Most people recognize Toronto by its iconic skyline, the CN Tower, or its passionate sports fans. But few realize they've probably seen the city dozens of times without even knowing it.

Over the last several decades, Toronto has quietly become one of Hollywood's favourite filming destinations. Thanks to its remarkable architecture, experienced film crews, world-class studios, and diverse neighbourhoods, the city regularly transforms into New York, Chicago, Boston, Washington, and even fictional places that exist only on screen.

Sometimes Toronto hides in plain sight. Other times, like in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, it proudly takes centre stage.

Whether you're a movie buff, a newcomer exploring your new home, or simply looking for your next weekend adventure, these filming locations offer a unique way to experience Toronto through the lens of cinema.

Why Is Toronto One of Hollywood's Favourite Filming Locations?

Toronto has earned its reputation as one of North America's busiest production hubs.

The city's mix of modern skyscrapers, Victorian architecture, historic neighbourhoods, universities, parks, and industrial districts allows filmmakers to recreate almost any North American city without leaving Ontario.

Its experienced production crews, visual effects studios, and internationally recognized film industry have attracted hundreds of major productions over the years.

It's no surprise that Toronto has become one of the world's most recognizable "cities that never get to play themselves."

Map Your Own Toronto Movie Adventure

As you read through this guide, you'll notice many filming locations are surprisingly close together.

Instead of visiting one location at a time, you can easily build an entire day around them—combining iconic filming locations with museums, neighbourhoods, cafés, and attractions that make Toronto one of Canada's most exciting cities to explore.

Let's begin with one movie that proudly celebrates Toronto rather than hiding it.

🎬 1. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)

About the Movie

Few films celebrate Toronto quite like Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

Directed by Edgar Wright and based on Bryan Lee O'Malley's beloved graphic novels, the film follows Scott Pilgrim, a young musician who must defeat his girlfriend Ramona Flowers' seven evil exes.

Unlike many Hollywood productions filmed in Toronto, this movie doesn't pretend to take place somewhere else.

Toronto isn't simply the backdrop. It is the story.

From local restaurants and music venues to neighbourhood streets and TTC references, the city becomes one of the film's most memorable characters.

Where Was It Filmed?

Some of Toronto's most recognizable locations appear throughout the film.

Highlights include:

Casa Loma
Lee's Palace
Baldwin Steps
Kensington Market
Honest Ed's (formerly)
Pizza Pizza
Sonic Boom Records
The Toronto Public Library

Many of these locations remain popular destinations for both locals and visitors.

📍 Visit It Yourself

Casa Loma

Toronto's famous castle hosts several memorable scenes throughout the movie.

Its Gothic Revival architecture, towers, tunnels, and gardens make it one of Canada's most photographed landmarks.

Continue Your Adventure

Within walking distance, you'll find:

Spadina Museum
The Annex
Dupont Street cafés
Yorkville (short subway ride)
Sir Winston Churchill Park

If you're spending the afternoon in the area, it's easy to combine Casa Loma with neighbouring attractions before heading downtown.

🚇 Getting There

Nearest TTC Station: Dupont Station
Approximate walk: 8 minutes
Suggested visit: 2–3 hours

🎥 Behind the Scenes

One of the film's biggest achievements is how proudly it embraces Toronto culture.

Local businesses, TTC references, neighbourhoods, and even familiar restaurant chains appear throughout the movie—something rarely seen in Hollywood productions.

🎬 2. Mean Girls (2004)

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About the Movie

"On Wednesdays we wear pink."

More than twenty years later, Mean Girls remains one of the most quoted teen comedies ever made.

Although the story takes place in suburban Illinois, much of the movie was filmed throughout Toronto.

The city quietly transformed into the fictional North Shore High School and several suburban neighbourhoods without most audiences ever noticing.

Where Was It Filmed?

