Filmed in Seattle

Movies Made in Seattle and Where to Watch

Seattle has a rich history of famous films and television programs either filmed or based in the area.

Now's the time to visit/revisit these classic Seattle-based movies and shows. Here's a rundown of some of our favorite Seattle movies or TV series and where you can watch them right now.

Have you ever wondered, "What Movies Were Filmed in Seattle?"

Horror
Mystery/Thriller
Drama
Romantic Comedy
Comedy

Horror

The Vanishing (1993)

A disturbed man is intent on abducting a woman. After numerous failed attempts, he manages to kidnap her while she is on vacation with her boyfriend. As time passes, her boyfriend remains determined to find out what happened to her. An English language remake of the French masterpiece of the same name, this film features the Seattle Yacht Club, the Pioneer Square Station, the Sur La Table at the Pike Place Market & the Aloha Street Apartments in Seattle.

(STARZ or purchase on Amazon)

Rose Red (2002)

A psychology professor, a team of psychics and a gifted girl unleash spirits and discover secrets in a supposedly dormant haunted mansion right in one of Seattle’s oldest neighborhoods, Capitol Hill. Based on the story by Stephen King, this miniseries features locations around the Seattle metropolitan area, including the University of Washington campus.

(Purchase on Amazon)

The Ring (2005)

A journalist must investigate a mysterious videotape which seems to cause the death of anyone who views it. This new classic is an American remake of the Japanese Ringu, and prominently features the Washington State Ferries, among other Seattle locations.

(Netflix, Paramount+)

Malignant (2021)

Paralyzed by fear from shocking visions, a woman's torment worsens as she discovers her waking dreams are terrifying realities. Features an incredible climactic fight sequence, and is one of the best guilty pleasure movies.

(HBO or purchase on Amazon)

Mystery/Thriller

The Maury Island Incident (2014)

In June of 1947, weeks before the infamous Roswell incident, Fred Crisman and Harold Dahl had a close encounter off the shores of Des Moines. Allegedly, a group of UFOs rained down a metallic substance on their boat, injuring one and killing Dahl’s beloved dog! In the days following the encounter, a mysterious man in black made contact with Dahl and threatened him not to tell anyone of the incident or “bad things would happen." Based on actual events. Made in Seattle Southside!

(Rent: Vimeo)

Read more about the incident and other strange happenings in Seattle Southside here.

The Killing (2011-2014)

Based in part on a popular Danish TV series, `The Killing' is a moody, character-driven detective procedural that weaves a murder mystery. The stories unfold through the eyes of Sarah Linden, a dedicated detective with the Seattle Police Department who at first is assigned to mentor Detective Stephen Holder, formerly of the narcotics division. While their varied, pockmarked backgrounds produce two distinct investigative styles that at times clash - she's by-the-book, he's freewheeling - the partners manage to pull together in the name of justice, even after Linden makes a decision that changes both of their lives.

(Hulu)

Drama

Twin Peaks (1991-2017)

A crime drama mixed with healthy doses of the surreal, this series is about FBI Agent Dale Cooper, who travels to the small logging town of Twin Peaks to solve the murder of seemingly innocent high schooler Laura Palmer. Almost nothing is as it seems, however, and the show's sometimes eerie visuals, oddball characters and wild dream sequences drive the point home. The original television series ran from 1990-1991, with a film called Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me released in 1992. A second series, entitled Twin Peaks: The Return was released in 2017. Snoqualmie Falls is a featured location in the series, highlighted in the title sequence, and many other filming locations are still places you can visit within an easy day trip from Seattle Southside.

(Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime)

The Twilight Saga (2008-2012)

High-school student Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), always a bit of a misfit, doesn't expect life to change much when she moves from sunny Arizona to rainy Washington state. Then she meets Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), a handsome but mysterious teen whose eyes seem to peer directly into her soul. Edward is a vampire whose family does not drink blood, and Bella, far from being frightened, enters into a dangerous romance with her immortal soulmate. This series of films includes Twilight (2008), The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009), The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010), The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 (2011) and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 (2012).

(Rent: GooglePlay, Itunes, Amazon Prime)

Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)

When college senior Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) steps in for her sick roommate to interview prominent businessman Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) for their campus paper, little does she realize the path her life will take. Christian, as enigmatic as he is rich and powerful, finds himself strangely drawn to Ana, and she to him. Though sexually inexperienced, Ana plunges headlong into an affair -- and learns that Christian's true sexual proclivities push the boundaries of pain and pleasure. The story continues in Fifty Shades Darker (2017) and Fifty Shades Freed (2018), and all three films in the trilogy include scenes shot around Seattle.

