Vancouver is known as a go to for movie makers because of its stunning landscapes and urban spaces. The city has become ‘Hollywood North’ with blockbuster films, TV shows and commercials. However, Vancouver has other well known locations that have appeared on the big screen, but are less famous and less visited.
The Best Hidden Filming Locations in Vancouver
Lonsdale Quay, just on the other side of the water from Vancouver’s downtown, is one of the standout places. It’s an under the radar spot that’s appeared in several films but is mostly ignored by casual fans. The Queen Elizabeth Park is another must see hidden filming location, a lush setting with a beautiful backdrop and has been used in many romantic scenes. This is ideal for visitors who want to see less touristy areas but still feel that one of the magical movies was filmed here.
Vancouver’s Iconic Movie Sets You Should Visit
Vancouver has its fair share of hidden filming locations but the city also has famous movie sets which you absolutely should visit. It is also used for film and television, as the dense forests and scenery of Stanley Park are often used. “The X-Files” and multiple other productions were shot in the park. Gastown, with its cobble stones, old buildings, is another iconic set that is very popular when filming crime thriller or detective shows. They may be well known but hold a cinematic charm for visitors who are eager to walk in the same paths that their favourite stars walked.
Also, Vancouver’s reputation as a prime filming location is greatly attributed to its urban settings. Modern architecture, bustling streets and Downtown Vancouver frequently make an appearance in high budget action films such as ‘Mission:Impossible – Ghost Protocol’. Commercial Drive is a good option for a quieter, more intimate setting. This neighborhood of coffee shop, colorful buildings and has been featured in romantic comedies and indie films. Vancouverers dream of being filmed because of the juxtaposition of towering skyscrapers and quaint streets.
Vancouver’s Natural Landscapes in Film
The city has featured many epic films from snow capped mountains to dense forests. Just outside of the city, the Grouse Mountain area has been used in films such as “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” to get that eerie mountain setting. The rugged coastline of Deep Cove makes for the ideal location for action packed scenes or dramatic backdrops as you would find in many adventure and survival films. Vancouver has a cinematic edge of contrast between urban and nature settings.
How to Visit Vancouver’s Filming Locations
The city’s iconic movie spots, such as Stanley Park and Gastown, are in well traveled areas and you can walk through them on your own. But there are a few guided tours for more specific or less known sites that will bring you to filming locations of your most loved movies. If you are into going independently, there are online resources and apps that you can use to help you locate these cinematic spots on maps and also directions.
Vancouver as a Filming Location for International Cinema
It has used the city’s variety of settings to host productions from many countries around the world. For instance, the urban areas of Vancouver have been featured in Asian films because it bears a striking resemblance to many large metropolitan cities. With Canada being so close to the U.S. border and the fact it is quite affordable to film in Canada, the city is an ideal place for filmmakers from all over the world. Vancouver is an actual cinematic hub of the world.
Why Vancouver is the Ultimate Movie Destination
Vancouver’s film industry has prospered over the years, making it one of the world’s top movie and TV production locations. The city’s diverse landscape, from dense forests to urban settings, offers filmmakers a range of options for any genre. The reason Vancouver has grown is the city’s film friendly policies, the skilled crew base and affordability compared to other major cities. Vancouver’s film industry is not slowing down, and upcoming projects and expanding film infrastructure suggest that it won’t. Usually, the filming locations of the city are providing the global pop culture with familiar backdrops from the beloved movies and TV shows, and the city does not stop shaping the global pop culture.
Vancouver is Hollywood North for a reason! The city offers such diverse looks and is a great city for large scale feature films and smaller content creation.
If you want to get your location listed for filming we suggest registering with creative BC or a location library based in the city such as Location Fixer or Location Base.