Did You Know, Wilmington? More Than 400 Productions Have Been Filmed Here!

Did you know the Wilmington area has been the backdrop for more than 400 film and television productions over the past four decades? It’s one reason our coastal community has earned the nicknames Hollywood East and Wilmywood.

How Wilmington Became Hollywood East

Wilmington’s modern film industry took off in 1983 with the production of Firestarter. A film studio opened the following year, helping establish the area as a destination for productions of all sizes. Today, the region’s film history stretches across decades of movies and television productions.

From historic downtown streets to local beaches and gardens, Wilmington offers a variety of settings that can stand in for places all over the country.

That’s one of the things I love about living here: our everyday surroundings have stories many people don’t know!

6 Famous Productions Filmed Around Wilmington

1. Dawson’s Creek

The beloved teen drama was filmed in Wilmington for years. The city and nearby beaches became the fictional town of Capeside, and fans can still explore recognizable locations around town.

2. One Tree Hill

Wilmington stood in for the fictional town of Tree Hill. The series made local streets and landmarks familiar to fans around the world.

3. The Summer I Turned Pretty

This popular series brought fresh attention to our coastal area. Filming locations have included Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, downtown Wilmington, and nearby Southport.

4. Iron Man 3

The Marvel blockbuster filmed scenes in the Wilmington area, adding a superhero production to our local film history.

5. The Conjuring

This supernatural movie was filmed in the region, proving Wilmington’s scenery can be the setting for more than just romance and beach stories.

6. Scream

The 2022 installment of the famous horror franchise filmed in Wilmington, bringing another major production to our area.

Discover More Local Filming Locations

Want to discover even more movies and television shows, dates, and locations around Wilmington? Explore these resources from the UNCW Library: Local Movies and Local TV.