In the past 100 years or so, Oregon has been host to over 500 movie-making crews. Astoria is one of the most famous movie locations in Oregon. “The Goonies,” “Short Circuit,” “Kindergarten Cop,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3,” and “Free Willy” were all filmed there. Oregon’s public beaches make many towns along the coast popular filming locations. Ken Kesey’s classic novel-turned-film, “Sometimes a Great Notion,” was filmed in the coastal town of Toledo and surrounding areas. The dry climate of Central and Eastern Oregon has long been a favorite location for movie producers of films such as Cheryl Strayed’s memoir “Wild” (Paulina Lake, Smith Rock State Park, Oregon Badlands). And, of course, the Halloween instant classic: “Halloweentown’s” Saint Helens.
The diverse landscape, mild climate, welcoming communities, and myriad waterways across the state make Oregon an ideal setting for filming an assorted range of movies. Marion County’s lush greenery and teeming cities are no exception. In fact, if someone thinks they have the perfect place in Oregon to film a movie, they can apply to have their location listed with the Oregon Film Office for possible approval here.
Author Ken Kesey Makes Oregon’s State Hospital Famous
The year 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic 1975 film “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, “Ken Kesey’s second novel appearing on the Oregon Films list. It is also Jack Nickolson’s first starring role in a made-in-Oregon movie (“The Shining” from 1980 was his second). “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” was Danny Devito’s first movie and Christopher Lloyd’s first film.
The movie also starred Scatman Crothers, Brad Dourif and Will Sampson as Chief Bromden. “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” won the big five 1976 Oscars: best picture, actor, actress, director, and screenplay. The movie was filmed on location at the State Psychiatric Hospital in Salem and even included some of the hospital’s patients as extras.
Though the Oregon State Hospital dismantled and rebuilt the buildings in the early 2000s, part of the original dome building still stands as The Oregon Hospital Museum of Mental Health. Along with patient testimonies and collections of medical paraphernalia, visitors can view scenes and memorabilia from “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.”
To mark the movie’s anniversary and to encourage mental health fitness, the Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health and Project Able have organized a mental health book club. They will meet at The Book Bin on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m.. The book club book for January is “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” by Ken Kesey. “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” is available to rent or purchase at Amazon Prime Video.
Popular Teen Movie Has Ties to Silver Falls State Park
Another popular film with scenes shot in Marion County is “Twilight”(2008). Two scenes were filmed at Silver Falls: the opening deer hunting scene and the scene where Edward (Robert Pattinson) tells Bella (Kristen Stewart), “You better hold on tight, spider monkey.” An Oregon Film Trail sign marks the spot at the Howard Creek Trailhead parking lot near where the deer scene was recorded. “Twilight” can be streamed on Hulu, Tubi, or Amazon Prime.
True Crime Thriller Draws a Young Angelina Jolie to Salem
“Without Evidence” is a 1995 made-for-TV movie that may not have been super popular nationally, but it was an important film for Oregonians. The 1989 murder mystery of Michael Francke had dominated local headlines for years before the story caught the attention of filmmakers. Twenty-year-old Angelina Jolie played Jodie Swearingen, an 18-year-old meth user and crucial witness in this true crime drama about the murder of Oregon’s Head of Corrections, Michael Francke.
The movie was filmed in several locations throughout Salem. When released on home video, a $1 million reward for apprehension and conviction of the person(s) responsible for Francke’s murder was added to the ending credits. “Without Evidence” is available for streaming on Pluto TV or on DVD at Amazon.
Banking in Silverton With Famous Stars
“Bandits” is a 2001 comedy with a few scenes filmed in Silverton. The movie stars Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton, who was married to Angelina Jolie at the time, and Cate Blanchett. The bank on the corner of West Main and South Water was the primary location for the shoot. Joe (Bruce Willis) and Terry (Billy Bob Thornton) break out of prison and are on the run, hoping to escape to a worry-free life in Acapulco, when they stop to rob the Silverton Fidelity Bank. “Bandits” can be streamed on Pluto TV, Tubi, or Amazon.
Explore More Oregon Filming Locations With a Free App
The Oregon Film Trail has partnered with Setjetters to provide a free app enabling users to find movie filming locations and coinciding scene information. The Setjetter app is available for download on Apple or Android.
