The 1968 classic “Rosemary’s Baby” was famously filmed in New York City. The apartment of Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse, played by Mia Farrow and John Cassavetes, was filmed at The Dakota, an upper class apartment building overlooking Central Park. The building has appeared in numerous films, including “Vanilla Sky,” “Serpico” and “New York, I Love You.” It is also the location where John Lennon was tragically killed on December 8, 1980.
LOCATION: 1 W 72nd St, New York, NY 10023
The 1993 Tina Turner biopic “What’s Love Got to Do With It” was largely filmed in Los Angeles, California, with the locations sometimes doubling as other cities for the story. Ike and Tina, played by Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett, eat dinner at the former Quality Cafe in Downtown Los Angeles. The diner was a one-time staple of films, appearing in “Seven,” “Training Day,” “Ghost World,” “Catch Me If You Can,” “Another Day In Paradise,” “(500) Days Of Summer” “Million Dollar Baby,” “The Heartbreak Kid” and many more. However, it was not an actual restaurant open to the public. Instead it was used solely for filming (much like Johnie’s Coffee Shop in mid-town L.A.). Unless the building was being set up for a production, most of the time it was closed up and locked by a large metal door covering the front windows. So catching a glimpse of it was rare. It ceased to function as a filming location and was completely renovated in 2014. The interior of the property no longer bears any resemblance inside to how it appeared in so many films.
LOCATION: 1238 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90017 (since closed and remodeled)
Ike and Tina perform at New York’s Apollo Theater. The interior scenes were actually filmed at the Warner Grand Theater in San Pedro, California. The same theater also appeared in many other films, including “Pearl Harbor,” “Zodiac,” “Seabiscut,” “Remote Control,” “Win A Date With Tad Hamilton,” “Ghosts Of Mississippi,” “Boys And Girls,” “Live By Night,” “Worth Winning,” “Mark Of Love,” “Invasion Earth: The Aliens Are Here” and “From Wharf Rats to Lords of the Docks.” It has also appeared in such television series as “The O.C.,” “Party Of Five,” “Melrose Place,” “T.J.Hooker,” “7th Heaven” and “Cousin Skeeter.”
LOCATION: 478 W 6th St, San Pedro, CA 90731
Ike and Tina’s house can be found in View Park-Windsor Hills. It is the actual home Ike and Tina Turner once lived in, with the original furniture and decor once owned by the couple used for the film. The exterior has since been lined with gates and hedges, making it a bit difficult to see from ground level.
LOCATION: 4263 Olympiad Dr, View Park, CA 90043
Ike gets into a confrontation with Tina and her friend at the former Johnie’s Broiler in Downey. The restaurant has a unique history, having appeared in many other films, such as “Heat,” “The Game,” “Short Cuts,” “License To Drive,” “My Stepmother Is An Alien,” “One Hour Photo” and many more. In 2007, the building was demolished. However, Bob’s Big Boy purchased the property years later and rebuilt it based on the original blueprints and even some of the same materials. So what stands now closely resembles what was seen in the film.
LOCATION: 7447 Firestone Blvd, Downey, CA 90241
The prosthetic suit worn by Doug Jones as the amphibian man in the 2017 Guillermo del Toro film “The Shape of Water” can be found on display at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, California.
LOCATION: 6067 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
The 2022 Andrew Dominik film “Blonde,” starring Ana de Armas as Marilyn Monroe, was primarily filmed in Los Angeles, California. Early in the film, a young Norma Jeane (real name of Monroe), played by Lily Fisher, lives with her mom Gladys, played by Julianne Nicholson. They are seen leaving their home when a fire breaks out in the Hollywood Hills. They exit and see a view of a film studio across the street, which is actually Sunset Gower Studios.
LOCATION: 6101 Afton Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90028 (facing N Gower St)
Norma Jeane and her mother are seen leaving in a car from the parking area on the left. Much of the background was altered via CGI.
They drive down N Gower St as ash and smoke fills the air.
This view is never seen in the film, but here is the apartment building they exit in the scene.
