Independence Day (1996)

April 12, 2020February 21, 2025 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 1996 sci-fi action film “Independence Day” was a large scale production, filming in California, New York, Utah, Washington D.C., New Mexico and more. Capt. Steven Hiller, played by Will Smith, lives at this Los Angeles home, where he first spots the giant spaceship in the sky.

LOCATION: 6033 W 74th St, Los Angeles, CA 90045

The First Lady, played by Mary McDonnell, receives a phone call at the famed Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Downtown L.A. The hotel is a staple of film, having appeared in such movies as “Ghostbusters,” “Fight Club,” “Species,” “Blonde,” “Enough,” “Cheaper By The Dozen,” “Oppenheimer” and many more.

LOCATION: 506 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071

The alien ships are seen destroying a number of famous landmarks, including the US Bank Tower in Downtown Los Angeles. The building has appeared in countless films, including “Southland Tales,” “Fracture,” “Darkman,” “The Thirteenth Floor” and more.

LOCATION: 633 W 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90071

The Empire State Building in New York City is also seen being destroyed.

LOCATION: 20 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001

The sequence with the fires engulfing the tunnel full of cars was filmed at the Second Street Tunnel in Downtown L.A. This is another popular filming location, appearing in such films as “Kill Bill,” “Demolition Man,” “Blade Runner,” “The Terminator,” “Double Dragon” and many more.

LOCATION: 620 W 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Hiller drags a defeated alien across the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. The salt flats have been seen in many films, such as “Pirates Of The Carribean: At World’s End,” “The Tree Of Life” and this film’s 2016 sequel, “Independence Day: Resurgence.” The I-80 freeway traverses straight through the Bonneville Salt Flats, with viewing points on the side of the road. There’s also an exit to drive in for a closer look.

LOCATION: Bonneville Salt Flats, UT 84083

Wendover Airfield, located near the border of Nevada and Utah, served as the airfield where President Thomas J. Whitmore, played by Bill Pullman, gives his speech to rally the troops before taking their final stand against the aliens. This scene was filmed in front of Hangar 2. This area is private property, but they do allow tours. Wendover Airfield has appeared in many films, such as “Con Air,” 1982’s “The Philadelphia Experiment” “Mullholland Falls,” The Core” and Ang Lee’s 2003 version of “The Hulk”

LOCATION: 345 Airport Way, Wendover, UT 84083

Hiller’s military uniform can be found on display at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino is Las Vegas.

LOCATION: 3667 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

The Muppets (2011)

April 12, 2020September 25, 2025 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 2011 film version of “The Muppets” was shot primarily in the Los Angeles area. The opening dance number, set it “Smalltown USA,” was filmed on the Warner Bros. Studios Lot.

LOCATION: 4000 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505

Gary, played by Jason Segel, runs into this school, where he meets up with Mary, played by Amy Adams. This is also a set on the Warner lot.

The Muppets studio was filmed at the real Jim Henson Company in Hollywood. It is the former site of Charlie Chaplin’s studios. Old photos of Chaplin standing outside can be found online, with much of the buildings still looking the same.

LOCATION: 1416 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

The Muppets Theater is the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood.

LOCATION: 6838 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

The exterior gate of Kermit’s mansion is located in Encino.

LOCATION: 4545 White Oak Ave, Encino, CA 91316

The interior of Kermit’s mansion was filmed at Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills. While the outside of the Greystone grounds is open daily and free to the public, opportunities to tour inside are somewhat rare. The property is owned by the City of Beverly Hills and regularly accommodates productions and private events. Therefore, only a few times a year is access to the inside of the estate possible. Planning ahead is required if you’d like to see inside.

LOCATION: 905 Loma Vista Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

The same mansion has been featured in countless films, such as “The Big Lebowski,” “There Will Be Blood,” “The Social Network” and dozens more.

Kermit begins trying to round up the Muppets and makes his way to Reno, Nevada to find Fozzie Bear. The famous Reno Arch is seen during this scene.

LOCATION: 155 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501

The office of Tex Richman, played by Chris Cooper, can be found in Downtown Los Angeles. The same building was seen in such films as “Barbie,” “Night Of The Comet,” “Cutter’s Way” and “Pretty Woman.”

LOCATION: 333 S Hope St, Los Angeles, CA 90071

This building serves as Gonzo’s factory. It has been featured in countless films and television series, including “Beverly Hills Cop,” “Divergent,” “Wrath Of Man,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” “License To Drive,” “Unlawful Entry,” “Inspector Gadget,” “Child’s Play 2,” “Enough” and dozens more.

