Massachusetts is well known for its diverse neighborhoods, historic sites and top universities - making it an attractive location for filmmakers to film projects.
Here are a few renowned movies shot entirely or partially in Massachusetts. Click the film name for more details, photos, and whether or not the location can still be visited today.
The Bull and Finch Bar
The Bull and Finch bar on Beacon Street served as the setting for Cheers, an acclaimed sitcom that ran from 1982-1993. Now considered an American landmark, it still draws tourists from around the globe with its legendary bartender who makes memorable comments during every customer visit.
Glen and Les Charles, creators of "Hope for an Indian Summer", searched Bostonian watering holes in search of an appropriate setting for their fictional television series. After visiting The Bull and Finch they were immediately struck by its charm - particularly its location, layout and bartender. After asking owner Bob Kershaw permission for them to use exterior shots as part of establishing shots for their fictional show he agreed!
Since the premiere of its TV show, The Bull and Finch has become a favorite local hangout and tourist destination alike. Offering both draft and bottle beers as well as food options galore and entertainment from local bands and singers. Perfect for meeting friends or colleagues for drinks or dinner.
Massachusetts is well-known as an ideal filming location. Many locations, like the Bull and Finch, have been used as movie and television show sets over time; notable ones being Almost Famous, The Departed and Spotlight. Charles Street Cleaners in Boston was transformed into a bistro for The Departed while Bull and Finch became Cheers pub in its hit sitcom version.
Massachusetts is famously home to many iconic films, including The Graduate, Good Will Hunting and Legally Blonde. Many scenes for these movies were shot around Boston at locations including the Massachusetts State House and Beacon Hill.
Kevin Bacon stars as an ex-FBI agent teamed with an A.D.A to solve complex cases in Boston and City on a Hill follows their adventures investigating murder and other criminal acts.
Boston Public Garden
Boston Public Garden is an iconic setting that has been featured in many movie and TV scenes, making it a beloved tourist attraction as well as local favorite. The lush garden boasts a gorgeous pond that serves as the focal point of its park, featuring two beloved swan boats that delight both tourists and locals alike. Small islands dotted around its waters are popular spots, and guests often appreciate seeing statues that line its shorelines - it truly offers something for everyone at the Boston Public Garden!
The pond is an idyllic setting to soak up some sun on a bright afternoon, and also hosts the legendary Swan Boats that are available from early April until late September. Robert Paget invented these unique foot-propelled boats back in 1877!
This park has been used as the backdrop for multiple movies and TV shows, including Martin Scorsese's thriller The Departed. Follow in the footsteps of Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson and Mark Wahlberg by strolling through Boston Common (where scenes from its opening were shot); dropping your laundry off at Charles Street Cleaners - used as bistro by film crews - then walking along Long Wharf to experience what transpired between crooks and cops in this action-packed thriller!
On Tuesday, there were reports that comedian Kevin Hart was filming his new movie Fatherhood nearby. This role will reportedly involve playing an older father caring for his daughter following the loss of his spouse.
Once, when Seth MacFarlane released Ted, an iconic bench from Seth's movie appeared at the center of a pond as an attraction for paparazzi and fans alike. Unfortunately, due to being too close to where two male swans would often battle over territory, this bench had to be removed in 2013. Since then it has been replaced with another bench.
To enjoy the Public Garden is easy enough during a Boston walking tour or on your own, but for an enhanced experience consider booking the Boston Movie Mile Walking Tour which gives guests the chance to learn more about movie production from local actors!
The Church of the Covenant
Boston and its surroundings are frequently referred to as "Hollywood East." From city landscapes, dense woodlands, college campuses and seashores - Massachusetts offers a plethora of picturesque filming locations that attract actors and filmmakers alike. Plus with Massachusetts offering both a 25% production credit and payroll tax exemptions it makes Massachusetts even more enticing!
Church of the Covenant at 67 Newbury Street in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood is one of the state's premier filming locations, known as a National Historic Landmark dating back to 1865-1867 and featuring 42 Tiffany windows on its interior.
Good Will Hunting was shot extensively here in Boston and its environs for much of the 1989 movie's filming, including scenes set at Fenway Park - one of its most famous locations - which allow moviegoers to imagine themselves cheering for Red Sox players! Take a tour to visit some of these notable locations today.
Recent releases, like Adam McKay's political satire Don't Look Up from 2021 were shot in various locations around Boston including the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) and Beacon Street Bridge. Also recently released films like Patriots Day about 2013 Boston Marathon Bombings were also shot throughout Massachusetts with scenes filmed at actual finish line location in Back Bay and a rally scene featuring Jason Orlean happening at Massachusetts State House steps.
MA has seen several other prominent movies shoot, such as The Departed, Legally Blonde and Gone Baby Gone - with the latter shot at various locations including Lindemann Mental Health Center on Staniford Street and Murphy's Law bar in Southie.
Films shot on location include The Social Network, which was shot at Harvard Square; Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds' The Proposal was filmed here as well; scenes were shot at Boston Public Garden for both of these movies as well as "Ghostbusters' explosion scene! To experience some of these iconic filming locations first-hand, Big Screen Boston offers tours that explore this iconic landscape in person.
The Thirsty Scholar Pub
With New England's beautiful coast line, idyllic villages, and charming communities it should come as no surprise that Massachusetts is often known as "Hollywood East." Massachusetts serves as an ideal setting for film makers hoping to capture an authentic New England setting; many movies such as The Equalizer, Gone Baby Gone and Good Will Hunting have been shot here over time.
One of the most iconic filming locations in Boston is The Thirsty Scholar Pub in Somerville, located on Beacon Street a block or so up the road from Inman Square. Situated on Beacon Street just a couple of blocks up from Inman Square, The Thirsty Scholar feels like something out of another time, with rustic walls featuring rustic bookshelves filled with old books lining its shelves - it even has its own bookshelf for display!
The Thirsty Scholar Pub is a popular local pub that has also been featured in multiple movies over time. In 2010, The Social Network showcased it as the place where Mark Zuckerberg was dumped by Erica Albright; its opening scene was even shot there! Additionally, Pet Semetary features it as an altar to mourn its main character's burial service at this same pub in 2021 Netflix movie release.
Vermont has long been depicted on film as a winter wonderland, and there have been plenty of movies that depict it this way. But Vermont also plays an integral role in many other movies and TV shows; for example, Northfield played host to many scenes from Martin Scorsese's 2006 psychological thriller Shutter Island where digital snow-capped mountains were added digitally into the scene settings in Northfield itself.
Massachusetts filming locations include those used in The Cider House Rules, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, The Fighter and Patriots Day; Medfield State Hospital will serve as its primary location in Martin Scorsese's The Irishman film as well.
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