Whether you live and breathe Oakland, are a newbie to our Town scene, or just a movie fanatic, learning that some of your favorite movies were filmed close by is always fun. Here are a few of our favorites, feel free to add these places to your where to take a selfie list.

Movies Filmed In Oakland


1. Sorry To Bother You

The Layover
(Source: Globalfilmlocations.net)

Although this film is set in an alternate reality, a majority of the filming was done in Oakland, CA. Known landmarks that were featured are The Layover Bar and Cathedral Building on Broadway. 

2. Blindspotting

Blindspotting
(Source: FilmComment)

Shortly after Sorry To Bother You was released, along came "another bold, fresh Oakland movie. And while they stylistically quite different, they share a bond beside the fact that they showcase Oakland, — they’re two of the most creative and alive pieces of filmmaking of 2018." (Mercury News). Originally written in the mid-2000s, Blindspotting was initially written to speak for the city of Oakland which they felt was often misrepresented in film.

3. Fruitvale Station

Fruitvale Station
(Source: bampfa.org)

Following the real life events of the tragic death of Oscar Grant, this biographical film features scenes from at and around the Fruitvale BART station. 

4. Angels In The Outfield

angelsintheoutfield
(Source: 38.media.tumblr.com)

While this movie is about the Angels, the iconic gesture made by Joseph Gordon-Levitt happened in Oakland. The movie was filmed during the NFL season when a team once named Los Angeles Rams occupied the stadium. (O.co Coliseum)
 

5. Mrs. Doubtfire

 


You know that run-by-fruiting incident by the pool where Pierce Brosnan gets whacked in the head by a fruit projectile? That beautiful family getaway scene was filmed at The Claremont Hotel and Spa in Oakland. Watch it above.

6. Moneyball


For the ones living under a rock, Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill starred in Moneyball, which was about the As front office building a baseball team using analytics. You might see some of the extras to this movie walking the streets of The Town showing off their #GreenCollar pride. (O.co Coliseum)

7. Who Framed Roger Rabbit

roger04
(Source: filminamerica.com)

This movie made it normal to have your #wcw be a cartoon character. The theater scene in the movie was filmed at the iconic The Paramount Theatre.

8. The Indian In The Cupboard

indianInTheCupboard
(Source: sonymoviechannel.com)

Overall a very inspiring film about humanity and cultural connections, but the greatest thing this movie did was match up Darth Vader against a T-Rex! Epic! Oh and yes - the scene with human Little Bear in the forest was filmed in Joaquin Miller Park in Oakland.

9. The Matrix: Reloaded

matrixtunnel
telegraphpic
(Source: filminamerica.com)

If you've never attempted a Matrix slow-mo pose in your life then you my friend have never lived. The car chase inside the tunnel was filmed in the Posey Tube that connects Oakland and Alameda. Also, in the last frame you can make out a Telegraph Ave street sign. Pretty awesome.

Oakland Inspired Films


10. Black Panther

Black Panther
(Source: theundefeated.com)

"Oakland scenes from 1992 and 2018 bookend the movie, and while Marvel didn't film on location in the city, the production crew does a great job of making the basketball court in the opening scene look like one anyone who grew up in Oakland would recognize." (SF Gate)

11. The Incredibles

incred5
(Source: angelfire.com)

Having Pixar's studios in the neighboring city of Emeryville means that many of the studios animators live in Oakland. So, it's not super surprising that you'll see Oakland represented in some of their films. Like in the Incredibles last fight scene when Frozone freezes his way over a lake in the middle of the city. That lake was inspired by our charming Lake Merritt!
 

12. Up

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(Source: meetup.com)
Up
(Source: filmsinfilms.com)

Up is a beautiful movie that proved that it is possible to make audiences cry 5 minutes into a film. Let's point out a few Oakland easter eggs in this film, shall we?
 
  1. Near the end of the movie, the protagonists enjoy ice cream on the curb in front of Fentons Creamery & Restaurant. Fenton's is located on Piedmont Avenue.
  2. In the credits of the film, a snapshot of Russell and Mr. Fredrickson is taken next to a movie theater marquee. The marquee closely resembles Fox Theater.
  3. One of Russells pins has a picture of a burger cake, which is made at Merritt Bakery right next to the lake.
     

13. Soul

Disney Pixar's Soul
(Source: pluggedin.com)

Soul, Disney Pixar's newest film, shares the story of a music teacher chasing his dreams of being a big-hit jazz musician. The movie shows many Bay Area inspired businesses, such as barber shops and tailors, but it highlights the talented Edna Brewer Middle School jazz band in the opening scenes. Check out KTVU's interview here to see how it was done!

14. Star Wars: episode V The Empire Strikes Back

AT-AT
(Source: blastr.com)

For the padawan Oakland visitor, you might not be familiar with one of the oldest Bay Area urban legends that involve our iconic Port of Oakland cranes. Regardless of what side of the force you are on, there's no denying that the AT-AT snow walkers that invaded the ice planet Hoth could have been inspired by our waterfront container cranes. We know, we know, George Lucas denies it... but that doesn't stop us Oaklanders from believing this urban legend.
 

More Oakland Flicks
 


Now, go re-watch all of these movies and then head out on your movie tour of Oakland. And be sure to hashtag #oaklandloveit with your selfie!