Maine in Movies and TV: Famous Filming Locations You Can Visit

Maine in Movies and TV: Famous Filming Locations You Can Visit

Nestled in the heart of Downeast Maine, the town of Camden offers a quintessential coastal setting that has drawn filmmakers for decades. Just about an hour’s drive east of Portland, Camden Harbor and its surrounding hills provide a stunning backdrop for films seeking classic New England charm. Visitors can stroll along the harbor walk, where the calm waters, sailboats, and colorful shingled buildings evoke scenes from movies like “In the Bedroom.” Hiking the nearby Mount Battie Trail in Camden Hills State Park rewards adventurers with panoramic views of Penobscot Bay and the town below, a vista that has appeared in several independent films. The best time to visit is late spring through early fall when the foliage is lush, and the harbor is lively with activity, making it easy to imagine yourself on a movie set.

In the rugged, northern reaches of Maine near the Canadian border lies the town of Millinocket, about an hour’s drive northwest of Bangor. This small community sits at the gateway to Baxter State Park, the real-life setting that inspired the wilderness scenes in movies like “The Edge” and “Pet Sematary,” based on Stephen King’s novel. Visitors can explore the park’s famous Knife Edge Trail on Mount Katahdin for a challenging yet rewarding hike, featuring steep cliffs and sweeping views across the forested landscape. The stark, wild beauty of Baxter State Park, especially in the crisp air of early fall when the leaves turn fiery red and orange, makes it a unique place to experience the haunting atmosphere often depicted in Maine-based thrillers.

The city of Portland itself, Maine’s largest urban center, serves as another hotspot for film lovers wanting to walk the streets seen on screen. Just a short walk from the Old Port district, the Portland Museum of Art offers a fascinating cultural stop, but it’s the city’s cobblestone streets and historic waterfront buildings that have appeared in films like “The Whistleblower” and TV series such as “Murder in the First.” Take a guided walking tour or simply explore independently to spot iconic spots like the Longfellow Square and the Eastern Promenade trail, which provides sweeping views of Casco Bay. Early morning or late afternoon light highlights the city’s textured brick facades, making it perfect for photographers and film buffs alike.

Farther north, the town of Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island captures the imagination with its stunning coastal scenery and stately architecture. Approximately three hours northeast of Portland, Bar Harbor serves as a gateway to Acadia National Park, which itself has been featured in numerous outdoor adventure films. Films like “Pet Sematary Two” and several documentaries use the park’s dramatic granite peaks, dense forests, and rugged coastline as their canvas. Visitors can drive the Park Loop Road, hike the Ocean Path trail along the shore, or climb Cadillac Mountain—the tallest peak on the U.S. Atlantic coast—to witness breathtaking sunrises that filmmakers have long cherished. The best time here is during late spring and early fall when the weather is cool, and the crowds are thinner, allowing for a more intimate connection to the landscape.

In the southwestern corner of Maine near the New Hampshire border, the seaside town of Kennebunkport offers a polished, upscale atmosphere that’s also made its way to the silver screen. Just 30 minutes south of Portland, Kennebunkport’s historic Dock Square and sandy beaches have seen appearances in romantic films and TV series. Visitors can wander through the quaint shops and galleries or explore the Marginal Way, a scenic coastal walk perched above the Atlantic waves. The unique blend of natural beauty and refined architecture makes this spot stand out. Late summer provides the warmest weather for enjoying the sea breeze and lively town events, creating an idyllic setting that feels straight out of a film.

Further inland, the small town of Orrington near Bangor was the filming location for the movie “Carrie,” adapted from Stephen King’s novel. While Orrington is less polished than coastal towns, its rural landscapes and quiet neighborhoods evoke a distinct Maine atmosphere that is perfect for atmospheric storytelling. Visitors can explore nearby trails in the Penobscot River corridor or visit Bangor’s Stephen King-themed exhibits and bookstores to deepen their appreciation for the region’s influence on horror and suspense genres. The area is particularly evocative in early fall, when misty mornings and colorful leaves amplify the eerie, suspenseful mood so central to King’s works.

