Jessica Norton 
The Jersey Shore isn’t just famous for its sandy beaches and vibrant boardwalks — it’s also been a backdrop for countless memorable movies over the years. From iconic summer blockbusters to indie dramas, filmmakers have long been drawn to the Shore’s unique blend of picturesque coastlines and charming small towns. The use of Jersey Shore locations provides visual authenticity while offering production teams more flexibility and cost-effectiveness, being more affordable than filming in New York or Los Angeles. And with the new Netflix facility coming to Fort Monmouth in the next few years, there are sure to be more Jersey Shore scenes incorporated into future films. Whether capturing the nostalgic vibe of classic shore towns or the energy of lively beach scenes, these films showcase the Jersey Shore as a star in its own right, providing audiences with a glimpse of its magic on the big screen. Read on to learn more about movies that were filmed at the Jersey Shore.
According to Greta (2009)
According to Greta is an American drama film directed by Nancy Bardawil starring actress and singer Hilary Duff, Evan Ross (Diana Ross’ son), and actress Ellen Burstyn. The movie was filmed and set in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. Scenes were also shot in Asbury Park, Neptune, Bradley Beach, and Brick. During the fall of 2007, the Bradley Beach train station was shut down for a day of filming and was featured in the opening scene of the movie. A hospital scene was filmed at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, while a tumultuous boat scene was filmed on the Metedeconk River in Brick. JSG team member (and self-proclaimed Hilary Duff superfan) Jessica even got to be an extra in the film, as did all locals who were available for scenes during the days of filming in the fall of 2007. According to Greta is available on most streaming services.
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Amityville Horror (1979)
Amityville Horror is a film that is set in Long Island but was partially filmed in Toms River, New Jersey. The house that appears in the film — located at 8 Brooks Road in Toms River — may not be instantly recognizable, as the property underwent a major façade remodel for the film. Toms River’s city hall is still recognizable in the film, though, as it appears in the movie in its current form today. According to Box Office Mojo, the movie was the second-highest-grossing release of 1979, beating out Rocky II, Star Trek, and Moonraker — and it was nominated for an Academy Award for best original score.
Annie (1982)
The beloved 1982 film Annie may be set in Depression-era New York City, but some of its most iconic scenes were filmed at the Jersey Shore. Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey, served as the backdrop for Daddy Warbucks’ lavish mansion. Known for its stunning architecture and sprawling grounds, the university’s Wilson Hall stood in for the billionaire’s opulent estate, bringing a touch of Shore glamour to Hollywood magic. The location helped give the film its timeless, fairytale feel and remains a fun piece of local film history.
Blinded By The Light (2019)
The 2019 coming-of-age film Blinded by the Light, inspired by the music of Bruce Springsteen, may be set in 1980s England, but a surprising part of its heart beats at the Jersey Shore. While much of the movie was filmed in the UK, key scenes were shot in Asbury Park and other Springsteen-significant locations along the Shore. These spots weren’t just chosen for scenic value, of course. They were essential in capturing the spirit of The Boss and bringing the story full circle, connecting a British teenager’s passion for Springsteen’s lyrics to the very place that inspired them. Many scenes were set and filmed in Freehold, the birthplace of Springsteen, and Asbury Park, where he often performed and continues to pop up for live sets. A scene in the movie also features a character visiting Monmouth College. The movie’s official premiere was held at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park.
The Bounty Hunter (2010)
The 2010 action-comedy The Bounty Hunter, starring Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler, brought Hollywood flair to the Jersey Shore during its production. While the film spans multiple locations, several key scenes were shot along the boardwalks and streets of Atlantic City, including at the Trump Taj Mahal Casino and Resort, giving the film a gritty, energetic backdrop that perfectly matched its high-stakes storyline. Scenes were also shot at Monmouth Park on Oceanport Avenue in Oceanport. From casino exteriors to oceanfront chases, the Jersey Shore’s unique charm added a real-world texture to the movie’s mix of romance and chaos.
