Wilmington's Famous Film and TV Sites

You'll think you're back in Tree Hill as you make your way through Wilmington with the self-guided One Tree Hill locations tour. Explore popular and recognizable film locations like "The Naley Bench" overlooking the Cape Fear River on the Riverwalk, Greenfield Lake Park, the backdrop to Lucas and Peyton's wedding in season six, or Wilmington's Harry Forden Bridge (694 N. Sixth St.), the one-lane metal truss bridge that appears in the show's opening sequence in seasons 1-4. Join TRIC Tours for an exclusive look inside the iconic TRIC Nightclub in downtown Wilmington. This self-guided tour features replica props from Chase's apartment and Peyton's bedroom, the original Red Bedroom Records door and more. Afterwards, shop for exclusive merchandise at the OTHmerch Souvenir Shop. 

Transport yourself to Capeside with the Dawson's Creek self-guided tour to dozens of locations in Wilmington made famous by the popular WB series, "Dawson’s Creek." Follow along the tour to find popular film sites like Hell's Kitchen, which served as a Mollye's Market during season 2-4 and where the Hell's Belles band often performed scenes. Or, spot multiple sites along the Wilmington Riverwalk like where Andie and Pacey's first kissed across from the Alton Lennon Federal Courthouse, located at the foot of Market Street and Water Street. After, head to Airlie Gardens' Bradley Creek Lawn, which served as the location of Joey and Dawson's dream wedding or stop by the New Hanover County Arboretum's Ability Garden where Jen said her goodbyes to her daughter in the final episode. 

An untitled Starz TV production is currently filming in Wilmington. Starring Joshua Jackson from "Dawson's Creek" and Tony-nominated actress Lauren Ridloff from "The Walking Dead," the romantic drama will follow a deaf woman who enters an extraordinary relationship with a hearing man. Filming locations include Jackson's Big Oak Barbecue and Grinders Cafe. 

These movies and TV shows recently wrapped up filming. Keep an eye out for their release date!

Film: 
"Zoey 102," a movie sequel to the hit Nickelodeon television series "Zoey 101," was filmed in Wilmington. The movie takes place present day and follows the original "Zoey 101" characters, including Zoey Brooks (Jamie Lynn Spears), Erin Sanders (Quinn Pensky), Matthew Underwood (Logan Reese) and more when they reunite for a wedding. The film is slated to premiere on Paramount+ and Nickelodeon later this year. 

Based on a best-selling novel by Edward Kelsey Moore, "The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat" follows three lifelong friends, nicknamed The Supremes, who find their friendship tested when one is faced with a major life crisis. Emmy award-winning Uzo Adubo from “Orange is the New Black,” Sanaa Lathan from “Love & Basketball” and Oscar-nominated Aunjanue Ellis from “King Richard” lead the cast as The Supremes.

"Boys of Summer," a mystery thriller, stars Academy Award-winning director and actor Mel Gibson and rising actor Mason Thames. The plot follows a local boy who begins to suspect a supernatural entity is hunting the children on Martha’s Vineyard.

"Eric LaRue," a drama film produced by debut director and Academy Award-nominated Michael Shannon, tells the story of Janice, a mother of a teenage who shot and killed three of his classmates. The film stars Judy Geer from "Halloween Kills," Alison Pill from "American Horror Story" and Alexander Skarsgård from "True Blood."

TV Series:
Season 3 of "Hightown," a Starz series and television drama, continues the story of a woman’s journey to sobriety that is overshadowed by a murder she feels she must solve. Seasons 1 and 2 are available for streaming on the Starz website.

Season 2 of the Amazon Studio television series, "The Summer I Turned Pretty,” filmed at Carolina Beach Boardwalk, Kure Beach and Fort Fisher. The series continues to follow teenager Belly (Lola Tung) as she spends the summer at Cousin's Beach reconnecting with two old friends, Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno). Season 1 is currently streaming on Prime Video.

A feature film by Highland Film Group, "One True Loves," stars Phillipa So and Simu Liu. The story follows Emma whose husband went missing on their wedding anniversary. When he’s found alive years later, Emma, newly engaged to another man, must choose between the two. The film will debut in theaters April 7 and on digital April 14.

"Florida Man," a Netflix series starring Edgar Ramirez and Abbey Lee, will begin streaming April 13. The series follows a former cop who travels from Philadelphia to his home state of Florida for a quick gig. His job is to hunt down a mobster's fugitive girlfriend, but his journey turns into a discovery of buried family secrets. Filming locations include Wilmington International Airport, Wilmington and Carolina Beach. 

Starring Oscar-nominated actors Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain, "George and Tammy," a Showtime film production, is now available on Showtime and the streaming platform Paramount. The film is based on the book written by the couple's daughter, Georgette Jones, and follows the marriage and life of country music couple George Jones and Tammy Wynette. Filming locations include Legion Stadium, historic Thalian Hall and The Rusty Nail. 

Following two identical twins, Leni and Gena, who share a dangerous secret, "Echoes," is now streaming on Netflix. Both have secretly swapped lives and are living a double life as adults. Everything is perfectly choreographed until one of the sisters goes missing. The mini-series stars Matt Bomer and Michelle Monaghan and filmed in Wilmington, including at Jess James + Co, Greenfield Lake and The Verandas.

You'll be surprised by the number of stars who have filmed in Wilmington and our island beaches. Browse through an extensive listing of stars, including many Oscar, Grammy and Tony Award-winners, who've worked on productions filmed here and see how many you recognize. 

Dubbed as one of the largest film festivals in the South and recognized by Moviemaker Magazine as "One of the Coolest Film Festivals in the World," Cucalorus Film Festival attracts filmmakers, dancers, performers and cultural travelers from all over the world to Wilmington to celebrate the film industry. This annual festival features more than 90 films from around the world, events and a diverse selection of stage performances over the course of five days each November.  

If you're looking for one of the most popular filming locations from box office movies and top-rated TV shows, head to Airlie Gardens in Wilmington. Discover film locations featured in "King Kong Lives," Nicholas Spark's "The Choice," "Black Knight," the "Sleepy Hollow" and "Dawson's Creek" TV series and more with their Filmed at Airlie brochure.