Post Summary: 24+ Movies Set in the Pacific Northwest

Did you move away from the PNW and yearn for a way to experience it again?

Maybe you’re the opposite – you’re thinking about moving to the Pacific Northwest, and want to know what it’s like.

OR, you live here just like us and can’t get enough of the PNW!

Well, we’ve rounded up some of the best movies filmed in the Pacific Northwest, to transport you straight into the Washington and Oregon region!

In this post, we’re sharing some of our favorite movies set in the Pacific Northwest, to transport you back to this gorgeous area.

24 Movies Filmed In The Pacific Northwest

Table Of Contents

24 Movies Filmed In The Pacific Northwest

Movies Set in Washington State

While the majority of these movies set in the Pacific Northwest includes movies about Seattle (it’s too iconic to ignore!), there’s more to offer Hollywood than the Space Needle!

Here are the top movies filmed in Washington State.

1. Sleepless in Seattle

Cities in Washington State - Seattle, Washington - TheMandagies.com

Of all the movies that take place in Seattle, this one has to be the most iconic because of its heartwarming story, timeless romance, and brilliant script.

The set of Nora Ephran’s romantic comedy, Sleepless in Seattle, includes Pike Place Market, Athenian Seafood Restaurant & Bar (look for the red “Tom Hanks Sat Here” plaque on a stool where his character sat in the movie!), Alki Beach, Lake Union, Inn at the Market, and Gas Works Park!

A lot of these places are fun and free things to do in Seattle!

2. Harry and the Hendersons

Day Trips From Seattle - Rattlesnake Lake - The Mandagies

The 1987 adventure fiction film, Harry and the Hendersons, is set in North Bend, Washington, Wenatchee National Forest, and includes a Space Needle Cameo!

This film about Pacific Northwest mythology follows the story of the terrifying (but lovable!) Bigfoot and the Hendersons on their way home from a family camping trip in the Cascade Mountains.

3. Where’d You Go, Bernadette?

Starring Cate Blanchett, Where’d You Go, Bernadette? was primarily filmed in Vancouver, but was set in Seattle.

This American comedy-drama film features the Seattle Public Library and Space Needle!

4. Captain Fantastic

Set in Washington State, Captain Fantastic is a comedy-drama about a father (starring Vigo Mortensen) raising his six kids.

Challenging his idea of what it means to be a parent in two different worlds–the forests of the Pacific Northwest and modern American culture, this 2016 film highlights the quirks of human nature.

Captain Fantastic was filmed in Deception Pass State Park at Rosario Head, Snohomish, Washington for its whimsical and off-the-grid setting, and the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Deception Pass State Park makes for one of the best day trips from Seattle!

5. War Games

The 1983 film, War Games, is about a teenager in Seattle who prefers computer hacking over studying, which leads to a run-in with the U.S. Air Force.

War Games features Mount Vernon, Anderson Island, Boeing Field, with NORAD HQ set in the Cascade Mountains.

6. Twilight Saga

Whether you’re a fan of the books, the movies, or simply love the ongoing battle between Team Jacob and Team Edward, the Twilight Saga has taken the world by storm.

Conveniently for us, it’s set right in the Pacific Northwest. That’s in the Olympic Peninsula!

Twilight primarily features Forks, Washington, which has thoroughly embraced the fandom about Bella (played by Kristen Stewart) and her vampire and werewolf friends, Edward and Jacob (played by Robert Pattison and Taylor Lautner).

Take a full tour of the Twilight Saga’s most memorable locations and dramatic destinations (like inspiration from the Hoh Rainforest!) in the Pacific Northwest!

7. 10 Things I Hate About You

Based on William Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew,” 10 Things I Hate About You puts a modern twist on the classic story of love and relationships between Kat, her sister Bianca, and their love interests, Patrick and Cameron.

Set in the Seattle area and filmed in Tacoma, 10 Things I Hate About You stars Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Larisa Oleynik.