LOCATION: 635 Mateo St, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Demolition Man (1993)

April 8, 2020June 22, 2024 / filmoblivion / 1 Comment

The 1993 action film “Demolition Man,” starring Sylvester Stallone as John Spartan and Wesley Snipes as Simon Phoenix, is set in the futuristic “San Angeles,” where San Diego and Los Angeles have become one giant metropolis. The production likewise filmed scenes in both cities.

The opening shot depicts a burning Hollywood sign from behind. There is a public hiking trail that goes up to and behind the sign. The sign itself is heavily monitored by security.

LOCATION: Hollywood Sign, Los Angeles, CA 90068 (GPS coordinates: 34.134118, -118.321540)

The SAPD police headquarters can be found in Westlake Village, near Thousand Oaks. The same building was featured in the 1980s comedy “My Stepmother Is An Alien.”

LOCATION: 1 Baxter Way, Westlake Village, CA 91362

The Los Angeles Convention Center was composited into a futuristic view of Cocteau’s office. This particular view is at the corner of S Figueroa St and Pico Blvd.

LOCATION: 1201 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015 (seen from intersection of S Figueroa St and Pico Blvd)

As John Spartan and Lenina Huxley, played by Sandra Bullock, drive to an upscale Taco Bell restaurant, they drive past this building, which is actually the San Diego Convention Center. The Convention Center famously hosts the annual San Diego Comic-Con. In 2018, as part of the Comic-Con there was a pop-up Taco Bell celebrating the film by recreating the set, as well as featuring props from the film.

LOCATION: 111 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

After a brief encounter with Egdar Friendly, played by Dennis Leary, Spartan and Huxley drive down the The America Plaza Trolley Station, located at the intersection of Kettner Blvd and W Broadway in San Diego. Spartan apologizes to Huxley as they drive.

LOCATION: America Plaza Trolley Station, San Diego, CA 92101

The Pacific Design Center served as the apartment of Huxley. Many films have shot here, including “Bowfinger,” “Lipstick” and “Her.” The interiors were also featured in the TV series “Westworld.”

LOCATION: 8687 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Spartan, Huxley and Garcia, played by Benjamin Bratt, go looking for Phoenix in the underground by entering through a manhole at this business park. Despite being a common business area with many pedestrians, located on one of the busiest roads in Los Angeles, security has very alarmist reactions to even casual photography. There are no “private property” or “no trespassing” signs anywhere to be seen, but they are confrontational if you attempt to take a photo.

LOCATION: 5750 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Simon Phoenix later emerges from the underground in the same area.

John Spartan and Huxley emerge from the San Diego Innovation Center, driving past the pyramid in front.

LOCATION: 7310 Miramar Rd, San Diego, CA 92126

Spartan and Huxley pursue Phoenix in a car chase into the Second Street Tunnel in Downtown L.A. This is a popular filming location, appearing in such films as “Kill Bill,” “The Terminator,” “Blade Runner,” “Con Air,” “Independence Day,” “Double Dragon” and many more.

LOCATION: 620 W 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (facing S Figueroa St)

The car chase continues down Grand Lower in Downtown L.A. This is another popular area for both filming and photography. It has been featured in countless films, including “The Terminator,” “Robocop,” “Cobra,” “Batman Forever,” “Repo Man,” “Double Dragon,” “The Hidden,” “Whore” and many more. It was also featured in the TV series “Westworld.”

LOCATION: Grand Lower, Los Angeles, CA 90071

The Cryo-Penitentiary where the final confrontation takes place was filmed at a real jail in Downtown Los Angeles; the Metropolitan Detention Center. This courtyard area seen in the film sits between several buildings on the block and is open to the public.

LOCATION: 535 Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Here is another angle seen in the film of the same building, this time facing Alameda St.

The fully automated police cruiser driven by Spartan and Huxley in the film was featured on display at the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, as part of an exhibit entitled “Hollywood Dream Machines: Vehicles Of Science Fiction and Fantasy” from May 2019 through May 2020. The vehicle was a 1992 General Motors Ultralite.

LOCATION: Peterson Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

U Turn (1997)

April 1, 2020August 31, 2025 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 1997 Oliver Stone film “U Turn” is set in the small town of Superior, Arizona and that’s exactly where production mostly took place as well. In the film, Superior is depicted as a strange, sometimes hostile town. In reality, the town is quite welcoming to tourists, offering a variety of shops and antique stores. “U Turn” is not the only production to film scenes in Superior. “The Prophecy” and “Eight Legged Freaks” have as well.

Early in the film, Bobby, played by Sean Penn, is driving a desert road when his car breaks down. He takes his car to Harlin’s Garage, where he meets Darrell, played by Billy Bob Thorton. These scenes were filmed on E Magma Heights Dr, however the house and garage seen in the film are long gone. In fact, a copper company now owns the land and it is completely inaccessible to the public.

When Bobby first reached the Main St of Superior, he looks over and sees the sheriff’s station, quickly turning the other direction. The building seen in the film is the Superior Kearny Justice Court.