Major filming locations include:

University of Toronto
Etobicoke Collegiate Institute
Malvern Collegiate Institute
Sherway Gardens

Perhaps the most recognizable Toronto location is the University of Toronto's Convocation Hall, where the Mathletes championship takes place.

📍 Visit It Yourself

University of Toronto St. George Campus

Walking through the historic campus, it's easy to see why filmmakers love it.

Its century-old buildings can convincingly double as prestigious American universities while remaining unmistakably Toronto to local residents.

🍁 Continue Your Adventure

You're already in one of Toronto's best museum districts.

Nearby you'll find:

Royal Ontario Museum
Bata Shoe Museum
Gardiner Museum
Philosopher's Walk
Yorkville

Several of these attractions are available through Canoo, making this one of the easiest movie-inspired days to plan.

🚇 TTC

Museum Station or St. George Station

🎥 Behind the Scenes

Many viewers assume the movie was filmed in the United States.

In reality, Toronto schools and university buildings created nearly all of the movie's educational settings.

🍁 Neighbourhood Spotlight: University District

If you're already exploring the University of Toronto, don't rush away.

Spend the afternoon discovering:

Royal Ontario Museum
Yorkville
Queen's Park
Bloor Street
Bata Shoe Museum

This area offers one of the highest concentrations of museums and cultural attractions anywhere in Canada.

🎬 3. Suicide Squad (2016)

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About the Movie

DC's Suicide Squad brought superheroes, villains, explosions, and massive production crews to downtown Toronto.

Many scenes transformed the Financial District into the fictional Midway City.

For weeks, streets closed while helicopters, military vehicles, and elaborate special effects took over the city.

Where Was It Filmed?

Locations include:

Yonge Street
Bay Street
Financial District
Union Station area

Today, visitors can still recognize many intersections that appeared during the film's action scenes.

📍 Visit It Yourself

Downtown Toronto's Financial District is one of Canada's architectural highlights.

Its mix of historic buildings and modern skyscrapers explains why filmmakers repeatedly use it to portray American cities.

Continue Your Adventure

Nearby attractions include:

Hockey Hall of Fame
St. Lawrence Market
Berczy Park
Union Station
Harbourfront

🎥 Behind the Scenes

Many office workers arriving downtown found themselves walking past tanks, crashed vehicles, and giant movie sets on their way to work.

🎬 4. The Incredible Hulk (2008)

About the Movie

Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe became the global phenomenon it is today, The Incredible Hulk used Toronto extensively to portray Harlem and other American cities.

Several of Toronto's busiest intersections became part of Hulk's action-packed chase sequences.

Where Was It Filmed?

Major locations include:

Yonge-Dundas Square
University Avenue
Nathan Phillips Square
Bay Street

Standing at these intersections today, it's remarkable how seamlessly Toronto transformed into New York.

Continue Your Adventure

Nearby attractions:

Art Gallery of Ontario
Nathan Phillips Square
Eaton Centre
Grange Park

🎬 5. Cinderella Man (2005)

About the Movie

Directed by Ron Howard and starring Russell Crowe and Renée Zellweger, Cinderella Man tells the inspiring true story of heavyweight boxer James J. Braddock during the Great Depression.

Although the story is set primarily in New York City during the 1930s, many of its most memorable street scenes were filmed in Toronto. The city's beautifully preserved historic districts provided the perfect backdrop for recreating Depression-era America.

Where Was It Filmed?

Much of the production took place in Toronto's historic Distillery District, where Victorian industrial buildings and cobblestone streets required very little transformation to resemble 1930s New York.

Additional scenes were filmed throughout Old Toronto, where period architecture helped complete the illusion.

📍 Visit It Yourself

Distillery Historic District

Today, the Distillery District is one of Toronto's most vibrant pedestrian neighbourhoods. Home to art galleries, cafés, boutiques, restaurants, public art, and seasonal festivals, it's easy to spend an entire afternoon wandering its historic streets.

