Movie Locations

Raising Arizona (1987)

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The 1987 Coen Brothers film “Raising Arizona” was, as you might have guessed, filmed in Arizona.  Early in the film, the recently paroled H.I. McDunnough, played by Nicolas Cage, robs a convenience store, winding up back in jail.  The store has since been remodeled, but still remains standing in Phoenix.

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LOCATION: 2311 W Deer Valley Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85027

The trailer where H.I. and his new wife Ed, played by Holly Hunter, first move after getting married can be found in Scottsdale.  In reality, it’s just an empty plot of land, which can be found on the left side where N 136th St dead ends into E Del Timbre Dr.

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LOCATION: N 136th St / E Del Timbre Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85259

After discovering they’re unable to have children, H.I. and Ed hear news of a family named Arizona having five children and decide to steal one of them to raise as their own.  The home of the Arizonas is a slight challenge to locate and photograph.  It is found on the grounds of a luxury resort called The Phoenician.  If you travel just briefly up N Phoenician Blvd from E Camelback Rd, you’ll see it on your left.  The building, known as the Jokake Inn, has no unique address separate from the large resort grounds, but the GPS coordinates are 33°30’14.1″N 111°57’04.5″W.  As you can see in the photo, there is a spot there to u turn out of the property.  If you proceed any further, there is a security checkpoint immediately ahead and no other place to turn around without passing through the checkpoint.

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LOCATION: Jokake Inn at The Phoenician, N Phoenician Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85018 (GPS coordinates: 33°30’14.1″N 111°57’04.5″W)

After trying to rob a store for some diapers, H.I. is chased by the police.  After he is ejected through the front window of a truck, he runs through this house, located in Scottsdate.

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LOCATION: 8620 E Malcomb Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85250

Near the end of the film, H.I. battles the bounty hunter Leonard Smalls near this water tower in Scottsdale.  Directly across the street was the bank location that Gale and Evelle rob, but it has since been demolished.  The buildings and water tower on the opposite side of the road still remain standing, however. This same location appears in the 1986 film “Cobra Mission” (a.k.a. “Operation Nam”).

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LOCATION: 27400 N Alma School Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85262

Little Giants (1994)

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The 1994 football comedy “Little Giants” supposedly takes place in the town of Urbania, Ohio.  However, most of the filming actually took place in the small Central California town of Arroyo Grande.  Producers felt they could match the look of Ohio there while keeping the advantages of filming in California.

One of the main locations featured is the gas station where the Little Giants practice over the course of the film.  The gas station is owned by Danny O’Shea (Rick Moranis), father of Becky “Icebox” O’Shea and coach of the Little Giants.  The gas station itself is located on Traffic Way and the location is seen from both the front and back in the film.  However, it’s the back of the location, facing Bridge St, which was featured the most.

Back when filming took place, the parking area was still dirt and not paved with cement as it is today.  The barn on the right was also featured in many scenes and still stands today.

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LOCATION: 139 Traffic Way, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 (back area faces Bridge St)

Here is the front of the gas station facing Traffic Way.  The kids are seen running a car wash out front in one scene.  In the film, there were gas pumps and a canopy extending out, which has since been removed.  The black pole on the right, which was the sign for the gas station, still remained.

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The owner of the shop kindly wrote in to let us know the building has since been renovated and offered this photo showing how the building now appears.

The Arroyo Grande Bridge is also seen frequently in the background as the kids practice football.  In one scene, rival coach Kevin O’Shea, played by Ed O’Neill, spies on the team from the bridge.  Built in 1908, the bridge really is located right next to the gas station location on Bridge St.

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LOCATION: Arroyo Grande Bridge, 118-142 Bridge St, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

Arroyo Grande is located almost halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco.  If you’re a fan of the film and find yourself making the drive between cities, some 90s nostalgia can be found tucked away in the small town.

The Party (1968)

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The 1968 comedy Peter Sellers comedy “The Party,” directed by Blake Edwards, is a gem of a film if you’ve never seen it.  The house of Mr. Clutterbuck serves as the central location of the film.  The exterior of the house can be found near West Hollywood, California.  The interiors were a set build at the former Samuel Goldwyn Studios (7200 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046).

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LOCATION: 9271 Robin Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90069

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Near the end of the film, Hrundi V. Bakshi, played by Sellers, drops Michele Monet, played by Claudine Longet, off at her apartment, which can also be found near West Hollywood.

