Most People Have No Idea These 10 Movies Were Filmed In Maine
Picture Tom Hanks jogging down a quiet coastal road, reaching a white lighthouse, then turning around and taking off again. That memorable Forrest Gump scene was filmed in a tiny Maine fishing village, and plenty of viewers probably never realized it.
That is hardly the state’s only brush with Hollywood. Maine’s rocky shoreline, working harbors, and old New England towns have given filmmakers plenty to work with over the years.
Along the way, you can walk the same lighthouse ramp Forrest used, explore a cemetery tied to Stephen King, and wander a college campus that appeared on screen. There is even a granite bridge unlike anything else in the country.
Bring a camera and a good pair of walking shoes. This road trip comes with plenty of movie moments, plus scenery that may steal the show.
Forrest Gump (1994)
Run, Forrest, run, and then stop right here. The famous scene where Forrest Gump ends his cross-country jog was filmed at Marshall Point Lighthouse, on Marshall Point Road in Port Clyde, Maine.
Fans still walk the same wooden ramp just to snap their own turnaround photo.
Guiding boats since 1832, the lighthouse sits at the entrance to Port Clyde Harbor. The current 31-foot white brick tower was built in 1857 on a granite base.
A raised wooden walkway links it to land, which makes it look like it floats above the rocks.
The original keeper’s house was struck by lightning in 1895. A Colonial Revival style home replaced it, and today it holds a small museum packed with maritime objects and local stories.
Kids and adults both enjoy peeking at old tools and photos of keepers who lived there.
Visit in summer or early fall for mild weather and soft evening light. Bring a jacket, since ocean breezes can surprise you.
Sunset is the best time for photos, when the tower glows against the water.
Port Clyde is a sleepy fishing village, so take your time. Some people come for the movie, but everyone leaves with a new favorite lighthouse.
Pet Sematary (1989)
Stephen King fans, grab your notebooks. Parts of Pet Sematary were filmed at Mount Hope Cemetery, 1048 State Street, Bangor, Maine 04401, United States.
King even made a cameo in the movie as a minister during a graveside scene.
Spooky reputation aside, the place is calm and lovely. Mount Hope covers about 264 acres and opened in 1836, making it the second-oldest garden cemetery in the country.
Designers planned it like a park, with a pond, winding lanes, and big shady trees.
History lovers get plenty to explore here. Hannibal Hamlin, who served as Vice President under Abraham Lincoln, rests on the grounds.
You will also spot some of the earliest Civil War monuments in the nation.
During warmer months, the Bangor Historical Society leads guided tours. Guides share stories about local families, famous names, and the art carved into old stones.
Joining a tour is the easiest way to learn what makes each corner special.
Autumn is a great season to go, when leaves turn gold and red around the pond. Please stay respectful, since it is still an active cemetery.
Bangor is King’s hometown, so a quick drive past his famous house makes a fun bonus stop.
Casper (1995)
A friendly ghost needed a friendly town, and Camden fit the bill perfectly. The coastal town of Camden, supplied many exterior shots for the 1995 movie Casper.
In the film, the town was called Friendship, Maine, but the harbor views are pure Camden.
Whipstaff Manor, the creepy mansion, was mostly built in a studio. Still, crews filmed around Camden and nearby Rockport in Knox County to capture a classic New England feel.
Walking downtown, you might recognize the storefronts and waterfront scenes.
Camden Harbor is busy with sailboats, schooners, and lobster boats in summer. Stroll past small shops, bakeries, and bookstores along the main streets.
Grab an ice cream cone and watch boats drift in and out.
For the best view, head to Camden Hills State Park and drive or hike up Mount Battie. At the top, you can see the whole town and the islands of Penobscot Bay.
A stone tower there makes a great photo spot.
Fall foliage season in early October is especially pretty, though summer is livelier. Book rooms early, because Camden fills up fast.
No ghosts required, just good walking shoes and a hungry appetite for views.
The Cider House Rules (1999)
Remember Homer Wells seeing the ocean for the first time? That tender moment in The Cider House Rules was filmed at Sand Beach in Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine.
The Oscar-winning film used Mount Desert Island to give its story a true New England heart.
Sand Beach is rare in Maine, since most of the coast is rocky. The small cove is framed by pine, birch, and granite cliffs.
The water stays chilly even in August, so brave swimmers usually go in quick and come out quicker.
Get there early in summer, because the parking lot fills by midmorning. The Island Explorer shuttle bus is a handy option.
Nearby, the Ocean Path trail follows the shoreline toward Thunder Hole and Otter Cliff.
Crews also filmed in Bernard, a small waterfront village in Tremont, Maine. This working lobster port sits on the quieter south side of the island.
Lobster traps stack along the docks, and boats hum out at sunrise.
Plan at least two days to see both areas. Acadia requires a park pass, which you can buy online.
Watching waves roll onto that same sand feels like stepping into a scene you already love.
The Man Without A Face (1993)
Mel Gibson stepped behind the camera for the first time with The Man Without a Face, and he picked a school straight out of a storybook. Scenes were filmed at Bowdoin College.
Founded in 1794, the campus feels like a history class you can walk through.
Start at Massachusetts Hall, the oldest building on campus. Then look up at Bowdoin Chapel, with its twin granite towers in the Romanesque Revival style.
Leafy paths connect everything, and the quad is peaceful and mostly car-free.
Museums here are free and surprisingly fun. The Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum is now housed in the John and Lile Gibbons Center for Arctic Studies, where exhibits explore Arctic history and exploration.