Norma Jeane meets with her agent Mr. Shinn, played by Dan Butler, at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Downtown L.A. The hotel is a staple of film, having appeared in such movies as “Ghostbusters,” “Independence Day,” “Beverly Hills Ninja,” “Fight Club,” “Species” and many more.
LOCATION: 506 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Norma Jeane meets with Cass Chaplin and Eddy Robinson Jr., played by Xavier Samuel and Evan Williams respectively, at Musso & Frank Grill. The restaurant pops up again when Cass and Eddy give Joe DiMaggio, played by Bobby Cannavale, nude photos of Norma Jeane. Musso & Frank Grill is the oldest restaurant in Hollywood, founded over 100 years ago. The restaurant has popped up in numerous films, including “Once Upon A Time In… Hollywood,” “Ocean’s Eleven,” “Ed Wood” and “Swingers,” as well as the TV shows “Mad Men” and “Bosch.”
LOCATION: 6667 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Joe DiMaggio lives with Norma Jeane at this home, which is seen mostly from the driveway facing out into the street, as well as in a close up of the front door into the interior.
LOCATION: 120 N Norton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Norma Jeane crashes her car into this tree on the left.
LOCATION: S Norton Ave / W 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90004 (in front of 159 S Norton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90004)
Late in the film, Norma Jeane is seen living at this home in Brentwood, where she receives a delivery from Eddy Robinson Jr. of an item Cass Chaplin wanted her to have. These scenes were filmed at the actual home Marilyn Monroe lived in and where she died on August 4, 1962.
LOCATION: 12305 5th Helena Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049
The 1988 Barry Levinson film “Rain Man,” starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman, was shot across numerous states, including Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Oklahoma, Nevada and California. Early in the film, Charlie Babbitt (Cruise) learns his estranged father, Sanford Babbitt, has passed away. Charlie visits his father’s house, which can be found in Cincinnati (5 Beech Crest Ln, Cincinnati, OH 45206). Raymond (Hoffman) almost correctly states the address as “Beech Crest Street” in the film, but with a different house number. The house remains there today, but is located on a private road.
Charlie learns his father’s estate has been left to his brother, Raymond, who is living at the Wallbrook Institution. The long drive leading up to the building was immortalized on the film’s poster.
LOCATION: 1000 St Anne Dr, Melbourne, KY 41059
Here is a look at the main building seen in the film, where Charlie parks. The real property is actually a the St. Anne Convent. There are no gates and the entire outdoor grounds are freely accessible.
Here in the main entrance seen in the film, with the sign above to door modified to say “Wallbrook” in the film.
Raymond heads back into the building to watch The People’s Court on television.
This area is seen next to where Charlie’s car is parked.
Charlie and his girlfriend Susanna, played by Valeria Golino, stop a hotel, which can be found in Cincinnati.
LOCATION: 400 Oak St, Cincinnati, OH 45219
Charlie and Raymond stop at this restaurant in Newport, Kentucky, where Charlie realizes Raymond has savant syndrome. The same payphone Charlie uses is still located inside the building, but it was closed at the time of our visit. The restaurant was also featured in the film “Airborne.”
LOCATION: 600 Washington Ave, Newport, KY 41071
Susanna’s apartment can be found in San Pedro, California.
LOCATION: 1435 S Beacon St, San Pedro, CA 90731
Charlie’s house can be found in West Hollywood.
LOCATION: 1599 Sunset Plaza Dr, West Hollywood, CA 90069 (as seen from Evanview Dr)
Charlie takes Raymond for pancakes at this restaurant, which is no longer known as the Pink Cadillac Cafe, but still serves breakfast.