Along the rugged coastline in the town of Lubec, near the Canadian border and about a three-hour drive east of Bangor, visitors find the setting for “The Lighthouse,” an atmospheric film celebrated for its stark portrayal of isolation. Visit the West Quoddy Head Lighthouse, famous for its striking red-and-white striped tower, perched on rocky cliffs overlooking the churning Atlantic Ocean. This is the easternmost point in the contiguous United States, and the wild seascape here is unmatched in its raw beauty. The lighthouse grounds and nearby trails offer dramatic views of crashing waves and seabirds, perfect for visitors who want to step into the film’s haunting maritime world. The late spring and summer months provide calmer seas and warmer days for exploring, while winter storms add a powerful, tempestuous element to the landscape for those who seek it.

In these diverse locations—from the quaint harbor towns to the sprawling wilderness—Maine reveals itself not just as a backdrop but as a character in its own right. Visitors can follow in the footsteps of filmmakers and immerse themselves in the unique places that have shaped stories on screen, enjoying everything from coastal charm to deep forests and mountain vistas along the way. Whether hiking a rugged trail or sipping coffee in a bustling waterfront café, Maine’s cinematic legacy invites exploration and appreciation far beyond the credits.

  • Cadillac Mountain — Wikipedia wikipedia
    Climb Cadillac Mountain, the tallest Atlantic coast peak, known for breathtaking sunrises in films.
  • Lubec (Official) official
    Discover Lubec, Maine's easternmost town, setting for 'The Lighthouse' with dramatic coastal views.
  • Lubec — Wikipedia wikipedia
    Discover Lubec, Maine's easternmost town, setting for 'The Lighthouse' with dramatic coastal views.
  • Portland — Wikipedia wikipedia
    Discover Portland's historic waterfront and cobblestone streets featured in films and TV series.
  • Acadia National Park (Official) official
    Explore Acadia National Park's dramatic landscapes featured in films like 'Pet Sematary Two'.
  • Acadia National Park — Wikipedia wikipedia
    Explore Acadia National Park's dramatic landscapes featured in films like 'Pet Sematary Two'.
  • Camden Harbor — Wikipedia wikipedia
    Explore Camden Harbor's scenic waterfront, a classic New England film setting with colorful buildings and sailboats.
  • Kennebunkport — Wikipedia wikipedia
    Explore Kennebunkport's historic Dock Square and beaches, featured in romantic films and TV.
  • Mount Battie Trail (Official) official
    Hike Mount Battie Trail in Camden Hills State Park for panoramic views featured in independent films.
  • Mount Battie Trail — Wikipedia wikipedia
    Hike Mount Battie Trail in Camden Hills State Park for panoramic views featured in independent films.
  • Ocean Path trail — Wikipedia wikipedia
    Hike the Ocean Path trail along Acadia's shore, a scenic route seen in outdoor adventure films.
  • Bar Harbor (Official) official
    Visit Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island, a gateway to Acadia National Park and film location.
  • Bar Harbor — Wikipedia wikipedia
    Visit Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island, a gateway to Acadia National Park and film location.
  • Millinocket (Official) official
    Visit Millinocket, gateway to Baxter State Park, known for wilderness scenes in films like 'The Edge'.
  • Millinocket — Wikipedia wikipedia
    Visit Millinocket, gateway to Baxter State Park, known for wilderness scenes in films like 'The Edge'.
  • Orrington (Official) official
    Visit Orrington, filming location for 'Carrie,' offering rural Maine landscapes and quiet neighborhoods.
  • Orrington — Wikipedia wikipedia
    Visit Orrington, filming location for 'Carrie,' offering rural Maine landscapes and quiet neighborhoods.
  • Portland Museum of Art — Wikipedia wikipedia
    Visit the Portland Museum of Art, a cultural stop near filming locations in Maine's largest city.
  • Eastern Promenade (Official) official
    Walk the Eastern Promenade trail in Portland for sweeping views of Casco Bay seen on screen.
  • Eastern Promenade — Wikipedia wikipedia
    Walk the Eastern Promenade trail in Portland for sweeping views of Casco Bay seen on screen.
  • Marginal Way (Official) official
    Walk the Marginal Way coastal path in Kennebunkport for stunning ocean views seen on screen.
  • Marginal Way — Wikipedia wikipedia
    Walk the Marginal Way coastal path in Kennebunkport for stunning ocean views seen on screen.

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