(Rent: GooglePlay, Itunes, Amazon Prime)

Grey’s Anatomy (2005-Present)

The long running medical drama series focuses on a group of young doctors at Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital, who began their careers at the facility as interns. One of the young doctors and the show's namesake, Meredith Grey, is the daughter of a famous surgeon. Grey struggles to maintain relationships with her colleagues, particularly the hospital's one-time chief of surgery, Richard Webber, due to a pre-existing relationship between them - Webber and Meredith's mother had a personal relationship when Meredith was young. This show is about to enter its 20th season, and has multiple spin-offs, including Station 19, which is based around a Seattle fire station, and Grey's Anatomy: The B-Team, a web series that focuses on interns at Grace Mercy West Hospital. Find some of the show's iconic locations when you come to visit!

(Netflix, HuluPlus, and fuboTV)

Romantic Comedy

Say Anything... (1989)

In a charming, critically acclaimed tale of first love, Lloyd (John Cusack), an eternal optimist, seeks to capture the heart of Diane (Ione Skye), an unattainable high-school beauty and straight-A student. It surprises just about everyone when she returns the sentiment. But Diane's overly possessive, divorced father (John Mahoney) doesn't approve and it will take more than the power of love to conquer all. This is a classic that if you haven't seen, you've probably at least seen a reference to. There's even a list of filming locations you can find on Curbed!

(Rent from Prime Video, Apple TV or Vudu)

Singles (1992)

If you're looking to revisit the Grunge-era in Seattle, there's no better film than Singles. The movie explores the lives and relationships of young people who lived the local music scene circa 1992. Bridget Fonda stars as a waitress and aspiring architect who falls for Grunge rocker Cliff, played by Matt Dillon. The film is a classic throwback for lovers of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice and Chains; multiple members of these bands have cameos and bit roles. While the depiction of Seattle's geography was a bit off, you can still find many of the places where they filmed in real life.

(Watch on YouTube, Roku or Tubi, Rent: Vudu, Amazon Prime)

Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

After the death of his wife, Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) moves to Seattle with his son, Jonah (Ross Mallinger). When Jonah calls in to a talk-radio program to find a new wife for his father, Sam grudgingly gets on the line to discuss his feelings. Annie Reed (Meg Ryan), a reporter in Baltimore, hears Sam speak and falls for him, even though she is engaged. Unsure where it will lead, she writes Sam a letter asking him to meet her at the Empire State Building on Valentine's Day. Check out some of the real-life locations from the movie!

(Netflix or rent on GooglePlay, Itunes, Amazon Prime)

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

A modern retelling of William Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew" is set in an upper-middle class Seattle high school. Kat Stratford (Julia Stiles) is beautiful, smart and quite abrasive to most of her fellow teens, meaning that she doesn't attract many boys. Unfortunately for her younger sister, Bianca (Larisa Oleynik), house rules say that she can't date until Kat has a boyfriend, so strings are pulled to set the dour damsel up for a romance. Soon Kat crosses paths with handsome new arrival Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger). Will Kat let her guard down enough to fall for the effortlessly charming Patrick? See all the local filming locations on Curbed!

(Rent: GooglePlay, Itunes, Amazon Prime)

Life or Something Like It (2002)

Lanie Kerrigan (Angelina Jolie), a feature reporter at a Seattle television station, leads the ultimate superficial life, even though she thinks she has it all, like a superstar boyfriend, a gorgeous apartment, and a shot at a big network assignment. Her perfect world starts unraveling after a homeless street seer tells Lanie that she leads a meaningless existence, and will die the following week. When the savant's other predictions come true, Lanie begins to re-examine her life and priorities.

(Rent: GooglePlay, Itunes, Amazon Prime)

Comedy

It Happened at the World's Fair (1963)

Mike Edwards (Elvis Presley) is a crop duster who loses his plane due to the gambling habits of his partner, Danny Burke (Gary Lockwood). To get the plane back, the pair thumb it to the Seattle World's Fair, where adventure, fortune -- and possibly even love -- await. Once there, Mike helps a little girl who has lost her uncle among the attractions, and puts the moves on a kindhearted nurse named Diane Warren (Joan O'Brien).

(Rent: GooglePlay, Itunes, Amazon Prime)

Frasier (1993-2004)

Dr. Frasier Crane, a successful Boston therapist, moves to Seattle to get a new start on life; he has a radio talk show, which he uses to relay his wit and wisdom to others, but at times he struggles with his own problems with his salt-of-the-earth father, his pretentious brother and his friends and co-workers.

(Hulu, Paramount+)

The 6th Man (1997)

Brothers Kenny (Marlon Wayans) and Antoine Tyler (Kadeem Hardison) have always wanted to be basketball heroes, standing out as child athletes and now as college players at the University of Washington. But tragedy strikes during a game, when Antoine, the superstar of the family, sustains a fatal heart attack while playing. This forces Kenny to become the leader on the court, but not without some help from his brother, who returns as a ghost to help the Washington team in its quest for glory.

(Rent: GooglePlay, Itunes)

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Christy Maggio

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