Top Sci-Fi Movie Set Locations

Hello and welcome to my next travel destination guide sharing Top Sci-Fi Movie Set Locations. Read on to discover the oldest movie featured with the best set location, it is my top spot: Point Dume in Malibu, California. Discover one of my favorite go to locations for food and fun while attending college: Central Market in Los Angeles, California. Also read on the discover Randy’s Donuts. It has been a feature in several movies but I wanted to highlight that Randy’s coffee and box of donuts can cure just about anything, including a superhero’s hangover. I have added other US movie set locations within this post, and I swear they are not all in LA. More than 1, yes, but not all! Let’s travel movie set style!

Planet of the Apes at Point Dume Malibu, California

The Planet of the Apes was release in the United States in March 1968. It was the first of many in a now extended franchise full of games, TV series, movies and remakes of movies. Astronauts crash land on a planet where intelligent apes are the dominant species and humans are not only enslaved but also experiments upon. The astronauts from Earth are stunned to see a planet where apes rule, they walk upright, they talk, and they have established a class system and a political system. Taylor and his crew were sleeping one minute and captured the next. The storyline of this movie is full of action, discovery, laughter, romance, and questions. So many questions. The cinematography is spot on and sweeps you up into this unknown world not so much quietly but definitely quickly.

The ending plot twist is one that packs one hell of a punch each and every time I watch the movie. Yes I know the ending. Yes it still gets me. The ending scene was filmed at Point Dume in Malibu, California. Charleston Heston’s heartbreak when he sees what is on that beach is what has resonated with me since the first time I watched the movie. Highly recommend watching the movie if you haven’t. Re-watching it if you have. Visit the movie set location and let me know if his heartbreak still lingers. Crushing ending. Beautiful location.

Jaws at Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

Jaws was released in the United States in June 1975. It is an epic battle of man versus nature when a killer shark takes over the waters of a small beach community named Amity Island. It’s a hot summer and the community’s main business is tourists that come to enjoy the beach. The mayor will not shut the beaches down. Its all about the money honey. As the number of deaths shark related start to rise it is time for someone to step in and do something. What do you get when you have a local sheriff, a marine biologist and an old ship captain on the hunt to find the beast? There is action, the best one liners and a beautiful movie set location.

Jaws was the first movie to film from the shark’s point of view. I can still see those dangling legs of people swimming in the ocean of Vineyard Haven in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts aka Amity Island. The town of Vineyard Haven is still there. Many of the businesses and landmarks seen in the movie are no longer there. It is still an amazing place to explore and if you really listen closely while you are standing on the shore you can hear the shark’s two note attack music coming from the water.

Blade Runner a Central Market Los Angeles, California

Blade Runner was released in the United States in 1982. What is a Blade Runner you might ask? A Blade Runner is part of a specialized police unti tasked with finding Replicnats that are here on Earth. When found Replicants are retired. Rick Deckard has retired himself from being a Blade Runner but is called back to assist in hunting down four very unique Replicants. The storyline shares Replicants had originally been programed to assit humans here are Earth, then someone got greedy (Tyrell Corporation I’m looking at you) and programed the Replicants to overthrow and conquer off world planets and aliens. Overthrowing and conquering are now a part of the Replicnats makeup and they are coming back to Earth to meet there maker. Probably do more than just meet.

The movie is set in 2019 Los Angeles, California. I went to college in Los Angeles and I didn’t find many Blade Runner items or Replicants, that I know of anyway. What I did find was the Central Market in Los Angeles. The Market is a must add on your to do and see list. The food! The people! The atmosphere! If your there ate sunset and squint your eyes you just might see a Replicant or two.

Jurassic Park at Kualoa Ranch, Oahu

Jurassic Park was released in the United States June 1993. This origianl film was the starting off point for movies, video games, amusement park rides and tourist destinations. The storyline follows Jurassic Park creator, billionaire John Hammond as he invites a select group of people to tour the Park. People being: paleontologists, a mathematician and children. Why did you have to invite the children? The Park’s creator assures everyone that the facility is safe, but that is what is said during every horror movie ever made! Let the advenure begin.

Dinosaurs and people running all over the beautifil movie set location Kualoa Ranch in Oahu, Hawaii. The Ranch is so lush and green and a perfect hang out for dinosaurs, and you. Visit their website to discover a Jurassic Adventure Tour, Hollywood Movie Sites Tour, Jurassic Valley Zipline and more. I highly recommend adding Kualoa Ranch on your destination list when planning your next Hawaiian getaway. The dinosaurs will thank you for it!

Men in Black II at Grand Central Station, New York

Men in Black II, aka MIIB, was released in the United States July 2002. Smith aka Agent Jay and Jones aka Agent Kay are together again to protect the Earth from the scum of the Universe. Well, that is what the MIB’s mission statement says! Is it a sequel? Yes. Is it fun and entertaining? Yes. I know. I know. Some of you are out there saying but how many times can they save the world from utter destruction? The answer is, a lot! It is the same storyline but it has leveled up its comedy, characters and movie set locations!

The locker room scene at the end of the movie was the BEST! I truly do have a love for movie endings. Picture this. Grand Central Station New York, New York. Agent Kay uses a key to open a door. The camera zooms out to show that it is a door to a locker. This locker is in a row of seemingly infinite lockers. There is an entire alien community living inside the locker and worshipping Agent Kay’s watch. You’ll have to watch the movie for more information on that. As for the locker location, its Grand Central Station. Grand Central Station has architecture and history that could take days to explore. It is a must see movie set location destination during your next vacation or getaway New York style. Fair warning to opening doors and lockers though, just saying.

Iron Man 2 at Randy’s Donuts Los Angeles, California

Iron Man 2 was released in the United States May 2010. The world now knows that Iron Man’s true identity is billionaire inventor Tony Stark. No pressure here. Tony is being pulled in several directions encouraging him, nay I say demanding that he share his technology with the military and the world. Afraid the high tech information may fall into the wrong hands, Tony keeps it close to his chest literally and figuratively. The world now knowing Tony Stark and Iron Man are one in the same also brings a vengeful mad man with Tony’s downfall as his only goal. There are a couple new faces in this movie, all well done I must say. The action and one liners are still present and make this a must watch.

I might have exaggerated a bit to the no pressure part Tony is feeling after telling the world that he is Iron Man. After announcing to the world he is indeed Iron Man, Tony decides to party like its 1999. He then disappears from his home later to be found inside the Randy’s Donuts donut. You know, the hole in the middle of the donut? Tony Stark is proof that a large coffee and box of Randy’s Donuts can cure anything, especially hangovers!I highly recommend their Vanilla Iced Cruller and Lemon Old Fashioned. If you know me, you know I will always go with an Old Fashioned!

Top Sci-Fi Movie Set Locations

Thank you for traveling with me to explore Top Sci-Fi Movie Set Locations. Together we discovered Martha’s Vineyard and yes, you might need to get a bigger boat! Kualoa Ranch, home to all things Jurassic Park. I didn’t try the zipline but maybe next time? Maybe. Grand Central Station’s hidden worlds both big and small. And many more Top Sci-Fi Movie Set Locations. Did your favorite movie set location make my list? If not, please share in the comments. I love discovering new treasures.

Did this movie location blog post inspire you to plan your new vacation or getaway to explore California or Hawaii? My top 2 desitinations! Check out my blog post Amazing Travel Adventures – California or read Amazing Travel Adventures – Hawaii to get your must see and do adventures.

Until Next Time,

Erin at WonderLesch

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