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9 Popular Hollywood Movies You Didn’t Know Were Filmed in Canada (+ Fun Trivias!)
As a certified cinephile, I can confidently say that when it comes to watching my favorite films or the latest releases, my focus is always on the quality of the screenplay and direction.
Occasionally, I’ll pay attention to the actors, but I’ve never really cared about where the movie was filmed. At least, not until now.
With age, I’ve come to appreciate the stunning landscapes and scenery that set the stage for these stories. It’s this newfound appreciation that inspired me to write this article—a celebration of the best movies ever set in Canada, my home country.
Some of the movies on this list might surprise you—honestly, even I was shocked to discover, through my research, that they were filmed right here in Canada to begin with.
So without further ado, lights, camera, action!
Deadpool 1 & 2
Media from deadpoolmovie
Film location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Studios: 20th Century Fox Studios
Release dates (Canadian): February 10, 2016; May 15, 2018 respectively
Main actors: Ryan Reynolds; Morena Baccarin; Gina Carano
Director: Tim Miller
Budget: $58 million and $110 million respectively
Back in 2015, someone—rumored to be either 20th Century Fox or Ryan Reynolds himself—leaked the Deadpool test footage at CinemaCon.
The clip showcased the Merc with a Mouth in all his glory, battling bad guys in one of the most action-packed set pieces fans had ever seen.
Fast forward a year later, and Fox released the highly anticipated Deadpool movie, which went on to gross over $700 million worldwide. What you might not know, however, is that this blockbuster was actually filmed in Canada—more specifically, in Vancouver.
The decision to film Deadpool in Vancouver makes perfect sense, considering Ryan Reynolds, the film’s star, hails from Canada.
Vancouver’s versatility as a filming location and its cost-effective production options likely played a role. But having the hometown advantage for Reynolds added an extra layer of connection to the project.
Fun fact:
Ryan Reynolds is a known funny person in real life and has a knack for being silly. Did you know that he joked about not needing a map during filming because he’s already from Canada? Now that’s a commitment to comedy for a star who’s starring in a comedy!
Titanic
Media from paramountmovies
Film location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Studios: 20th Century Fox Studios; Paramount Pictures; Paramount Home Entertainment
Release dates (Canadian): February 4, 1998
Main actors: Leonardo DiCaprio; Kate Winslet; Billy Zane
Director: James Cameron
Budget: $200 million
Titanic was a groundbreaking masterpiece by James Cameron that left every girl in tears at the cinema.
What’s truly fascinating is that parts of this iconic movie were filmed in Halifax, Nova Scotia—a fact that boggled our minds upon discovery—who would’ve thought it’s here of all places!
More specifically, portions of the ocean scenes were shot here which makes sense considering how beautiful the seascapes look in Nova Scotia!
If you must know, Nova Scotia has always been a favorite for nature lovers, but Titanic added a deeper layer of significance to the region, especially for us Canadians.
Fun fact:
Halifax holds a significant connection to the tragedy as it was also a key location for recovery efforts after the ship sank. What a haunting coincidence and irony it is, particularly if you think about the scenes depicting the people who froze to death near the end of the film.
Inception
Media from inceptionfanpage
Film location: Calgary, Alberta
Studios: Warner Bros.
Release dates (Canadian): July 15, 2010
Main actors: Leonardo DiCaprio; Cillian Murphy; Joseph Gordon-Levitt; Tom Hardy
Director: Christopher Nolan
Budget: $160 million
If there’s any film that placed Christopher Nolan on the map, it’s arguably Inception. True, his Dark Knight trilogy was a work of art, but it has always been Inception that kickstarted that project.
What should excite Canadian fans is that this crucial Nolan movie was actually set in Calgary, Alberta. Specifically, Calgary served as the backdrop for the snow-filled scenes where the characters infiltrated a fortress—if you watched the movie, you’d know what we’re talking about.
It’s no surprise that Alberta was chosen for such a pivotal scene, given its reputation for stunning snowy mountains and a thriving ski scene. In fact, the breathtaking views were likely a key factor in the decision to feature it in the movie.
Fun fact:
During the level 3 dream sequence in the fortress, there was a real hospital built for the set of the movie and Nolan blew it up for the scene. However, he didn’t like how it turned out so they built a miniature version and blew that one up which ended up as the final scene in the movie. Talk about a waste of production budget and set piece!
Good Will Hunting
Media from robinwilliams
Film location: University of Toronto (Toronto)
Studios: Miramax
Release dates (Canadian): March 18, 1998
Main actors: Matt Damon; Robin Williams; Ben Affleck
Director: Gus Van Sant
Budget: $10 million
Good Will Hunting is one of those films that’ll leave a lasting impression for how deep the drama can be.
We’d be surprised if you haven’t seen this classic yet, but just to recap: the film tells the story of a hidden prodigy working as a janitor in the halls of a Boston school. He’s soon discovered by professors who recognize his potential, leading to a gripping tale about purpose.
While most scenes depict the city of Boston’s snowy climate, the indoor scenes that showcase classrooms, halls, and professor lounges are actually set inside the University of Toronto and Central Technical School.
These establishments are located in downtown Toronto, and it’s hard to spot if it is from Boston if you’re not from the area yourself.
Fun fact:
Most of the indoor sets were actually shot in Toronto while the exteriors were in Boston where the film is set in. One particularly famous place in the movie, L Street Tavern, was the only place shot in the actual location which is in Boston.
