Famous Movies Filmed in California

Updated December 17, 2020 11.0k views896 items

List RulesThe movies below must have at least one major scene that was filmed in California

List of movies that were filmed in California, including trailers of the films when available. California has a lot of famous landmarks and beautiful landscapes, making it a great location to film movies in. This list of famous movies shot in California is listed by popularity, so the movie names at the top of the list are the most well-known. This isn't necessarily a list of all movies shot in California, so if you notice an important film is missing then feel free to add it at the bottom of this list.

List movies include Hard Candy, Finding Hope Now and many more.

If you're trying to answer the questions, "What films were shot in California?" and "Which famous movies were filmed in California?" then you'e in the right place.

Both big studio and independent films that were filmed in California are included below, as well as all genres including horror, action, comedy and more.

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1
Pulp Fiction
John Travolta, Bruce Willis
Released: 1994
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
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Avatar
Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver
Released: 2009
Directed by: James Cameron
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3
Blade Runner
Harrison Ford, Daryl Hannah
Released: 1982
Directed by: Ridley Scott
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Jaws
Steven Spielberg, Richard Dreyfuss
Released: 1975
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
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5
The Big Lebowski
Julianne Moore, Jeff Bridges
Released: 1998
Directed by: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
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6
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Edward Furlong
Released: 1991
Directed by: James Cameron
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7
The Matrix
Keanu Reeves, Hugo Weaving
Released: 1999
Directed by: Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
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8
Die Hard
Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman
Released: 1988
Directed by: John McTiernan
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9
The Terminator
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bill Paxton
Released: 1984
Directed by: James Cameron
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10
Reservoir Dogs
Quentin Tarantino, Steve Buscemi
Released: 1992
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
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11
The Hangover
Mike Tyson, Bradley Cooper
Released: 2009
Directed by: Todd Phillips
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12
Donnie Darko
Drew Barrymore, Ashley Tisdale
Released: 2001
Directed by: Richard Kelly
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13
Blazing Saddles
Mel Brooks, Gene Wilder
Released: 1974
Directed by: Mel Brooks
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14
Grease
John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John
Released: 1978
Directed by: Randal Kleiser
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15
Scream
Drew Barrymore, Rose McGowan
Released: 1996
Directed by: Wes Craven
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16
Top Gun
Tom Cruise, Meg Ryan
Released: 1986
Directed by: Tony Scott
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17
Airplane!
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Leslie Nielsen
Released: 1980
Directed by: Jerry Zucker, Jim Abrahams, David Zucker
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18
Iron Man
Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard
Released: 2008
Directed by: Jon Favreau
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19
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Johnny Depp, Robert Englund
Released: 1984
Directed by: Wes Craven
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Thor
Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman
Released: 2011
Directed by: Kenneth Branagh
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21
Star Trek
Zoe Saldana, Jennifer Morrison
Released: 2009
Directed by: J.J. Abrams
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22
American Beauty
Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening
Released: 1999
Directed by: Sam Mendes
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23
Iron Man 2
Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow
Released: 2010
Directed by: Jon Favreau
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24
Memento
Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss
Released: 2000
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
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25
Army of Darkness
Bridget Fonda, Bruce Campbell
Released: 1992
Directed by: Sam Raimi
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