For decades, Maine has been a popular setting for films. Of course, some films that are “set” in Maine have actually been shot elsewhere. Recognizing the immediate and long-term economic value of having Maine locations in major films and hosting production companies for their projects, the Maine Film Office and Maine State Film Commission (a group of governor-appointed volunteers) work together to attract film and television projects to the state. This page showcases some well known. . .and some not so well known. . .films shot in Maine. Many are available on DVD; check the ratings for suitability.

 

Shutter Island - 2010 -  Directed by Martin Scorsese. Drama is set in 1954, U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels is investigating the disappearance of a murderess who escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is presumed to be hiding on the remote Shutter Island. Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Kingsley, Max von Sydow, Jackie Earl Haley. Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor.

 

The Living Wake - 2007 - Mike O'Connell, Jessie Eisenberg. A dark comedy which chronicles the final day in the life of self-proclaimed artist and genius, K. Roth Binew, an eccentric dreamer who enlists his best friend to chronicle his final hours in his drab and uneventful life. Filmed in Kennebunkport.

 

The Hit - 2007 - Blair Underwood, James Russo. Portland locations were used in this sequel to cult favorite Straight Out of Compton, about an up-and-coming record executive whose goal is to bring all rival rap record labels together and form one black-owned label that gives back to the community. He ends up crossing paths with the Mob and has to fight for his life.

 

Vacationland - 2006 - This movie is a gay-themed coming-of-age film by Todd Verow, set in Bangor, Maine, and is based on Verow's life. Life in Bangor, Maine, is complicated for Joe, a blisteringly sexy high school senior. Living with his single mother and older sister in a rough housing project, Joe takes a job as a live-in model for Victor, an artist, to save money for art school and dreams of leaving town.

 

The Islander - 2006 - After causing a tragic accident at sea, Eben Cole loses his family, friends and stature in his island fishing community. Stars Amy Jo Johnson, Dick Barron, Tom Hildreth, and Philip Baker Hall. This movie was filmed in part in Vinalhaven.

 

Little Children - 2006 - Filmed in Boothbay Harbor. Kate Winslet. The lives of two lovelorn spouses from separate marriages, a registered sex offender, and a disgraced ex-police officer intersect as they struggle to resist their vulnerabilities and temptations.

 

Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon - 2006 - Robert Englund, Nathan Baesel.
Wayne, Maine locations. The next great psycho horror slasher has given a documentary crew exclusive access to his life as he plans his reign of terror over the sleepy town of Glen Echo, all the while deconstructing the conventions and archetypes of the horror genre for them.

 

2 Dogs of Christmas - 2005 - John Billingsley, Bonita Friedericy, Jordan-Claire Green, and Adam Hicks. This movie is about a girl who uses dogs to teach people about the true meaning of Christmas during the Depression. This movie was filmed in part in Bethel.

 

Empire Falls - 2005 - This HBO movie is set in a Maine mill town and was filmed in and around Waterville, where Richard Russo lived when he taught at Colby College. Other Maine locations used in filming were Kennebunkport, the Breckinridge estate in York, Augusta, Norridgewock, Oakland, Ogunquit, Skowhegan, Isleboro and Lincolnville.

 

Satan's Little Helper - 2004 - This cult B-movie was filmed in Maine. Young Dougie Whooly, who runs into a serial killer while trick-or-treating. A horror-comedy about a quiet suburban town overtaken by evil. Unfortunately for Dougie, the serial killer is dressed up like a character in his favorite video game, Satan's Little Helper. The boy will do anything to help his virtual hero, and soon finds himself acting as an assistant in the brutal murder of his own family.

 

Darkness Falls - 2003 - A young man, considered crazy by everyone in town, except for his childhood girlfriend and her little brother, is put to the ultimate test when he becomes the only thing that stands between a legendary evil and the little brother. A vengeful spirit has taken the form of the Tooth Fairy to exact vengeance on the town that lynched her 150 years earlier. Emma Caulfield, Chaney Kley. Filmed in Maine.

 

In the Bedroom - 2001 - This melodrama won an award at the Sundance Film Festival. The movie features a number of Maine locations, including Rockland, Camden, Rockport, Belfast, Owls Head, Old Orchard Beach, Trevett, and Wiscasset. Sissy Spacek and Marisa Tomei.

 

The Cider House Rules - 1999 - This Oscar-winning movie was filmed partly in Bernard, Maine and at Sand Beach in Acadia National Park. Tobey Maguire, Michael Caine, and Charlize Theron.

 

Message In A Bottle - 1999 - Filmed in Phippsburg (at Popham Beach), Bath, New Harbor, and Portland. Kevin Costner, Paul Newman, and Robin Wright Penn. A woman discovers a tragic love letter in a bottle on a beach, and is determined to track down its author.

Storm of the Century - 1999 - TV mini-series by Stephen King Locations include Southwest Harbor on Mount Desert Island. A small village off the mainland is about to receive a huge winter storm. It won't be just another storm for them. A strange visitor who seems to know everything about the townspeople comes to a small coastal village and creates havoc. Stars Tim Daly and Debrah Farentino.

