While North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands is known as a family favorite destination for beach vacations, the area is also home to many filming locations of well-known movies and television shows. Whether you'd like to visit these production landmarks during your next trip, or you'd like to have a movie night to enjoy our picturesque views from home, read on to discover some of our favorite movies and shows that were filmed in the Brunswick Islands.
Safe Haven
In a small town off the coast of North Carolina, Katie Feldman is determined to make a new life for herself. Her goal to keep a low profile is quickly made unachievable when the close-knit community around her, specifically a widower named Alex, wins her over with their warmth and caring nature. You’ll watch Katie learn to love and trust again and discover whether she can keep her dark past a secret from the people she has learned to love. Safe Haven was set and filmed in multiple locations across Southport, including the Southport Marina (now Morningstar Marina), West Moore, and Bay Streets where the NC 4th of July Festival was recreated for the movie, Ports of Call Bistro where Katie and Alex went on a date, and the American Fish Company where Katie worked as a server in the movie. Memorabilia from this film and many others can be found in the Fort Johnston Southport Museum and Visitors Center.
Pictured: The self-guided Safe Haven filming locations tour takes you past American Fish Company, which served as Ivan's in the film.
Under the Dome
In the small town of Chester’s Mill, residents are suddenly struck with terror when a massive, transparent, indestructible dome cuts them off from the rest of the world. Under the Dome filmed many scenes in Southport. Visitors and guests to the Brunswick Islands will recognize the River Pilots Tower on West Bay Street that served as the WYSB Radio Station in the series. Additional filming locations include the Trinity United Methodist Church and the Old Smithville Burying Ground on Rhett Street.
Pictured: The Old River Pilots Tower in Southport, NC serving as the WYSB Radio Station in Stephen King's book to television adaptation Under the Dome.
I Know What You Did Last Summer
A year after running over a fisherman and dumping his body in the water, four friends reconvene when Julie, played by Jennifer Love Hewitt, receives a frightening letter telling her that their crime was seen. Plenty of Southport favorites were featured in this film, including the Southport Fort-Fisher Ferry, American Fish Company, and the Amuzu Theater. After the movie, you’ll be imagining a stroll around the Yacht Basin for the picturesque views of the Cape Fear River, which are both locations from the film that visitors can later head to in real life.
Crimes of the Heart
This tearjerker is based on the stage drama where an untimely death haunts a trio of sisters, but they prove their love is stronger than any family tragedy. This 1986 movie was filmed all over the Brunswick Islands, including scenes at Fort Caswell, Old Smithville Burying Ground, and the Amuzu Theater. True Crimes of the Heart enthusiasts will recognize the iconic pink Northrup House that served as the Magrath sister’s home in the film on 229 North Caswell Avenue, and the Old Brunswick County Jail where Sissy Spacek’s character, Babe Magrath was locked up in the film.
Pictured: 229 North Caswell Avenue served as the Magrath sister’s home in Crimes of the Heart.
A Walk to Remember
Like other Nicholas Sparks favorites, A Walk to Remember also filmed many iconic scenes in NC's Brunswick Islands. Movie watchers can plan their future adventure to see Trinity United Methodist Church where Jamie’s dad was a pastor, the Old Smithville Burying Ground where the funeral took place, and the Riverwalk Gazebo where Landon told Jamie that he loved her for the first time.
Dawson’s Creek
No bingeable favorites list would be complete without mentioning Dawson’s Creek. This teen drama follows the lives of a group of friends, starting in high school and continuing into college. Come for a visit to Southport and grab a bite to eat from Fishy Fishy Café and you can feel as if you’re back in school with them! Fans of Season 3 will recognize Southport’s Yacht Basin (appropriately behind Potter’s Seafood) as the setting for several scenes, including when Joey professes her love to Pacey in the finale. Make sure to also check out the Southport Pier and Riverwalk – both iconic Southport locations featured in the show’s opening credits!
Pictured: The Southport Waterfront Park and Riverwalk featured in the opening credits of Dawson's Creek.
Echoes
This dramatic miniseries on Netflix about identical twins Leni and Gena whose lies unravel following one’s disappearance made use of several locations across Southport. Viewers and visitors will recognize Caviness Park, the North Carolina Maritime Museum, Southport Market, and St. Phillips Church as spots that create the setting for this thrilling story.
The Summer I Turned Pretty
Belly Conklin is ready for a summer she’ll never forget in this coming-of-age series on Amazon Prime that navigates first love and loss in the fictional town of Cousins Beach. Fans of the show are sure to recognize a piece of Cousins as they re-create Belly’s bike ride along the Southport Riverwalk or drive down East Moore Street as seen decorated for Christmas in Season 2. The highly anticipated third season returned to Southport with filming taking place along East Moore, West Bay, and South Lord Streets. Eagle-eyed fans should pay extra attention in the show's final episode where Southport's streetscape makes an appearance.
Pictured: Southport Coffee Co. decorated for The Summer I Turned Pretty season 2 Christmas episode.
Greedy People
What happens when two small island cops find themselves in the middle of a crime scene and stumble upon a million dollars? In Greedy People, the answer is mayhem. The movie, which boasts a star-studded cast including Himesh Patel, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Lily James, and Uzo Aduba, was filmed across Southport. Viewers are sure to recognize multiple locations such as those along South Howe Street, East Bay Street, the Yacht Basin, and more!
Monster Summer
Something strange is happening, and it’s happening to Noah Reed’s friends. With the help of a retired police detective, played by Mel Gibson, Noah works to uncover the entity behind the mysterious happenings in his hometown. Reminiscent of nostalgic 90’s films such as The Sandlot, but with a spooky twist, Monster Summer is a family adventure filmed all around Southport. Notable locations include the Yacht Basin, Howe Street, East and West Bay Street, Southport Market, and Smithville District Park. Catch the film on-demand and see how many more locations you can recognize!
Pictured: Film crews prepare green screens for filming The Waterfront in the Southport Yacht Basin.
The Waterfront
Filming for The Waterfront, a Netflix series, wrapped filming in Southport in 2025. The limited series tells the dramatic and thrilling tale of the Buckley family and their crumbling fishing empire in the fictional town of Havenport, which is loosely inspired by creator Kevin Williamson's own life. After its release fans latched onto the show, allowing it to spend 5 weeks in the Global Top 10 Series chart on Netflix. Filming locations including the Yacht Basin, Potter’s Seafood, and more. In fact, we've got an entire blog with behind the scenes photo dedicated to the show's filming locations; check it out here.
Upcoming Projects
We hope that these movies and television shows inspire wanderlust for your next vacation to NC’s Brunswick Islands, and be sure to keep a list of the top landmarks to visit during your next trip. Visitors looking to visit multiple filming locations in Southport can take a golf cart tour by Southport Tours or Southport Fun Tours to see filming locations from some of the 40+ productions filmed in Southport. For a full list of movies and television shows filmed in the Brunswick Islands, visit here.