Lights, Camera, Anaheim: Celebrate National Cinema Day!

With National Cinema Day just a few days away (August 31, 2024), it’s the perfect time to celebrate some of the movies shot, filmed, or featured in Anaheim.  So, grab a popcorn bucket as large as your head, and the choc-top flavour of your choice, and let us countdown some of Anaheim’s top set-jetting locations to explore.

As the home of all your favourite Disney, Pixar, Star Wars and Marvel superhero characters Disneyland Resort in California is a movie-lovers dream come true.  From living your own Star Wars adventure at the out-of-this-world Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge® within Disneyland Park, to joining all your favourite Toy Story pals on Toy Story Midway Mania at Disney California Adventure Park, stories adored by the world come to life at every turn in this magical destination.

But Disneyland Resort in California has also inspired its own movie magic. Popular Disneyland Resort attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and the Jungle Cruise have all inspired blockbuster movies with storylines created from the attractions themselves. It’s a different kind of “Circle of Life” that makes a visit to Disneyland Resort in California so special.

And let’s not forget another movie legend, Indiana Jones. Almost 30 years ago, Disneyland Park welcomed the world’s first Indiana Jones themed attraction, the Indiana Jones Adventure.  This classic attraction is still regarded by many as one of the best theme park attractions in the world.  It’s little wonder as to why, as its epic set-pieces, and stellar score, make you feel like you’ve stepped directly into your own Indiana Jones film adventure. 

There are countless film and television stories inspired by sports teams and sports stars.  But there’s only one sports team that was inspired by a movie franchise, and you’ll find them in Anaheim.

When Disney released the first Mighty Ducks film in 1992, the film became a breakout success, leading to two sequels, and recently, its own TV series.  But in 1993, Disney took the movie one step further, forming their own professional NHL team, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

Today, the Anaheim Ducks reside at the Honda Center, and travellers from around the world flock to Anaheim to catch a fast-paced Ice Hockey game and cheer on their favourite (and only) film inspired sporting team.

The Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (better known as ARTIC), is often the first place visitors to Anaheim see if they’re commuting by train from areas such as San Diego and Santa Barabara.  But not only does this architectural wonder serve as the hub for much of Anaheim’s intrastate transportation, but it’s also been a film star in its own right.

Scenes from the most recent Fast & Furious film, Fast X, were shot at ARTIC with the station dressed up to look like a different style of transportation hub, an airport. 

Old Town Orange’s classic Main Street USA feel, and its proximity to the large film studios up the road in nearby Hollywood, means this charming township has been a popular filming location for many Hollywood films for decades.  The township sits just 10-15 minutes’ drive from the Disneyland® Resort in California, and savvy movie buffs might spot locations featured in films such as American Pie: The Wedding, That Think You Do, and First Daughter as they meander the towns antique stores and cafes.

Anaheim is located within the heart of Orange County, and before the region achieved global renown as the setting for 00’s iconic television series, The OC, it was the home of one of the world’s most famous sports agents, Jerry Maguire.  Both Newport Beach’s must-see Fashion Island mall, and the region’s primary airport, John Wayne International Airport, were featured in pivotal scenes in the Academy Award winning film.

Just off the coast of Orange County lies the Mediterranean inspired community of Catalina Island.  This picturesque island has been a popular filming location for Hollywood feature films for decades.  Several recent films shot here include 2020’s The High Note, 2007’s Into The Wild, and 1995’s Apollo 13.

But it’s some of its earliest film stars that make a visit to this island so unique.  It’s believed that in the 1920’s, some American Bison were brought from Yellowstone National Park to film scenes for a silent Western film shooting on the island.  Once filming wrapped, the Bison were left on Catalina, spawning a small herd that wanders the idyllic island paradise.  Day trips to Catalina Island are available from Anaheim, offering travellers the chance to snap a pick of these American icons (from afar).

And that’s just the start.  Anaheim’s location as the heart of Southern California means there are thousands of film and TV locations – including Warner Bros. Studios and Universal Studios – just a short day-trip away from Anaheim.