Hollywood North is the colloquial term to describe the Canadian film scene. Once a small industry, the low Canadian dollar continues to give incentive for film crews to transform a Canadian backdrop into a well-known American landmark. In fact, after New York and California, Ontario (the province that houses Toronto) is the third largest television and film production center in North America.
Let's throw back the curtain and let you in on the Great North backdrops that are a part of cinematic and television history.
Bay Adelaide Centre | Toronto
This innocuous looking building in Toronto's financial district is the fictional location of the law firm in the TV show Suits. If you wander around the lobby and the outside, you'll recognize many of the locations where scenes have been shot. Nearby, go to Luma in the TIFF building, which is one of the places where the characters throw back cocktails. Unfortunately, Meghan Markle will probably not be there.
Stawamus Chief Provincial Park | Squamish, B.C.
Stawamus Chief Provincial Park — Photo courtesy of James Abbott
This provincial park in British Columbia will not only provide you with scenic views and ample hiking opportunities, but also a chance to climb the lofty granite cliffs that were showcased in Twilight: Breaking Dawn - Part 2. For major Edward and Bella fans, this is also the location of the wedding ceremony and reception in Breaking Dawn - Part 1.
University of Toronto | Toronto
University of Toronto — Photo courtesy of VV Nincic
A remarkable number of movies have been shot at the University of Toronto. This includes Good Will Hunting, where the campus stood in for MIT and Harvard. The Incredible Hulk hulked his way around the Knox College portion of the campus, while Mean Girls showcased the campus' Convocation Hall.
Olympic Stadium | Montreal
Montreal Olympic Stadium — Photo courtesy of jgreenberg
This distinctive stadium has been one of the calling cards of Montreal's architecture. More than 40 years after the Olympics, the park still hosts hundreds of events every summer. It's also the stadium used in the exterior shots for the Will Ferrell figure skating comedy, Blades of Glory. The outdoor skating scenes were filmed here and the chase scene was shot in the Olympic Village.
The Canadian Rockies | Kananaskis Country, Alta.
Alberta Rockies — Photo courtesy of Simon
The famous campsite scenes of Brokeback Mountain were filmed in the Canadian Rockies, standing in for Wyoming. About 60 miles west of Calgary, this Alberta county comprises more than 4,000 square feet of protected mountains and lakes. You can even search online for the exact locations where Ennis and Jack walked in their cowboy boots.
Rocko's Family Diner | Mission, B.C.
Rocko's Family Diner — Photo courtesy of Jeff Hitchcock
The new adventures of Archie and the gang in the show Riverdale on The CW is mostly filmed in Vancouver. Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe is in fact a real place, but known as Rocko's Family Diner in Mission, B.C. This 24-hour restaurant has unlimited fries on the menu, which may or may not be a good thing.
Coal Harbour | Vancouver
Coal Harbour — Photo courtesy of Colin Knowles
There are innumerable films and television shows that have featured Vancouver's harbour, including some iconic ones. With its moody atmosphere, Vancouver stood in for many of the locations in the first six seasons of the X-Files. The exterior of Dana Scully's apartment building can even be found in West Vancouver. The harbour is also the same place that Christian Grey (of 50 Shades of Grey) went for a jog in "Seattle" right near the Westin Bayshore Hotel.
The Distillery District | Toronto
The Distillery District, Toronto — Photo courtesy of Jareed
This national historic site in Toronto is a thriving neighborhood housed within heritage buildings of the former Gooderham and Worts Distillery. Due to its old-world charm and Victorian architecture, The Distillery District has become one of the most popular locations for making movies in Toronto. Some of the movies that were shot here include Three Men and a Baby, Chicago, Cinderella Man and X-Men.
The Manitoba Legislative Building | Winnipeg
Manitoba Legislative Building — Photo courtesy of Mark Goebel
In central Winnipeg, this is the meeting place of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. Constructed in 1920, this neoclassical building featured prominently in the Oscar-winning 2005 film Capote and Winnipeg often stood in for the flatlands of Kansas.
Harbour and Titanic Grave Site | Halifax, N.S.
Titanic Grave Site — Photo courtesy of David Wilson
The closest major seaport to where the real-life Titanic went down was in Halifax. Over 100 people were buried here and can be visited at three Halifax cemeteries. James Cameron brought Leo and Kate here to film one-third of the scenes in the famous Oscar winning film Titanic.