From romcoms and thrillers to period pieces and award-winning motion pictures, Savannah’s ability to bring a setting to life is truly movie magic. With over 800 films and shows set here (and counting), Savannah’s location is unmatched. It’s a place where stars are born, and where some continue to live. Visit Savannah and relive your favorite scenes of Hollywood’s best blockbusters.
Cape Fear (1962 and 1991)
While both the original and remake of Cape Fear both had scenes in Savannah, the majority of the 1962 original was filmed here. Rewatch the film today and see how they transformed the quaint and friendly town of Savannah into an unsettling setting and spot some local sites like Johnson Square, Savannah City Hall, the Isle of Hope Marina, The Armstrong Kessler Mansion and Forsyth Park. A collaboration between Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro, the psychological thriller went on to receive Oscar and Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actor (De Niro) and Best Supporting Actress (Juliette Lewis).
The Longest Yard (1974)
This 1974 sports-comedy starring Burt Reynolds features downtown Savannah in an iconic chase scene where the actor runs through Forsyth Park to River Street. Reynolds went on to film five more films in Georgia, including Gator in Savannah. He lived in the area for 10 years, residing for some time on Hall Street. Respected and remembered by the locals, many think he is largely responsible for putting Savannah on the big screen.
Glory (1989)
This Oscar-winning film brought stars Morgan Freeman, Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington and Cary Elwes to Savannah for filming in 1989. Set during the American Civil War, the movie filmed battle scenes at the Girl Scout Camp on Rose Dhu Island near Savannah, Georgia. You may also recognize several scenes shot at The Georgia State Railroad Museum, a staple in Savannah history.
Forrest Gump (1994)
Arguably the most iconic piece of Savannah film history on this list, the Forrest Gump bus stop bench draws in plenty of tourists but is also a favorite among locals. Even though the bench now lives in the Savannah History Museum, many find comfort honoring the place where Forrest opened up, sharing unbelievable stories of his past with strangers. And if you’d like to see the original backdrop from the movie, you can find it at Chippewa Square.
The Last Song (2010)
Tybee Island hosted stars Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth, and Greg Kinnear when they filmed Nicholas Sparks’ The Last Song. The filmmakers incorporated several landmarks such as the Savannah Historic District and the Tybee Island Light Station into the movie. Fun fact: The Last Song was the first movie ever to be shot and set on Tybee Island. It even featured a local jazz band known as “The Savannah Stompers.”
Baywatch (2017)
The 2017 movie remake of the popular 80’s television series Baywatch was also shot on Tybee Island. A few locals can even be spotted as extras! Paramount also offered nearby residents of Estill Hammock $750 in compensation for any disruption of the
quiet community.
Ant-Man and The Wasp (2018)
Another movie that took advantage of the tropical Savannah scenery was the 2018 Marvel movie Ant-Man and The Wasp, starring Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly. Filmmakers used the coastal backdrop of Savannah for the Argentina flashback scenes and even cast some more locals.
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