It’s basically a Canadian rite of passage to watch a movie or TV show and suddenly think, “Wait, is that Toronto?” Spoiler alert: it probably is. As it turns out, a ton of blockbusters SET in the U.S were actually filmed in Canada. Once you start noticing it, you can’t stop.🍁🍁
So much so that I’ve made it my personal mission to visit as many of these iconic filming locations as possible. How have I still not been to the actual Camp Rock grounds in Muskoka? Anyway, here are some of the most surprising TV shows and movies that secretly (or not so secretly) made in Canada:
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Even after literally being named after an American city, the Oscar-winning musical Chicago was filmed almost entirely in Toronto! Next time you watch, be sure to look out for Casa Loma, the Distillery District, and the Danforth Music Hall as jazz hotspots.
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Team Jacob or Edward, it doesn’t matter — what matters is that The Twilight Saga: Eclipse was filmed in British Columbia and no one bothered to tell me! This flick was filmed all around Vancouver, including David Thompson Secondary School for several high school scenes, and Belcarra Regional Park for outdoor scenes.
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This indie dramedy — basically the Friends for Gen Z — is set in New York, but was actually filmed all over Toronto. Yeah that’s right, Adults is pure Toronto at heart, and Canadian star Jack Innanen had been loud and proud about his roots. See if you can check out the super blurry “Green Parking” sign in the background — It’s there, I promise.
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This retro Baltimore story was actually shot along Dundas West and Roncesvalles Avenue! The main strip from Hairspray was tranformed into a 1960s street, and if you visit today, some of the storefronts still even look the same!
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Although it’s set in the totalitarian city of Gilead in America, The Handmaid’s Tale was mostly filmed in Toronto, Ontario! Some specific locations include: City Hall, Harbourfront Centre, and Royal York Hotel!
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This quirky indie gem known as Juno is originally set in Minnesota, but is actually pure Vancouver! Canadian director Jason Reitman vouched on shooting in Vancouver, and was it ever a great decision. From the cozy suburban vibes to a main Canadian cast including Elliot Page and Michael Cera — this film may be one of the most secretly Canadian flicks out there.
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The Umbrella Academy family may live in a fictional American city, butttt it’s actually Ontario…See if you can spot locations like Victoria Hall, Allan Gardens, and Queen Street East on your next watch!
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Marvel’s The Incredible Hulk starring Edward Norton (nope, not Mark Ruffalo), was filmed all around Toronto. From King’s College to Cherry Street bridge, the Toronto streets made many cameos as the backdrop for chaos — with even Yonge Street and it’s iconic Zanzibar flashing in the final battle scene.
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While Overcompensating is set at the fictional American Yates University, as it turns out — it’s actually the University of Toronto! The St. George campus pulls double duty as a perfectly gritty, all-American backdrop.
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Despite My Big Fat Greek Wedding‘s Chicago setting, this rom-com classic is so Toronto. The beloved flick has a longgg list of filming locations, starting from Toronto Metropolitan University’s Rogers Communication Centre to Harbourfront Centre, and not so surprisingly, Danforth’s Greektown neighbourhood.
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The Last of Us set in post-apocalyptic United States? Nope, try again — Alberta! Season 1 of the series was actually filmed entirely in Alberta’s Calgary, Edmonton, and surrounding towns! The Alberta Legislature Building and the Fourth Avenue Flyover were just two of many locations that had very drastic makeovers or…makeunders?
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This one’s a spicy surprise – check out Fifty Shades of Grey in all its Vancouver glory! The chic cafe “Rainer Provisions” was actually filmed in the historic Gastown. And the dramatic helicopter pickup scene? Yeah, you definitely didn’t guess it — it was filmed on the helipad of Global BC studios in Burnaby!
Which secretly Canadian film or TV show shocked you the most? And if you have even more examples, let us know in the comments! 🇨🇦🇨🇦
Plus if you’re wondering what other TV shows and movies were filmed in Canada, check out our TikTok and Instagram socials!