🍁 Continue Your Adventure

Nearby you'll find:

St. Lawrence Market
Corktown Common
Parliament Square Park
Gooderham Building (Flatiron Building)

🚇 Nearest TTC: King Street East streetcar

🎥 Behind the Scenes

Many visitors recognize the Distillery District from multiple Hollywood productions without realizing it. Its preserved nineteenth-century architecture makes it one of the most frequently filmed locations in Canada.

🎬 6. The Shape of Water (2017)

About the Movie

Guillermo del Toro's Academy Award-winning fantasy romance blends Cold War suspense with an unforgettable love story.

Set in 1960s Baltimore, the film quietly relied on Toronto to recreate much of its period atmosphere.

Historic theatres, downtown streets, and heritage buildings allowed the production to build an authentic mid-century American city without ever leaving Toronto.

Where Was It Filmed?

Key filming locations include:

Elgin Theatre
Massey Hall area
Downtown Toronto streets
Various heritage buildings throughout the city

The Elgin Theatre, one of Canada's most beautiful historic theatres, plays a particularly memorable role in establishing the film's nostalgic atmosphere.

📍 Visit It Yourself

Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre

Opened in 1913, this National Historic Site remains one of the world's last operating double-decker theatres.

Whether you're attending a performance or simply admiring its architecture, it's a must-see for film lovers.

🍁 Continue Your Adventure

Nearby attractions include:

Nathan Phillips Square
CF Toronto Eaton Centre
Yonge-Dundas Square
Massey Hall

🚇 Nearest TTC: Queen Station

🎥 Behind the Scenes

Director Guillermo del Toro has often praised Toronto's ability to become almost any North American city while still maintaining its own unique architectural character.

🎬 7. Good Will Hunting (1997)

About the Movie

Before Matt Damon and Ben Affleck became Oscar winners, Good Will Hunting introduced audiences to the brilliant but troubled Will Hunting.

Although the story takes place in Boston, parts of the film were shot at the University of Toronto.

Its Gothic architecture closely resembles many of New England's oldest universities, making it an ideal stand-in.

Where Was It Filmed?

Several scenes used buildings throughout the St. George campus.

The university has appeared in dozens of Hollywood productions over the years, often portraying Ivy League institutions across the United States.

📍 Visit It Yourself

University of Toronto St. George Campus

Take time to wander through King's College Circle and admire the historic buildings that have appeared on screens around the world.

🍁 Continue Your Adventure

Within a few minutes' walk:

Royal Ontario Museum
Bata Shoe Museum
Philosopher's Walk
Yorkville

🚇 Nearest TTC: Museum Station

🎥 Behind the Scenes

The University of Toronto has doubled for prestigious universities in countless productions because its architecture feels timeless.

🎬 8. Resident Evil (2002–2016)

About the Movie

The Resident Evil franchise transformed familiar Toronto landmarks into post-apocalyptic landscapes filled with zombies and action sequences.

Across several films, Toronto became the fictional Raccoon City.

Where Was It Filmed?

Filming locations include:

Nathan Phillips Square
Toronto City Hall
Financial District
University Avenue

These recognizable civic spaces became some of the franchise's largest action sets.

📍 Visit It Yourself

Nathan Phillips Square

Toronto's iconic public square hosts festivals, concerts, skating, and cultural events throughout the year.

🍁 Continue Your Adventure

Nearby attractions:

Art Gallery of Ontario
Osgoode Hall
Eaton Centre
Campbell House Museum

🚇 Nearest TTC: Osgoode Station

🎥 Behind the Scenes

Large sections of downtown Toronto were temporarily transformed into deserted streets complete with crashed vehicles and military equipment.

🎬 9. Chicago (2002)

About the Movie

Winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture, Chicago recreated Prohibition-era Chicago using several historic Toronto landmarks.

Elegant government buildings and heritage architecture provided the perfect setting for the musical's glamorous world.

Where Was It Filmed?

