Us

Us was released into theaters on March 22nd, 2019. Filming locations include Pasadena and Santa Cruz, Ca. It was written and directed by Jordan Peele. Peele also directed the horror genre film Get Out, two years prior. A number of films from the 70's and 80's were referenced in the movie, particularly from the horror genre. The Wilson family vacation home is located at 2256 Villa Heights Rd. Pasadena, Ca. 91107. It's located in a gated community, however, so access would be very difficult. The films score was composed by Michael Abels. Also, the movie features a couple notable songs like I Got 5 On It by Luniz and Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys. The films first DVD release was on June 18th, 2019.

Boardwalk - 400 Beach St. Santa Cruz, Ca. 95060

(Santa Cruz Boardwalk)

The boardwalk opened in 1907 and is California's oldest surviving amusement park. It extends along the coast of Monterey Bay from the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf south to the mouth of the San Lorenzo River. Shaman's Vision Quest (later Merlin's Forest) was constructed exclusively for the movie and taken down once filming had completed. The stairs young Adelaide walks down to get to the fun house were also just built for the movie and no stairs exist there in reality. Other notable movies filmed at the boardwalk over the years include Bumblebee, Chasing Mavericks, Dangerous Minds, Killer Klowns from Outer Space, The Lost Boys and Sudden Impact.

All "Now" pictures taken in 2019.

Jeremiah 11:11 guy on a stretcher - 207 Riverside Ave. Santa Cruz, Ca. 95060

This location is just down the street from the Boardwalk. You can actually see one of the Boardwalk entrances in the distance.

2019

Pluto walks into the fire - E. Cliff Dr. Santa Cruz, Ca. 95060

The second screenshot is also the spot where the roof gets torn off of the car in The Lost Boys. 

All "Now" pictures taken in 2019.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space

Killer Klowns from Outer Space was released into theaters on May 27th, 1988. Filming locations include Capitola, Santa Cruz and Watsonville, Ca. It was directed by Stephen Chiodo and written by he and his brother Charles Chiodo. I'll admit, while the movie has some of the cheesiest and cringe-worthy (human) characters I've ever seen on film, the clown costumes were quite impressive, from both a design and physical aspect. The films score was done by John Massari while the soundtrack music was performed by The Dickies. The films first DVD release was on August 28th, 2001.

Big Top Burger - 300 E. Lake Ave. Watsonville, Ca. 95076

The structure has undergone a noticeable renovation. At the time of my visit, it was a Ricos Tacos.

2019

Crescent Cove Police Station - 231 Union St. Watsonville, Ca. 95076

At the time of my visit, it was a Parks & Community Services Department.

2019

Goodwill - 470 Main St. Watsonville, Ca. 95076

It's not often you find a movie location business that's still operating in the same place, 31 years later.

2019

Puppet show - 358 Main St. Watsonville, Ca. 95076

(Watsonville Plaza)

The puppet show scene was done in the gazebo, in the center of Watsonville Plaza.

All "Now" pictures taken in 2019.

Terenzi brothers drive their ice cream truck out of the alley - Between* 14 & 16 E. Lake Ave. Watsonville, Ca. 95076

Debbie Stone's house - 615 California St. Santa Cruz, Ca. 95060

The 2,153 square foot house was built in 1900. The second screenshot was filmed just north of the house at the intersection of California St. and Rigg St.

All "Now" pictures taken in 2022.

Dave rear-ends the ice cream truck - New Brighton St. Beach Capitola, Ca. 95010

Accessing this location requires a $10 entrance fee.

2022

Spaceship takes off - 400 Beach St. Santa Cruz, Ca. 95060

(Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk)

This scene shows the Hot Dog on a Stick that was featured in The Lost Boys, just one year prior.

2022

2019

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi was released into theaters on May 25, 1983. Filming locations include Death Valley National Park, Grizzly Creek Redwoods St. Park, Yuma Az. and England. It was directed by Richard Marquand and written by Lawrence Kasdan and George Lucas. It was the first movie to gross over $20 million dollars in it's opening weekend. The films score, like every Star Wars film, before and after, was done by John Williams. The films first DVD release was on September 21st, 2004.

Luke puts the finishing touches on his new lightsaber - 20 Mule Team Road

(Death Valley National Park)

The was one of the deleted scenes from the film. After driving a short distance on 20 Mule Team Road there will be a small pull-out on the right side of the road. Park here and walk up the hill and you'll be at the spot where the cave used to be. It has since been collapsed by the park service for safety reasons.

All "Now" pictures taken in 2019.

R2-D2 & C-3PO making their way to Jabba's palace - 20 Mule Team Road

(Death Valley National Park)

This location is just a short drive past the lightsaber cave spot. Once you recognize the large rock formations to the left, park and walk up the small embankment on the left side of the road to be at the same spot they were traveling along. On the screenshot, all the rock formations on the left side are natural and what you'll actually see at the location, while the right side, along with Jabba's palace and the far off mountain peaks were matte paintings.

All "Now" pictures taken in 2019.

Speeder bike chase - Hwy. 36 Carlotta, Ca. 95528

(Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park, Owen R. Cheatham Grove)

The point of view shots for the sequence were done by having a camera mounted on a rig attached to an operator who walked through the grove at a steady pace with the camera filming one frame per second. When the footage was played back at twenty-four frames per second, it gave the illusion of flying through the forest at high speeds. The actors did all of their shots in front of a green screen in the studio. On the third comparison picture below, the filmmakers actually reversed the shot and in reality it's backwards from what you see on the screen. This is a relatively small grove, but it contains some massive, breathtaking trees. The hike is a short loop, with the first recognizable shot from the film near the beginning of the path if you start on the right side. To be honest, I'd enjoy visiting this grove regardless of if it was featured in a Star Wars movie or not.

All "Now" pictures taken in 2019.