Oscar week is upon us. That means film buffs far and wide are more inclined to have movies on the brain, even more than usual. It may even inspire some to go back and rewatch their favorites from years past. While storyline premises for so many Hollywood hits tend to center around the same cliché locations (big-name cities and such), there have been several others that take place in less assuming locations, even within the Mid-Atlantic region. The state of Maryland, in particular, has served as the home base location for various films through the years. What’s more, many of the state’s recognizable places have even been used in actual film shoots. And for the keen-eyed Maryland moviegoer who looks closely enough, you can recognize many familiar haunts in your upcoming rewatches. Here are just a couple of movies that were shot on location in your home state of Maryland.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Fans of this 1999 horror flick may recall how Hollywood originally tried to pass it off as recovered documentary footage taken by a couple of student filmmakers, who reportedly hiked the Black Hills of Burkittsville to cover a mythical legend about a witch historically said to inhabit the area. While this film gets plenty of credit for pioneering all the mockumentary-style works that have since followed, it was still insultingly fictional to avid history buffs and the Burkittsville residents who felt heavily violated by the onsite production and the unwanted attention to the surrounding area. Perhaps the only authenticity to its credit lies in the fact that it was filmed locally, and you can even catch various references to other nearby places, including Wheaton, Rockville, and Gaithersburg.
Cry-Baby (1990)
Despite being one of Johnny Depp’s earlier works, and a musical one at that, this film today is almost entirely obscure. The plot centers around a group of juvenile delinquents living in Baltimore during the 1950s and was even shot on location in many areas throughout the state. Some of the more recognizable areas highlighted in the movie include the now-closed Enchanted Forest theme park in Ellicott City, Hampden, Jessup, Sykesville, and even Reisterstown. The only filming onside of Maryland took place at Golden Oak Ranch in Santa Clarita, California.
Failure to Launch (2006)
Remember this comedy (starring Matthew McConaughey and Sarah Jessica Parker) about a man in his mid-30s still living at home with his parents in Baltimore? Well, not only does the premise take place locally, but several of the movie’s scenes were filmed throughout the state as well. You’ll notice Baltimore callouts, of course, but you may also recognize the areas of St. Michaels, Annapolis, and the Town of Oxford in Talbot County.
The First Kiss (1928)
You’ll be forgiven for not remembering this film. It did, after all, come out 96 years ago and was a silent feature film at that. Starring Gary Cooper and Fay Wray, the story follows a fisherman living on the Chesapeake Bay who turns to a life of piracy in order to score enough money to wed a society girl he’s fallen for. The movie was filmed on location in St. Michaels, Maryland, and as the story goes, during filming actress Fay Wray even fell off the boat into the Chesapeake and had to be rescued by her co-star Gary Cooper, who jumped in after her.
Hairspray (1988)
This well-known musical is renowned for being based in Baltimore, Maryland, and there have been more than a couple of film adaptations released through the years. But it was the version from 1988 (starring Ricki Lake) that was shot on location too. Upon rewatching, many area residents should be able to spot several of the more obvious Charm City callouts. Other points of interest worth noting include Perry Hall High School (where the school scenes were shot), the Harry Dorsey Gough coat-of-arms (in the principal’s office), and others. Pennsylvania neighbors also take note that the fictionalized Tilted Acres amusement park is really Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown.
He’s Just Not That Into You (2009)
Not only does this 2009 romantic comedy-drama take place (once again) in Baltimore, but it was largely filmed in the area as well. The main locations you’ll recognize are those within the neighborhoods of Brewers Hill and other parts of Canton. Pay special attention to such callouts as signage for Mr. Boh and Domino Sugar, a Clipper City brand beer, and more. There’s even a humorous crab-eating reference made at a wedding in which guests are informed that the “yellow stuff” isn’t hot mustard.
He Said, She Said (1991)
Here is another plot that is blatantly Baltimore-based. Starring Kevin Bacon and Elizabeth Perkins as two contributors working for The Baltimore Sun, various locales are even highlighted throughout the movie. That’s because it was filmed largely onsite in Baltimore and surrounding areas in the surrounding region. I can attest to this personally, given how my family and I all appeared briefly as extras at Uncle Olaf’s wedding—shot in Phoenix, Maryland.
Ladder 49 (2004)
Starring John Travolta and Joaquin Phoenix, this drama from 2004 not only centers around Baltimore firemen but was also shot on location. You will undoubtedly spot a familiar Baltimore waterfront building used in various shots along with other locations throughout Charm City, Curtis Bay, and even in Annapolis.