The film features Stadium High School, the Fremont Troll, and Tacoma Neighborhoods.

Find more incredible outdoor activities to do in Pierce County.

8. Say Anything…

The iconic film, Say Anything, follows the charming first-love story of Lloyd and Diane, played by John Cusack and Ione Skye.

Say Anything was primarily filmed in Vancouver, BC and Los Angeles (including the famous scene where John Cusack holds a boombox over his head), but the actual movie takes place in Seattle!

Old relics of Seattle show up in this 1989 film including the old Alaskan Way Viaduct, Fremont Ave Bus Stop, Dick’s Drive-In, Bob’s Java Jive, and Guild 45 Theater.

9. Singles

During the time of grunge-era Seattle, the 1992 film, Singles, follows the lives of a group of young people who all live in the same apartment building.

Starring Bridget Fonda, Campbell Scott, and Kyra Sedwick, Singles was filmed all over Seattle, Washington, including Occidental Park, Gas Works Park, and J&M Cafe.

10. Benny and Joon

Filmed on the east side of Washington State in Spokane, Benny and Joon is about Benny (Aidan Quinn), his sister, Joon (Mary Stuart Masterson), and the eccentric Sam (Johnny Depp), and their intertwined relationships.

The movie, Benny and Joon, highlights Spokane’s Maple Street Bridge, Riverfront Park, the historic Ferguson’s Cafe, and Garland District.

11. The Deer Hunter

Movies set in the Pacific Northwest - The Deer Hunter

The drama and war film, The Deer Hunter, examines how the Vietnam War impacted the lives of several friends in the Pennsylvania small town, Clairton.

The Deer Hunter stars Christopher Walken, Robert De Niro, and John Cazale, and parts of the set were filmed in Heather Meadows in Mount Baker, Washington.

12. Practical Magic

In Practical Magic, actresses Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman play two witch sisters who fight for love in a closed-minded small town.

Practical Magic features Whidbey Island, Friday Harbor, and San Juan Island. Though they say in the movie that the town is off the East Coast!

The film features the enchanting San Juan Islands scenery and Victorian households.

In fact, they painted the entire town of Coupeville white for this set!

Movies Filmed In Oregon

Emily Mandagie on Marion Falls Trail Oregon

Like Washington, Oregon has hosted the set of numerous popular movies.

These Pacific Northwest movies highlight the enchanting greenery, mystery, and the versatility of this unforgettable state!

Here are the top movies filmed in Oregon.

13. The Goonies

Inspired by a real-life 17th-century shipwreck found off the coast of Oregon, Steven Spielberg shares the story of a band of adventurous kids and a pirate map in his 1985 film, The Goonies.

Some of the most iconic filming locations in The Goonies include Cannon Beach, Astoria, Astoria Coffee Company, Ecola State Park, and the Clatsop County Jail.

Make it a road trip to see them all! Plan the ultimate Oregon Coast road trip here.

14. Kindergarten Cop

The 1990 comedy film, Kindergarten Cop, follows the story of a cop (Arnold Schwarzenegger) who must pose as a kindergarten teacher to catch a dangerous criminal.

While dealing with a classroom of noisy five-year-olds, the tough cop’s adventures in Kindergarten Cop highlights the scenery of Astoria, Oregon, including John Jacob Astor Elementary.

15. Free Willy

Another iconic film of the 90s, Free Willy’s heartwarming and transformative tale tells the story of an orphaned young boy (Jason James Richter) hoping to save the life of an orca.

Free Willy has filming locations in Astoria, Portland, and Seaside, Oregon.

16. Overboard

Filmed in Newport, Oregon, Overboard illustrates the story of an heiress and a carpenter, played by Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell.

Overboard was created in 1987, and was set in the fictional town, Elk Cove, Oregon!

Plan an Oregon Coast road trip and see all these fun locations!

17. Into the Wild

Into the Wild was mostly filmed in South Dakota and Alaska. However, they filmed parts of the movie in Portland, Oregon.

