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Lights, camera, action: movies filmed around Charlotte

The Charlotte region has hosted movie productions from blockbusters to Academy Award-winning films.

The cast of The Hunger Games waves to the crowd at Comic Con.

The blockbuster film “The Hunger Games” was filmed nearly entirely in North Carolina around the Charlotte area.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

The Queen City is no stranger to the magic of Hollywood. From Charlotte Motor Speedway’s track to the forests of the Piedmont, the Charlotte area has served as the backdrop for an impressive resume of popular and acclaimed films — some of these movies may be on your watch list right now.

Get the popcorn. We’re diving into the movies filmed in your backyard.

The Hunger Games (2012)
Plot: A teenage girl takes her sister’s place in a televised competition where children fight to the death.
Filming locations: Shelby and Charlotte — including the Knight Theater Charlotte Convention Center

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret (2023)
Plot: Eleven-year-old Margaret navigates new friends when her family moves from the city to the suburbs.
Filming locations: Charlotte, Concord, and York, SC

Shallow Hal (2001)
Plot: A shallow man falls in love with a woman’s inner beauty.
Filming locations: Concord and Charlotte — including Freedom Park

Logan Lucky (2017)
Plot: Best friends plan a heist during a NASCAR race.
Filming locations: Concord — including Charlotte Motor Speedway during the Coca-Cola 600

A movie marquee shines outside a movie theater at night.

Jessica Chastain won the Oscar for “Best Actress” for her role in “The Eyes of Tammy Faye.”

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021)
Plot: A bio-pic on the life of televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker.
Filming locations: Charlotte, Concord, and Lake Norman

The Patriot (2000)
Plot: A father joins the Colonial militia during the American Revolution to defend his family.
Filming locations: Chester, Historic Brattonsville in McConnells, Rock Hill, and York, SC

Sully (2016)
Plot: Pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger recounts the “Miracle on the Hudson” plane landing.
Filming locations: Charlotte — including American Airlines’ Charlotte Douglas International Airport training facility

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)
Plot: NASCAR sensation Ricky Bobby fights to remain racing’s top star.
Filming locations: Charlotte and Concord — including Charlotte Motor Speedway

A crowd gathers at a NASCAR race track

The racing film “Days of Thunder” brought film stars including Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, and Robert Duvall to Charlotte.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Days of Thunder (1990)
Plot: A young stock car driver gets his chance to compete at the top level.
Filming locations: Lake Norman and Charlotte Motor Speedway

Bonus: These classic films were shot too close to leave off the list.

Dirty Dancing (1987)
Plot: A girl spends her summer retreat falling in love with the camp’s dance instructor.
Filming locations: Asheville and Lake Lure

The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
Plot: Frontier trappers protect the daughters of a British Colonel in the midst of the French and Indian War.
Filming locations: Blue Ridge Parkway

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