancouver in Twilight
Vancouver, like Toronto, has created new production facilities and granted tax benefits to entice more filmmakers to set their films in this thriving city. The X-Men films, Deadpool, the 2014 Godzilla remake, Man of Steel (as Metropolis), Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes (as San Francisco), War For The Planet Of The Apes, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Twilight – New Moon, Fifty Shades of Grey, and I, Robot - all took place in Vancouver!
Here’s a fun fact - You may see John Travolta's 'New York' cab race by the Vancouver Art Gallery in the 1989 film Look Who's Talking!
Gastown, Vancouver's oldest neighbourhood, is one of the city's most popular filming locations. It has been used for sequences in 50 Shades of Grey, I, Robot, Once Upon a Time, and Arrow because of its cobblestone streets, quaint architecture, and trendy ambience.
Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver will be familiar to Twilight fans as the location where Bella performed her daring cliff dive into the ocean in New Moon. The property that was utilised as the Cullen House is also close by, and you can get a great view of it from Deep Dene Road.
Buntzen Lake, British Columbia
Buntzen Lake, a natural gem 45 minutes east of Vancouver, was featured in the hit sci-fi TV show Supernatural. Lake Manitoc was the name given to it in the show, but, the lake is brighter and much less gloomy than it seems in the show!
It is apt that British Columbia's tagline is 'Super, Natural British Columbia.' Supernatural was one of the most successful programs ever filmed in the province.
The lake was featured prominently in episode 3 titled "Dead in the Water," and fans from all over the world now go to the picturesque lake to retrace the steps of the show's characters. The University of British Columbia, as well as other locations around Vancouver, were used to film Supernatural.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Halifax in Riverdale
This small, metropolitan city in eastern Canada was the closest port to the Titanic's terrible sinking spot. As a result, the ocean scenes in the 1997 film, which has gone on to become one of the most popular films of all time, were shot near the location where the British passenger liner sank in 1912. The film starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, and Billy Zane was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and won a slew of other accolades.
Rockos Diner, one of the remaining free-standing diners in British Columbia, is located along the Lougheed Highway near Mission. The drive-in diner is open 24 hours a day and is known for its burgers, poutine, hotdogs, fries, and more than 40 different milkshake flavors.
However, regulars at the popular cafe may not be aware that the diner has been in several films. It is a popular destination since it is one of the last remaining free-standing diners, with privately owned land and structure.
Rockos has been utilized as a location spot for Hallmark movies, commercials, and other films such as Killer Among Us, Horns, and Percy Jackson. Then there was Riverdale, a teen drama television series based on Archie Comics characters.
The filming of Riverdale increased the popularity of the eatery because little changes were made to the 1950s diner, and the popularity of the show attracted large groups of people to eat at Rockos. Rockos was soon recognized by the locals and our regular customers as Pop's. Fans wanted to sit where their favorite characters sat, eat burgers and shakes, immerse themselves in the real-life 'Pop's,' and recreate their own Riverdale photos. The most popular booths are the ones from the iconic moments and the outside group shot.
Other well-known film locations include Québec City, where Alfred Hitchcock's 'I Confess' was shot.
Capote was shot in Manitoba. Although set in Kansas, it was filmed in Winnipeg and Selkirk, Manitoba.
Golden Ears Provincial Park, Pitt Lake, Pitt Meadows, and Hope in British Columbia were also used to film Rambo: First Blood.
Calgary, Alberta, where the highly hit comedy Cool Runnings maintained loyal to its narrative of the Jamaican national bobsled team competing in the 1988 Olympics.
If you like horror movies, you'll recognize the historic downtown of Brantford as the setting for director Christophe Gans' zombie film Silent Hill, which was released in 2006.
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Explore some intriguing facts about Canada and get introduced to a whole new side of this country. Not just a cold western nation, but Canada is much more culturally and naturally diverse which truly makes it one of the favourite places to travel. Learn more at Interesting Facts About Canada
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