How many Hollywood shows and movies filmed in Georgia can you name? There are more than you’d think! So what makes the Peach state such an attractive place for filmmakers?
The answer may not surprise you. It is a lot cheaper for many productions to move to and film in Georgia! This is because Georgia offers one of the most aggressive tax-rebates of any state in the US.
In Georgia, production companies are offered a 20% baseline rebate for filming there! If you use the “Filmed in Georgia” logo, then you get an additional 10% off!
Illinois is the only other state to offer a 30% rebate, but Georgia doesn’t have snow. This allows films and shows to be filmed in Georgia year-round. Don’t forget Atlanta has a gigantic international airport, which makes for easy travel.
So if Georgia works extra-hard to lure Hollywood to embrace their “state of mind,” does it pay off? Read on to discover all the movies filmed in Georgia to find out and decide for yourself!
22 Best Movies And Shows Filmed In Georgia
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
Anchorman remains a classic Adam McKay franchise. Anybody that’s seen it knows its humor still stands and is one of the most quotable comedy films ever! But did you know its sequel is one of the many movies filmed in Georgia?
Anchorman 2 mostly uses Georgia in replacement shots of New York City. Even though Times Square is the most filmed location of all time, it is easy to replicate the streets of New York in Georgia, like at the Peachtree Buildings!
Georgia’s own Olympic Flame Diner was even given a makeover for filming. Renamed “Champ Kind’s Whammy Chicken,” its exterior was outfitted for its scenes! Way to Stay Classy!
Avengers: Endgame
Known to Marvel fans as the penultimate film in Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Completing a story told over 22 movies, it depicted the culmination of the battle between the titular Avengers and the Mad Titan, Thanos.
Did you know the Avengers assembled in Georgia to make this film happen? Many locations were used across metro Atlanta, including studio shooting at Pinewood Atlanta Studios in Peachtree City.
Turin Fertilizer Garden Center was used as the farmstead at the very beginning of the film. Here, Clint Barton saw his entire family turned to dust at the snap of Thanos’ fingers.
The Avengers’ Headquarters interiors and exteriors were also shot in Peachtree City, at the SANY America building. You can even see the glass elevator where Cap avoids a narrow fight with Hydra executives.
The small house at the very end of the film in which Peggy and Cap finally reunite to have their dance? That’s on Metropolitan Avenue in the East Atlanta Village!
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Katniss Everdeen’s journey to becoming the Mockingjay continued in this sequel movie filmed in Georgia! After she escaped with her life in the first installment in the Hunger Games series, she’s called back to fight again for the Quarter Quell.
You can actually see two of the locations used in the film for yourself! You can see the elevator of the Tributes’ Training Center at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. Fortunately nobody will be stripping in front of you as a form of intimidation.
Then head over to the Atlanta History Center’s Swan House. This was used as the mansion of President Snow, the corrupt leader of Panem! You’ll see the lush gardens and even the balcony from which Snow made his speeches!
Forrest Gump
Tom Hanks is arguably one of America’s most beloved actors. With a career spanning decades and one hit after another, it’s no surprise some of his movies were filmed in the Peach State.
In Forrest Gump, you might remember the iconic scene where Tom Hanks made his famous declaration, “Life is like a box of chocolates.” That scene was filmed at Chippewa Square in Savannah!
If you head to Savannah to see the bench, don’t expect to recreate the scene for yourself. The bench was just placed there as a prop. Today, you can see the iconic bench at the Savannah History Museum!
The Walking Dead
While not a movie filmed in Georgia, The Walking Dead is one of the most notorious television shows filmed in Georgia. The show follows Rick Grimes’ survival journey after he wakes up in an Atlanta hospital following the zombie apocalypse.
One of the most iconic scenes in the pilot is of course as Rick rides a horse through a highway into Atlanta strewn with crashed abandoned cars. This was filmed on location from the Jackson Street Bridge!
Another famous image scene in the opening credits is the wall spray-painted with the words “Away With You.” This wall still stands and you can see it in Grantville!