Major League II (1994)
While thinking back to this Major League sequel starring Charlie Sheen, you may be scratching your head, seeing how it doesn’t even take place in Maryland. Even so, many of the film’s scenes were shot onsite in Baltimore City. Because Cleveland Stadium was to be demolished in just a few short years of the film’s release, our very own Oriole Park at Camden Yards assumed the façade rather well. The Baltimore Memorial Stadium was also used and even Zella’s Pizzeria on Hollins Street appeared as the dining location for characters Vaughn and Nikki. Pennsylvania residents also note that nearby Harrisburg locations were used in the movie too.
National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007)
Both National Treasure (2004) and its 2007 sequel feature various locales within the greater Washington, D.C. region. But there is a special scholastic callout in the latter of the two when we discover where Ben’s (Nicolas Cage) mother Emily (Helen Mirren) works. She is none other than a professor at the University of Maryland, College Park. Not only is the school directly referenced in the movie, but filming took place on campus as well—an extra special treat for residents and alums alike.
Patriot Games (1992)
Befittingly enough, given its action-packed plot, several scenes from this 1992 thriller starring Harrison Ford were filmed onsite at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. Another unique claim to fame for Virginia fans to take note of is that this was the first-ever movie granted permission to film directly on location at the George Bush Center for Intelligence, the official CIA Headquarters.
Runaway Bride (1999)
The fictitious small town of Hale, Maryland, which Maggie (Julia Robert’s character) calls home in Runaway Bride, isn’t as fictional as you may have originally been led to believe. You probably know it better as the Eastern Shore’s quaint Berlin, Maryland in Worcester County. Not only was the film based in Maryland but it was primarily shot on location here as well. Observant rewatching fans of today will notice several markers and callouts to Main Street, specifically, including surrounding shops. Many of the area locals were even called on to appear as extras.
Step Up (2006)
Because the Step Up film franchise has released various sequels over the years, it may be easy to forget that the very first installment takes place in Baltimore, Maryland. With its plot centering around dance students at the Maryland School for the Arts, it goes without saying that upon reviewing the original movie you get to see plenty of familiar hometown highlights flash across the screen. While referenced, the Maryland School for the Arts did not serve as an actual onsite filming location, however. Rather, the school scenes were shot at Booker T. Washington Middle School on McCulloh Street. Other filming locations a keen observer may recognize include Sagamore Pendry Warehouse (site of the rehearsal hall) and 2000 St. Paul Street, where the basketball court scenes were shot.
Tin Men (1987)
Here’s a throwback American comedy from the 1980s that also took place in the heart of Baltimore City. Starring Richard Dreyfuss and Danny DeVito as rival door-to-door aluminum siding salesmen in the 1960s, it too was shot on location with many in-film references being observed. There’s even a callout to the then “newly formed” Maryland Home Improvement Mission.
Also note that director Barry Levinson, who is in fact from Baltimore, also released several other films set in his hometown. These included Diner in 1982, Avalon in 1990, and Liberty Heights in 1999.
Tuck Everlasting (2002)
Let the record show that the town of Berlin, Maryland didn’t only double for one fictional town. It also made the transformation into the charming town of Treegap when it was featured in Disney’s Tuck Everlasting back in 2002. In the movie, you even get to see Main Street appear in its more recognizable modern form as well as a turn-of-the-20th-century depiction. Other Maryland locations also served as shooting locations for the film, including Kilgore Falls in Harford County and even Loch Raven Reservoir in Towson.
Violets Are Blue (1986)
When Sissy Spacek ventured to the Eastern Shore to film the aforementioned Tuck Everlasting, it wasn’t the first time she came to town to shoot a movie. Back in 1986, she appeared with Kevin Kline in the movie Violets Are Blue—a film about two former high school sweethearts who are reunited at a Maryland coastal resort. The coastal resort in question was none other than Ocean City, Maryland. Viewers even get a real treat in eye candy with all the Boardwalk shots featured on screen. Other filming locations for this production included Baltimore and on-the-waters of the Chesapeake Bay.
Wedding Crashers (2005)
This popular comedy, which made it controversially fashionable to crash weddings, also did well in putting Maryland on the map. With a plot largely based in the D.C. region, plenty of shooting took place in locations throughout Maryland. For instance, you may have noticed that the Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels played host to the very famous Cleary wedding reception scene. Also, it was the 54-acre Ellenborough Estate in Easton (Talbot County) that doubled as the Cleary family house.
These are just a couple of the many movies that have been filmed on location (or partially) in Maryland. But several others could easily be added to the list in addition. So, whether you’re looking for a couple of locally based throwbacks to binge on before the Oscars this Sunday or you’re interested in a cinema-focused road trip to take in your home state, these productions provide the perfect starting point.