Films and TV shows shot in each Canadian province and territory
Canada can be transformed into almost any other city — when filming, that is.
By: Daniella Lopez
While most films and television shows take place in the United States, many are filmed and set in Canada. Whether it be for cheaper production costs, better scenery or historically accurate locations, here is a list of films and television shows shot in Canada from every province and territory.
British Columbia
Midnight Mass
When a young, charismatic priest comes to an isolated island community miracles and mysteries occur. The fictional town of Crockett Island was shot all over British Columbia. Garry Point Park, B.C., was used to film beach scenes and exterior house scenes. The 6th and 7th Avenue piers in Richmond, B.C., were used to film the in-show marina. Anderlini Farms in Aldergrove, B.C., was used to shoot the school, general store and church.
While initially criticized for its premise, Jennifer’s Body has become a cult classic. The film follows Jennifer, a demonically possessed high schooler who kills her male classmates while her best friend Anita tries to stop her. A majority of the film was shot in Vancouver with the high school scenes shot at Langley Secondary School and University Hill Secondary School. The hospital scenes were shot at Riverview Hospital in Coquitlam, B.C.
Guilty Party follows Beth Burgess, a shunned journalist trying to reinvent her career. While the show takes place in Denver, Colorado, it’s filmed in Calgary. Scenes of the Rocky Mountains are shown throughout the series.
A sequel to the original Ghostbusters, this film is shot in Beiseker, Alta. Many locations are used in the film including a local Walmart, Highway 570 and 848, Horsethief Canyon and Apple Pie Cafe, but the latter, unfortunately, is permanently closed.
A sitcom that ran for six seasons, the fictional gas station was the only one for 60 kilometres in any direction. Corner Gas was filmed entirely in Saskatchewan. All interior shots were filmed at The Canada Saskatchewan Production Studios in Regina. The exterior shots, namely the gas station, were filmed in Rouleau, Sask. In November 2016, the gas station was demolished due to sinking foundations.
The setting of Corner Gas in Saskatchewan (Paul Jerry/Wikimedia Commons)
Just Friends
This Christmas comedy follows Chris Brander, a formerly obese high school student trying to escape the friendzone in his adult life. While the movie takes place in New Jersey, the film was mainly shot in Regina and Moose Jaw, Sask.
Manitoba
Burden of Truth
A Canadian legal drama starring Canadian Kristin Kreuk, this show takes place in Manitoba. While originally set to be filmed in Eastern Canada, production moved to Manitoba due to cheaper production costs. Location shots were filmed in Selkirk, Sask. and Sanford, Sask.
One of many films from the Chucky franchise, this movie follows Chucky as he haunts Nica, again. The entire film was shot in Winnipeg, the director Don Mancini even told CBC, “I wrote it with snow in mind.”
A married couple goes bankrupt and their only asset left is the town of Schitt’s Creek. While the town isn’t real, most of the show was filmed in Goodwood, Ont. Some local spots include Romni Goodwood, Bob’s Garage and the town hall. Patrick’s proposal to David was filmed at Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area in Milton, Ont.
Mean Girls, an iconic movie that defined the 2000s, takes place in Evanston, Ill. but was filmed in Toronto at the Etobicoke Collegiate Institute and the Malvern Collegiate Institute.
The Bold Type follows three women working at a New York City women’s magazine. While the pilot was shot in Toronto, the rest of the episodes and seasons were shot in Montreal. The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec building is often featured in the show as a lobby.
This film, which follows Wolverine, takes place in Washington, D.C. Yet, it was actually filmed in Montreal, a first for the franchise. Quebec offers several filming incentives for productions shot in the province.
The cast of X-Men: Days of Future Past (William Tung/Wikimedia Commons)
Newfoundland and Labrador
Frontier
A historical drama that follows the North American fur trade in the 18th century, Frontier was filmed in numerous locations including Newfoundland. The Commissariat, one of the oldest buildings in St. John’s, acted as the governor’s residence. The O’Brien farm in St. John’s was filmed for historically accurate exterior shots.
Closet Monster
This film centres a closeted gay teenager dealing with internalized homophobia. The film was shot in St. John’s, with additional filming on Fogo Island N.L. The film is inspired by the director’s own struggles as a gay teenager in St. John’s, he said in a video interview with Xtra Magazine.
Prince Edward Island
Emily of New Moon.
The book cover for Emily of New Moon, written by L.M. Montgomery (Wikimedia Commons)
Based on the books of the same name, Emily of New Moon follows an orphan girl sent to live with her aunts at New Moon Farm in P.E.I. The show was filmed fully on the Island and featured many local actors
Anne of Green Gables
Anne of Green Gables is based on a novel of the same name. It follows an orphan girl who was mistakenly sent to P.E.I. While the film was shot in both Ontario and P.E.I., some of the most memorable locations were from the Island. Most notably is the Seacow Head lighthouse, one of the oldest structures in P.E.I.
Characters from Anne of Green Gables, shot in P.E.I. (Smudge 9000/Wikimedia Commons)
Nova Scotia
Haven
This supernatural drama takes place in Maine, in the fictional town of Haven, where strange events happen. The show was filmed on the south shore of Nova Scotia. The fictional town is derived from the town of Lunenburg, N.S., the main filming location. Chester, N.S. also provided exterior shots for the film.
This film, shot entirely in black and white, follows two lighthouse keepers who slowly lose their sanity when they get stranded on a remote island. While the film takes place in New England, it is filmed in Cape Forchu, N.S., a small fishing village. The lighthouse, the central point of the film, was constructed solely for the film.
New Brunswick
Race Against the Tide
This reality TV show follows sand sculptors who try to complete their work before the Bay of Fundy tide comes in. The Bay of Fundy, located between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, has the highest tide in the world.
This romantic drama follows two employees at a school for the deaf. The movie is set in New England but is filmed in Saint John, N.B. The main location for filming was Rothesay Netherwood School.
When a meteorite falls into a small northern Canadian town, Brian, the main character, searches for it. The one-season show was filmed around Whitehorse and Dawson City, Yukon.
The Spoilers
The Spoilers is an American-Western film dating back to 1942 during the era of the gold rush. This film takes place in Alaska but was partially shot in Yukon.
Robert Service with Marlene Dietrich during the filming of The Spoilers (Universal Studios/Wikimedia Commons)
Northwest Territories
Ice Road Truckers
This reality TV show follows truckers who make deliveries on frozen lakes to remote areas. Seasons one and two covered truckers as they ventured through the Northwest Territories.
When a rebellious teen is forced to live with her grandmother in the Arctic Circle she makes a friend in a caribou hunter. The film was shot in Yellowknife and Fort McPherson, N.W.T.
Nunavut
Qanurli
Qanurli is a comedy broadcast that features Inuk Qablunaaq and Nipangi Huittuq who host the show from their tent in Iqaluit. The show focuses on skits and parodies while promoting Inuit languages.
The Grizzlies
This sports-drama film follows the lives of Inuit students who find comfort in the sport of lacrosse. This film is based on real-life events in the town of Kugluktuk, Nunavut, which had one of the highest rates of suicide before The Grizzlies, a lacrosse team, was formed. The film was shot all on location, in Iqaluit and Niaqunnguut, Nunavut.
