Movies You Didn't Know Were Filmed in North Carolina

Because of the highly charged concerns with North Carolina's House Bill 2, many companies and organizations are taking their business elsewhere. What does this do to films in North Carolina? Here are some movies that you probably didn't know were shot in the state.

Dirty Dancing (1987)

Remember the "log scene" in "Dirty Dancing?" It was filmed in Tryon, NC. No one knows exactly where it is. However, the trees were spray-painted green because the scene was shot during the fall. The famous "lift" was practiced in a lake in Tryon before filming the lift in Virginia.

Days of Thunder (1990)

City Chevrolet is a sponsor for Cole Trickle (Tom Cruise) in the movie. This real life dealership is owned by Rick Hendrick , who helped with the cars in the movie. Lastly, The green and yellow car made famous by Tom Cruise is currently featured in the NASCAR hall of fame in Charlotte. Charlotte Motor Speedway was used in this movie as well as "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby."

Forrest Gump (1994)

Although the majority of the film was shot in South Carolina and Georgia, there was a part of the movie where he runs in the hairpin bend on Grandfather Mountain. Up near Ashville North Carolina is when he begins to realize he has company following him. The bend now has a signpost marking "Forrest Gump Curve."

The Hunger Games (2012)

"The Hunger Games" was filmed entirely in North Carolina. The Henry River Mill Ghost Town was shot as District 12 in "The Hunger Games." This ghost town used to be a small community in the early 1900's with a three-story brick mill building that burned in 1977, a dam, and a company store.

Charlotte was the main film location for the Capitol scenes in the Hunger Games. The tributes ride in on chariots and Katniss is seen as the 'The Girl on Fire' in the Charlotte Convention Center. The Knight Theater in Charlotte was used for the pre-game interviews moderated by Caesar Flickerman.

Iron Man 3 (2013)

"Iron Man 3" producers' choice to film in North Carolina was an intriguing juxtaposition to the action-packed movie, what with the calm demeanor of the North Carolina coast. Many scenes in the movie were set in Wilmington, N.C. where they admired the local architecture and all the stage filming was done in EUE/Screen Gems Studios. Thirty miles south of Wilmington, stunt actors fell into the sea off Oak Island and also utilized Raleigh and Cary for film locations not open to the public.

Last of the Mohicans (1992)

This movie used spectacular shots of the natural landscape beauty of North Carolina. Some scenic views included Chimney Rock Park, Hickory Nut Gorge and the climatic fight scene was shot at the top of Hickory Nut Falls.

Lastly, let's not forgot all of our favorite Nicholas Sparks movies that were filmed in North Carolina.

A Walk to Remember (2002)

In Wilmington, you are able to visit the beautiful Southern home of Jamie's father.

Safe Haven (2013)

"Safe Haven," starring Julianne Hough and Josh Duhamel, strolled around in the lovely town of Southport and the marina is a short walk from the main part of town.

Nights in Rodanthe (2008)

You can actually stay in the Inn at Rodanthe with the striking blue shutters that Richard Gere and Diane Lane shot at in the Outer Banks. Additionally, enjoy a drive down Highway 12, like Gere did, and experience the calming breeze and aesthetic sand dunes on the side of the road.