From timeless classics to today’s hottest shows, movies and television productions have transformed cities across the U.S. into iconic backdrops. Whether it’s the mean streets of New York, the cinematic glow of Los Angeles, or the unexpected charm of smaller towns, the magic of the screen is all around us. But which U.S. destinations are featured most regularly?
To set the scene on this exploration of that question, we analyzed filming locations for both movies and TV shows using IMDb data, uncovering which cities light up the silver screen and the small screen, most often.
Sit down and grab your popcorn as we find out how your city stacks up in the world of movies and TV—and discover the thrill of entertainment close to home!
Cities Most Often Featured in Movies
Some U.S. cities are practically co-stars in the films we love, with their iconic streets, skylines, and landmarks serving as the perfect backdrop of countless productions. To uncover the domestic locales most often featured in movies, we found the total number of films listing each city as one of their filming locations.
Across the 100 cities we analyzed, the average number of movies filmed was 664—a testament to how much American cinema relies on these urban landscapes to tell its stories.
The U.S. Cities with the Most Movies Filmed
- Los Angeles, CA – 21,768 movies
- New York, NY – 9,779
- Chicago, IL – 2,336
- San Francisco, CA – 2,180
- Atlanta, GA – 1,860
Los Angeles leads the way by a wide margin, which comes as no surprise considering it’s the heart of Hollywood. The city’s studios, diverse neighborhoods, and year-round sunshine make it a filmmaker’s dream. New York follows with nearly half as many films but remains a staple of the big screen thanks to its unmistakable skyline and cultural vibrancy. Cities like Chicago, San Francisco, and Atlanta round out the list, offering filmmakers stunning architecture, historic charm, and some setting variance from the usual suspects.
- Las Vegas, NV – 1,461
- Washington, DC – 1,344
- Austin, TX – 1,158
- Miami, FL – 1,113
- Philadelphia, PA – 1,072
The second half of the top 10 reveals cities with unique characteristics that make them stand out on the silver screen. The high-stakes vibes and legendary neon glow of the Las Vegas Strip has made the city a go-to location for everything from heist films to comedies, while the political landmarks in Washington, DC are central to countless thrillers and dramas. Rounding out the top 10, Austin’s quirky charm, Miami’s vibrant culture, and Philadelphia’s historic grit have made each a favorite for filmmakers seeking distinctive settings.
Surprises When Adjusting for Population
While the major cities that dominate our film location ranking aren’t the most surprising, a different picture emerges when we normalize the data by population. On average, cities see 8.2 movies filmed per 100K residents, but some smaller cities punch well above their weight:
- Wilmington, NC – 27.4
- Salt Lake City, UT – 21.2
- Pittsburgh, PA – 17.7
The inclusion of Wilmington in our study can be credited to its long-standing reputation as a hub for film production, while the diverse landscape of Salt Lake City offers filmmakers a little bit of everything from cityscapes to mountain views. When in need of a rustic industrial backdrop, Pittsburgh is often chosen by setting scouts with its unique architecture continuing to make it an underdog favorite in Hollywood.
Next, we’ll transition from the silver screen to the small screen and explore the U.S. cities most often featured in TV shows.
Cities Most Often Featured in TV Shows
When creating a TV show that you expect to run for several seasons, the setting is going to set the tone and backdrop for episodic storytelling for years to come. Its importance can’t be overstated but some cities shine brighter on the small screen than others. Let’s find out which ones are featured most often in television from reality shows to courtroom dramas.
Across the 100 cities we reviewed, the average number of TV shows filmed was 205, showcasing how vital these urban landscapes are to television production.
U.S. Cities with the Most TV Shows Filmed in Them
- Los Angeles, CA – 7,406 TV shows
- New York, NY – 3,160
- Chicago, IL – 823
- Atlanta, GA – 774
- Miami, FL – 547
Los Angeles once again dominates the list, cementing its role as the worldwide epicenter of entertainment. New York and Chicago come in second and third for TV shows, as they did for movies. Atlanta fares better on the small screen, finishing fourth instead of fifth this time around. Miami is the only new inclusion in the top five with nearly 550 TV shows listing it as a setting for at least one of their episodes.
- Las Vegas, NV – 513
- San Francisco, CA – 411
- Austin, TX – 331
- Washington, DC – 328
- San Diego, CA – 316
In the second half of the top 10, we see Las Vegas resurface as a popular setting for television as it was for movies. San Francisco and Washington, DC, and Austin, which we saw as top cities for movies, also feature in the top TV show filming locations. San Diego is the new city featured in the top 10, likely due to its beautiful weather and stunning waterfront views that take any scene from good to jaw-dropping.
Surprises When Adjusting for Population
Just like movies, normalizing our data by population highlights some unexpected stars. The average number of TV shows filmed per 100K residents is 2.2, but these cities outshine the rest:
- Knoxville, TN – 6.4
- Wilmington, NC – 5.1
Knoxville’s strong showing can be attributed to its appeal for niche and reality TV productions, while Wilmington continues its streak as a production hub, thanks to its versatile settings and film-friendly policies.
From sprawling metropolises to smaller cities with hidden charms, the small screen has embraced locations of all kinds.
How Many Movies and TV Shows Have Been Filmed Near You?
Curious to know how many movies and TV shows have been filmed in your city? Our analysis of IMDb data gives you the answers. Explore our interactive table below to find out the number of films and TV shows shot in your area. You can sort the data by city or use the search function to locate your hometown and see its cinematic and television legacy.
Closing Thoughts
From blockbuster movies to hit TV shows, great stories are being filmed in cities large and small. Whether it’s the glitz of Los Angeles or the quiet charm of Wilmington, each city plays its part in creating the magic we see on screen. Who knows—your hometown might just be the next backdrop for a major production.
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Methodology
To determine the U.S. cities with the most and fewest features in major pieces of media, we used IMDb film location data to find the total number of movies and TV series that were filmed in America’s 100 largest cities.
For a city to be listed as a location, it must have appeared as a filming location on a movie or TV show’s detailed IMDb pages.
