6 Michigan Towns Where Famous Movies Were Filmed
Close to 3,000 movies, television programs, short films, and videos have been filmed either entirely or in part in the State of Michigan. Michigan has a vibrant history of independent filmmakers who have honed their craft right here at home, as well as attracting large-scale Hollywood productions. Michigan’s diverse landscape, as the only state that touches four of the five Great Lakes, has more than 11,000 inland lakes, over 36,000 miles of streams, and large metropolitan areas like Detroit, resulting in a variety of locations to offer filmmakers and productions. These six towns have been the site of many films over the years, from blockbusters to lesser-known gems.
Detroit
Detroit is the largest city in the state of Michigan, and donned the guise of Gotham City in Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016). Many pivotal scenes were filmed around the city, including a fight scene between Batman and Superman in Michigan Central Station. Detroit History Tours offers guided tours of the historic train depot, where visitors can learn about the iconic landmark's transformation from transportation hub to a 30-acre tech and cultural center. Belle Isle Park was also used in the movie for a scene set in Washington, D.C. The 985-acre island park features a conservatory, a golf course, an aquarium, and plenty of trails.
Curtis Hanson’s 8 Mile (2002), a drama featuring biographical elements of famous rapper Eminem’s life, was also set and filmed in Detroit. Although it was recreated in a warehouse studio for the film, Shelter is a real live-music bar in Detroit, and is one of the longest-running concert spaces in the country. Beyond its Hollywood claims to fame, Detroit is a worthy destination and world-class city in its own right. While in town, make time to explore the history of the Motor City's auto industry at the Henry Ford Museum, its deep roots in the music scene at the Motown Museum, or its creative side at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island is a historic, car-free island on Lake Huron, known for its 19th-century architecture, Victorian-era Grand Hotel, and horse-drawn carriages as the primary source of transportation. The island provided the setting for Jeannot Szwarc’s Somewhere in Time (1980), which follows a playwright who becomes infatuated with a photograph of a young woman and travels back in time to be with her.
The Grand Hotel lives up to its name, with the world’s largest front porch at 660 feet. Visitors can enjoy dining inside the hotel, which has 13 restaurants and bars on the premises. Windermere Point is a waterfront oasis on the edge of downtown, and is a great place to skip stones and fly kites. Mackinac Island is also famous for its fudge, and no visit is complete without a sample (or several). Murdick’s Fudge has been a local favorite since 1887 and produces over 25 flavors of all-natural and gluten-free fudge.
Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor is a popular university town known for its thriving culinary scene and walkable downtown area. It provided the setting for Wes Craven’s Scream 4 (2011), which takes place 10 years after the events of the last film in the franchise. It was also the last film directed by Wes Craven before he passed away in 2015. Despite being the backdrop for a slasher film, Ann Arbor is full of family-friendly activities and attractions. For starters, the Huron River Water Trail is a 104-mile inland paddling trail popular for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing.
The Ann Arbor Art Fair draws in nearly half a million visitors over three days in July. The festival spans 30 city blocks across downtown Ann Arbor and showcases the work of nearly 1,000 artists. As a university town, there is no shortage of events and activities. Michigan Stadium, nicknamed the Big House, is the largest stadium in the United States and one of the largest in the world, where you can catch a live show or cheer for the hometown Wolverines.
Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids is Michigan's second-largest city, located on the Grand River, Michigan’s longest river. It was also the filming location for Ruben Fleischer’s 30 Minutes or Less (2011), an action-comedy where a pizza delivery boy is kidnapped by two wannabe criminals who force him to rob a bank for their financial gain. Vito’s Pizza, where the protagonist of the film works, is a real pizzeria in Grand Rapids offering dine-in, carryout, or, true to the film, delivery options. Meanwhile, John Ball Zoo is home to over 2,000 animals and has many experiences, such as guided tours, behind-the-scenes options, and daily animal programs. Grand Rapids Art Museum showcases more than 5,000 pieces, including paintings, sculptures, and over 3,000 works on paper.
Holland
Holland is situated on the Lake Michigan shoreline and is known for its summer festivals, fall orchards, and winter holidays. It is also known as the filming location for Mimi Cave’s Holland (2025), a thriller which follows a teacher who questions if the idyllic life she shares with her husband is everything she thinks it is. Despite sharing a name with the town, a lot of the movie was actually filmed in Nashville, Tennessee; however, key scenes were filmed at the Windmill Island Gardens, a 36-acre park, which houses De Zwaan Windmill, the only authentic Dutch windmill operating in the United States. Holland State Park is one of Michigan’s most visited state parks, providing opportunities for fishing, boating, and camping, while the Holland Museum tells the history of the town, including the arrival of the Dutch in 1847, their struggle for access to Lake Michigan, and the fire of 1871.
Escanaba
Escanaba is located in the Upper Peninsula of the state of Michigan, on the shore of Lake Michigan. Residents enjoy access to nature and outdoor recreational opportunities like fishing, boating, hiking, and hunting. Jeff Daniels’ Escanaba in Da Moonlight (2001), a comedy highlighting life in the Upper Peninsula, was filmed entirely on location in and around the town. The quirky comedy about hunting and traditional values follows the life of Jeff Daniels’ character, who is the only man in his family who has never bagged a buck.
The William Bonifas Fine Arts Center allows visitors to tour gallery exhibits, participate in artist workshops and educational classes, and enjoy quality theatrical productions, while Ludington Park is a coastal, lakeshore park that provides an abundance of family-friendly activities, including bicycle paths, beach-access swimming, various ball courts, and a playground. For a bit of history, visit Sand Point Lighthouse. The original structure was destroyed by a fire in 1886, but it has since been rebuilt and today doubles as a guide for boats into the harbor and a maritime museum.
Michigan in the Movies
Michigan is a popular destination for a broad range of films in every genre. Major Hollywood blockbusters like Batman v Superman have made good use of larger cities like Detroit, whereas small productions have depicted a way of life for people living in smaller communities like Escanaba in Da Moonlight. From action to thriller to comedy, movies have put these towns on the map and serve to illustrate and celebrate the diversity of Michigan's landscape and geography.