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LOCATION: 1427 N Poinsettia Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90046

She’s All That (1999)

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The 1999 teen comedy “She’s All That,” starring Rachel Leigh Cook and Freddie Prinze Jr., was filmed entirely in Sourthern California.  Laney Boggs, played by Cook, lives at this house in Redondo Beach.

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LOCATION: 507 Paseo De La Playa, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

The home was only used for exterior shots.  Interior shots were filmed just across the street at 504 Paseo De La Playa, Redondo Beach, CA 90277.

The high school scenes were filmed at Torrance High School.  The same school was featured in the TV series “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” and “Beverly Hills, 90210.”

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LOCATION: 2200 W Carson St, Torrance, CA 90501

Last Action Hero (1993)

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The 1993 film “Last Action Hero” was shot mostly in Southern California, with a few additional scenes filmed in New York City.  Early in the film, Jack Slater, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, faces off against his nemesis, The Ripper, played by Tom Noonan.  These scenes were filmed at the Culver Hotel in Culver City.

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LOCATION: 9400 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

A magic ticket enters Danny, played by Austin O’Brien, into the movie. He proceeds to try to convince Slater, unsuccessfully, that he too is in a movie. Danny takes Slater to a video store in an attempt to point out other movies Arnold Schwarzenegger has appeared in. After coming across a standee for “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” Danny is shocked to see Sylvester Stallone on the image instead. These scenes were filmed at the Malibu Colony Plaza in Malibu. The two continue arguing out front after they leave the video store.

LOCATION: 23705 Malibu Rd, Malibu, CA 90265

Tony Vivaldi, played by Anthony Quinn, lives at this Mailbu estate.

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LOCATION: 28824 Cliffside Dr, Malibu, CA 90265

Jack Slater’s house can be found in Sherman Oaks.  A large gate has been built around the front, obscuring most of the view.

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LOCATION: 3831 Oakfield Dr, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

This angle of the back of the home, also seen in the film, remains a bit more visible.

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Late in the film, a mob funeral is held at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach.

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LOCATION: 200 S Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802

Reacher can be seen driving his car across the water here.

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Here is the entrance to the hotel, where Benedict, played by Charles Dance, is seen.

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Some Kind Of Wonderful (1987)

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The 1980s film “Some Kind of Wonderful,” written by John Hughes, was filmed entirely around Southern California.  Amanda, played by Lea Thompson, lives at this house located in Wilmington.

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LOCATION: 1319 W E St, Wilmington, CA 90744

Here is another view of the home.

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Keith, played by Eric Stoltz, lives at this home, also located in Wilmington.

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LOCATION: 1441 W I St, Wilmington, CA 90744

The high school scenes were filmed at the San Pedro High School.

LOCATION: 1001 W 15th St, San Pedro, CA 90731

Hardy Jenn’s house can be found in Central Los Angeles.

LOCATION: 516 S Hudson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Related articles: Pretty In Pink (1986)

Starman (1984)

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The 1984 sci-fi film “Starman,” directed by John Carpenter, was filmed in numerous locations, including Tennessee, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and Iowa.  Jenny, played by Karen Allen, tries to get Starman, played by Jeff Bridges, back home by taking him to the Meteor Crater Natural Landmark in Winslow, Arizona.  The crater site is privately owned.  However, it is open to public visitation and is a popular tourist destination.

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LOCATION: Meteor Crater Natural Landmark, Interstate 40, Winslow, AZ 86047

The photos do not do justice to how large and impressive the site is in person, but here is a panoramic view.

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Mr. Deeds (2002)

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The 2002 Adam Sandler comedy “Mr. Deeds” was largely filmed in New York City, with a few scenes filmed in California.  Longfellow Deeds, played by Adam Sandler, takes Babe Bennett, played by Winona Ryder, to Bethesda Terrace and Fountain in Central Park.  This area has been seen in countless films, such as “Home Alone 2: Lost In New York,” “The Avengers,” “John Wick,” “Elf,” “Ms. 45” and dozens more.

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LOCATION: 72 Terrace Dr, New York, NY 10021 (inside Central Park)

Babe tells Longfellow she grew up in this home, which can be found in Pasadena, California.

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LOCATION: 989 S Madison Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106

Independence Day (1996)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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LOCATION: Bonneville Salt Flats, UT 84083

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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”

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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.

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

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