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It can be easy to forget when you’re watching a film in a cinema or at home that the city in which it is filmed is actually a real location. With so many filming tricks these days, they can make you wonder where the filming location actually is – that is, until you have been to the city itself and recognise one of the buildings or landmarks for yourself. Or you may even find yourself surprised to find out which city it is in the film, leaving you thinking “hey, maybe I should visit there!” Here are the top five cities that have been transformed in some way on TV or in film. Not only that, but you can actually check out the filming locations yourself through great address finding apps like Addressy.

Chicago

Chicago doesn’t often strike us as being a city that could pass for a big filming location, but it actually has been in one of the most popular films of all time, posing as DC mega city, Gotham City for the Dark Knight (2008). Shots from within glass buildings showcase some of downtown Chicago, making it appear to be a skyscraper haven, filled with impressive glass structures. Many people were surprised to learn that Chicago was the filming location and the film itself showcases some of the city’s unique areas and buildings which is a bonus for those who know little about the city itself.

New Jersey

Jersey seems to be a haven for all manner of film, and many popular titles including Clerks I & II, Mallrats, the Toxic Avenger, Coyote Ugly, Being John Malkovich, and Dogma. Dogma in particular took advantage of filming locations around the city including churches and parks for much of its backdrops, really showcasing some of the great architecture the city possesses, making this a hot location for those looking to walk in the steps of some of their favourite films.

Washington

Highlighted in the likes of Forrest Gump as the location of a huge anti-Vietnam war protest, Washington has featured in a number of films, particularly where the US Government has been featured as a part of the storyline. Major monuments, especially the Washington Monument have playing key roles in the backdrop of many major motion pictures including Borat, Air Force One and Collateral Damage.

Hawaii

From ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’ to ‘Jurassic Park’, Hawaii has been a hot film location for a number of Hollywood blockbusters that require some of the world’s most picturesque locations to be the backdrop or location. Forgetting Sarah Marshall featured Hawaii as a getaway for the protagonist to escape to forget his ex-girlfriend. Not only was it a humorous take on a sad situation though, it showed us just how amazing Hawaiian islands really are!

Los Angeles

LA is perhaps one of the hottest and most well known of the film cities but it also hit the small screen in terms of video games with Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto Five which was released in 2013. These days thanks to the game (rated 18+), users can explore the streets of LA without ever leaving their couches! Perfect!

So there you have just a few ways these cities have been changed on the big or small screen as a result of the film and television industry. Has the industry changed the way people see your city? Tell us in the comments below!