LOCATION: 8221 W 3rd St Los Angeles, CA 90048
Charlie meets with Dr. Gerald Bruner, played by Jerry Molen, to determine if Raymond is mentally capable of choosing for himself where he wants to live. This scene was filmed at Wattles Mansion and Gardens in Los Angeles. The home is owned by the City of Los Angeles and is open to the public, regularly hosting special events. It is mostly seen from interior views in the film. The mansion has appeared in many films, including “Troop Beverly Hills,” “Top Gun: Maverick”, “Queen of the Damned,” “My Family” (“Mi Familia”), “Ghoulies,” “Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa,” “The Lost Empire,” “A Better Life,” “Knock Knock 2” and many more. It has also appeared in the TV shows “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “The O.C.” and “Scandal,” as well as the Diana Ross music video for “Eaten Alive”.
LOCATION: 1824 N Curson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
In the final scenes of the film, Charlie brings Raymond to the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center, to return him back to the Wallbrook Institute. The same location was featured in the film “Memoirs of an Invisible Man,” as well as the second season of “True Detective.”
LOCATION: 1000 E Santa Ana Blvd, Santa Ana, CA 92701
They walk through the lobby area here.
They continue out the doors on the right to the train tracks outside.
They are seen passing this staircase.
Here is the area where Raymond boards the train.
The Marvel TV series “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law” is primarily set in Los Angeles, California, but the production was split between L.A. and Atlanta, Georgia. The apartment of Jennifer Walters, a.k.a. She-Hulk, played by Tatiana Maslany, can be found in the Fairfax District of L.A.
LOCATION: 401 N Ogden Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90036
The 2015 Denis Villeneuve film “Sicario” was shot in Mexico, Texas and New Mexico. In the film, FBI Special Agents Kate Macer, played by Emily Blunt, joins a Joint Task Force overseen by CIA operative Matt Graver, played by Josh Brolin and the mysterious Alejandro Gillick, played by Benicio del Toro.
Kate travels with the team to Juárez, Mexico to extradite Manuel Díaz’s brother, Guillermo. As their convoy travels the streets, Alejandro tells Kate “Welcome to Juárez,” as they spot dismembered bodies hanging nude from an overpass. These scenes were actually filmed in the city of Nezahualcóyotl (commonly known as Neza), just east of Mexico City. The convoy travels west on Av. Chimalhuacán, turning left at C. 3 beneath the overpass from which the bodies hang. The exact intersection is Av. Chimalhuacán / C. 3, El Barco, 57410 Nezahualcóyotl, Méx., Mexico (GPS coordinates: 19°25’18.1″N, 99°03’14.2″W).
Kate and Reggie, played by Daniel Kaluuya, meet up with the team at this motel, where they discuss plans on a crossing point for a covert mission into Mexico.
LOCATION: 2001 Candelaria Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107
The team meets inside of room 117. The motel appeared to be abandoned at the time of our visit.
The task force raids a bank used to launder Díaz’s money and freeze his accounts. The real building is not a bank.
LOCATION: 2801 Eubank Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112
Kate and Reggie get drinks at the Wild Pony in Los Lunas, about thirty minutes south of Albuquerque, where Kate meets Ted, played by Jon Bernthal. This location has since been demolished and different building now stands in its place. It was formerly located at 4555 NM-314, Los Lunas, NM 87031.
The 2018 crime drama “Destroyer,” starring Nicole Kidman, is set in Los Angeles, California, where the production likewise took place. The film begins and ends on a scene of Detective Erin Bell, played by Kidman, parked under this overpass near The Bowtie. While The Bowtie is a popular walking trail, this area nearby is not the safest of areas.
LOCATION: Near W Casitas Ave / Carillon St, Los Angeles, CA 90039 (GPS coordinates: 34°06’41.4″N, 118°14’47.8″W)
A key murder scene at the beginning of the film was shot at The Bowtie. Named for its bowtie shape, the area is an undeveloped stretch of land in an industrial section of town next to the L.A. River. In 2003, the California State Parks Department purchased the property and it is currently being restored into a state park.
LOCATION: 2780 W Casitas Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90039 (GPS coordinates: 34°06’28.1″N, 118°14’41.8″W)
The body is seen under this electrical tower. Next to the body is a died bill linked to a robbery sixteen years earlier, which Bell was working undercover at the time.
The area is one of the few places in Los Angeles where the river has a natural floor, as opposed to its more commonly seen concrete bed.