LOCATION: 60 Main St, Superior, AZ 85173

Bobby encounters blind man, played by Jon Voight, at the train station. Bobby tries to pet the man’s dog, only to be told it’s dead.

LOCATION: 100 Main St, Superior, AZ 85173

Bobby first sees Grace, played by Jennifer Lopez, walking by the building.

Later in the film, Bobby purchases a bus ticket at the same building.

Grace takes Bobby to her home, where she lives with Jake McKenna, played by Nick Nolte. Jake’s house is known as the Castle On The Rock. The house is located on N Picket Post Rd, Superior, AZ 85173. There are tours of the building on occasion, but most of the time the property and even the road are completely closed to the public.

Jake drops Bobby off back in town at this grocery store, where Bobby immediately finds himself in a robbery.

LOCATION: 50 N Pinal Ave, Superior, AZ 85173

Bobby uses a payphone to try to get money at the corner of this building.

LOCATION: 222 Main St, Superior, AZ 85173

Bobby calls the gangsters he owes money at the corner of this building. This same street was featured in the film “Eight Legged Freaks.”

LOCATION: 160 Main St, Superior, AZ 85173

Bobby visits this diner, where he is approached by Jenny, played by Claire Danes. Misreading the situation, Toby N. Tucker (“T.N.T.”), played by Joaquin Phoenix, has a confrontation with Bobby.

LOCATION: 149 Main St, Superior, AZ 85173

This building served as the realty office of Jake McKenna.

LOCATION: 271 Main St, Superior, AZ 85173

Bobby encounters the old, blind man once again in front of this building. Later in the film, this is also where he fights T.N.T.

LOCATION: 71 Main St, Superior, AZ 85173

Bobby passes Jenny’s house and the two walk past this church talking.

LOCATION: 94 N San Pedro St, Superior, AZ 85173

If you do make it to Superior, Arizona, most of these locations are quite a short distance from one another. Most of them, you can walk on foot from one location to the next.

Related articles: JFK (1991), Natural Born Killers (1994)

Clerks II (2006)

March 29, 2020September 17, 2024 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

While the original “Clerks” film was famously shot in New Jersey, the 2006 sequel, “Clerks II” was largely filmed in Southern California. The opening scene depicts the Quick Stop Groceries, famous of course for being the central location from the first film, on fire.

LOCATION: 58 Leonard Ave, Leonardo, NJ 07737

Randal, played by Jeff Anderson, lives at this home in Highlands. The home is director Kevin Smith’s actual childhood home. It used to sit at ground level, as seen in the film, but has since been raised due to flood risk in the area.

LOCATION: 21 Jackson St, Highlands, NJ 07732

Much of the film takes place at the fictional Mooby’s fast food restaurant, which was located in Buena Park. The restaurant was vacant and slated for demolition at the time of filming. It has since been demolished and replaced by a housing development.

LOCATION: 8572 Stanton Ave, Buena Park, CA 90620 (demolished)

One behind the scenes remnant of the film which is still standing is the hotel next door. The production offices were set up within the rooms.

The police station seen near the end of the film can be found in Highland Park. The building is no longer an active police station and operates today as a police museum. The building has been featured in countless films, including “Transformers,” “Gangster Squad,” “The Choirboys” and “National Security,” as well as the TV series “Twin Peaks: The Return.”

LOCATION: 6043 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042

Minority Report (2002)

March 28, 2020October 28, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

Filming for the 2002 Steven Spielberg sci-fi film “Minority Report,” starring Tom Cruise, took place mostly around Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and Virginia. In one action scene, a chase on rocket-packs occurs in front of this building. This is actually part of the Warner Bros. backlot in Burbank, California. The same building was seen in the 1994 Jim Carrey comedy, “The Mask.”

LOCATION: 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91505

The Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California ran an exhibit entitled “Hollywood Dream Machines: Vehicles Of Science Fiction and Fantasy” from May 2019 through May 2020. Included on display were some vehicles from the film.

As a manhunt ensues for John Anderton, played by Tom Cruise, as he is chased by Agent Danny Witwer, played by Colin Farrell. As the chase enters a car factory, Witwer watches as this “2054” Lexus Coupe is assembled around Anderton, who immediately drives it off and escapes.

LOCATION: Peterson Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

As Anderton drives this “2054” Lexus Maglev Pod, a computer controlled iris recognition system spots him and stops the vehicle. As police pursue, Anderton escapes out the window.

As Anderton tries to evade police in a mall, an advertisement plays for this “2054” Lexus Roadster.

Here is a closer look at the interior of the car.