Chasing Amy (1997)
In cult classic film Chasing Amy (directed by Jersey Shore local Kevin Smith), Ben Affleck plays a Red Bank-based comic-book artist who befriends and then romances a woman played by actress Joey Lauren Adams. The movie was filmed in several familiar spots along the Jersey Shore, including Asbury Park, Rumson, and Red Bank. The film showcases Smith’s signature storytelling and captures the unique charm and grit of our beloved coastal communities. Chasing Amy serves as a time capsule of late-90s New Jersey, spotlighting local landmarks that still hold significance today. In 1998, Adams was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress — Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for her role in the film.
City by the Sea (2002)
City by the Sea, a crime drama starring Robert De Niro, James Franco, Eliza Dushku, and Frances McDormand, may be set against the gritty backdrop of Long Beach, New York but several key scenes were filmed along the Jersey Shore. With its weathered boardwalks, coastal neighborhoods, and evocative seaside atmosphere, Asbury Park, Ocean Grove, and Keansburg served as stand-ins for parts of Long Island, adding a raw and authentic feel to the film’s visual storytelling. At the time of filming, Asbury Park was in the early stages of revitalization, which made it an ideal spot for a film that needed a sense of past glory and present struggle.
Clerks (1994)
The cult classic film Clerks, directed by Kevin Smith, has deep roots in the Jersey Shore. The movie was filmed almost entirely in and around the vibrant communities of the shore, capturing the everyday vibe and local flavor that give the film its authentic and relatable feel. From the convenience store where the story unfolds to the familiar streets and hangouts, locals will easily recognize scenes shot in Leonardo, Atlantic Highlands, and Middletown. Clerks owes much of its charm to the unmistakable Jersey Shore backdrop. The connection to the shore helped Clerks launch Smith’s career and put New Jersey indie filmmaking on the map.
A Complete Unknown (2024)
A Complete Unknown, the 2024 Bob Dylan biopic starring Timothée Chalamet, immerses audiences in the transformative early years of the iconic musician. While set in 1960s New York City and Newport, Rhode Island, the film was primarily shot across New Jersey, with the Jersey Shore serving as a pivotal backdrop. Cape May stood in for Newport during the 1965 Folk Festival scenes, while Hoboken and Jersey City were transformed to depict Greenwich Village’s vibrant streets. Cape May‘s Washington Street Mall was reimagined as the Newport Folk Festival grounds, complete with vintage signage and period-accurate decor. The production’s meticulous attention to detail brought the 1960s era to life, utilizing local businesses and landmarks to authentically recreate Dylan’s early experiences.
Coyote Ugly (2000)
The hit 2000 film Coyote Ugly brought the energy and grit of the New York City bar scene to life, but many scenes from the movie were filmed in South Amboy, New Jersey. The film’s opening scene, where main character Violet Sanford (played by Toms River-born actress Piper Perabo) bids farewell to her small hometown, was filmed at 101 South Broadway in South Amboy, which served as the exterior for the pizzeria where she worked. Additionally, the South Amboy Knights of Columbus at 308 Fourth Street was used as the establishing shot for the wedding scene.
Deliver Me From Nowhere (2025)
Of course, the Jersey Shore served as the backdrop for the highly anticipated Bruce Springsteen biopic titled Deliver Me from Nowhere, which is set to be released in theaters on October 24th, 2025. Jeremy Allen White plays Springsteen in the film, which delves into the making of his 1982 album Nebraska. With scenes shot in Asbury Park — including inside the legendary Stone Pony — as well as downtown Freehold, the town where Springsteen was born and raised. Both locations received retro facelifts to authentically capture the 1980s era. Last year, JSG writer + social media editor Jessica worked on the set of Deliver Me From Nowhere and hopes that her scenes won’t end up on the cutting room floor — she will share more about her experience filming once the movie is out (and her NDA is lifted!)
