For a long time, filmmakers have been drawn to Canada’s expansive and varied landscapes, hoping to set their stories against breathtaking scenery. The Great White North provides an abundance of breathtaking scenery for film, from the majestic Rockies to the tumultuous sound of Niagara Falls and the picturesque campus of the University of Toronto.
If you’re a film buff, live in Canada, or plan to travel there, these stops are well worth your time and energy. They not only give you a glimpse into popular movies and how they were made but they also give you the chance to take in some truly magnificent sights that only Canada can offer.
It doesn’t have to be all nature, architecture, and history, however. Canada is as diverse as it is beautiful, and the city offers many opportunities to indulge in other entertainment options as well. From great dining to live entertainment, there is much to discover. If you would prefer it all under one roof, land-based Canadian casinos abound in the city, that are legal and give you a variety of casino games to try out.
We know, though, that after a long day of exploring and taking it all in, you may want to rest and recover in your room. In that case, there are even more online Canadian casinos where you can have fun while eating room service, and even possibly win some extra cash for your next trip.
But for now, let’s go on a behind-the-scenes tour of some of the most famous Canadian locations seen in Hollywood films.
Halifax
The cultural mecca and biggest city in Canada’s Maritime Provinces, Halifax, is a popular tourist destination. Halifax has something for everyone: beautiful waterfront paths, a wealth of history and art, unique stores, delicious food, a variety of activities, and unique experiences. James Cameron’s iconic movie, Titanic, which featured riveting ocean scenes shot aboard the CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent, the country’s largest icebreaker, has the city as its embarkation site.
Production of Titanic in Halifax is all the more significant because the city was the closest large port to the actual Titanic tragedy in 1912. A somber connection to that tragic event is created by the fact that 121 victims are laid to rest in the city’s Fairview Lawn Cemetery.
Jasper National Park
The park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers. Spanning 4,250 acres, this park is home to rugged mountains and ancient forests. Beyond serving as a backdrop for thrilling exploits and posh mountain hotels, this terrain has permanently marked cinematic history. During her 1954 filming of “River of No Return” alongside Robert Mitchum, Marilyn Monroe made an effort to meet the star-struck townspeople.
After more than three decades, Jasper pulled off another impressive performance on film, this time convincingly portraying Pakistan’s daunting Nanga Parbat peak in “The Climb.” Filmmakers paid homage to the park’s heart-pounding landscape while chronicling the 1953 summit triumph of real-life mountaineer Hermann Buhl.
Niagara Falls
Famous for its stunning waterfalls and the abundance of nearby vineyards and orchards, Niagara Falls is also well-known as a desirable movie location with a long list of successful film projects. Among its notable credits are the legendary 1953 movie Niagara, starring Joseph Cotten and Marilyn Monroe, and the legendary 1980 film Superman II, which featured Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder set against the magnificent background of the Falls.
The cinematic history, however, goes well beyond the majestic waterfalls. The Dead Zone, a 1983 science fiction thriller based on Stephen King’s novel, featured extensive shots of the Niagara region, which were crucial to the plot. The Recruit (2003) featured a captivating kidnapping plot set in Niagara-on-the-Lake, which went through a radical transformation to become a Virginia town.
Rocky Mountains in Canada
The breathtaking Canadian Rockies were used to film the famous camping scenes of Brokeback Mountain, which convincingly portrayed the untamed splendor of Wyoming. This expansive Alberta region, located just 60 miles west of Calgary, covers more than four thousand square miles and is home to untouched lakes and protected mountains. A fast web search will show the exact locations where cowboy boots-clad Ennis and Jack spent intimate moments against the breathtaking mountain background that so authentically depicted the American West, for those who are ready to experience the film magic for themselves.
The University of Toronto
As the setting for numerous films, this expansive campus has left an unforgettable impression on the film industry with its distinctive architecture and attractive landscapes. Notably, the locations of MIT and Harvard, such as Whitney Hall and McLennan Physical Laboratories, were convincingly recreated in the 1997 film Good Will Hunting. Convocation Hall hosted an important math competition, and Etobicoke Collegiate Institute pretended to be a Chicago high school; both locations were key in the 2004 film Mean Girls.
Beyond that, the university’s varied and visually stimulating settings have contributed to films such as Robocop (2014) and The Incredible Hulk (2008), further solidifying its position in cinematic annals.