Related articles: A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)

The Bling Ring (2013)

March 19, 2020October 9, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

In the 2013 Sofia Coppola film “The Bling Ring,” a group of teenagers begin robbing celebrity homes. One of the homes targeted by the characters in the film is that of reality television star Audrina Patridge. Rebecca and Marc, played by Katie Chang and Israel Broussard respectively, locate the home by search engine. The address seen in the film is only slightly altered from the actual address where the scene was shot.

The house can be found on St Ives Pl, but the view from the film is actually looking down from Cordell Dr. The entire robbery is shown in a single shot from this road. However, since filming completed, remodeling to the homes on Cordell Dr has caused the view to become more obscured.

LOCATION: 1267 St Ives Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90069 (seen from around 9126 Cordell Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90069)

Transformers (2007)

March 16, 2020November 5, 2023 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

In the 2007 film “Transformers,” Shia LaBeouf plays Sam Witwicky. The Witwicky residence can be found in the West Adams neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.

LOCATION: 2187 W 24th St, Los Angeles, CA 90018

The car lot where Sam shops for cars with his dad can be found in Altadena. It was actually a composite of two locations on opposite sides of the street from one another. The location at 2012 Lake Ave still stands, but the other location at 2000 Lake Ave has since been demolished.

LOCATION: 2012 Lake Ave, Altadena, CA 91001

Bobby Bolivia, played by Bernie Mac, points down the street to where his mother lives.

Bumblebee gives himself an updated look inside the Second Street Tunnel in Downtown L.A. This is a popular filming location, appearing in such films as “Kill Bill,” “Demolition Man,” “Blade Runner,” “Con Air,” “Independence Day” and many more.

LOCATION: 620 W 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

The police station seen in the film can be found in Highland Park. The building is no longer an active police station and operates today as a police museum. The building has been featured in countless films, including “Clerks 2,” “Gangster Squad” and “National Security,” as well as the TV series “Twin Peaks: The Return.”

LOCATION: 6043 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042

Sam and Mikaela, played by Megan Fox, watch a meteor shower at the iconic Griffith Observatory. The location is another staple of film, appearing in such movies as “Rebel Without A Cause,” “La La Land,” “The Terminator” and dozens more.

LOCATION: 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Sam and Mikaela are taken into custody near this railway bridge, only for the Transformers to rescue them.

LOCATION: N Henry Ford Ave / Pier A Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90744

Sam and Mikaela are taken to the Hoover Dam in Nevada, which houses Megatron inside a bunker.

LOCATION: Hoover Dam, Boulder City, NV 89005

Ironhide lands in the pool of the Byrdview house in Chatsworth (also known as the Farralone Estate and Fox House). It has appeared in many films, including “Swordfish,” “Lords Of Dogtown,” “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” “The Salton Sea,” “Bewitched,” “Tomcats” and “Dreamgirls.” It has also appeared in such TV series as “Six Feet Under,” “Mad Men,” “Californication,” “The Last Man on Earth,” “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “Aquarius,” “Moonlight” and “Good Girls Revolt.”

LOCATION: 9361 Farralone Ave, Chatsworth, CA 91311

A full scale Optimus Prime truck used in the film could be seen on display in the prop room at Paramount Studios.

LOCATION: 5555 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

Also on display was a full scale Bumblebee.

I Love You, Man (2009)

March 14, 2020December 9, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 2009 comedy “I Love You, Man” was filmed in and around Los Angeles, California. In the film, Peter, played by Paul Rudd, resides at this house.

LOCATION: 3959 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Peter’s friend Sydney, played by Jason Segel, lives at this house in Venice. While the home was completely visible in the film, the owners have since planted large shrubs in front yard, making the property increasingly difficult to see.

LOCATION: 26 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291

Peter and Zooey, played by Rashida Jones, have an engagement celebration at Hop Louie in Chinatown. The restaurant has since closed, but the facade still remains. The same restaurant was also seen in the 1990s comedies “Beverly Hills Ninja,” “Surf Ninjas” and “Mystery Men.”

LOCATION: 950 Mei Ling Way, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Peter and Sydney meet up for food and drinks at this restaurant in Venice.

LOCATION: 60 N Venice Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

Peter’s parents’ house can be found in Toluca Lake.

LOCATION: 4727 Arcola Ave, Toluca Lake, CA 91602

Zooey’s workplace stood at 1626 Silver Lake Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026, but it has since been demolished.

Austin Powers In Goldmember (2002)

March 10, 2020October 5, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

In the third Austin Powers film, “Austin Powers In Goldmember,” there is a flashback to Austin’s graduation from the British Intelligence Agency. These scenes were filmed at Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills. While the outside of the Greystone grounds is open daily and free to the public, opportunities to tour inside are somewhat rare. The property is owned by the City of Beverly Hills and regularly accommodates productions and private events. Therefore, only a few times a year is access to the inside of the estate possible. Planning ahead is required if you’d like to see inside.