Iconic Orlando Movie Locations

In Orlando, Florida, movie magic is never far away. But it’s not just film-themed rides and memorabilia at Disney and Universal where visitors can be immersed in silver screen history - Orlando itself has been the filming location of many iconic movies, from Indiana Jones to Apollo 13. So once you step outside of the Magic Kingdom, Harry Potter World or Hollywood Studios, there’s still so much to discover in and around Orlando. Read on to discover where some of the biggest movies have been filmed and add them to your next Orlando itinerary.
  

Jaws 3-D 

While the original Jaws was entirely filmed in Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, the newer Jaws 3-D was shot on location in Orlando. The movie’s storyline has definite Jurassic Park vibes, following the tale of Chief Martin Brody's son who worked at SeaWorld Orlando. As the park prepares to launch its new Undersea Kingdom, things begin to go wrong in a scary way when a huge shark gets loose! Many scenes in the movie were actually filmed at SeaWorld Orlando, but visitors to the real life park will find thrilling entertainment and friendly sea creatures, instead of larger-than-life predators.  

Apollo 13 

One of the most famous space-themed movies of all time was filmed not far from Orlando on Merritt Island, and any visitors with a love for outer space should add it to their list. The take-off sequences in the movie were all filmed in front of a Kennedy Space Center launch site, and you can also spot the Vehicle Assembly Building which features in the film, on a tour around the Kennedy Space Centre Visitor Complex.  
 

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom 

The swash-buckling, adventurous world of Indiana Jones is already on display at Disney's Hollywood Studios’ immersive Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular experience but many people are surprised to learn that one of the films, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, was filmed near Orlando. Although the majority of the movie was filmed in Sri Lanka and on the West Coast in California, film buffs will remember the scene where the characters are walking along a rope bridge with hungry crocodiles underneath. These were in fact, real, and filmed at Orlando’s Gatorland where you can still get a slice of up close action with the crocs and other wildlife in the park.  

Bring It On 

The hit cheerleading movie Bring It On had not one but five movie instalments and the fourth of these, Bring It On: In It to Win It, was filmed entirely at Universal Orlando Resort and popular spots like Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Orlando’s Hard Rock Hotel and Universal CityWalk. For any fans of the movie who have visited Universal Orlando since its release, you’ll notice some huge changes. Back when the movie was originally shot, now-closed rides and attractions featured prominently, such as Jaws: The Ride, the Duelling Dragons roller coaster and The Lost Continent’s Enchanted Oak Tavern. The Hard Rock Hotel, where the cheerleaders stay, is also a star in its own right, with most of the hotel scenes being shot here and others filmed at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific Resort.  
 

The Florida Project 

The award-winning The Florida Project which premiered in 2017 was filmed all over Florida, with the majority of it being captured in Orlando. Eagle-eyed viewers may spot that some of the scenes were created in Kissimmee and Osceola County, on U.S. Highway 192, along with other scenes film in Orlando proper. The Magic Castle Inn and Suites, which serves as the motel in the movie, is only around six miles from Walt Disney World in Kissimmee, and the scene in which Halley takes Moonee to Ashley's restaurant was actually filmed at the real Mr Quick’s restaurant which is still open in Orlando. The final scenes of The Florida Project were also shot covertly on iPhones in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.  

Lethal Weapon 3 

The hilarious and entertaining action movie Lethal Weapon shot part of its third film right in Orlando. The memorable scene was quite literally explosive - as during the making of the film, Warner Bros. paid the city of Orlando half a million dollars to demolish the former City Hall just for the movie. A fun fact about this movie scene is that it took ten months to plan, because the old City Hall was just meters from the brand new Orlando City Hall, and engineers were worried the explosion could damage the new building. For a final easter egg, visit the White Wolf Cafe in Ivanhoe Village, Orlando, where the tables are made from actual granite from the explosion! 
 

Tomorrowland 

Any sci-fi fans might already know that some of the 2015 hit movie Tomorrowland was filmed in Orlando. Starring famous faces including George Clooney and Hugh Laurie, the film has scenes which are intended to be the 1964 World’s Fair, for which they used shots of the Carousel of Progress at Walt Disney World. Another location used not far away is the famous New Smyrna Beach, along with the Kennedy Space Center and Altamonte Springs. And as any Disney fan will know, Tomorrowland shares its name with one of Disney World’s themed lands in Magic Kingdom, which was built by Disney to include rides that stayed ahead of the curve. Visitors can currently enjoy attractions like Space Mountain and the Astro Orbiter here.

 

My Girl 

Anyone who knows Macaulay Culkin from Home Alone might also recognise him from one of his biggest movies of the 1990s, My Girl. Although the film is set in Madison, Pennsylvania it was actually shot close to Orlando, Florida. Some streets and areas you can tick off the list if you’re a fan of the movie include Plant City, west of Orlando, where the movie’s writing class takes place, and Mirror Lake, about 2 hours south of Orlando. Closer to the city, many scenes were shot in Sanford, where you can visit Thomas J’s House, Mr. Bixler’s house and The Cafe to relive the film’s biggest moments.  

From movie sets and memorabilia, to real life filming locations, silver screen souvenirs and more, there’s so much to be found in Orlando for anyone who loves the magic of cinema.

Ready to bring your favourite scenes to life or take a slice of cinema history home with you? Browse our Orlando Package Holidays or get in touch with our expert Travel Specialists for movie magic moments in the Sunshine State.