WILMINGTON, N.C. (June 9, 2026) — Nicknamed “Hollywood East” and “Wilmywood,” Wilmington and its island beaches have become a hub for set-jetting, the trend of visiting real‑life filming locations from popular movies and TV shows, including “One Tree Hill,” “Dawson’s Creek” and “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” among others. Over the past four decades, the destination has served as a backdrop for more than 400 productions, transforming everything from seaside state parks to historic Southern gardens into iconic on‑screen settings.
Recent Productions Putting Wilmington in the Spotlight
In recent years, several hit television series have featured local beaches, attractions and historic sites, bringing fresh attention to the area:
- Amazon Prime’s “The Summer I Turned Pretty” filmed three seasons across Wilmington and its island beaches, including scenes at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk in Carolina Beach, Oceanic Restaurant in Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington locations such as The Cotton Exchange, Kilwin’s Chocolates, Fudge & Ice Cream, ARRIVE Wilmington and Trask Family Farms. Additional shots were filmed near Fort Fisher State Historic Site in Kure Beach. The production crew recently returned to the area to begin filming “The Summer I Turned Pretty: The Movie,” so fans can look forward to seeing the fictional “Cousins Beach” on screen again soon.
- Set and filmed in Wilmington, Amazon Prime’s “The Runarounds” features spots such as Dram Yard Restaurant, Bespoke and The Eagle's Dare. The series’ titular indie rock band has since evolved into a real-life touring band, whose growing success continues to spark interest in the group’s Wilmington roots.
- As ABC’s most-watched drama premiere in its original time slot since 2020, “R.J. Decker” filming locations included Seabird in Wilmington, SeaWitch Café and Tiki Bar in Carolina Beach and Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier in Wrightsville Beach, among others.
- Scenes from season four of Netflix’s popular teen drama “Outer Banks” were filmed at Wrightsville Beach’s Crystal Pier and Oceanic Restaurant, along with Kure Beach’s Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. The series’ creator — a North Carolina native — selected the islands’ easily accessible beaches to bring key moments to life, and the production team returned to the area in late 2025 to film scenes for the show’s fifth and final season. Wilmington also served as the backdrop for Netflix’s “The Waterfront,” which showcased locations such as The Cotton Exchange and Thalian Hall.
Cult Classics That Keep Fans Coming Back
Self-guided tours remain a major draw for visitors exploring filming locations from fan-favorite TV shows and movies:
- “One Tree Hill” filming sites include the Naley Bench along the Wilmington Riverwalk, as well as Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier. All nine seasons of the hit show were filmed in Wilmington, and more than 25 iconic “Tree Hill” landmarks are included on this map.
- Wilmington doubled as the fictional town of “Capeside” in “Dawson’s Creek” for all six seasons. Since the 1990s, fans have flocked to filming locations such as Airlie Gardens and New Hanover County Arboretum, each tied to memorable scenes from the series. Visit this link to access the full self-guided tour, which includes more than 30 filming locations.
- Marvel’s “Iron Man 3” filmed in Historic Downtown Wilmington along the Cape Fear River, while adaptations of Nicholas Sparks’ novels — including “Safe Haven” and “The Longest Ride” — highlight locations such as Bellevue Cemetery and Cameron Art Museum. The area has also appeared in big-screen horror movies, with box office hits like “Halloween Kills,” “Scream” (2022), and “The Black Phone” choosing Wilmington as their filming home. Viewers will also recognize longtime Wilmington spots such as Winnie’s Tavern and Barbary Coast on screen in David Lynch’s 1986 psychological thriller, “Blue Velvet.”
A Hub for Filmmakers and Fans
Wilmington’s creative spirit is celebrated annually at the Cucalorus Film Festival, which draws filmmakers and cinephiles from around the globe to experience independent cinema in a vibrant riverside setting. Year-round, the guided Wilmywood Movie & TV Location Walk gives visitors an up-close look at props and set pieces, along with behind-the-scenes stories from the city’s biggest hits.
Industry expansion has also continued in recent years. Cinespace Studios, a premier operator of production facilities in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Toronto and Wilmington, expanded its studio space in Wilmington in 2023, followed by Dark Horse Stages in 2024. These developments have further solidified the region’s role as a filmmaking hub.
“Wilmington and our island beaches offer high-quality production resources alongside a Southern coastal setting that resonates with filmmakers and audiences,” said Kim Hufham, President/CEO of the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority. “As new productions choose our destination and beloved classics continue to inspire travel, we’re seeing film tourism become an increasingly meaningful part of the visitor experience and local economy.”
For more information about Wilmington and its island beaches, visit WilmingtonandBeaches.com.
About Wilmington and Beaches CVB
The New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority [TDA], d/b/a Wilmington and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau [CVB], markets and develops the county and its communities’ leisure and group travel experiences for economic growth and quality of place. Visit us online at WilmingtonAndBeaches.com.
Media Contact:
WilmingtonandBeachesPR@fwv-us.com