Later in the series, Tara is greeted by a strange all-female group of survivors on a beach. This was filmed on Driftwood Beach found on Jekyll Island’s northernmost point! Walk on the shoreline to see the wild, sun-bleached trees and hop into the Jekyll Island Club Resort to see a signed poster from the crew.
Stranger Things
Although Stranger Things is set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, these strange things are not what they seem! Dealing with Eleven, a girl with supernatural powers and her ragtag group of friends, this is one of the most beloved TV shows filmed in Georgia.
At Sleepy Hollow Farm, you can see the cabin where Police Chief Hopper and Eleven live in hiding in season two. While its exterior was only used, the cabin has been turned into an outdoor Stranger Things-themed escape room at Escape Woods!
You can also see Merrill’s Pumpkin Patch at Sleepy Hollow Farm. It was here that Hopper dug his way into the Upside Down after noticing the decayed pumpkins.
For the true Stranger Things experience, take the Upside Down tour hosted by Atlanta Movie Tours! You can also see locations used by the show like City Hall, the Hawkins Swimming Pool, and even the Palace Arcade!
Fried Green Tomatoes
Not only was this next movie filmed in Georgia, it was also set in Georgia! Fried Green Tomatoes chronicles the friendship of Kathy Bates and Jessica Tandy as the latter recalls her time running the Whistle Stop Cafe.
Set in Juliette, you can see the building that was used as the Whistle Stop Cafe! After the movie crew left, the space was transformed into the real Whistle Stop Cafe out of what was once a general store.
Today, you can visit the Whistle Stop Cafe daily from 11 AM to 4 PM. Sample their classic Southern food, and of course don’t forget to get the fried green tomatoes.
Black Panther
Black Panther became iconic for a lot of reasons, especially because it was the second-highest-grossing film of the year. Also the first Marvel movie to feature an African-American lead, this movie filmed in Georgia is beloved to locals.
Head to the High Museum of Art in Atlanta! This is where Eric Killmonger stole Wakandian artifacts in an elaborate ruse that left many dead. While the artifacts are not the same, you can still tour the museum.
You can also head to Atlanta City Hall, which was used as the United Nations. This is where T’Challa had many famous meet and greets as well as delivered his monologue declaring the true nature of Wakanda to the world.
In a scene set in Oakland, California, T’Challa visits an apartment building with his sister Shuri. The building where Killmonger hid and T’Challa’s father was killed is actually Wheat Street Towers! You can find it in Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn Historic District.
Baby Driver
Actually set in Atlanta, Baby Driver chronicles the journey of Baby, a getaway driver, as he tries to escape his life of crime. While also having a historically good soundtrack, the film also used many historic locations in Georgia!
Most of the film’s getaway scenes were shot in the downtown Atlanta area. The first scene’s bank is actually the Candler Building. You can find it off of Peachtree Street near Margaret Mitchell Square!
The infamous car chase involving the truck was filmed on the Buford Highway Connector. Another stunt was filmed near the Jackson Street Bridge off Freedom Parkway, also known for it’s Walking Dead fame.
Georgia State University’s Dalberg Hall was used as a post office. Other Atlanta locations include the Criminal Records store, the Peachtree Center, Georgia Tech, and Fulton County Airport.
Ford vs. Ferrari
If you know anything about cars, you might have seen Ford vs. Ferrari. If you have seen it, you’ll know it’s about the historic grudge race at Le Mans between the two companies.
The endurance race pits the racers and their vehicles to travel the longest distance in 24 hours. As a result, the Le Mans racetrack needed to be created. Location scouts had to use several locations, and it made Ford vs. Ferrari one of the movies filmed in Georgia!
To create Dunlop Bridge a bridge on Road Atlanta was dressed up. For certain corners for individual shots, Roebling Road in Savannah was used. To recreate the start/finish line, they even used an airplane runway!