 

Message In A Bottle - 1999 - Kevin Costner, Paul Newman, and Robin Wright Penn stars in this movie filmed in Phippsburg, at Popham Beach, south of Bath. Locations include New Harbor, Maine, but New Harbor, S.C., was painted on the boats. Scenes of Costner building a sailboat were filmed at the Boat Shop at the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath. A diner was constructed near Shaw's Wharf and the film company built an1800s summer cottage on Popham Beach, with views of the Kennebec River channel, Bay Point in Georgetown, and Sequin Island lighthouse, as the home of Costner's character. A 130-year-old house at 97 Danforth Street in Portland, just down the street from Victoria Mansion, was remodeled and used in the movie as Penn's Chicago home.

 

Snow Falling on Cedars - 1998 - Cape Elizabeth, ME was used as the perfect lighthouse. The script calls for a snowstorm, and the film crew was lucky enough to capture an ice storm while shooting at the Portland Head Light.

 

The Myth of Fingerprints - 1997 - A story of unrest within a family who gather together to celebrate Thanksgiving. Stars Blythe Danner, Hope Davis, Julianne Moore, and Chris Bauer. This movie was filmed in part in Bethel.

 

Thinner - 1996 - Another movie from a Stephen King book. Filmed in Camden, Appleton, Belfast, Portland and Thomaston. With Robert John Burke, Joe Mantegna, Lucinda Jenney. A lawyer is cursed by a gypsy to lose weight.

The Preacher's Wife - 1996  - Filmed in part in Portland. A romantic/dramedy Christmas film starring Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston, Gregory Hines. Remake of 1947's The Bishop's Wife.

Head Above Water - 1996 - Filmed in Phippsburg. A temporary house was constructed on an island near Lincoln Beach. A comedy/thriller starring Harvey Keitel, Cameron Diaz, Craig Sheffer, and Billy Zane. A prominent judge, his wife, her ex-lover, their neighbor and a dead body that complicates their lives.

 

Reindeer Games - 1996 - Filmed in part in Portland. Ben Affleck, Gary Sinise.  A small-time car thief about to be released from jail in time for Christmas takes on another man's identity in order to meet his beautiful pen-pal girlfriend. The girl's psychotic brother shows up and forces them to hold up a casino.

Casper - 1995 - Casper, a story of the famous friendly ghost, was filmed in Camden. The story was set in the quaint fishing village of Friendship, but the producers thought Friendship wasn't quaint enough so they chose Camden instead.

 

The Langoliers - 1995 -  TV movie, filmed in Bangor; Bangor International Airport. A Stephen King novel comes to life. On a red eye flight to Boston from LA 10 people wake up to a shock. All the passengers and crew have vanished. When they try to contact the ground they make no connections. They land the plane only to discover that things haven't changed. But its like the world is dead. No one is there, the air is still, sound doesn't echo, the food is tasteless. Patricia Wettig, Dean Stockwell.

 

Jumanji - 1995 - Filmed in part in North Berwick and Kennebunk, south of Portland, Maine, near the New Hampshire border. The North Berwick Woolen Mill on the bank of the Great Works River, an historic landmark in North Berwick, became the Parrish Shoe Factory. Also filmed in part in Keene and Swanzey, NH.

 

Iron Will - 1994 - Filmed in part in Bingham, near Skowhegan. Iron Will is a family film and adventure film. It is based on the exploits of Albert Campbell, who won the 1917 race from Winnipeg to Saint Paul, and Fred Hartman, the American hope in the race. When a young man's father dies in an accident, he is left to care for his family. Needing money for college and to save the farm, he decides to join a cross-country dog-sled race.  It stars Mackenzie Astin, Kevin Spacey, David Ogden Stiers, George Gerdes, Brian Cox, Penelope Windust, and August Schellenberg.

 

Forrest Gump - 1994 - Filmed in Pemaquid and Port Clyde. In Port Clyde at Marshall Point Lighthouse. This comedy-drama film was directed by Robert Zemeckis, stars Tom Hanks, Robin Wright Penn, and Gary Sinise. The story is of Forrest Gump, a simple man who comes from Alabama, and his journey through life meeting historical figures, influencing popular culture, and experiencing firsthand historic events of the late 20th century.

 

The Shawshank Redemption - 1994 - This drama follows Andy, who spends nearly two decades in Shawshank State Prison, a fictional penitentiary in Maine, and his friendship with Red, a fellow inmate. It is an adaptation of the Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. The film stars Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman.

 

The Man Without a Face - 1993 - The Man Without a Face, starring Mel Gibson, was filmed in Rockport, Cape Rosier, Bath, Brunswick, Portland, and Rockland.

 

The Good Son - 1993 - A young boy stays with his aunt and uncle, and befriends his cousin who's the same age. But his cousin begins showing increasing signs of psychotic behavior. Macaulay Culkin, Elijah Wood, Daniel Hugh Kelly.

Bed and Breakfast - 1992 - Filmed in Kennebunkport, Cape Porpoise, and Wells. This romantic comedy is about three generations of women (Talia Shire, Nina Siemaszko, and Colleen Dewhurst) running a failing bed and breakfast. Also stars Roger Moore.

