British Columbia is a go-to destination for many movie producers. Scores of blockbuster hits have set up their stages in B.C.’s picturesque scenery. Vancouver, in particular, is a popular destination and has certainly earned the nickname “Hollywood North”.
Here are 20 popular films you didn't realize were shot in Western Canada:
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Gross revenue: $14,482,031
Actors: Amy Adams, Christopher Waltz & Danny Huston
Director: Tim Burton
Year: 2014
About the movie: Based on the true story of Walter Keane, who achieved fame and fortune with his paintings of saucer-eyed children. However, the paintings were really done by Walter’s wife, Margaret, and the truth came out during their divorce.
Where in BC it was filmed: A lot of the filming for this movie occurred in Vancouver, in such places as Stanley Park, The Penthouse Night Club, Gastown and the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Apollo 18
Gross revenue: $17,687,709
Actors: Warren Christie, Lloyd Owen & Ryan Robbins
Director: Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego
Year: 2011
About the movie: The story of a secret lunar voyage that ended badly.
Where in BC it was filmed: This film was shot in Vancouver.
Marmaduke
Gross revenue: $33,644,788
Actors: Owen Wilson, Judy Greer & Lee Pace
Director: Tom Dey
Year: 2010
About the movie: A movie about the life and times of a loveable Great Dane as he and his family adjust to a new life in California.
Where in BC it was filmed: In addition to filming on location in California, many scenes were also shot in Vancouver, specifically Vancouver Technical Secondary School.
If I Stay
Gross revenue: $50,474,843
Actors: Chloe Grace Moretz, Mireille Enos & Jamie Blackley
Director: R.J. Culter
Year: 2014
About the movie: After a tragic car crash, Mia, a talented young musician, hangs between life and death and she must decide if her future is worth living, and fighting, for.
Where in BC it was filmed: Scenes from this movie were shot in Vancouver, Coquitlam and the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at the University of British Columbia.
This Means War
Gross revenue: $54,760,791
Actors: Reese Witherspoon, Tom Hardy, Chris Pine & Chelsea Handler
Director: McG
Year: 2012
About the movie: Two elite CIA agents fight for the love of the same woman.
Where in BC it was filmed: Parts of this film were shot in downtown Vancouver, the Vancouver Public Library, The Blarney Stone and the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Percy Jackson: Sea Of Monsters
Gross revenue: $68,559,554
Actors: Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario & Brandon T. Jackson
Director: Thor Freudenthal
Year: 2013
About the movie: Percy, the half-human son of Poseidon, must save Camp Half-Blood from a horde of mythical beasts.
Where in BC it was filmed: Filming locations included the Pacific National Exhibition, the Vancouver Art Gallery, the city of Vancouver, Belcarra Regional Park and Burnaby.
Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief
Gross revenue: $88,768,303
Actors: Logan Lerman, Kevin McKidd & Steve Coogan
Director: Chris Columbus
Year: 2010
About the movie: Teenager Percy Jackson learns he is the son of Poseidon. At the training grounds for children of deities, Percy learns to harness his powers for a mission to save Earth from a feud brewing amongst the Olympians.
Where in BC it was filmed: Parts of this film were shot in Vancouver, Mission and the Westin Bayshore Hotel in Vancouver.
Tomorrowland
Gross revenue: $91,491,719
Actors: George Clooney, Britt Robertson & Hugh Laurie
Director: Brad Bird
Year: 2015
About the movie: Casey Newton discovers she can travel to the future city of Tomorrowland.
Where in BC it was filmed: Filming for this futuristic Disney movie took place in eight BC cities: Enderby, Armstrong, Richmond, Surrey, Burnaby, Delta, Langley and Vancouver.
Juno
Gross revenue: $143,495,265
Actors: Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner & Jason Bateman
Director: Jason Reitman
Year: 2007
About the movie: When teenager Juno MacGuff learns she is pregnant, she chooses a failed rock star and his wife to be the adoptive parents. When the father-to-be starts to see Juno as more than the mother of his future child, it puts the adoption at risk.
Where in BC it was filmed: The filming for this movie took place in several locations across BC, including the Hanna Medical Clinic in Burnaby, the Coquitlam Centre Mall, Eric Hamber Secondary School in Vancouver and the cities of Port Coquitlam, Vancouver, White Rock and Burnaby.
50 Shades Of Grey
Gross revenue: $166,167,230
Actors: Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan
Director: Sam Taylor-Johnson
Year: 2015
About the movie: A sexual film based on the relationship between college student Anastasia Steele and prominent businessman Christian Grey.
Where in BC it was filmed: Filming for this movie mostly took place in Vancouver, including scenes shot in Gastown, Vancouver’s Coal Harbour, Oceanic Plaza, the University of British Columbia and the Bentall Centre in downtown Vancouver.
Fantastic Four
Gross revenue: $330,579,719
Actors: Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Kerry Washington, Ioan Gruffudd & Michael Chiklis
Director: Tim Story
Year: 2005
About the movie: While completing research in space, five scientists are exposed to a cosmic storm that gives them superpowers. Four of them use their powers for good, while the other vows revenge.
