Seattle Filming Locations

Thanks to the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, Seattle’s rich history, and its iconic backdrops, the city has been featured in countless movies and TV shows. Many of these filming locations can still be visited today.

However, even when a movie or TV show is set in Seattle, chances are it wasn’t actually filmed here. Seattle offers less competitive financial tax incentives than other filming destinations and lacks key infrastructure, such as large soundstages. As a result, many productions set in “Seattle” are actually filmed just north of the border in Vancouver.

Still, some movies and TV shows have filmed in Seattle and captured the city’s character through recognizable and unique locations. These productions offer a chance to see the real Seattle on screen and visit the places where memorable scenes were filmed.

The Fremont Troll

10 Things I Hate About You

For many people, the movie 10 Things I Hate About You is synonymous with Seattle. There are many recognizable filming locations, including the Fremont Troll. For the most part, the Fremont Troll looks the same as it did in the 1999 film, and it continues to draw visitors of both locals and out-of-towners alike.

Other filming locations include Gas Works Park, Stadium High School, and Paramount Theatre.

Pike Place Market

Sleepless in Seattle

Another iconic film set in the city is Sleepless in Seattle. The 1993 film starring Tom Hanks (yellow jacket above), Meg Ryan, and Rob Reiner (black jacket and black hat above) is a favorite rom com of many. Pike Place Market is one of the most recognizable locations and fans of the film will be happy to know much of what’s seen in the film is the same today, the PUBLIC MARKET sign being one of them.

Other filming locations include Lake Union, The Athenian Inn, and Dahlia Lounge.

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Seattle Public Library - Central library

Where’d You Go, Bernadette

Where’d You Go, Bernadette is one of the more recent films to be set and film a little bit in Seattle. The 2019 movie is a comedy drama that stars Cate Blanchett and while it does have Seattle-specific scenes, most of it was filmed in Vancouver and Pittsburgh. But the flagship location of the Seattle Public Library system served as the backdrop for some scenes.

Fun fact about the filming of this movie: I worked downtown when this movie was filming their brief Seattle scenes. My bus drove past the set trailers and I remember thinking that looked like it belonged on a movie set.

Virginia inn

Singles

Chances are, if you’re a millennial, you may not have heard of the flick Singles. But, our parents definitely have! The 1992 movie was set and filmed in Seattle, and featured many stars, such as Kyra Sedgwick, Matt Dillon, Bill Pullman, and the members of Pearl Jam. Singles was directed by Cameron Crowe and included many Seattle landmarks, including the Virginia Inn. The historic eatery is near Pike Place Market and is over 100 years old.

Other filming locations include Gas Works Park, Coryell Court Apartments, and Pioneer Square.