 

Sarah Plain and Tall - 1991- A TV film filmed in part in Stonington. During the late 19th century, Jacob Witting, a widowed farmer finds that the task of taking care of his farm and two children, Anna and Caleb, is too difficult to handle alone. He writes an ad in the newspaper for a mail-order bride. Sarah, from Maine, answers his ad and travels out to become his wife. Glenn Close, Christopher Walken star.

 

Graveyard Shift - 1990 - Filmed in Bangor, Brewer and Harmony. Based on Stephen King's short story about a Maine textile mill, where it's workers come into contact with something far more gruesome than anyone might expect. David Andrews, Kelly Wolf.

 

Pet Sematary - 1989 - Stephen King's Pet Sematary, starring Fred Gwynne and Dale Midkiff, was filmed in Hancock, Acadia, Bangor, and Ellsworth. The Creed family has moved to a nice little community, but shortly after the move their son is killed. The grief-stricken father discovers that there is a cemetery nearby, where you can bury your loved ones - and they come back to life.

 

Signs of Life - 1989 - With Beau Bridges and Kathy Bates, filmed in South Bristol at Gamage Shipyard, Ellsworth, Stonington, and Thomaston. Veteran actor Arthur Kennedy as a cranky, set-in-his-ways Maine shipbuilder. Unable to keep apace with the times, Kennedy is forced to close up shop. The film explores the various effects this decision has on the employees.

 

The Whales of August - 1987 - Filmed in part in Portland and Cliff Island in Casco Bay. Starring Bette Davis, Vincent Price, and Lillian Gish. Things are changing for two elderly sisters who have summered in Maine for the past 50 years. Whales no longer pass close to the shore, as they did during the sisters' youth.

 

Creepshow 2 - 1987 - Bangor, Brewer and Dexter. George Romero and Stephen King return to bring three stories that include a vengeful wooden Native American, a monstrous blob in a lake, and a hitchhiker who wants revenge...and will not die! Domenick John, Tom Savini, George Kennedy.

 

A New Leaf - 1971 - An Elaine May film. Henry Graham, Walter Matthau, is a man with a problem: he has run through his entire inheritance, and is completely unequipped to provide for himself. His childhood guardian, Uncle Harry, played by James Coco, refuses to give him a dime, and Henry devises a plan with the help of his imaginative butler. He can make money the old-fashioned way - he can marry it. Elaine May play his bride.

 

Route 66 - 1960 - TV Series - Various locations along the coast and in Poland Spring. The only fiction series written and shot all over North America. Two young adventurers in a Corvette explore early 1960s-era social problems and changing mores. Episodes: Same Picture, Different Frame; Build Your Houses with Their Backs to the Sea; Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are.

 

Peyton Place - 1957 - This film stars Lana Turner and Hope Lange was filmed in Camden and Belfast, and is still a classic. Also: Knox County Courthouse, 62 Union Street, Rockland. Coming-of-age story set in a small New England village whose peaceful facade hides love and passion, scandal and hypocrisy.

 

Carousel - 1956 - This classic starring Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones was filmed in Boothbay Harbor and Newcastle. Billy Bigelow is a carnival barker with a serious temper, that gets him in trouble and in the middle of a robbery gone bad. He dies and is sent to purgatory, where he is given one day to return to Earth and fix his troubles. This film is being remade with Hugh Jackman, due out in 2013.

 

Leave Her to Heaven - 1945 - Gene Tierney, Cornel Wilde, Jeanne Crain, Vincent Price. A writer meets a stunning and self-assured woman on a train and she takes him to meet her family. She sweeps him off his feet with the force of her love but he does not understand how obsessive her love actually is. A film noir in eye-popping Technicolor, with its most chilling scene taking place, not in a dimly lit back alley, but on a lake in Maine.

 

Way Down East - 1935 - Henry Fonda, Rochelle Hudson. A family living on a farm in Maine takes in a young woman to stay with them, not knowing that the woman is not quite what she seems and has a secret in her past. Although the film was made on a set, they shot ice-jam and breakup scenes on the Kennebec and Death rivers near Waterville, Maine, in March 1935.

 

Email us if you have another film you think we should add to this list.

For more information about these movies filmed in Maine, visit IMDB.com.

The Camden International Film Festival
The premiere Maine documentary film festival in the Rockland, Mid-coast area.
The Maine Film and Video Association
Maine's trade group for the film, television and media industry
The Maine International Film Festival
Showing the best of american independent, international and Maine films in Waterville and satellite venues throughout Maine.
The Maine Film Festival Consortium
Bringing together six individual film festivals occurring in the state of Maine throughout the year and across the state.
www.mainearts.com
The Maine Arts Commission assists artists and arts organizations and stimulates participation in cultural programs.
www.oldfilm.org
Northeast Historic Film in Bucksport Maine, a regional moving image archive dedicated to collecting, preserving and making accessible film and video related to Northern New England.
www.lef-foundation.org
LEF is a private foundation that supports the creation and presentation of contemporary works in film, new media and other fields of art.