Serving as the backdrop for many beloved movies and hit TV series, Wilmington and its island beaches stand as a premier destination for film production. With more than 400 projects to its credit, the area has earned the nicknames “Hollywood East” and “Wilmywood.” Embark on a set-jetting vacation to this historic riverfront city and its three nearby beaches and explore local locations – from a seaside state park to picturesque Southern gardens – that have been transformed into the settings of your favorite productions.
Featured Films
Known as one of the South's most actively haunted cities, Wilmington’s storied past and ghostly locations have made it a backdrop for numerous horror films. These include "Firestarter," which debuted in theaters 40 years ago, as well as more recent productions. "Halloween Kills" converted parts of Cape Fear Community College’s campus into Haddonfield Memorial Hospital, "Scream" used Williston Middle School to represent Woodsboro High and "The Black Phone" featured Cape Fear Optimist Park’s baseball field.
If horror isn’t your genre, Wilmington has also been the setting for other popular movies, including “Iron Man 3,” which filmed scenes downtown along the Cape Fear. Nicholas Sparks' "Safe Haven" and "The Longest Ride" feature local landmarks like Bellevue Cemetery and the Graystone Inn.
Cult Classic TV-Shows
Step into the world of Tree Hill, N.C., on a walking tour of the iconic filming sites featured in the popular teen drama, “One Tree Hill,” with this guide. Throughout the show's nine seasons, local businesses and landmarks became familiar backdrops. Visit Wilmington’s award-winning Riverwalk to discover the famous Naley Bench, and nearby Blue Post Billiards, where Lucas and Brooke had their tattoo date. Explore Fort Fisher State Recreation Area in Kure Beach, where Nathan and Haley were married. Head to Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier in Wrightsville Beach, where Brooke and Lucas kissed during the beach party in the third season.
“Dawson's Creek” captivated audiences for six seasons, and the Wilmington area doubled as the show’s fictitious coastal town, Capeside. Using our walking tour guide, explore locations that played pivotal roles in the show, including Airlie Gardens’ Bradley Creek Lawn, the venue of Joey and Dawson’s dream wedding, Hell’s Kitchen, also known as Molly’s Market, and the New Hanover County Arboretum’s Ability Garden, where Jen said her final goodbyes to her daughter in the series finale.
Popular Recent Releases
Amazon Prime TV’s "The Summer I Turned Pretty" chronicles the summer adventures of Belly, a teenager who spends her summers at Cousins Beach. Multiple seasons of the series have filmed in the area, including Fort Fisher State Historic Site in Kure Beach, the vintage seaside Carolina Beach Boardwalk and The Fat Pelican in Carolina Beach, as well as Wilmington spots like Hell's Kitchen and the Rooster & The Crow. The series returned to the area to film its third and final season, which debuted in July 2025.
In its fourth season, the popular teen Netflix series "Outer Banks" filmed scenes at Wrightsville Beach’s Crystal Pier and Oceanic Restaurant, along with Kure Beach’s Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. Local to the area, the series filmmaker revisited his roots by choosing Wilmington’s easily accessible beaches for shooting.
Netflix’s “The Waterfront” has drawn national attention following its release in June 2025. Many locations in Wilmington were transformed into settings for the fictional town of Havenport. The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce served as the town’s hospital, and the downtown post office was reimagined as the Carter County Courthouse. The Basics, located in The Cotton Exchange, was the scene of the restaurant where Belle and Wes had dinner in Episode 2.
Two anticipated Amazon Prime releases – the series “The Runarounds” and the film “Merv” starring Zooey Deschanel and Charlie Cox – have also transformed several local spots into filming locations.
An Industry and Fan Favorite
The city's annual Cucalorus Film Festival, recognized as one of the “Coolest Film Festivals in the World" by MovieMaker, is celebrating its 31st anniversary in November. This annual non-competitive festival and its beautiful riverside city setting draw cinephiles from around the globe. In addition, local film industry expansion is on the horizon as CineSpace, formerly known as EUE/Screen Gems Studios, is adding more studio space in Wilmington to accommodate a surge in production.
With a reputation as an enviable filming location among industry professionals and an exciting sightseeing destination for fans, “Wilmywood” is where your favorite productions come to life. Plan your set-jetting vacation and create unforgettable memories worthy of the big screen.