The hardest location was to find the 3.7-mile long Mulsanne Straight. To get the required shots, permits were obtained and professional drivers raced at 180 MPH on a 5-mile long country road near Statesboro!
The Internship
The second flick starring Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn together, The Internship is another movie filmed in Georgia! In this one, they play two laid-off salesmen trying to snap cushy jobs at Google.
While their characters were interning at Google’s California location, the scenes were shot in Atlanta! Instead of using a Google campus, the filmmakers used Georgia Tech’s campus.
Clough Commons was primarily used, and was totally redressed with everything you saw in the movie! Google campus’ signature colorful furniture and self-driving cars were all added to the Commons!
Zombieland
Jesse Eisenberg really became a household name with Zombieland, another one of the movies filmed in Georgia. He and Emma Stone traveled across the United States, seeking refuge in the Zombie apocalypse.
While the film seemed to range across the country, the movie was filmed almost exclusively in Georgia! Eisenberg’s classic scenes filming his Rules For Survival were staged on Edgewood Avenue in downtown Atlanta!
Blaine’s Grocery, raided in the film, simply took place at a vacant building just west of Powder Springs! You can find the Gas’n’Gulp station in Decatur!
Later, they accidentally find their way to the mansion of Bill Murray in Beverly Hills. The grand mansion can actually be found in the Argonne Forest suburb in northern Atlanta.
And finally, of course, the climactic finale’s location, Pacific Playground was actually filmed at Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta. The good news? You can actually ride the drop coaster, which is actually called the Firecracker.
Office Christmas Party
One of the newer star-packed comedies that starred Olivia Munn, Jennifer Aniston, and Jason Bateman was supposed to take place in the Windy City. Office Christmas Party however became one of the many movies filmed in Georgia!
Jason Bateman plays an office manager who learns that his boss, Jennifer Aniston, plans to shut down his branch. While it was supposed to take place in Chicago, outside locations were shot outside the AT&T Midtown Center!
For the office scenes themselves, the crew decided to use the St. Regis Atlanta in Buckhead. Although you do see T.J. Miller crashing a sleigh down a flight of glass stairs, no property was damaged in the making of this film.
Love, Simon
Love, Simon won the hearts of many as it told the story of a closeted gay teenager trying to navigate high school while dealing with a blackmailer threatening to out him. He eventually finds love with his online secret admirer in the suburbs of Atlanta!
You can find Simon’s family home at 2375 Havenridge Drive! Both interior and exterior shots were filmed at the house and through the neighborhood.
While the interior school shots were filmed on a soundstage, the exterior shots were filmed at Atlanta International School, which is not too far from Simon’s house! The front of the parking lot were used in the film.
A significant scene features Simon and his friends at a Waffle House. This makes sense, because there are a lot of Waffle House locations in Atlanta!
Footloose
While the original version of Footloose was filmed in Hollywood, the remake starring Julianne Hough was filmed almost exclusively in Georgia! You can find many of the locations and unlike the movie, singing and dancing is allowed.
The Acworth Presbyterian Church served as the church of the fictional town of Bormont. This is where Reverend Moore pushes for the ban on dancing. The church is also where the lead characters Ren and Ariel first meet.
Near the church, you’ll find a home on Northside Drive which served as the home of Reverend Moore and Ariel. In reality, the home belongs to Acworth’s Mayor and his wife and they vacated the home for 18 days for the shoot!
Tag
Who thought that the old game of “Tag, You’re It” would make a good movie? Based on a true story about old friends that kept a game going for 30 years, the movie was filmed in Atlanta, Georgia!
While also filmed in Spokane, Washington, you can find actual filming locations throughout Georgia. The golf-cart scenes and pre-wedding scenes were filmed at the Stone Mountain Golf Club.
The North River Tavern in Sandy Springs is a real restaurant whose exterior was used as well! You can enjoy the cozy hideaway and even tour their beer cellar. Catch a sports game there and enjoy a craft beer and try not to get tagged!