The Godfather Part III (1990)
The Godfather Part III, the epic conclusion to Francis Ford Coppola’s legendary trilogy, found part of its cinematic backdrop right here at the Jersey Shore. While the film’s story spans the globe, several key scenes were brought to life along New Jersey’s scenic coast, adding an authentic East Coast atmosphere that perfectly matched the movie’s intense drama and complex family dynamics. The former Trump Castle Casino in Atlantic City, now the Golden Nugget Atlantic City, was the site of the attack on the mob convention.
Happy Gilmore 2 (2025)
Happy Gilmore 2 is an upcoming sports comedy film and the long-awaited sequel to the 1996 classic Happy Gilmore and is scheduled for release on Netflix on July 25th, 2025. The movie, starring Adam Sandler, was filmed in several locations in Monmouth County, New Jersey, including the Fiddler’s Elbow golf course and around Atlantic Highlands.
Jersey Girl (2004)
Jersey Girl is another Kevin Smith film with Ben Affleck in the lead role that was filmed at the Jersey Shore. A significant portion of filming took place in Hazlet, while the film includes a scene featuring the Asbury Park boardwalk. Scenes were also filmed in Red Bank and Long Branch. These spots provided the perfect mix of coastal charm and authentic local flavor, reflecting the heart of the story: a father navigating life and love while raising his daughter in New Jersey.
Mean Girls (2024)
The 2024 film adaptation of the Broadway musical Mean Girls took over New Jersey’s Monmouth County. Mean Girls was filmed in the former Mater Dei Prep High School in Middletown, New Jersey, between March and April 2023. The defunct prep school doubled as the fictional North Shore High School in the movie, and hundreds of locals were even cast as extras in the film.
Stardust Memories (1980)
Woody Allen’s Stardust Memories was filmed along the Jersey Shore, bringing a dreamy, seaside feel to its black-and-white cinematography. The Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove was used as the grand “Stardust Hotel,” with its towering exterior and signature cross making a memorable impression. The film also features scenes shot in nearby shore towns like Asbury Park, Neptune, Belmar, and Deal, grounding its surreal story in a very real and familiar coastal setting.
Ragtime (1981)
The film Ragtime may be set in New York City, but Spring Lake’s very own Essex + Sussex Hotel played a featured role. The hotel has since been transformed into luxury condominiums, but at the time of filming, the historic hotel served as the background of the scenes in the movie. It’s grand, early 20th-century architecture perfectly captures the period aesthetic, making it an ideal stand-in for the film’s Gilded Age settings.
War of the Worlds (2005)
Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds, starring Tom Cruise, brought a Hollywood spectacle to the Jersey Shore when several key scenes were filmed in Howell Township. Spielberg filmed part of the epic movie on Canterbury Way in Howell Township — a quiet neighborhood in Monmouth County. A replica was built to depict the ruins of Howell after aliens attack. In 2004, the Asbury Park Press reported that the filming caused streets to close, and many kids stayed home from school to watch. Howell police officers were assigned to help direct motor vehicle traffic and manage the crowds of onlookers. The Canterbury Way replica has been a part of the back-lot tour at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Which Brings Me to You (2023)
The 2023 romantic comedy Which Brings Me to You, starring Pretty Little Liars actress Lucy Hale and musician and actor Nat Wolff, quietly transformed familiar seaside spots into cinematic backdrops for its heartfelt tale. The movie was shot in October 2022 across areas of the northern Jersey Shore. The film features a blend of charming small-town venues from the nostalgic Keansburg Amusement Park to Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church in Rumson. Monmouth University, Bond Street Bar, White Chapel Projects, and the Leonardo Motel are other local spots that can be recognized in scenes from the film. Plus, a casual product placement of Kane Brewing Company beers appears in a few shots.
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The Wrestler (2008)
Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler (2008), starring Mickey Rourke, was filmed in gritty, authentic locations throughout New Jersey, featuring several memorable spots along the Jersey Shore. In the movie, Rourke’s character lives in Hazlet, and there’s a scene with his daughter, played by Evan Rachel Wood, walking along the iconic Asbury Park boardwalk. These real-life Jersey Shore settings add a raw, emotional depth to the film, grounding its story of struggle and redemption in a distinctly local atmosphere.
