Filmed in Seattle

Movies Made in Seattle and Where to Watch

Last Updated: April 1, 2026

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

Seattle has a rich history as the setting and filming location for many well-known films and TV shows.

Now's the time to watch or revisit these classic Seattle-based movies and shows. Here's a rundown of some of our favorite Seattle movies and TV series.

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)

The Ward (2010)

John Carpenter’s The Ward blends psychological horror with a strong local production footprint. The story centers on a young woman (played by Amber Heard) confined to a psychiatric institution who becomes convinced she’s being stalked by a ghost. Filmed across several Washington locations—Spokane, Medical Lake, Cheney, and Des Moines—the production leaned heavily on local talent, employing more than 225 Washington residents as cast, crew, and extras. While the film was mostly shot in Eastern Washington, the exterior shots of the institution depict the Des Moines Masonic Lodge, which is rumored to be haunted.

(Prime, The Roku Channel, Peacock with subscription; Rent from Apple TV)

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)

Battle in Seattle (2007)

Battle in Seattle is a political thriller loosely based on the 1999 World Trade Organization protests that put Seattle in the global spotlight. Featuring an ensemble cast that includes Charlize Theron, Woody Harrelson, and André Benjamin, the film weaves together multiple perspectives, from protesters to police to city officials, as demonstrations escalate into chaos. While it aims to capture the intensity and complexity of those days, the movie takes a dramatized approach to the events rather than serving as a strict historical account. For Seattle viewers, the film’s depiction of downtown streets and civic unrest offers a recognizable, if stylized, look at a pivotal moment in the city’s history.

(Rent on Apple TV or Prime Video)

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)

Fear (1996)

Fear is a psychological thriller that explores how quickly a seemingly perfect romance can turn dangerous. Starring Mark Wahlberg and Reese Witherspoon, the film follows a teenage girl living in a wealthy Seattle suburb who falls for a charismatic older boy, only to discover his charm masks a deeply controlling and violent nature. As his obsession escalates, what begins as infatuation spirals into fear and survival. While much of the film was shot in Vancouver, Canada, some scenes were shot in Seattle, including the Duwamish Head in West Seattle.

(Rent on Prime or Apple TV)

Credit: Universal Pictures

Drama

The Boys in the Boat

The Boys in the Boat brings one of Seattle’s most inspiring true stories to the screen, telling the tale of the University of Washington rowing team that rose from Depression-era hardship to compete for gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Directed by George Clooney, the film highlights the team’s origins on Lake Washington, with the UW campus and its historic boathouse at its heart. While much of the filming took place in the U.K. and other stand-in locations, the real-life settings remain a major draw for visitors—especially the University of Washington, the Montlake Cut, and the waterfront along Lake Washington, where the Huskies trained.

Credit: Amazon MGM Studios

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

Finding Mr. Right (2013)

Finding Mr. Right, a breakout Chinese romantic comedy that even earned a Golden Key Award from the City of Seattle, brings an international lens to the Emerald City. The film follows a wealthy but impulsive woman who travels to Seattle to give birth while sidestepping China’s birth-control policies, and her unexpected connection with Frank, a driver tied to underground maternity centers. Though the movie was actually filmed in Canada, its Seattle-inspired backdrop, and its loose nod to classics like Sleepless in Seattle, adds an intriguing cross-cultural twist to the city’s cinematic footprint. One journalist noted that some scenes resemble locations in Seattle, such as the University of Washington Medical Center and Ravenna’s festive Candy Cane Lane.

(Rent: Prime Video)

Credit: Edko Films

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)

Where'd You Go, Bernadette (2019)

Where'd You Go, Bernadette offers a quirky, introspective take on life in and around Seattle, following a once-brilliant architect who withdraws from the world before suddenly disappearing. Starring Cate Blanchett in a sharply layered performance, the film blends humor and mystery as her daughter pieces together what led to her mother’s vanishing. Adapted from the bestselling novel, the story explores creativity, burnout, and the pressures of modern life. Much of the movie was filmed in Pittsburgh and Vancouver, but several well-known Seattle spots are portrayed, including the Space Needle restaurant and the Central Library downtown.

(Free on YouTube Movies & TV)

Credit: Annapurna Pictures

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Christy Maggio

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