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.

Embark on a self-guided tour and visit popular film sites from Amazon Prime Video's hit series, "The Summer I Turned Pretty." Based on the books by New York Times best-selling author, Jenny Han, "The Summer I Turned Pretty" follows Belly, a teenager who spends the summer in Cousins Beach reconnecting with two old friends, Conrad and Jeremiah. The series filmed in Wilmington and its nearby beaches. Visit locations like Fort Fisher State Historic Site in Kure Beach where Cam and Belly cycled along the trails or snap a photo where Taylor and Belly walk along the beach near Crystal Pier in Wrightsville Beach. In Carolina Beach, visit The Fat Pelican, where Laurel and Susannah decide to stop at a local bar. Season two is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video and features several local spots including downtown Wilmington's Hell's Kitchen and the Rooster & The Crow.

"Outer Banks," a popular Netflix series, is currently filming in the destination. The plot follows teenager John B (Chase Stokes) and three of his best friends, JJ (Rudy Pankow), Kiara (Madison Bailey) and Pope (Jonathan Daviss), as they search for legendary treasure. Season four filming locations include Crystal Pier and Oceanic Restaurant in Wrightsville Beach and Fort Fisher State Recreation Area in Kure Beach. Season four of "Outer Banks" is scheduled to premiere in 2024.

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

Film:
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.

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.

“I.S.S.,” a space thriller following astronauts who receive a distressing message from Earth, debuted during this year's Tribeca Film Festival. Put on by LD Entertainment, the movie stars Chris Messina and Pilou Asbaek and is directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite. The film will premiere Jan. 26, 2024 in select theaters.

"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." The movie debuted during the Tribeca Film Festival and the Chicago International Film Festival.

"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. Filming locations include Origins Food and Drink, the Common Desk and Hell's Kitchen. The film is now playing on Paramount+.

Season 2 of the Amazon Studio television series, "The Summer I Turned Pretty,” filmed at Carolina Beach Boardwalk, Cape Fear Country Club, 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 2 is now streaming on Prime Video.

"Florida Man," a television series starring Edgar Ramirez and Abbey Lee, is now streaming on Netflix. 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 the Rusty Nail, Wilmington Riverwalk, Jack Mackerel's Island Grill, Carolina Beach Boardwalk and Robert's Grocery.

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 is now streaming on Prime Video, Apple TV+ and Google Play.

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.

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.

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.