This view is also seen in the film as Erin leaves the scene.
Erin works as a detective at this police station. It is a real police station, located in Skid Row.
LOCATION: 251 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Believing the lead culprit of the robbery, Silas, played by Toby Kebbell, is once again active, Erin follows a lead to this church, in search of a former gang member named Arturo, played by Zach Villa.
LOCATION: 1406 W 98th St, Los Angeles, CA 90047
The painting seen on the side of the church in the film is not actually there at the location.
Artura leads Erin to the home of Dennis DiFranco, played by Bradley Whitford, a lawyer who laundered money for Silas from the robbery. DiFranco’s house can be found in Malibu (27530 Calicut Rd, Malibu, CA 90265), but the home is gated and not visible from the street.
DiFranco gives up the location of the next money drop, at the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round. It has appeared in many other films, including “The Prestige,” “Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” “Beautiful” and “Twins,” as well as such TV shows as “Alias,” “CSI: NY” and the TV series adaptation of “Buffy The Vampire Slayer.” It also famously served as an inspiration to Walt Disney in his decision to create Disneyland.
LOCATION: 4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Erin follows Petra, the girlfriend of Silas, played by Tatiana Maslany, which eventually leads her to witness a bank robbery from their new crew. They park in this area on the right.
LOCATION: 9800 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045 (facing W 98th St)
The bank scenes were filmed at this building, located near LAX Airport. While the address is on S Sepulveda, the entrance seen in the film faces W 98th St.
Erin keeps a storage unit at this facility in Hollywood. Anyone who has driven the 101 Freeway through Hollywood has likely seen this facility, which sits between the north and southbound lanes, but not many people know how to reach it. The entrance is at N Heliotrope Dr, but the view seen in the film is actually from an overpass on N Vermont Ave.
LOCATION: 620 N Heliotrope Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90004 (as seen from N Vermont Ave, GPS coordinates: 34°04’47.8″N, 118°17’30.5″W)
In a flashback from sixteen years prior, the events of the robbery are revealed at this building, located in Palmdale. Depicted as a bank in the film, the real building is a masonic lodge.
LOCATION: 2231 E Ave Q, Palmdale, CA 93550
The real house where the Amityville murders took place in 1974 can be found in Amityville, New York. On November 13, 1974, Ronald DeFeo Jr. killed six of his family members inside the home. He was convicted of the murders and died in custody in March 2021. In December 1975, George and Kathy Lutz purchased the home, leaving less than a month later, claiming they experienced paranormal activity, although the truthfulness of their claim has been widely disputed. Their story was made into a book by Jay Anson in 1977 and began a series of film adaptations in 1979. The original address of the home was 112 Ocean Ave, but like many famous true crime homes, the address has since been changed, to 108 Ocean Ave. While the home has since been remodeled some, it still maintains many features of how it appeared in famous photographs from the 1970s.
LOCATION: Formerly 112 Ocean Ave, Amityville, NY 11701 (now defunct), changed to 108 Ocean Ave, Amityville, NY 11701
For the 1979 film “The Amityville Horror,” initial attempts to film in the real town of Amityville, New York proved unsuccessful, after the town denied permission to film any scenes there, in an ongoing effort to distance themselves from further infamy. Instead, a similar looking home in New Jersey was chosen. Today in Amityville, there are “no stopping or standing” signs throughout the neighborhood, which has a reputation for not always being hospitable to tourists.
If you do visit the home, be aware that any illegal parking is strictly enforced. The home is part of one of the most infamous American crime cases in modern history and remains a major attraction to true crime and paranormal enthusiasts. However, the town clearly prefers to distance itself from the notoriety, which should be kept in mind if you plan to visit.
Related articles: The Amityville Horror (1979)
The house from the horror sequel “Paranormal Activity 2” can be found in Woodland Hills, California.
LOCATION: 5978 Vista De La Luz, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Related articles: Paranormal Activity (2007), Paranormal Activity 3 (2011), Paranormal Activity 4 (2012)
Film Oblivion 