Night School
Night School provides a heartwarming journey for anyone who has worked to get their GED at any cost. A favorite, starring Tiffany Haddish and Kevin Hart, this is another one of the movies filmed in Georgia!
You can see different locations of the film all throughout Atlanta! Particularly, you can tour the Covenant House Georgia in Atlanta, Midtown, and Atlantic Station.
Don’t forget to stop at Mrs. Winner’s Chicken & Biscuits to grab an authentic Night School southern meal. Then head over to the actual night school at Metro-Atlanta High School.
Sully
When Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger safely landed a plane on the Hudson, it was only a matter of time before Tom Hanks played him in a movie about his life. While production of the film started in New York, it eventually moved to Atlanta!
The Healy Building and the JW Marriott Buckhead doubled as the Alex Hotel where Sully stayed before his flight. They also used the Atlanta Center for Medical Research as St. Luke’s Hospital.
Grab a drink at the same bar Sully does at Meehan’s Public House, substituted for the Landmark Tavern. Then you can visit his home in Alpharetta!
To see the Texas airfield landing strip, you can go to the Peach State Aerodrome. And you can visit the air traffic control room and offices at Gwinnett Technical College.
The Fate of the Furious
The eighth installment in the Fast and the Furious franchise, The Fate of the Furious pits Dominic Torrtero against the formidable cyberterrorist Cipher. While the film took place all over, it is one of the movies filmed in Georgia!
You might remember that Dom has to go to Berlin to retrieve an EMP device from a military outpost. Those sequences didn’t actually film in Germany! The film’s crew knew that it was much cheaper to film in Georgia.
Instead, they shot all of the Berlin sequences at the Guardian Center. A training facility, the center simulates disasters on any scale so officials can be prepared. Pretty cool, huh?
There are a few more accessible locations you can visit if you head to Gwinnett County. You can see more settings for the films at Bethesda Park and the Northside Tavern!
Driving Miss Daisy
Based on the play with the same name, Driving Miss Daisy remains one of the most classic movies filmed in Georgia. Fun fact? Morgan Freeman was reprising his role when he performed it on Broadway!
Both the play and the film are actually set in Atlanta! If you head there, you can actually see the iconic house that was used as Jessica Tandy’s home.
You can visit Druid Hills and the home, at 822 Lullwater Road. The house is privately owned and on the market for $2 million, so you can’t go in. But you can drive around Druid Hills and take pictures from a respectful distance!
Ozark
Chronicling the Byrde family’s descent into the world of money laundering and Mexican drug cartels, Ozark became one of Netflix’s top-tier shows. While set in the Ozarks in Missouri, the show is filmed mostly in Georgia!
Inspired by the real-life Alhonna Resort, the film crew recreated the resort on different sets in Georgia. Visit Lake Allatoona, just an hour outside of Atlanta. On these shores, you might recognize some of the scenes from the show.
Jason Bateman, who stars in, produces, and directs the show, said the region offered “some really great color and grit to the aesthetic that’s perfect for the rural flavor that we want.”
Ozark also uses shots of Lake Lanier. Scenes outside of the Byrde’s house are filmed in Van Pugh North Park. You’ll find it on the south side of the lake.
If you remember The Blue Cat diner from season one, then you’ll be happy to know you can visit it! It’s actually called J.D.’s on the Lake, but they kept the Blue Cat signage. You can easily see it as you approach it from Lake Allatoona.
Cape Fear
When a criminal charged with rape is unsuccessfully defended by his lawyer, he seeks revenge by following the lawyer and his family on a house boat. This sets up the classic, Cape Fear, one of the most famous movies filmed in Georgia.
Despite the movie’s name, the filming locations have no connection to the real Cape Fear in North Carolina. Instead, much of the silm was filmed around Savannah!
Grove Point Plantation was used as the Bowden Home, but today it’s a private event facility. You can also visit Morgan’s Bridge Fish Camp.
Johnson Square was used for many exterior shots. The docks where the family escapes to their houseboat? You can find those at the real-life Isle of Hope Marina.
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