10 Movies You Didn’t Know Were Filmed in Rhode Island
Rhode Island has always been a great location for shooting films. With plenty of natural parks, Providence to bring a big city feel, and numerous Newport manors for glamour scenes, filmmakers are often looking to the Ocean State as the backdrop of their characters’ most dramatic and comedic moments!
1.Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
Recognize some of the nature scenes on Sam and Suzy’s adventures? Well, many of them were actually shot in Rhode Island, at locations such as Bayfield Farm and Fort Wetherill State Park, and a former lighthouse in Jamestown that served as the Bishop family’s home.
2.Dumb & Dumber (1994)
This 1994 comedy tells the tale of two ridiculous pals, Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne, who—in fact—are Providence natives! The beginning shots of the movie were filmed in Providence, and other scenes from their road trip were shot in Cumberland.
3.Dan in Real Life (2007)
This 2007 comedy starring Steve Carell recounts a family vacation in Rhode Island that doesn’t go quite as planned. The family gathers annually at a large summer home in Jamestown, Rhode Island. While the movie crew did change around a few details of the Jamestown house, if you’re a big fan of the film, you can rent it out over the summer!
4.Mr. North (1988)
Filmed in 1988, this comedy is sure to make Newport locals laugh—the movie is all about that small city! The plot concerns a middle-class Ivy League graduate who spends his summer in Newport wooing wealthy families.
5.There’s Something About Mary (1998)
This 1998 film was the year’s top-grossing comedy! Like “Dumb & Dumber,” this film was directed by the Farrelly brothers, and they used their home state of Rhode Island to film a few of the scenes. Scenes filmed in Miami, Florida, dominate most of the movie, though.
6.The Age of Innocence (1993)
This film, based of off Edith Wharton’s classic novel, was filmed in 30 different locations, according to IMDB. Alongside with Paris and New York, the equally glamorous Portsmouth, Rhode Island, features in certain scenes.
7.High Society (1956)
Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, and Frank Sinatra all star in this 1956 movie with a knockout cast. The movie, filmed in Newport, benefits from the city’s history of jazz, which plays a starring role as well.
8.Irrational Man (2015)
For this 2015 film by Woody Allen, directors used the abandoned shell of the Superman building, also known as 111 Westminster Street, to film the end of this mystery drama. Even some local Providence cafés, like Chez Pascal, were used to film certain scenes.
9.The Great Gatsby (1974)
Before Baz Luhrmann’s 2013 version, Robert Redford and Mia Farrow made their own film based off the classic novel. Newport’s glam and posh manors were featured once more—specifically, the Rosecliff and Marble House mansions, which were made to be Gatsby’s home.
10.27 Dresses (2008)
This movie features locations across Rhode Island, including Providence (which was made to resemble New York City), East Greenwich, Portsmouth, and even a Charlestown Beach. Perhaps taking inspiration from “The Great Gatsby,” this movie also filmed scenes at Rosecliff and Marble House!
