How many times have you watched a movie and thought, “I want to visit there?” That was me with Under the Tuscan Sun. Thanks to that rom-com, Tuscany became the number one destination on my travel bucket list (hopefully within a year or so).
Sometimes all it takes is an award nomination for viewers to be inspired to travel to where the movie was filmed. So to kickstart your traveling, I put together a list of places you can travel to based on this year’s Oscar-nominated films. If you haven’t already done so, watch the film, then make plans to travel to these filming destinations (which include museums, restaurants and even movie theaters) mentioned here. With a little imagination (which is what movies are all about), you can feel like you’re right in the film.
Have you ever traveled to a specific place based on a movie? Where? Let me know in the comments.
Ford vs Ferrari
Award nominations: Best Picture; Best Film Editing; Best Sound Editing; Best Sound Mixing.
Filming locations: If you have a need for speed after seeing Ford vs Ferrari, take a trip to Le Mans, France, where you can visit The 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum. They have an exhibition until the end of February on Ford vs. Ferrari, but if you can’t get there that fast, don’t worry. It’s open all year round. There are guided tours and children under 9 are free. Visit their website for more information on other temporary exhibitions that they have, the admission prices and hours.
Other Ford vs Ferrari race scenes were filmed at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California where they hold many NASCAR events. Want to test-drive a Porsche (it’s pricey)? Visit the Porsche Experience (used for the Dearborn test track) in Carson.
The Irishman
Award nominations: 10 nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director
The Netflix movie filmed around New York City, in the Mineola and Williston Park sections of Long Island. What I love is that some scenes were filmed close to where I reside in the Hudson Valley in Salisbury Mills and in Suffern. Reports show that one scene was filmed at Weir’s Ice Cream in Salisbury Mills which has been open since 1956 (it’s open seasonally from April to September).
Side note: There are so many other cool things to see if you come to the Hudson Valley — you can take this as a personal recommendation as I live here — including the Walkway Over the Hudson and so many gorgeous estates. You really should visit. Even Forbes said we are one of the top places you should visit in 2020.
JoJo Rabbit
Award nominations: The film received six nominations, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress (Johansson) and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Filming locations: Jojo Rabbit was filmed in Prague’s Czechia and according to many articles I’ve read, the locations included Žatec, the village of Ustek, the former Lenešice sugar refinery, Kytín, Dolní Beřkovice, Hořín and in the Petschek Palace in Prague.
Now, to be honest, I don’t know much about Prague (yet), but I did find out that the Petschek Palace does offer tours. The website says, “Former Gestapo Torture Memorial is accessible for groups of 5 – 20 persons only by order at least 7 days in advance.” This page is on the same website as the Prague tourism site, so you can gather more information for your trip.
Joker
Award nominations: 11 nominations including Best Picture; Best Actor; Best Director; Best Score and Best Makeup.
I saw this movie about a week ago and, oh man, it was so good. At the end, I held up a cup in front of me and said, “And the Academy Award goes to … Joaquin Phoenix.” His acting was impeccable, the movie was so well done and, if you know me, I don’t really watch movies like this at all, so this is saying something.
Filming locations: Joker might take place in Gotham, but it was filmed in and throughout New York City and New Jersey. According to this article, some street scenes were filmed in New Jersey including Market Street and the (defunct) Paramount theatre in Newark.
Those stairs? You can find this anywhere on the Internet, so I’m not sharing a secret, but they are located at 1165 Shakespeare Ave. in the Bronx. Now we know that the Rocky steps became famous in Philadelphia (they are located outside the Museum of Art), but come on folks. There are already people flocking to these steps in full Joker garb to take pictures. I find that grisly to be honest, while it might be fun for others. It’s also in a residential part of the Bronx, so how about just letting this trend go?
Little Women
Award nominations: Six including Best Picture; Best Actress (Ronan); Best Supporting Actress (Pugh); Best Adapted Screenplay
Filming locations: The Louisa May Alcott adaptation was filmed entirely in 11 Boston, Massachusetts locations, but does that mean there’s anything to actually visit? Oh yes, there is! Check out this digital map of the Little Women filming locations released by the Massachusetts Film Office (I love these!) From Louisa May Alcott’s actual Orchard House to the Harvard General Store there are so many places that are open to visit that were used in the movie.
Great trip to put on your 2020 travel list. I’m adding it to mine.
Marriage Story
Award nominations: This Netflix original movie earned six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture; Best Actor and Best Actress.
Filming locations: There are a few places you can visit if you’d like, but to be honest I’ve never had a laundromat on my list of things to see. LOL. If you want to visit though, it’s the Laundromat Wash & Dry, a real Brooklyn laundromat located at 173 7th Avenue.
The Knickerbocker Grill is located at 33 University Place in New York City and has grub and music so it’s a great place to check out on your Oscar travel tour.
Don’t forget to take a walk around Times Square in midtown Manhattan too.
1917
Award nominations: 10 nominations including Best Picture; Best Score; and Best Director.
Filming locations: Many filming locations aren’t really accessible and there are some scenes done in a studio, but you can visit the Tees Barrage in Stockton, an outdoor adventure and watersports facility.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Award nominations: The Quentin Tarantino flick got 10 nominations, including Best Picture; Best Actor (DiCaprio); Best Supporting Actor (Pitt); and Best Director. There’s plenty to visit if you’re a fan of this movie.
Filming locations: Super A Foods: A supermarket? Well, if you’ll visit a laundromat, why not a supermarket! Seriously, the Manson family members are seen dumpster diving in the movie at this supermarket.
(Note: It also serves as the same location where Lady Gaga’s character worked on ‘Shallow’ in A Star is Born.)
Corriganville Park: Corriganville Park was the filming location for the Manson family’s Spahn Ranch and, according to the Park’s website, the park was once owned by Ray “Crash” Corrigan. It was a movie ranch where over 3,500 movies, TV programs, and commercials have been filmed. Today, you can walk its 5 different trails that wind around the 246-acre property owned by the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District.
Movie theaters: Yes, the Bruin and Regency Theater is a real theater so stop in and see a movie while you’re there, just like Margot Robbie’s character Sharon Tate did (well, she went in to watch herself on the screen in an acting debut!). If you prefer the drive-in that was used, check out the Paramount Drive-in Theatre. Drive-ins are so cool, aren’t they?
And hey, while you’re in the area on a Once Upon a Time in Hollywood tour, why not go to the movie theater that director Quentin Tarantino actually owns? Visit the New Beverly Cinema and support the oldies but goodies.
Restaurants: Yes, Casa Vega, this Sherman Oaks Mexican restaurant is open for you to enjoy food and drink, just like Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt’s characters do in the movie. Margot Robbie’s Sharon Tate ate at El Coyote, another Mexican restaurant that is still open but don’t feel like you have to choose. Eat at both!
Make sure you save room for a meal at the Musso and Frank Grill, an iconic Hollywood restaurant that’s been open since 1919. Remember the scene where Pitt and DiCaprio meet with actor Al Pacino? That was filmed here. Feel like one of the Hollywood elite when you dine (and bring their wallets too LOL).
Cameron Nature Preserve at Puerco Canyon: This Canyon is used in the movies that DiCaprio’s character is in and, interestingly, once belonged to director James Cameron. Today, it is owned and operated by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority and the website shows what you can do and how you can visit.
Parasite
Award nominations: Six Oscar noms including Best Picture; Best Director; Best Original Screenplay and more.
Filming locations: This one is a little harder to put on your travel list. According to reports, some exterior filming took place around Seoul and Jeonju, South Korea, but much of the filming took place in two sound stages where the homes were created.
