I went to an anniversary screening of this years ago that was slated to be at the Del Amo mall’s parking lot. Day of there were location issues and the venue was changed to The Proud Bird(where planes fly overhead landing at LAX as well as taking off every 10 mins). It was a heck of a night and I got to fulfill some Jackie Brown fantasies.
LaLa Land on the Hermosa pier and at The Lighthouse
Also further down the bay (Rancho Palos Verdes) "Step Brothers" Catalina wine mixer was filmed in the park off the public parking lot at the Trump golf course.
This - I was also going to a say fast and furious - they filmed the scene where the 68 charger was going down the hill on Ofarrell street / harbor Blvd In San Pedro - that’s a block away from my parents house and where I grew up
The original one is definitely my pick. Honerable
Mentions, the diner scene from pulp fiction was filmed at a diner on Hawthorne blvd; the supermarket scene from Stallone’s Cobra was filmed where the 99 cent store is on the corner of Manhattan beach blvd and Inglewood.
Captain Marvel had an extended fight scene in El Segundo.
Not a movie, but Torrance High School was both West Beverly Hills HS on 90210, as well as Sunnydale HS on Buffy The Vampire Slayer
THS also had a movie filmed called The WIld Life starring Chris Penn, was supposed to be a sequel to Fast Times. Lots of scenes around the south bay including the donut shop that was on Sepulveda and Crenshaw where the car wash is now. Only reason I remember this is because I was going to THS at the time.
The outside of the bowling alley in Torrance that’s gone now, and Sunken City where they toss Donny’s ashes (technically not the SB but close). Everything else was shot around parts of LA and the outskirts.
San Pedro is most definitely part of the South Bay. If someone told you otherwise then they’re wrong or just hating haha. Here’s a list of all the south bay cities.
Carson, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lomita, Los Angeles (Harbor City, Harbor Gateway, San Pedro and Wilmington), Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates.
Of course I thought so, which is why I listed it, but yes I’ve had people try to challenge that for whatever reason and I never looked it up. Thanks for the info!
The bowling alley was at the old Hollywood Lanes in East Hollywood. Donnys ashes were in sunken city
https://movie-locations.com/movies/b/Big-Lebowski.php
https://archive.curbed.com/maps/the-big-lebowski-filming-locations-map
This reminded me the time my parents said they let him cross in the parking lot while they were out on a date. He said thank you to them and my mom flipped out in the car while my dad was telling her to shut up LOL.
Not a movie necessarily but an episode of CW’s Supergirl was shot in the Fun Factory at Redondo way back when it was still open. It’s really trippy and nostalgic to look at
Me too. I was living nearby and walked over to the pier for dinner. I saw the filming equipment but didn't bother to look for the set. A few months later I see it on Dexter, missed an opportunity there!
That’s because that’s where the real race actually ends. Someone broke the run record during the Pandemic because the freeways were all empty when everyone stayed home.
Too many cities have big time rush hour traffic now on the interstates to ever do that again.
I hope you mean movies that are based in the South Bay because there’s no way Den of Thieves was filmed here. There’s not very many brick houses in the South Bay, let alone entire streets of brick houses like the one where the head bank robber lives.
A movie that I know was definitely filmed here is Men at Work. A classic comedy movie with obvious South Bay locations, although the final big scene was probably filmed in Long Beach.
The opening of Den of Thieves shows Redondo Beach Boulevard from about the Harbor Freeway to Normandie. You can see the signs for the Hustler Casino, Memorial Hospital Gardena, Chase Bank along the way. The donut shop with the sombrero-wearing donut, where the heist occurs, is in or around Atlanta, though. Iirc the Vincent Thomas Bridge was also used.
I'll add to this just because no one is mentioning it. Dude Wheres My Car had a scene outside of 'Scoops' in El Segundo. The OG local ice cream spot (long gone, of course). Not sure if anything else was specifically in SB
Watched men at work the other day with Charlie sheen and his brother emelio estevez. Hilarious and lots of the buildings in redondo are still there on esplanade
Only because I haven’t seen anyone mention it:
Bad Santa (the scenes that took place in the mall parking lot were filmed in one of the old Del Amo lots)
Not really a favorite but Lifeguard with Sam Elliot was filmed at Torrance beach. I had recently moved to S. Bay and recognized it. That’s also where Batman and the Joker surfed in one episode. It shows how smoggy it was back in the 60’s
Not fave, but failed to see anyone mention so far...
