Iconic Homes From Movies And TV Shows You Can Actually Visit
The setting of a movie or TV show is crucial for both the characters and the audience. These places help guide the story in multiple directions and are the most important visuals on the screen. Many well-known films and TV shows have locations that are just as essential as the movie or TV show's iconic actors.
Full House, Sixteen Candles, The Notebook, and more all have iconic homes that are prominently featured on screen. Movies and TV shows will often time use existing houses for exterior shots. Keep reading to see which popular film and TV houses you can visit in person.
The Brady Bunch House is a Piece of History
Here's the story of a classic TV house. The Brady Bunch first premiered on September 26, 1969 and lasted for five seasons. It centered around a blended family with a father of three sons marrying a mother with three daughters. After re-runs and many spin-offs it garnered millions of fans all around the world.
This house pictured above was used as the exterior shot for their home and is located at 11222 Dilling Street in Studio City, California. Even though the show wasn't shot in this house, the original cast ended up refurbishing it for an HGTV show called A Very Brady Renovation.
Inside the Home Alone House
Home Alone became an instant holiday classic when it premiered in 1990. Macaulay Culkin starred as prankster Kevin McCallister who is accidentally left home alone by his parents when they go on vacation. Throughout the film he comes up with hilarious tricks to stop burglars from robbing his house.
The house that was used for exterior shots is located at 671 Lincoln Avenue in Winnetka, Illinois. It recently sold for $1.585 million and has been heavily remodeled over the last few decades. Set designers for the film took inspiration from the actual rooms in the home and replicated them on a sound stage for the actors.
Full House Creator Purchases Original Home
San Francisco, California served as the backdrop for popular 1980s and 1990s sitcom Full House. The house that was used as the exterior shot and featured in every episode of the show is located at 1709 Broderick Street in San Francisco. The actors didn't actually film in this house, but it was recently purchased by the creator of the show for about $4 million.
In the show's spin-off series, Fuller House, the original cast visited the real home in San Francisco to film some scenes. Something unique about this Italianate Victorian home is that it was built in 1883 and embodies a true San Francisco aesthetic.
Many Muggles Have Entered The Harry Potter House
One of the most recognizable homes in film history is the 'Privet Drive' home Harry Potter lives in with his uncle, aunt, and cousin first featured in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. This is where the audience is first introduced to him and his little room under the stairs.
For true Harry Potter fans, the house is a real place located at 12 Picket Post Close in Bracknell, Berkshire, England. It was recently put up for sale, so if any muggles are interested it costs around $600,000.
A Christmas Story House is Now a Museum
The holidays wouldn't be complete without watching 1983's A Christmas Story. It's centered around a young boy named Ralphie and his relationship with his family during the holiday season. Throughout the film he's mainly interested in getting his hands on a Red Ryder air rifle.
After the movie's huge success, the home used in the exterior shots was turned into a museum. A Christmas Story fans can look at props, costumes, and other iconic memorabilia from the movie. For those thinking of stopping by to take a tour the home/museum is located at 3159 W 11th Street in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2022, the iconic house went on the market.
Ferris Bueller's Day Off Featured Famous Architecture
In the classic 1986 John Hughes film Ferris Bueller's Day Off, the city of Chicago was almost like another character. Ferris Bueller, along with his girlfriend Sloane and best friend Cameron, decide to take the day off from school and have an adventure around the city.
One of the most scenic places in the film is Cameron's house and his father's car showroom. This glass and steal home, otherwise known as the Ben Rose House, was already famous for its beautiful architecture done by A. James Speyer. It can be found at 370 Beech in Highland Park, Illinois.
Take A Drive Through Los Angeles to Find the Modern Family Homes
It can be difficult for a show to stay on the air, but Modern Family has managed to keep coming out with new episodes for over a decade. The cast is about to enter the 11th and final season of the show. Similar to sitcoms like The Office and Parks and Recreation, Modern Family is a documentary-style series that follows a comedic ensemble cast through the years.
There are a few homes that are used for exterior shots for the families and they're all in Los Angeles, California. Cam and Mitch's pictured above is located at 2211 Fox Hills Drive, the Dunphy home is at 10336 Dunleer Drive, and the Pritchett home is at 121 S. Cliffwood Avenue.
The Wonder Years House Hasn't Aged a Bit
A little over 30 years ago The Wonder Years aired its pilot episode to viewers around the world. This timeless sitcom was about an adolescent boy named Kevin Arnold (Fred Savage) and his experiences with family, dating, and school in Vietnam-era America. The young cast was able to act beyond their years and the show also featured a nostalgic soundtrack in each episode.
Throughout the show Kevin spent a great deal of time at his house pictured above. Believe it or not, the house is still around and looks almost identical as it did on the show. People can visit The Wonder Years home at 516 University Avenue in Burbank, California.
Genius Architecture Hidden in Twilight
If the vampire genre could be summed up into one film, it would have to be The Twilight Saga. Fans of the franchise might recognize this picturesque house because it served as Edward Cullen's fancy abode that he lived in with his vampire family.
Even though the film is set in Forks, Washington the real home is at 3333 Quimby Street in Portland, Oregon. It's a relatively new home that was built in 2007 by architect Jeff Kovel from Skylab Architecture. Since the home was built on a slope, it has the illusion of "floating among the trees."
The Seinfeld Apartment is on the Other Side of the Country
Nineties television wouldn't have been the same without Seinfeld. After almost a decade on the air NBC was in denial when Jerry Seinfeld announced that he would be ending the series. This comedy centered around four friends living in New York City and was able to draw in millions of viewers each week.
