Abandoned movie sets offer film fans a chance to explore the places where their favourite movies came to life.Big production budgets mean movie studios can afford to build huge sets to shoot inside of. Those big sets will sometimes be taken apart when production wraps filming because a new film comes in the same studio the following year. Other filmmakers build their sets on location to give their movies a more realistic feel.
On-location sets pose the question of what happens to the set once filmmakers no longer use it. Many productions bulldoze the sets afterwards, to avoid annoying people who still live nearby. However, every so often the sets remain up even after the crew moves on. Sometimes, it's too expensive to dismantle the set; other times, the remains of it become a tourist attraction for movie fans to come see for themselves.
When you plan your next vacation, keep in mind the walk to The Shire from Lord of the Rings, or visit the little seaside town of Sweethaven from Robert Altman's Popeye. Many of the abandoned sites have tours run by the property owners. com.akamaized.net
Abandoned Movie Sets You Can Explore in Real Life
District 12 From the Hunger Games
The production crew of The Hunger Games turned the deserted town of Henry River Mill Village in North Carolina into District 12, the birthplace of Katniss Everdeen. Today, it remains privately owned and is available for visitors to walk around and take photos. Be forewarned: it's allegedly haunted, so you may want to keep your ghost-spotting to yourself, but if you're interested in visiting a real Hunger Games filming location, Henry River Mill Village is your best bet.
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The Shire from the Lord of the Rings
An Australian writer lives in New Zealand. The Shire, New Zealand If the Lord of the Rings trilogies became your reason for loving all things Peter Jackson, you will be pleased to know that the dream of a trip to The Shire has become a reality. The hobbit-sized houses preserve the farmland of Matamata, New Zealand.
They recreated the houses during The Hobbit films of the early 2010s and still maintain them, ready to show tourists around the charming gardens, hobbit holes, double-arch bridges and beyond.
Sweethaven Village from Popeye
Robert Altman and the cast and crew of Popeye (1980) – starring Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall – built the seaside town of Sweethaven in Malta over the course of seven months.
After they finished filming, they abandoned the town. They have now transformed it into a theme park called Popeye Village, which features boat rides and restaurants and is open to the public.
The Bus Scene in the Fugitive
One of the opening scenes in The Fugitive features Dr. Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford) as he evades capture from a prison transport bus that crashes into a freight train. The crew believes the shot cost roughly $1.5 million to shoot and completed it in one take.
Fortunately for the crew, they nailed it. And the debris left behind? Well, they didn't find it cost-efficient to remove it. You can still spot the remains of the legendary collision near the Smoky Mountain Railroad in Dillsboro, North Carolina.
The Town of Spectre from Big Fish
Tim Burton’s fantastical Big Fish takes place in the fictional town of Spectre, Alabama, along the banks of the Alabama River. The entire town was built for the purpose of filming in, located within Millbrook, Alabama at Jackson Lake Island.
While the once idyllic town is currently in various states of decay, the now private property remains open for tourists to explore. For just a small bridge toll, guests can lose themselves among the rundown streets and last surviving buildings.
The African Queen from the African Queen
The vessel in John Huston’s The African Queen originally carried the name “The Livingston,” and the East Africa British Railways company built it in 1912. Huston spotted the ship on the Ruki River in the Democratic Republic of Congo and wanted to place it in his film.
Once The African Queen became an Oscar-winning success, a San Francisco businessman acquired the ship and brought it to the U.S. to attract fans of the movie. Multiple owners have possessed the steamboat over the decades, and in 2012, they restored it with a new steel-hull frame and replacement boiler. The ship offers daily tours on the Port Largo Canal in Florida.
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Port Royal in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
In Wallilabou Anchorage, St. Vincent, several props and structures from the 2003 adventure film Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl still stand to this day. A new Port Royal set was built by Disney in Palos Verdes, California for the following sequels, leaving the buildings in St.
Vincent abandoned. While you’ll be hard-pressed to find any actual pirates lurking about, the remains of Port Royal make for a cool destination that is sure to satisfy fans of the franchise. Tons of tourists are made to see the remnants for themselves each year.
FAQs
1. What are abandoned movie sets?
Abandoned movie sets are locations built or used for filming that remain after production ends. Some become tourist attractions, while others are left to decay.
2. Can you visit abandoned movie sets in real life?
Yes, some movie sets welcome visitors through guided tours or public attractions. However, others are on private property and require permission before visiting.
3. Where can you visit The Shire from The Lord of the Rings?
The Hobbiton Movie Set is located near Matamata on New Zealand's North Island. Visitors can explore Hobbit holes, gardens and other famous features through guided tours.
4. Is Popeye Village open to tourists?
Yes, Popeye Village in Malta is a tourist attraction built for the 1980 film Popeye. Visitors can explore the colourful village and enjoy its activities.
5. Which movie sets are worth visiting for film fans?
Popular choices include Hobbiton in New Zealand, Popeye Village in Malta, Henry River Mill Village in North Carolina and the remains of Spectre from Big Fish in Alabama. Check access rules before planning your visit.