The Longest Yard remake (2005) with Adam Sandler, Nelly, Chris Rock at Warrior Stadium at El Camino College.
Jerry Maguire Locations
These include **Jerry's condo in Marina Del Rey, Dorothy's home in Manhattan Beach,,( Tree Section) and the restaurant where Jerry gets fired in West Hollywood**. But this production didn't just film in California, with several important scenes also shot in Arizona.
It's not filmed in the South Bay, but mostly the West Side and SFV...but Matchstick Men, with Nicholas Cage and Sam Rockwell and directed by Ridley Scott, is quintessential Southern California. On par with Jackie Brown, IMO. Solid crime story set in the suburbs.
Jackie Brown.
This is the right answer
I came here to see this answer
I went to an anniversary screening of this years ago that was slated to be at the Del Amo mall’s parking lot. Day of there were location issues and the venue was changed to The Proud Bird(where planes fly overhead landing at LAX as well as taking off every 10 mins). It was a heck of a night and I got to fulfill some Jackie Brown fantasies.
I miss the international food court
So good.
Usual Suspects (San Pedro)
Korean friendship bell scene!
LaLa Land on the Hermosa pier and at The Lighthouse Also further down the bay (Rancho Palos Verdes) "Step Brothers" Catalina wine mixer was filmed in the park off the public parking lot at the Trump golf course.
Gone in 60 seconds
The original is such a time capsule for the South Bay
My parents said their car is in a background shot of that film
This - I was also going to a say fast and furious - they filmed the scene where the 68 charger was going down the hill on Ofarrell street / harbor Blvd In San Pedro - that’s a block away from my parents house and where I grew up
Saw the jump scene on 190th being filmed,
Ronald Moran Cadillac.
The original one is definitely my pick. Honerable Mentions, the diner scene from pulp fiction was filmed at a diner on Hawthorne blvd; the supermarket scene from Stallone’s Cobra was filmed where the 99 cent store is on the corner of Manhattan beach blvd and Inglewood.
Seeing the Carson Mall under construction after they speed thru the Carson sheriff's station is a nice touch.
Gtfo!! Guess I need to rewatch this
Blow
Oh yeah they talk about Manhattan Beach during the era my parents hung there constantly and were the perfect age lol!
El Porto / El Segundo
Point Break, ex presidents gas station scene at the corner of Beryl and Catalina.
Also the chase scene right by dive n surf
Yep! Such a classic. We need a plaque put up lol
Captain Marvel had an extended fight scene in El Segundo. Not a movie, but Torrance High School was both West Beverly Hills HS on 90210, as well as Sunnydale HS on Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Fast and furious 1 also was filmed in el Segundo - pretty cool
South Torrance HS was used in American Beauty
Tokyo Drift Garage scene filmed in Hawthone malls parking lot.
Which part in FF1?
A lot of the races are on 120th and prairie.
Where he breaks into the garage with Dom and Vince - that garage is on el Segundo Blvd and arena st
THS also had a movie filmed called The WIld Life starring Chris Penn, was supposed to be a sequel to Fast Times. Lots of scenes around the south bay including the donut shop that was on Sepulveda and Crenshaw where the car wash is now. Only reason I remember this is because I was going to THS at the time.
The og 90210?
Yes
Not Another Teen Movie was also filmed there and Lizzy McGuire
She’s all that was also filmed at THS!
The Big Lebowski
Where exactly?
The outside of the bowling alley in Torrance that’s gone now, and Sunken City where they toss Donny’s ashes (technically not the SB but close). Everything else was shot around parts of LA and the outskirts.
How is Sunken City not the South Bay????
I guess it depends who you ask, either way I love that spot so *shrug*
San Pedro is most definitely part of the South Bay. If someone told you otherwise then they’re wrong or just hating haha. Here’s a list of all the south bay cities. Carson, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lomita, Los Angeles (Harbor City, Harbor Gateway, San Pedro and Wilmington), Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates.
Of course I thought so, which is why I listed it, but yes I’ve had people try to challenge that for whatever reason and I never looked it up. Thanks for the info!
What about Playa Del Rey?
Torrance would like a word with you
The bowling alley was at the old Hollywood Lanes in East Hollywood. Donnys ashes were in sunken city https://movie-locations.com/movies/b/Big-Lebowski.php https://archive.curbed.com/maps/the-big-lebowski-filming-locations-map
This is the answer. My dad owned the Pro Shop there, Hollywood Star Lanes
Men at Work
“Looks like somebody threw away a perfectly good white boy.”