Portland’s Reed College shows up alongside glimpses of Mount Hood, which replaced a lot of the mountain scenes set in Alaska.

Into the Wild also includes scenes in Washington’s Beard’s Hollow in Cape Disappointment State Park, which makes this film even more significant to the PNW!

18. The Incredible Journey

Part of the Homeward Bound series, Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey is a touching adventure narrative of a bulldog, cat, and golden retriever, featuring the voices of Michael J. Fox and Sally Field.

The Incredible Journey takes place in Ontario Canada. However, it was mostly filmed in Oregon’s lush forests and along hiking trails near Bend, Oregon.

The film features Deschutes National Forest, Mount Hood National Forest, Eastern Oregon, Willamette National Forest, Eagle Cap Wilderness, the Columbia River Gorge, Portland, Oregon, and Sahalie Falls.

19. Leave No Trace

The 2018 film, Leave No Trace, features Portland, Multnomah County, Clackamas County, and Squaw Mountain Ranch.

This indie film follows the life of father-daughter duo Will (Ben Foster) and Tom (Thomasin McKenzie) as they live off-grid in a Portland area park. After being caught squatting and forced through social services, they battle to adjust to normal existence in the city.

Filming happened in the forests surrounding Portland, as they discover and reimagine what “home” is for them.

Take these day trips from Portland to see what life is like around the city!

20. Pig

Nicolas Cage stars in the drama, Pig, which is about a truffle hunter and his foraging pig who live in Oregon.

Pig was filmed in the dense forest of Oregon. It includes scenes of Portland’s Skyline Tavern and Broadway Bridge.

21. Wild

Wild features Reese Witherspoon, and is set on the Pacific Crest Trail in California and Oregon.

The 2014 movie based on the book, “Wild,” by Cheryl Strayed illustrates a journey of self-discovery and recovery from past tragedies.

Wild has scenes in Crater Lake, Mount Hood, Tom, Dick, and Harry Peak, Ashland, Oregon, Smith Rock State Park, Portland, Paulina Lake Lodge, Oregon Badlands Wilderness Area, and Bridge of the Gods in the Columbia River Gorge.

Spend some time in the Cascades of Oregon: Here are 38 things to do in Bend Oregon in summer!

22. Animal House

Primarily filmed on the University of Oregon campus, the comedy, Animal House, shows the hilarious journey of Dean Vernon Wormer (John Vernon) and his efforts to expel the entire Delta Tau Chi fraternity.

Eugene and Cottage Grove, Oregon show up the most in Animal House!

23. I, Tonya

Starring Margot Robbie, Tonya Harding, and Allison Janney, I, Tonya, shares the well-known biographic story of Tonya Harding and her rise and fall of fame.

The film explores the competitive ice skater’s account of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and her journey of being an ice skater from Portland, Oregon.

24. Halloweentown

The 1998 Disney Channel original movie, Halloweentown, is about a girl, Marnie, who discovers that she is a witch and gets transported to the magical city, Halloweentown.

Halloweentown was filmed in St. Helen’s, Oregon. (45 minutes from Portland) It has embraced the cult classic and advertises itself as the official “Halloweentown!”

By the way: St. Helen’s Oregon is also home to Bella Swan’s house from Twilight!

List of Movies Set In The Pacific Northwest (Summary List)

Here are even more movies set in the Pacific Northwest. Most are located near or around Seattle!

Sleepless in Seattle
Where’d You Go Bernadette?
Harry and the Hendersons
Captain Fantastic
WarGames
Twilight
10 Things I Hate About You
Say Anything
Singles
The Goonies
Kindergarten Cop
Free Willy
Overboard
Benny & Joon
Into The Wild
The Deer Hunter
Lassie Come Home
Practical Magic
The Incredible Journey
Leave No Trace
Pig
Wild
Animal House
I, Tonya
Halloweentown

Did we miss any of your favorite movies set in the Pacific Northwest? Let us know in the comments below!