There’s nothing like a good trip to the movies, ad it’s even more exciting when you realize the film you’re watching was made right in your own hometown. Everyone thinks of places like Hollywood or New York City when it comes to filmmaking, but did you know there have been plenty of movies made right here in Pennsylvania?
Not only has the Keystone State hosted some of our favorite movie stars, there are plenty of movies that our own South Central PA is featured in. And why not? The area we live in is beautiful, and if you’re looking for an idea for your next movie night, something that was filmed close to home could make it even more fun. After that, you could even stop by the filming locations to get a close-up look at your new favorite movies.
READ: 2023 Guide to Summer Camps in South Central PA
Girl, Interrupted
Us 90s moms will remember the Winona Ryder-Angelina Jolie film about a girl who lands in a psychiatric hospital after a suicide attempt. The film, which racked up numerous awards for Jolie in particular, was filmed largely in Mechanicsburg in Cumberland County. The hospital scenes were filmed at Harrisburg State Hospital, formerly known as the Pennsylvania State Lunatic Hospital. Other parts of Harrisburg can be seen in the movie, like the Capitol building and State Street Bridge.
The Last Airbender
The fantasy film, based on the Nickelodeon series, did a lot of filming Pennsylvania. Though the crew began filming in Greenland, they moved to Berks County for the rest of the movie. Filming locations included the Pagoda in Reading, the William Penn Memorial Fire Tower, and in Ontelaunee Township.
Mannequin
Who else loved this 80s classic rom-com? Though much of the movie was made in Philadelphia, it was also filmed in Hershey and Harrisburg. Filmmakers used the Hotel Hershey — specifically, the gardens — as well as the Camp Hill Shopping Center.
Thomas and the Magic Railroad
If your little ones love the Thomas movies, they’ll especially love this one — they might get a glimpse of their own backyard! Starring Mara Wilson, Alec Baldwin, and Peter Fonda, filming took place in Strasburg and Harrisburg. If your kiddos want to see real-life trains after watching the movie, they can stop by the Harrisburg Transportation Center, and catch them up close!
For Richer of Poorer
This comedy, featuring Tim Allen and Kirstie Alley, was filmed in Maryland, but also stopped by York County for some of the scenes set in Amish country. You can stop by the Muddy Creek Forks historic district to see some of the movie’s locales in real life.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Hugh Jackman took another turn as the titular comic book hero, who — in both the comics and the movies — is Canadian. It makes sense that the vast majority of the movie was filmed in Canada. However, the finale, where Wolverine fights Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool, was set here in Pennsylvania! Though it was filmed elsewhere, we included this one because who doesn’t love Marvel? The movie’s heroes end up at Three Mile Island in the Susquehanna River, in Harrisburg.
Witness
This drama, starring Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis, again takes place in Amish country. Much of the movie was filmed in Philadelphia, but they also ventured into South Central Pennsylvania, filming in Intercourse, Lancaster, Strasburg, and Parkesburg. It also had its world premiere at the Fulton Opera House, instead of in Hollywood or New York City.
Beloved
This adaptation of Toni Morrison’s classic novel, starring Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover, was filmed partly in Philadelphia before moving to the Lancaster area. The Schuylkill River, in the Valley Forge National Historical Park, was featured, as well as the Landis Valley Museum in Lancaster.
What are your favorite movies filmed in Pennsylvania?