Where in BC it was filmed: Filming locations for Fantastic Four included the Central City building in Surrey and the University of British Columbia’s downtown campus.
I, Robot
Gross revenue: $347,234,916
Actors: Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan
Director: Francis Lawrence
Year: 2004
About the movie: In the year 2035, highly intelligent robots plan to enslave the human race and Detective Del Spooner attempts to stop the madness, despite his tragic past with robots.
Where in BC it was filmed: Most of this futuristic movie was filmed and produced in Vancouver, with scenes also shot in New Westminster and Surrey.
Night At The Museum: Battle Of The Smithsonian
Gross revenue: $413,106,170
Actors: Ben Stiller, Amy Adams, Owen Wilson, Robin Williams, Ricky Gervais & Bill Hader
Director: Shawn Levy
Year: 2009
About the movie: In this sequel to Night At The Museum, former night guard Larry learns that many of his museum friends have been moved to the Smithsonian Institution and now four of them are planning a hostile takeover.
Where in BC it was filmed: Although most of the movie was shot at the Smithsonian – the first time the museum has opened its doors to filming – many other scenes were shot in Vancouver and the in-studio work was completed at Mammoth Studios in Burnaby.
Godzilla
Gross revenue: $440,995,911
Actors: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Bryan Cranston
Director: Matt Reeves
Year: 2014
About the movie: Godzilla, King of the Monsters, rises up from the sea to do battle with creatures that are threatening humanity.
Where in BC it was filmed: This hit includes scenes that were shot all over the Lower Mainland, as well as Nanaimo and New Westminster.
X-Men: The Last Stand
Gross revenue: $459,359,555
Actors: Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Famke Janssen, Anna Paquin & Kelsey Grammer
Director: Brett Ratner
Year: 2006
About the movie: When scientists discover a cure for mutation, mutants must decide if they want to become human or retain their unique powers and continue to be ostracized by the public. War and a clash of ideals rises between Charles Xavier and Magneto, as well as their followers.
Where in BC it was filmed: As in the other X-Men movies, X-Men: The Last Stand was filmed mostly in BC, including Hatley Castle in Colwood, Tsawwassen, Golden Ears Provincial Park, the University of British Columbia, the Vancouver Art Gallery and the cities of Vancouver and Victoria.
Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes
Gross revenue: $481,800,873
Actors: Andy Serkis, James Franco & John Lithgow
Director: Matt Reeves
Year: 2011
About the movie: An experimental drug for Alzheimer’s gives an infant chimp above-average intelligence. As he grows and continues to take the drug, his intelligence also grows and he becomes a threat to humans.
Where in BC it was filmed: This blockbuster film was shot almost entirely in Vancouver, and a majority of the studio work was completed at Mammoth Studios in Burnaby. Specific locations include Robert Burnaby Park in East Burnaby and the Pacific National Exhibition Grounds in Vancouver.
Man Of Steel
Gross revenue: $668,045,518
Actors: Henry Canill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Diane Lane & Russell Crowe
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Year: 2013
About the movie: With the looming destruction of the planet Krypton, Jor-El and his wife send their infant son to Earth in an effort to preserve their race. The spacecraft lands on the Kent farm, where a childless couple adopts the infant and they name him Clark. As he grows older, Clark begins to discover his unique powers and he works to save his loved ones from a threatening situation.
Where in BC it was filmed: Although most of this film was shot in Vancouver, it can be hard to tell with all of the additional studio work and green screens used. Other locations include Ucluelet, Nanaimo and Mount Seymour Park.
Mission Impossible IV: Ghost Protocol
Gross revenue: $694,713,380
Actors: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton
Director: J.J. Abrams
Year: 2011
About the movie: Ethan Hunt and his team are blamed for a terrorist attack. Disavowed by the US government, the team is forced underground and must work to clear their name.
Where in BC it was filmed: Vancouver doubled for many international cities in this film.
2012
Gross revenue: $769,679,473
Actors: John Cusack, Amanda Peet
Director: Roland Emmerich
Year: 2009
About the movie: The end of the world is approaching and world leaders are planning for the survival of a select few. Once the end begins, Jackson Curtis works to save his family.
Where in BC it was filmed: Parts of this movie were filmed around Victoria.
Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2
Gross revenue: $829,685,377
Actors: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz & Peter Facinelli
Director: Bill Condon
Year: 2012
About the movie: In this final installment of the Twilight series, Bella wakes up as a vampire and she and Edward learn that their new daughter is truly special. Unfortunately, not everyone sees her uniqueness as a gift and the Cullens recruit friends from around the world to save her.
Where in BC it was filmed: All of the Twilight movies had scenes shot in BC – most of the forest scenes take place around Vancouver and Jacob Black’s house in set in Coquitlam.
Did any of the movies on the list surprise you?
Have you ever ran into a famous actor in British Columbia?
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