Mean Girls
Media from meangirls
Film location: Toronto
Studios: Paramount Pictures
Release dates (Canadian): July 7, 2004
Main actors: Lindsey Lohan; Rachel McAdams; Amanda Seyfried; Lacey Chabert
Director: Mark Waters
Budget: $18 million
Saturday Night Live star Tina Fey made her debut as a film writer with Mean Girls in 2004, a cult classic celebrated for its witty dialogue and spot-on portrayal of teenage quirks.
The film’s star, Lindsay Lohan, was at the height of her popularity, but her co-star Rachel McAdams, who played the iconic Regina George, arguably stole the spotlight.
But let’s not talk about what’s obvious and mention the fact that the movie is actually set in Canadian grounds. While the film keeps reiterating that it’s in Illinois High School, it’s actually located inside the halls of the University of Toronto and Etobicoke Collegiate Institute.
And remember that famous mall scene where the four main leads walk in slow-mo? That was actually shot inside the Sherway Gardens Mall in Toronto which makes the film Canadian-centric in terms of its location.
Fun fact:
Not only is Mean Girls predominantly filmed in Toronto, three of its cast members are also Toronto-born namely Amy Poehler, Tim Meadows, and Anna Gasteyer.
Catch Me if You Can
Media from purgatoriomag
Film location: Montréal and Québec City
Studios: DreamWorks Pictures
Release dates (Canadian): January 29, 2003
Main actors: Leonardo DiCaprio; Tom Hanks; Christopher Walken
Director: Steven Spielberg
Budget: $52 million
If a movie is eyeing for that convincing 1960s setting during the old continent days, then nobody can go wrong with Montréal and Québec City.
These two cities have several historical sites, mosaic buildings, and downright a European persona that’s quite hard to resist by American directors in Hollywood.
And what better film to showcase all these qualities than a Spielberg masterpiece featuring compelling characters brought to life by Leonardo DiCaprio and multi-Oscar-winner Tom Hanks? That’s right: Catch Me If You Can.
The pavements where Frank Abegnale (Leo) walked dressed as a make-believe-pilot were all shot at the streets of Montréal and most of its outdoor settings are filmed in Québec City.
Fun fact:
Catch Me if You Can was impressively shot in 147 locations in only under two months of production. Parts of the film were filmed in Canada while most of the locations during the climax were filmed in Montrichard and some parts of France.
Interstellar
Media from interstellarmovie
Film location: Alberta
Studios: Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros.
Release dates (Canadian): November 6, 2014
Main actors: Matthew McConaughey; Jessica Chastain; Anne Hathaway
Director: Christopher Nolan
Budget: $165 million
After his Dark Knight trilogy, Christopher Nolan’s films became highly anticipated events, with teasers for his upcoming releases sparking excitement. One of these is his experimental sci-fi entry, Interstellar, which centers around the premise of space travel.
And how could such a movie use a location such as Canada as its main backdrop? Most of the scenes were shot in Canadian places like Longvieew, Nanton, and Olde Town Plaza.
However, most of the space scenes which dominated the film’s screen time were obviously green screen, shot inside Hollywood studios and then edited during post production. But what made the movie work and seem grounded are the real set pieces that took place in Canada.
Fun fact:
For Interstellar, Christopher Nolan needed a farm surrounded by cornfields with mountains in the background—something rare to find. The team took a $100,000 gamble to grow corn near Calgary just for the perfect shot.
American Psycho
Media from patrick.bateman
Film location: Toronto
Studios: Starz Entertainment Corp.; Lionsgate Films
Release dates (Canadian): April 14, 2000
Main actors: Christian Bale; Jared Leto; Willem Dafoe
Director: Mary Harron
Budget: $7 million
Who could forget Patrick Bateman’s iconic morning routine or the chilling scene where he butchers Paul Allen after a panic attack over a worse business card—all set to the sounds of Huey Lewis and the News?
The short answer: nobody. It’s a classic dark comedy that remains a must-watch to this day.
But amidst all the dark settings of downtown New York during the 80s, did you ever stop and realize that it really isn’t the Big Apple after all? Yes, most of American Psycho’s scenes were filmed right here in Canada, more specifically, Toronto.
Patrick’s famous office building is actually the Toronto-Dominion Centre. Also, the iconic restaurant where he was told that Dorshia has no available seats for him was also filmed inside the Senator and the Omni King Edward Hotel’s Consort Bar.
Fun fact:
The production team chose the Toronto-Dominion Centre’s identical towers for a movie’s climax because they loved how the sleek, modern design fit the theme of mistaken identity. They thought the matching towers were perfect for the story’s focus on doubles!
Suicide Squad
Film location: Toronto
Studios: DC Universe; Warner Bros.
Release dates (Canadian): August 5, 2016
Main actors: Jared Leto; Will Smith; Viola Davis; Margot Robbie
Director: David Ayer
Budget: $175 million
As much as 2016 was the height of the Suicide Squad hate train, it’s still a movie that brought the characters to the big screen—and that in itself deserves a lot of credit. Forget the script for a minute and simply look at the amazing shots and places this superhero flick is filmed in.
What you probably never even know is the fact this movie was actually shot in Canada. It was mostly filmed in Toronto Pinewood Studios, and the majority of the outdoor settings in the scenes themselves were backdrops from popular streets like Port Lands.
There’s no doubt about it that Toronto gave an uplifting color to an otherwise critically mixed-received movie during the time of its release.
Fun fact:
Yonge Street in Toronto turned into a movie set for Suicide Squad! Over the weekend, a big airplane tail was placed right in the middle of the street for filming.
