The great nation of Canada has many noteworthy cities, but Montreal easily stands out because of its rich history. Alongside other cities in Canada, the Quebec metropolis has provided a setting for quite a few Hollywood movies. Some notable films shot around the greater Montreal area include "The Terminal," directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Hanks, and "The Aviator," directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Cate Blanchett.
Several of the city's landmarks have appeared on the big screen, including the Montreal-Mirabel Airport, which stood in for New York's JFK in "The Terminal." Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett star in the 2008 fantasy drama "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," which filmed some scenes in Old Montreal.
The Canadian city also has a presence in the Oscar-winning film "Les Invasions Barbares" and the "X-Men" franchise, further pitching an argument for why you should include your forthcoming production on the list of movies filmed in the city. Explore Giggster's 371 filming locations in Montreal to get started.
Giggster's Curated Filming Locations in Montreal
The city's architecture can easily fool audiences into thinking they are in another town, but Montreal actually has plenty to offer when it comes to film productions. Giggster can connect you with 371 filming locations in Montreal that can serve as the ideal backdrop for your project.
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"X-Men: Days of Future Past," starring Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jennifer Lawrence, filmed some scenes at the Cité du Cinéma, Montréal in Québec. A film studio is the best setting to film interior scenes; the controlled environment makes the process more efficient.
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The Notre Dame Cathedral in Old Montreal appeared in the "Whole Nine Yards," starring Bruce Willis and Matthew Perry. If you want a religious backdrop that doubles as a filming location, Giggster can connect you with several options.
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Rockhead's Paradise Bar was featured in "The United States Vs. Billie Holiday". Sadly, the legendary show bar located at the corner of De La Montagne no longer stands, but it can inspire your project. A vintage cocktail bar suits a retro flashback scene, while a modern, industrial-style bar works for a futuristic movie.
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If you want an incredible place to film an advertisement or family movie, rent a historic castle. Montreal has a selection of castle-like estates featuring high ceilings, crown molding, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Transform Your Film Shoot in Montreal Starting at Just $25/hour
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Montreal has an ideal filming location starting at $25/hour. You can even find a production location to recreate the iconic airport scenes in "The Terminal," starring Tom Hanks.
Hassle-Free Booking: Browse our extensive listings to find filming locations that match your requirements; book a production space with a few clicks.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: If your application for a filming permit gets delayed or your film crew members must reschedule their flights, you can cancel your booking within 24 hours of confirmation at no cost. However, this only applies if your booking is made at least 48 hours before the event.
Platform Protections: Cover your booking with an optional liability policy and other add-on platform protections. It covers your bases when securing a location like our Loft Crescent | content creation & Party spaces against cancellation or damages.
Things to Consider for Your Film Shoot in Montreal
Montreal and other Canadian cities have appeared in many Hollywood films and TV shows. For instance, the Olympic Stadium in Quebec's Olympic Village was featured in the TV series "Blue Mountain State." Also, you might have seen the Lawrence River in an episode of "The Layover." Knowing what setbacks you might face before the director calls the first shot and how to keep production going helps.
Advantages
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Culture enriches Montreal's landscape; the Old Port has historic buildings dating back to 1611, and homes across the city have fascinating stories to tell. These structures can enrich your project as filming locations or as part of your opening sequences and establishing shots.
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Montreal is a beautiful city, and in 2006, UNESCO awarded it a City of Design Award. The neighborhoods best display it; Old Montreal could stand in for any European city, and Quartiers des Spectacles is the best place to capture bustling city life.
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Getting around the city is one thing you won't have to worry about; Montreal has a fantastic public transportation system backed by an efficient bus network. An underground metro system also connects most neighborhoods.
Disadvantages
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Unless you plan on making the most out of the freezing winter weather, such as what "The Notebook," starring Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling, did for the battlefield scenes, it's best to stick to studio shoots.
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Like most metropolises, Montreal has traffic congestion during rush hour. It can cause commute delays, and to keep production on time, your best option is to film in one area or choose accessible filming locations.
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Montreal is expensive, just like other cities in Quebec. Property prices show it, but Giggster helps you find budget-friendly filming locations.
The Best Filming Locations in Montreal
Montreal has credits in an endless list of Hollywood films and TV shows as a setting or stand-in for other world locations. You can add your production to this long list, and these real-life examples should help:
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Gardens – Parks. Old Montreal and the greater Quebec area stood in for France in "Catch Me If You Can," starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Amy Adams. Meanwhile, Mount Royal Park stood in for New York's Central Park in "X-Men: Dark Phoenix." In the same way, gardens can stand in for famous parks or other well-known gardens across the globe.
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Churches – Religious Scenes. Saint Joseph's Oratory was the primary backdrop for "Jesus of Montreal," a 1989 comedy-drama. Chapels and church locations suit religious scenes or filming ceremony sequences like weddings or baptisms.
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Storefronts – Establishing Shots. The Victoria's Secret store on Rue Stanley and Sainte-Catherine appears in the opening chase scene of "John Wick: Chapter 2", starring Keanu Reeves. Storefronts are the best filming locations for establishing shots, introducing the film setting, or opening sequences.
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Mansions – Family Genres. Montreal has chalets and manors that suit family movies and advertisements. A historic barn can be the setting for a road trip movie, while a modern cottage suits a comedy-drama.
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Film Studios – Interiors. Several films record interior scenes in film studios. It's simply because of their flexibility and design, with most soundproofed and equipped with state-of-the-art equipment.
How to Plan Your Film Shoot in Montreal
Add "Blades of Glory" to your watchlist if you need inspiration from watching Hollywood and Canadian films. The 2007 movie filmed several screens around the Old Port and notably used CGI to transport the Olympic Stadium to the area. Once you get your creative juices flowing, plan a successful film shoot with these tips.
Apply for Local Permits Early – The Quebec Film Office handles permit applications, and all feature movies need appropriate licensing. You'll mainly need permits when filming on public properties, but property agreements work for private residences where the owner allows you to reserve filming rights.
Enrich Your Content – "Ladies and Gentlemen... Mr. Leonard Cohen" is a 1965 documentary; the biography uses archive footage and interviews. Establishing/introductory shots and montage sequences are suitable fillers between scenes.
Work with Professionals – Your crew members are the lifeline of your production. Depending on the project and your current stage in the pre-production process, hire a writer and director first.
Have a Post-Production Plan – Decide if you need an editor on set, a color-grading specialist, or a special effects editor. Making these decisions during pre-production covers your bases, including having a marketing plan.
Saving Money on Film Shoots in Montreal
Montreal is expensive, and you'll need a decent budget to film any project in the city. However, several ways exist to lower your production budget while producing an engaging video.
Can you use a studio as your primary filming location?
Many films record interior scenes in studios; it gives you access to top-of-the-line film equipment, a soundproofed environment, and technical assistance.
Utilize fewer locations for your production.
If your project needs on-location backdrops, choose fewer settings. Alternatively, rent production locations in the same area. Using archive footage is usually less expensive.
Can you rent your equipment instead of buying them?
The best cameras cost $10,000 or more, and the figure shoots up when you add lenses and other accessories. Leasing production equipment will save a lot more money than buying it.
Montreal Filming Locations with Giggster
The city can help you realize your creative goals, from connecting you with historic locations on Sainte Antoine Street to helping you rent film recording studios with the latest equipment. Explore our filming locations in Montreal to get started.
