The Most Famous Movies Filmed In Maryland

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland is the birthplace of many famous actors, and it has also been the filming location for numerous movie scenes throughout the past century. Some films, like “The Blair Witch Project,” were primarily shot in Maryland, while other movies simply filmed a few scenes in the Old Line State. Here are the most popular films and movie scenes shot in Maryland, along with why they’re so important in the world of cinema.

The Blair Witch Project

“The Blair Witch Project” is a horror movie about a group of young filmmakers lost in the forest. Throughout the film, the protagonists experience their environment being manipulated by a seemingly supernatural force, adding to the mysterious nature of the plot.

Since “The Blair Witch Project” is set in Maryland, it may not come as too big a surprise to learn that most of the footage was filmed in Seneca Creek State Park, a park located in Montgomery County. Hikers can visit Seneca Creek State Park for a day of outdoor activities, though the tale of the Blair Witch is purely fictional.

“The Blair Witch Project” revolutionized the horror industry by helping to popularize the found footage genre, and its effect on the movie industry is still felt to this day. As such, the 1999 film is one of the most notable movies ever filmed in Maryland.

St. Elmo’s Fire

“St. Elmo’s Fire” is a film about graduates from Georgetown University who are beginning to tackle their lives after college. Since Georgetown University wouldn’t give the filmmakers permission to use its campus as a set, certain “St. Elmo’s Fire” scenes were filmed at the University of Maryland.

The 1985 movie used UMD’s Fraternity Row to film a few important scenes, shining a spotlight on Maryland’s prestigious college. A football scene and a graduation scene allow the University of Maryland to shine in “St. Elmo’s Fire,” and UMD students even acted as extras for the cast.

UMD’s Fraternity Row is highlighted in “St. Elmo’s Fire,” but it’s far from the only time that this university has been the center of attention. “The House on Sorority Row” and “National Treasure: Book of Secrets” also shot scenes at UMD, making it a hotspot for the movie industry in general.

Wedding Crashers

“Wedding Crashers” is a hilarious comedy starring Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn. In the film, characters Jeremy and John crash weddings with the goal of meeting women, and they’re successful until one of the men falls deeply in love.

Maryland was the main state where “Wedding Crashers” was filmed, along with Washington, D.C. Annapolis, Easton and St. Michaels were highlighted in the movie, with the latter being one of the primary filming spots. The Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels acted as a venue for a staged wedding reception, and guests can book a few nights to experience the place where the action happened.

The 2005 comedy that stole the hearts of viewers, “Wedding Crashers” is one of the most noteworthy comedies to be filmed in Maryland to date.

Hairspray

“Hairspray” is one of the most popular movies filmed in Maryland, and the plot even takes place in the state. The story follows Tracy Turnblad, who manages to achieve her goal of being a dancer on the Corny Collins Show. Tracy then uses her popularity to challenge racial bias and segregation in 1960s Baltimore.

The 1988 movie used Perry Hall High School and other various spots to film pivotal scenes, highlighting Baltimore’s architecture and culture in the 1900s. The 2007 remake, however, was filmed in Toronto, Canada, instead of Baltimore.

As a film that pushed for racial equality in the 1980s, “Hairspray” has solidified its place as an incredibly popular American movie, and its Baltimore location is one of its standout features.

Patriot Games

Based on the popular Tom Clancy novel, the 1992 film “Patriot Games” was partly filmed in Calvert County and Annapolis. As such, this action film has a deep connection to Southern Maryland. The plot follows Jack Ryan as he tries to protect his wife and daughter against terrorists, acting as a follow-up to “The Hunt for Red October.”

Noteworthy locations for scenes filmed in Maryland include the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis and a house in Calvert County, while other scenes were filmed in California, Virginia and even London.

“Patriot Games” was one of the films that helped popularize Tom Clancy’s books to a larger audience, and its Maryland setting is the cherry on top.

Fun fact: Tom Clancy was a Baltimore native. The author was born in Baltimore and died in the Maryland city as well.

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