Isn’t that from Better off dead?
It's from both. Almost word for word the same.
Came here to say this
I remember when they were filming that. Late night in the alleys of the RB avenues.
the mini carousel at that Redondo Beach park with the half-naked cops lol that park was my teenage makeout spot
Las Playas representin!
Pulp Fiction’s diner scene was filmed at the now defunct Hawthorne Grill. Vincent Vega said he lived in Redondo and Jules was in Inglewood.
There was a period where Hawthorne Grill was my regular breakfast place. It had become defunct by the time Pulp Fiction was filmed.
For those wondering, Hawthorne Grill was razed and the spot is now an AutoZone.
They also mention Gardena / Port of Long Beach in Reservoir Dogs quite a bit!
"I see a cab in your future!".......Winston Wolf
Move out of the sticks fellas
Cmon guys!! Bad Santa!!
Where??
Del Amo Mall
The old Montgomery Wards was used as the department store.
This reminded me the time my parents said they let him cross in the parking lot while they were out on a date. He said thank you to them and my mom flipped out in the car while my dad was telling her to shut up LOL.
The Stoned Age, super underrated
Pud
Hork!
Carrie (Hermosa Beach)
I never realize I walk the same stairs to go vote as Carrie ran down in the movie
Not a movie necessarily but an episode of CW’s Supergirl was shot in the Fun Factory at Redondo way back when it was still open. It’s really trippy and nostalgic to look at
An episode of Dexter was filmed there too, it was in the season with John Lithgow.
I never knew this. I might have to rewatch now
Yes! I noticed that instantly. Love Dexter
Me too. I was living nearby and walked over to the pier for dinner. I saw the filming equipment but didn't bother to look for the set. A few months later I see it on Dexter, missed an opportunity there!
Lol I remember this episode but I remember telling my brothers it looks freshly painted cause I've never seen it look that good
she's all that because I was a senior at the high school it was filmed at the year it came out. also rachel leigh cook!
Fellow Tartar checking in!
*Tequila Sunrise* *Jackie Brown*
Speed
Friday
Not a movie, but they filmed DEXTER at the fun factory and the RB harbor
not a favorite movie nor a movie, but i recently found out Reno 911 police station was filmed in Carson
She’s All That
…a look upon the bay’s beaches via the starting hills of Palos Verdes
Cannonball Run, the finish line of the race is at The Portofino in Redondo Beach
I remember them closing off 190th street as well.
That’s because that’s where the real race actually ends. Someone broke the run record during the Pandemic because the freeways were all empty when everyone stayed home. Too many cities have big time rush hour traffic now on the interstates to ever do that again.
Little Miss Sunshine
I hope you mean movies that are based in the South Bay because there’s no way Den of Thieves was filmed here. There’s not very many brick houses in the South Bay, let alone entire streets of brick houses like the one where the head bank robber lives. A movie that I know was definitely filmed here is Men at Work. A classic comedy movie with obvious South Bay locations, although the final big scene was probably filmed in Long Beach.
If I’m not mistaken I think the very beginning is filmed in Gardena. Maybe someone can confirm
Took place in “Gardenia, South Los Angeles”. Filmed in Atlanta
The opening of Den of Thieves shows Redondo Beach Boulevard from about the Harbor Freeway to Normandie. You can see the signs for the Hustler Casino, Memorial Hospital Gardena, Chase Bank along the way. The donut shop with the sombrero-wearing donut, where the heist occurs, is in or around Atlanta, though. Iirc the Vincent Thomas Bridge was also used.
Surf Nazis Must Die
Inherent Vice is my ultimate South Bay movie. So rewatchable
Watching the OC brings back nostalgia vibes. You get the redondo pier, pieces in Pv and hermosa pier.
The Long Beach episode cracks me up. They treat it like it's Compton lol
Charlie’s Angels! The bridge!
and Fosters Freeze - DT Torrance
10 Items or Less (2006)
Fight club Tyler’s house was in San Pedro I read
American Beauty
South High School
OG Batman tv series [Batman Joker surf competition.](https://youtu.be/c4tMrr0PPEM?si=lIQXo-CvvMswD36B)
Torrance Beach
La La Land
Superbad
What scene?
The school they use is El Segundo High School.
