It’s officially February film season. With the BAFTA’s taking place at the start of the month and the iconic Oscars just around the corner, we’ve compiled a list of eight amazing locations for cinephiles to visit. From the legendary Stanley Hotel in Colorado to the imposing El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, film fanatics can take the ultimate set-jetting holiday and tick off their favourite silver screen locations.
Mrs Doubfire, San Francisco, California
San Francisco’s whimsical charm and heartfelt spirit is captured on the big screen in Mrs. Doubtfire. The 1993 classic, starring Robin Williams, showcases not only his comedic talent but also some of San Francisco’s most beloved landmarks. Fans can explore iconic scenes from the film around the city, from the famous Hillard family home in Pacific Heights to the vibrant Powell-Hyde Cable Car line and Crissy Field’s sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the film offers a delightful snapshot of San Francisco’s unique character.
Tomorrowland, Valencia
2015 Sci-Fi hit Tomorrowland shot key scenes in Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences. The film utilised the futuristic design, created by architect Santiago Calatrava, to depict the utopian world. Visitors can roam around the buildings which make up the City of Arts and Sciences including Palau de les Arts which hosts live music, the Oceanografic, Europe’s biggest aquarium, the Hemisfèric, a digital 3D cinema and an interactive Science Museum.
The Twilight Saga, Forks, State of Washington
Forks, Washington, the rainiest town in the US served as the perfect backdrop for the Twilight Saga hosting moody vampires and werewolves. 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the first instalment of the Twilight Saga being published. Visitors to Forks will find odes to vampires and werewolves across the town, and even an annual festival, Forever Twilight Forks, welcoming returning fans and ‘newborns’ alike. The Rainforest Arts Center also houses the world’s largest collection of Twilight Saga props and costumes, visitors can view the collection of items seen in the five Twilight films such as screen-worn Bella, Edward and Jacob costumes.
Grey’s Anatomy, Seattle, State of Washington
Airing in the UK for the first time 20 years ago this March, 21 seasons later, the Grey’s Anatomy fandom is as strong as ever. The hit show has brought even more pop-culture love to Seattle – as all the drama plays out at the fictional Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital – with some of the show’s most iconic scenes filmed in the Emerald City. Fans will recognise Kerry Park’s picture-perfect views of downtown Seattle straight away. Head to Fremont Bridge, connecting two of Seattle’s coolest neighbourhoods – it’s also Meredith’s favourite stomping ground. The Space Needle is instantly recognisable to fans and non-fans alike, but what visitors might not appreciate is while they’re slurping down clam chowder at Pike Place Market, Seattle’s waterfront is also where Meredith almost drowned in the middle of a rescue mission.
Dumb and Dumber, Colorado
A comedy classic, Dumb and Dumber is a household name and fans can retrace the steps of Lloyd Christmas (Jim Carrey) and Harry Dunne (Jeff Daniels) in Colorado. The arrival of the pair in ‘Aspen’ was actually filmed in Breckenridge which is a higher altitude than Aspen, meaning there was guaranteed to be snow in the late spring during filming. The ‘Danbury Hotel’, where Harry and Lloyd stay is the iconic Stanley Hotel in Estes Park.
The Dark Knight Rises, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Batman buffs can visit some of The Dark Knight Rises’ most notable filming locations in Pittsburgh. Spots include the football stadium scene, filmed at Acrisure Stadium (formerly Heinz Field), and the scene where Bane exposes the truth about Harvey Dent, filmed outside Carnegie Mellon University which was portrayed as Gotham City Hall.
The Great Gatsby, Sydney, Australia
Famed Australian director Baz Luhrmann used a little movie magic to recreate 1920s New York in his hometown of Sydney for the 2013 movie The Great Gatsby. The St Patrick’s College building in Manly (now the International College of Management) served as the exterior of Jay Gatsby’s lavish mansion. The former White Bay Power Station was transformed into the desolate Valley of the Ashes and Nick Carraway’s bungalow was built in Centennial Park. Other locations featured include the Waverley Cemetery, Richmond Polo Club, Rivendell health facility in Concord, The King’s School in Parramatta and Breenhold Gardens in the Blue Mountains.
Free Solo, Yosemite Mariposa County, California
National Geographic Documentary Film Free Solo is a stunning, often nerve-racking, portrait of the free soloist climber Alex Honnold, as he prepares to achieve his lifelong dream: climbing the face of the world’s most famous rock – the 3,000ft El Capitan in Yosemite National Park – without a rope. Documentary filmmaker E. Chai Vasarhelyi and world-renowned photographer and mountaineer Jimmy Chin spent months observing Honnold as he mentally and physically prepared for the climb. The documentary, which won an Academy Award and BAFTA for Best Documentary Feature, and seven Emmy Awards including Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program, features beautiful shots of Yosemite. Visitors can have their go at El Capitan and other renowned climbing spots around the park with Yosemite Mountaineering School & Guide Service which offer both group and private classes for beginners and advanced climbers.