You don’t have to travel to Hollywood to walk through famous movie locations. Some of the most recognizable films of the past few decades were filmed right here in Massachusetts.
From charming coastal villages and historic downtowns to iconic harbors and seaside estates, these Massachusetts towns have served as the backdrop for everything from Oscar-winning dramas to blockbuster comedies.
Here are a few Massachusetts destinations where movie magic actually happened, and the best part is, you can visit them yourself. Whether you’re planning a day trip from Boston or exploring the state on a longer vacation, these iconic filming locations are easily accessible on the Commuter Rail, making it simple to step into the scenes of your favorite movies and TV shows without needing a car.
1. Salem: Massachusetts’ Most Famous Movie Town
Featured In: Bewitched (1970), Hocus Pocus (1993), Bride Wars (2009), Mass Hysteria (2019), and more.
Few places in Massachusetts have appeared on screen as often as Salem. With its centuries-old architecture, cobblestone streets, historic waterfront, and infamous witch trial history, the city has long been a favorite destination for filmmakers.
Salem is perhaps best known as the filming location for Disney’s beloved Halloween classic Hocus Pocus. Fans can visit several recognizable locations throughout the city, including Salem Common, the Ropes Mansion where Alison’s parents held the halloween party,, and Pioneer Village, all of which continue to attract movie lovers from around the world.
Long before the Sanderson Sisters arrived, Salem was featured in the iconic television series Bewitched. After a fire damaged the show’s Hollywood set, several episodes—known as the “Salem Saga” were filmed on location in the city. In 2005, TV Land commemorated the series with a statue of Samantha Stephens at Lappin Park, which remains one of Salem’s most photographed attractions today.
More recently, the horror-comedy Mass Hysteria was filmed entirely in Salem. Set during the Halloween season, the film follows a group of historical reenactors caught up in a modern-day witch hunt after a tourist dies during a performance. Viewers will recognize numerous Salem landmarks throughout the film, including Old Town Hall, the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall, Pioneer Village, and even the city’s famous trolley.
Getting There on the Commuter Rail
Take the Newburyport/Rockport Line from North Station to Salem Station. From there, most attractions are within a 10–15 minute walk, making Salem one of the easiest car-free day trips from Boston.
2. Gloucester: A Working Waterfront Made for the Screen
Featured In: The Perfect Storm (2000) CODA (2021)
Few Massachusetts towns are as closely tied to a movie as Gloucester is to The Perfect Storm.
Based on the true story of the fishing vessel Andrea Gail, the film brought national attention to Gloucester’s fishing industry and maritime heritage. While much of the movie was filmed elsewhere, Gloucester’s waterfront, harbor, and fishing culture were central to the story.
Today, visitors can experience Gloucester’s cinematic charm firsthand by exploring its historic harbor, visiting the iconic Gloucester Fisherman’s Memorial, strolling the waterfront, or heading out on the water by Kayak. Whether you’re interested in maritime history, dramatic coastal scenery, or seeing the real-life backdrop of two unforgettable films, Gloucester offers one of the most authentic and film-worthy coastal experiences in Massachusetts.
Getting There on the Commuter Rail
Take the Rockport Line from North Station directly to Rockport Station. From there, most of downtown is easily walkable.
Alt text: view of historic Gloucester from the water
3. Rockport: A Coastal Town Straight Out of the Movies
Featured In: CODA (2021), Widow’s Bay( Apple TV)
The Oscar-winning film CODA was filmed extensively throughout Rockport and neighboring Gloucester.
Rockport’s iconic Motif No. 1, postcard-worthy harbor views, and weathered fishing shacks create exactly the kind of authentic maritime setting filmmakers love. Strolling downtown, walking Bearskin Neck, or taking in the harbor, it’s easy to see why Rockport was chosen—it already feels like a movie set. For visitors, Rockport offers the chance to experience one of Massachusetts’ most charming seaside towns while stepping into the coastal scenery that helped bring CODA to life.
Getting There on the Commuter Rail
Take the Rockport Line from North Station directly to Rockport Station. From there, most of downtown is easily walkable.
4. Concord: Literary History and Hollywood Charm
Featured In: The Company You Keep (2012), Little Women (2019)
When director Greta Gerwig brought Little Women to the big screen, much of the filming took place in Concord.
The town’s beautifully preserved historic homes, stone walls, and colonial streets provided an authentic backdrop for the story of the March sisters.
Visitors can tour the Orchard House, where Louisa May Alcott wrote the novel, stroll through downtown Concord, and visit many of the locations that inspired both the book and the film.
Getting There on the Commuter Rail
Take the Fitchburg Line from North Station to Concord Station.
5. Manchester-by-the-Sea: A Seaside Town Forever Linked to Film
Featured In: Manchester by the Sea (2016)
The town’s name became known worldwide thanks to the Academy Award-winning film Manchester by the Sea.
Filmed throughout the community, the movie showcases the town’s scenic harbor, quiet neighborhoods, beaches, and waterfront streets.