With new generations of people watching the show, some have even happened upon the apartment building that was used as the exterior shot for Jerry's apartment. For Seinfeld fans that are wanting to make a stop there themselves, the building is located at a complex called The Shelley at 757 S New Hampshire Avenue in Los Angeles, California.
See The Father of the Bride House Up Close
Comedy veteran Steve Martin had one of his most memorable roles in 1991's Father of the Bride. He starred as the patriarch of a typical suburban family alongside other famous actors such as Diane Keaton and good friend Martin Short. When his daughter comes home and announces she's engaged, Martin is anything but calm.
The filmmakers ended up using a couple of houses for the exterior of the Banks home. Some memorable scenes that took place at the one pictured above were the famous father/daughter basketball game and some of the wedding. The house can be found at 500 North Almansor Street in Pasadena, California.
Mrs. Doubtfire's Address Was Revealed in the Movie
Robin Williams had numerous film and TV roles that earned him millions of fans from around the world. After Mrs. Doubtfire premiered in 1993 it became an instant classic for people of all ages. He starred as a newly divorced father of three who dressed as a female nanny in order to see his kids regularly.
This film famously takes place straight in the city of San Francisco, California. Sally Fields, who plays Williams' ex-wife, even states the real address of the home during the movie. For those who didn't catch it while watching, it's located at 2640 Steiner Street in San Francisco.
The Sixteen Candles Home Is an Illinois Landmark
John Hughes wrote some of the most watched teen comedies of the 1980s. Molly Ringwald's breakthrough role was in Sixteen Candles where she became a symbol for what it was like to be a teenage girl in the 1980s. In the film her 16th birthday isn't anything what she expected. Her family forgot all about it and she's still trying to get the attention of high school hunk Jake Ryan.
Like most of John Hughes films, this one took place in Illinois. Ringwald's house in the film is still visited by many fans of the movie today and it was recently on the market for $1.5 million. Folks in Evanston, Illinois can find the house at 3022 Payne Street.
Take a Tour of the Friends Apartment in New York
Even though Friends centered around a group of six young adults, New York City seemed like another character in the show. This popular sitcom lasted for about a decade and drew in record-breaking views each week. The stars of the show were so important to the network that by the end of the series each of their salaries were $1 million.
Since it was watched by people from all over the globe, there are fans that come to New York just to take a tour of the building used in the exterior shots. Those looking to stop and see it in person can find it at 90 Bedford Street at the corner of Grove Street in New York City.
The Notebook Plantation House is Almost Three Centuries Old
The Notebook is mostly a period piece, so it was necessary for the filmmakers to find a location that resembled 1940s South Carolina. Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams led the film by bringing to life a heartbreaking love story.
One of the most scenic locations is the plantation house that Gosling's character fixes up as a promise to McAdams. A distant relative of the original owner mentioned that it was built in 1772 and has been through many renovations. It still remains at 1235 Long Point Road in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
Complete the Bird Box Challenge in the Same Place as the Cast
Sandra Bullock, Sarah Paulson, John Malkovich, and more were all a part of Netflix's hit film Bird Box. Throughout the movie people must keep their eyes covered to stay safe from an invisible and evil presence. For a large amount of the film the ensemble cast was stuck inside a house because going outside would've been too dangerous.
Rather than build a set for the house, the cast filmed in a real California home. It can be found at 304 N Canyon Boulevard in Monrovia, California. Even those doing the Bird Box challenge can participate in the same place as the actors.
The Boy Meets World Home is a Los Angeles Gem
For anyone who grew up in the 1990s, one of the most watched sitcoms for kids and teens was Boy Meets World. It was about a boy named Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) growing up and dealing with typical adolescence with his best friend Shawn (Ryder Strong) and love interest Topanga (Danielle Fishel).
While the show took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the house that was used for the exterior shots is located at 4196 Colfax Avenue in Studio City, California. The Los Angeles area was a big influence for the creators of the show, and they even named Topanga after Topanga Canyon.
Celebrate Halloween at the Hocus Pocus House
One of the most iconic Halloween movies has to be Hocus Pocus. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy star as three witches who are resurrected by a teen boy named Max who lights a black flame candle. He, his sister, and his girlfriend attempt to get rid of the witches before Halloween ends.
It may seem like a dark premise, but the movie is filled with comedy and toe-tapping musical numbers. Something quite noticeable is the vintage-looking house where Max's family lives. It can also be found in the city where the movie was filmed at 4 Ocean Avenue in Salem, Massachusetts.
The Magical Look of the Sabrina the Teenage Witch Home
Since Sabrina the Teenage Witch centered on a family with supernatural abilities, the house that they lived in needed to match their eccentricity. The series was based on Sabrina's character from the Archie comics and it's recently been revamped as a dark drama for Netflix, including a whole new cast.
After seven seasons on the air and great success in syndication, Sabrina the Teenage Witch remains a staple of 1990s TV history. Fans can visit the house used in exterior shots at 64 East Main Street in Freehold, New Jersey.
See Breathtaking Views at the A Star is Born Home
One of 2018's movies to watch was A Star is Born with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. It follows their relationship as Lady Gaga's character transitions from a struggling artist to stealing the spotlight. The success of the film earned them both Academy Award nominations.
After the two characters get married they move into a chic glass house hidden away from the city. It was designed by architect Douglas Rucker and renovated by Dan Meis, who also crafted the architecture for the Staples Center. Even for those who haven't seen the movie and love creative architecture can visit it at 481 Cold Canyon Road in Calabasas, California.