Just a short walk away stands the Harriet Beecher Stowe House. This is where she wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and her writing room is open to visitors.
Book fans often call it the best stop of the day.
Visit during the school year to feel the student buzz, or in summer for quieter paths. Downtown Brunswick has cafes and shops within easy reach.
Consider it a campus tour with a movie bonus built in.
Message In A Bottle (1999),
Some love letters float across the sea, and some movies float right into Maine. Message in a Bottle filmed key scenes in New Harbor, a working harbor village in Bristol, Maine, United States.
Kevin Costner’s seaside world looked right at home among the lobster boats.
The star nearby is Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, at 3115 Bristol Road, New Harbor, Maine 04554. First lit in 1835, the 38-foot stone tower sits on wild bands of striped granite.
It even appears on the Maine state quarter.
In summer, visitors can climb the spiral stairs to the top when volunteers open the tower. The view stretches far across the Atlantic.
On clear days, you can watch boats bob along the horizon.
The old keeper’s house holds the Fishermen’s Museum, full of fishing gear, maps, and photos. Kids love the old lobster traps and lighthouse lenses.
A small park fee helps keep the grounds in great shape.
Wear sneakers with good grip, since the rocks can be slippery when wet. Late spring through early fall brings the best weather.
Stay back from the waves, find a sunny ledge, and enjoy a view worth writing home about.
In The Bedroom (2001)
Oscar voters noticed In the Bedroom, and film fans noticed its setting too. The drama was filmed in Rockland, Maine, a lively city on the Midcoast.
Rockland plays itself with honest, working-harbor charm.
Known as a lobster fishing hub, Rockland mixes salty docks with artsy streets. Main Street is easy to walk and lined with bookstores, boutiques, galleries, and cozy restaurants.
It is a great place to spend a slow afternoon.
Art fans should visit the Farnsworth Art Museum. It holds famous works by the Wyeth family, who painted Maine for generations.
The Center for Maine Contemporary Art is nearby, with fresh and bold exhibits.
For something truly special, walk the Rockland Breakwater. This granite path stretches almost one mile into Penobscot Bay.
At the end waits the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, with sweeping views of boats and islands.
Wear sturdy shoes, since the stones have gaps and uneven edges. Skip the walk on stormy or icy days.
Early August brings the Maine Lobster Festival, a huge summer party with seafood and parades. Rockland may be less flashy than its neighbors, but it wins hearts one granite step at a time.
Storm Of The Century (1999)
Snowstorms and spooky strangers filled Stephen King’s miniseries Storm of the Century. Much of it was filmed on the quiet side of Mount Desert Island, in Southwest Harbor, Bass Harbor, and Bernard, Maine, United States.
Real life here is far calmer than the story.
Southwest Harbor is a true working waterfront. Lobster boats and fishing vessels crowd the harbor, and the pace feels wonderfully slow.
Locals wave, shops close early, and the sunsets steal the show.
Hikers will like this side of Acadia National Park. The western trails are usually less crowded than the famous ones near Bar Harbor.
Try Flying Mountain for a short climb with big views of Somes Sound.
In town, visit Charlotte Rhoades Park. It has a butterfly garden and pretty overlooks of the harbor.
Summer brings bright flowers and fluttering visitors of all colors.
Early fall is a sweet spot, with fewer crowds and crisp air. Bring binoculars for spotting seals and seabirds.
Bike rentals are a fun way to cruise between villages. No blizzard needed, just curiosity and a good pair of hiking boots.
The Preacher’s Wife (1996)
Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington gliding across the ice? That sweet skating scene in The Preacher’s Wife was filmed at Deering Oaks Park, 220 Park Avenue, Portland, Maine 04102, United States.
Locals still skate on the same pond each winter.
Covering about 55 acres, the park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It became a public park in 1879.
Its gentle lawns, old oak trees, and curving paths make it a favorite escape in the middle of the city.
The centerpiece is the pond. In warm months, ducks paddle around and paddle boats sometimes drift by.
In winter, it freezes into a skating spot that looks like a holiday card.
Look for the Castle-in-the-Park, a restored Victorian building from 1894. It once served as a warming hut for chilly skaters.
Kids love its turrets and fairy tale feel.
The park also has tennis courts, ball fields, a playground, and a rose garden. On Saturdays from spring to fall, the Portland Farmers’ Market sets up with fresh produce and treats.
Skates or sneakers, you will find a reason to linger.
Blow The Man Down (2019)
Salty, twisty, and full of fishing town secrets, Blow the Man Down is a newer film with deep Maine roots. It was shot in Harpswell, Maine, a town made of long peninsulas and scattered islands.
The movie shows off its wharves and moody shoreline.
Here is a fun number: Harpswell has more than 200 miles of coastline and over 200 islands. Many islands can only be reached by boat.
Every twist of road seems to end at the water.
Don’t miss the Cribstone Bridge, built in 1928. It connects Orr’s Island to Bailey Island using about 10,000 tons of granite blocks stacked in a crisscross pattern.
The gaps let tides flow through, and it is the only bridge of its kind in the world.
Outdoor lovers can paddle a kayak along quiet coves. On Bailey Island, the Giant’s Stairs Trail passes dramatic rock formations.
The Cliff Trail offers woods and wide sea views.
Harpswell stays refreshingly uncommercial, with lobster wharves instead of big resorts. Try a lobster roll at a dockside shack.
Summer is ideal, and a slow drive across that granite bridge makes a perfect finale for any Maine movie tour.