Visitors can experience the same stunning coastal scenery that served as the backdrop for one of the most acclaimed films of the decade.
Getting There on the Commuter Rail
Take the Newburyport/Rockport Line from North Station to Manchester Station.
6. Marblehead: Coastal New England on Screen
Featured In: Hocus Pocus (1993), The Good Son (1993), Grown Ups 1&2 (2010,2013) Hubie Halloween (2020)
With its narrow colonial streets, colorful harbor, historic mansions, and rocky coastline, Marblehead looks like a movie set before the cameras even arrive. That’s why filmmakers have been using the town as a backdrop for more than a century.
Most famously, Marblehead appeared in Disney’s Hocus Pocus. While many people associate the film with Salem, several scenes were actually filmed in Marblehead, including the cemetery scenes at Old Burial Hill, one of the oldest cemeteries in New England.
The town also appeared in The Witches of Eastwick, starring Jack Nicholson, where Abbott Hall was used in a memorable concert scene. Other productions filmed in Marblehead include The Good Son, Moonlight Mile, and both Grown Ups films. In fact, Grown Ups 2 was filmed extensively throughout Marblehead and neighboring Swampscott, with the town serving as the fictional setting of Stanton, Connecticut.
Getting There By the Commuter Rail
Take the Rockport Line from North Station directly to the Lynn or Salem Station, from there, it’s a short Uber or Lyft.
7. New Bedford: Seaport History on Screen
Featured In: Moby Dick (1956), The Finestkind (2016), The Holdovers (2023)
Known as “The Whaling City,” New Bedford has one of the most authentic maritime settings in New England, making it a natural choice for filmmakers looking to capture historic coastal America.
Most famously, New Bedford’s connection to Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick has made it a frequent backdrop for productions centered on whaling and maritime history. While the 1956 film adaptation starring Gregory Peck was filmed largely elsewhere, New Bedford’s historic whaling district and harbor have long been associated with the story and continue to attract documentary and television productions.
More recently, scenes from Disney’s The Finestkind , based on the famous Coast Guard rescue off Cape Cod, were filmed in New Bedford and throughout southeastern Massachusetts. The city’s working waterfront helped recreate the atmosphere of New England’s maritime communities in the 1950s.
New Bedford also appeared in the Academy Award-winning film The Holdovers (2023), which used several Massachusetts locations to recreate New England in the early 1970s.
Getting There on the Commuter Rail
Take the new Fall River/New Bedford Line from South Station to New Bedford Station. There’s more to explore on the newest commuter rail line, start planning your South Shore Day Trip.
8. Ipswich: Historic Estates, Coastal Beauty, and the Big Screen
Featured In: The Witches of Eastwick (1987), The Crucible (1996) & Little Women (2019)
The picturesque North Shore town of Ipswich has appeared in several film and television productions over the years, but it is perhaps best known for its connections to The Witches of Eastwick and Little Women ( 2019).
With historic homes, church steeples, winding streets, and classic New England charm, Ipswich offers the kind of scenery that filmmakers love.
While visiting, don’t miss the stunning Crane Estate, which has appeared in numerous productions and commercials over the years. You can tour the great house, head up to the top of the Great House, or even kayak the Crane Wildlife Refuge and get views of Choate Island, ,which was the set location for the 1996 film The Crucible, while the film itself was set in Salem, Choate Island served as the backdrop for the majority of the movie.
Getting There on the Commuter Rail
Take the Newburyport Line from North Station to Ipswich Station.
9. Plymouth: Where American History Meets Hollywood
Featured In: The Judge (2014), The Summer I Turned Pretty (currently filming)
Best known as the home of Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower II, Plymouth is one of the most historic towns in the United States, but it’s also no stranger to the screen. With its classic New England waterfront, charming downtown, and scenic coastal views, Plymouth has become an appealing backdrop for film and television. In The Judge (2014), the town’s historic courthouse was featured in the film’s opening courtroom scene, helping set its small-town New England tone.
More recently, Plymouth has stepped back into the spotlight as a filming location for The Summer I Turned Pretty, with its harborfront streets and seaside atmosphere standing in for the dreamy coastal setting fans know and love. With a walkable downtown, ocean views, and layers of American history, Plymouth offers the kind of cinematic charm that feels made for the screen.
Getting There on the Commuter Rail
Take the Kingston Line from Boston’s South Station directly to Kingston Station. From there, downtown Plymouth and the waterfront are a short ride with Keolis massAdventures away, making it an easy car-free day trip to explore Plymouth Rock, the Mayflower II, and the town’s many historic and film-worthy sites.
Why Filmmakers Love Massachusetts
Massachusetts offers something few places can match: authentic New England character.
In a single day, filmmakers can capture historic downtowns, coastal villages, grand estates, fishing harbors, colonial landmarks, and beautiful beaches. It’s no surprise that directors continue to return to the Commonwealth year after year.
Whether you’re a movie lover, history buff, or simply looking for a unique day trip from Boston, these Massachusetts towns let you step into locations that have appeared on the big screen, and experience the magic for yourself.