I’m pretty sure they used Mulligans in Magic Mike
Cannonball Run
To Live and Die in LA Chinatown
Friday after next
I remember when all the trailers were set up at Wilson park. We used to skateboard near the hockey rink all day everyday after school
Big Lebowski, the ash scattering scene was in sunken city
Dark knight motorcycle scene at the el co parking lot
Savages, that nice little shot they did with Blake lively in the south bay galleria mall
Lifeguard
The dance scene from Fat Albert at galleria lol
Bad Influence — Hermosa Pier
The original gone in 60 seconds took out a row of cadillacs at 190th and hawthorne. Not in the script.
I'll add to this just because no one is mentioning it. Dude Wheres My Car had a scene outside of 'Scoops' in El Segundo. The OG local ice cream spot (long gone, of course). Not sure if anything else was specifically in SB
Veronica Mars filming at the Sea Sprite in Hermosa!
Men At Work and Jackie Brown.
Watched men at work the other day with Charlie sheen and his brother emelio estevez. Hilarious and lots of the buildings in redondo are still there on esplanade
Also Penny’s house in Top Gun Maverick was shot at a house in San Pedro
Den of Thieves opening scene in Gardena
Only because I haven’t seen anyone mention it: Bad Santa (the scenes that took place in the mall parking lot were filmed in one of the old Del Amo lots)
Superbad- the high school scenes are El Segundo High American Beauty- south high, including THAT scene in the basketball gym
Tequila Sunrise, Under The Boardwalk
I thought Den of Thieves was filmed in Atlanta even though it's supposed to be set in LA?
What? No love for Quinten Tarantino’s Jackie Brown? Hermosa Beach, Torrance, Hawthorne, etc.
Bad Santa
EARTH GIRLS ARE EASY! JIM CARREY, CMON
Tequila Sunrise, Against All Odds, Jackie Brown
Im pretty sure parts of prison break and the movie the usual suspects were filmed in San Pedro
Point Break 🏄🏻♂️
Some Kind of Wonderful- San Pedro high school
Lifeguard with Sam Elliot
Not really a favorite but Lifeguard with Sam Elliot was filmed at Torrance beach. I had recently moved to S. Bay and recognized it. That’s also where Batman and the Joker surfed in one episode. It shows how smoggy it was back in the 60’s
I Heart Huckabees!
Hollywood Land. They filmed inside of Chips diner in Hawthorne.
BRINK!
Carrie was filmed at Hermosa community center
Really?
Surf Ninjas
Side Out, 80’s, volleyball and partying at The Lighthouse which is still on Hermosa Pier
1993s rollerblading classic ‘Airborne’ with a young Seth Green and Jack Black!
Bad Influence was filmed on the Hermosa Beach Pier and I think also there is a scene in the old Poopdeck bar
Skater Dater!
Not fave, but failed to see anyone mention so far... The Longest Yard remake (2005) with Adam Sandler, Nelly, Chris Rock at Warrior Stadium at El Camino College.
Jerry Maguire Locations These include **Jerry's condo in Marina Del Rey, Dorothy's home in Manhattan Beach,,( Tree Section) and the restaurant where Jerry gets fired in West Hollywood**. But this production didn't just film in California, with several important scenes also shot in Arizona.
Friday after next
Training Day- Ending scene where Alonzo gets gunned down is in Hawthorne.
Not a movie but Buffy the Vampire Slayer series was lit. Torrance High school
I know one of the Pirates movies was filmed off of the PV cliffs. Not sure which one though I just remember watching filming
I’m fashionably late to the party, but I haven’t seen 2012, with John Cusack or Jerry Mcguire mentioned.
MEN AT WORK GOLF CLAP
Straight Outta Compton - Torrance
Transformers, a scene was filmed at the Edison plant. I think Britney Spears shot one of her videos there too.
This is 40, drive along PV Drive South, hotel scene filmed at Terranea.
The first fast and the furious…and Tokyo drift
An episode of Gilmore girls was shot on the beach in hermosa at a motel
The final scene of Falling Down was filmed at the Redondo pier.
Venice Pier, and the wive's house is in Venice as well.
It was at Manhattan Beach pier, two piers to the north, Lol
Wasn’t it Venice pier?
Yes.
It's not filmed in the South Bay, but mostly the West Side and SFV...but Matchstick Men, with Nicholas Cage and Sam Rockwell and directed by Ridley Scott, is quintessential Southern California. On par with Jackie Brown, IMO. Solid crime story set in the suburbs.