Notable locations include:

Osgoode Hall
Old City Hall
Downtown heritage buildings

These locations required surprisingly little modification thanks to their timeless design.

📍 Visit It Yourself

Osgoode Hall

Built in 1832, Osgoode Hall remains one of Toronto's finest examples of Georgian architecture.

🍁 Continue Your Adventure

Nearby attractions include:

Nathan Phillips Square
Campbell House Museum
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
Financial District

🚇 Nearest TTC: Osgoode Station

🎥 Behind the Scenes

The production team specifically sought Toronto's historic architecture to recreate 1920s Chicago.

🎬 10. American Psycho (2000)

About the Movie

Christian Bale's unforgettable performance as Patrick Bateman remains one of cinema's most iconic psychological thrillers.

Although audiences believed they were watching Manhattan, much of the film was shot throughout Toronto's Financial District.

Glass office towers, luxury hotels, and corporate plazas helped recreate New York's elite business world.

Where Was It Filmed?

Filming took place throughout:

Bay Street
King Street
Commerce Court
Financial District

Toronto's downtown core convincingly portrayed Wall Street without leaving Canada.

📍 Visit It Yourself

Walking through the Financial District today offers a glimpse into one of Canada's most important business centres—and one of Hollywood's favourite urban backdrops.

🍁 Continue Your Adventure

Nearby you'll find:

Hockey Hall of Fame
Berczy Park
St. Lawrence Market
Brookfield Place

🚇 Nearest TTC: King Station

🎥 Behind the Scenes

Many viewers still assume the movie was filmed entirely in New York, making it one of Toronto's most convincing performances on screen.

🗺 Explore Toronto's Hollywood Filming Locations

Whether you're hoping to recreate your favourite movie scenes or simply discover a different side of Toronto, this interactive map makes it easy to explore the city through film.

Each pin highlights a confirmed filming location from one of the ten movies featured in this guide, complete with addresses, behind-the-scenes trivia, and nearby attractions. From the historic halls of the University of Toronto and the towers of Casa Loma to the cobblestone streets of the Distillery District and the skyscrapers of the Financial District, you'll discover just how often Toronto has stepped into the spotlight.

Use the map to:

🎬 Find the exact filming locations for all 10 movies.
🚇 Plan your route using nearby TTC stations.
🏛 Discover museums, landmarks, and neighbourhoods nearby.
📸 Visit iconic filming locations and recreate your favourite scenes.
🍁 Explore Toronto beyond the typical tourist attractions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Toronto called Hollywood North?

Toronto is one of North America's busiest film production centres thanks to its experienced crews, versatile architecture, production facilities, and ability to stand in for many major American cities.

Can you visit Hollywood filming locations in Toronto?

Yes. Most of the locations featured in this guide are public spaces, historic landmarks, neighbourhoods, or attractions that visitors can explore year-round.

What is the most famous movie filmed in Toronto?

Some of the best-known films include Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Mean Girls, Suicide Squad, Chicago, Resident Evil, Good Will Hunting, and American Psycho.

Which Toronto attraction appears in the most movies?

Casa Loma is one of Toronto's most frequently filmed landmarks. Its distinctive Gothic Revival architecture has appeared in dozens of films and television series.

Is Toronto a good city for movie lovers?

Absolutely. Whether you're interested in blockbuster filming locations, historic theatres, or the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Toronto offers countless experiences for movie enthusiasts.

Final Thoughts

Toronto has spent decades playing cities from around the world, often without audiences realizing it. Yet behind every transformed street, university campus, castle, and skyline is a city with its own rich identity waiting to be explored.

The next time you watch one of these films, pay close attention. You might recognize a familiar street corner, a historic building, or a landmark you've already visited.

Better yet, use these filming locations as inspiration for your next Toronto adventure. With museums, neighbourhoods, historic sites, and cultural attractions nearby, it's easy to turn a movie marathon into a memorable day exploring one of Canada's most cinematic cities.