More Than Just Scenery – It’s a Star!
Vancouver Island, with its breathtaking landscapes, has become a hot spot for filmmakers. From rugged coastlines to lush rainforests and charming towns, it offers a diverse range of settings that can bring any story to life. Let’s take a look at some the Vancouver Island Films & TV Shows.
The Last of Us (TV Series, 2023-Present): Nanaimo Goes Post-Apocalyptic
The buzz around the filming of The Last of Us Season 2 in Nanaimo in May 2024 was palpable. Downtown streets were transformed into a believable post-apocalyptic Seattle, complete with overgrown vegetation, debris, and set dressing that truly immersed the area. Local residents caught glimpses of the production, and the economic impact on Nanaimo was significant, with local businesses and crews benefiting from the large-scale shoot. The anticipation was high for the second season, which premiered on April 13, 2025, to see how our city was portrayed in this critically acclaimed series, especially in episode four, which features Nanaimo.
Sonic the Hedgehog (2020): Ladysmith’s Transformation into Green Hills
The charming town of Ladysmith, just a short drive south of Nanaimo, underwent a delightful transformation to become the idyllic “Green Hills” in Sonic the Hedgehog. Locals were excited to see familiar spots reimagined for the big screen. The film crew utilized the town’s quaint streets and natural surroundings to create the small-town America vibe. The car chase scenes, filmed along Highway 19, added an action-packed element to the Vancouver Island scenery.
Learn more about Downtown Nanaimo’s transformation here.
Planet of the Apes: Vancouver Island’s Ancient Forests Become a Primal Battleground
The lush, old-growth forests of Vancouver Island, particularly in areas around Campbell River (north of Nanaimo), provided the perfect primordial backdrop for War for the Planet of the Apes and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. These films required a sense of untouched wilderness, and the towering trees and dense undergrowth of the island delivered just that. While specific filming locations within the vast forests might be harder to pinpoint for the average resident, the overall atmosphere of the island’s natural environment was integral to creating the films’ immersive world.
Deadpool & X-Men: Hatley Castle – From Historic Landmark to Superhero Headquarters
Hatley Castle, located in Colwood near Victoria, has a long history of appearing on screen, but its role as the X-Mansion in the Deadpool and X-Men franchises is perhaps its most iconic for modern audiences. This stunning Edwardian mansion, with its grand architecture and sprawling gardens, provides a visually impressive setting for a school for gifted mutants. Locals in the Victoria area are quite accustomed to seeing film crews at this landmark.
Twilight Saga: Tofino’s Dramatic Coastline and Nanaimo’s Riverbanks
The rugged beauty of Tofino’s Long Beach, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, played a crucial role in New Moon, providing a dramatic and atmospheric location for the pivotal werewolf reveal scene. The raw power of the Pacific coastline was a perfect visual representation of the supernatural elements in the film. Closer to home for us in Nanaimo, the flat rock formations along the Nanaimo River offered a different, more serene backdrop for scenes in Eclipse.
Godzilla (2014): Nanaimo’s Railway and a Local Pub Go Hollywood
The filming of Godzilla on Vancouver Island had some interesting local connections. The Southern Railway of Vancouver Island, which runs between Parksville and Duncan, was used for a memorable train chase sequence in the movie. Even more locally, a pub in Nanaimo was transformed into a military base for some scenes, showcasing how even everyday locations can be reimagined for the big screen.
Supernatural (TV Series, 2005-2020): Exploring the Island’s Spooky Side
Given the vast number of episodes and the show’s themes of the supernatural and often remote settings, it’s highly likely that Supernatural utilized various locations on Vancouver Island throughout its 15-season run. The island’s dense forests, isolated beaches, and even some of its older buildings could have provided the eerie and atmospheric backdrops that the Winchester brothers often found themselves in. While specific episode locations might not always be widely publicized, the general aesthetic of Vancouver Island fits perfectly with the show’s tone.
Vancouver Island continues to attract filmmakers due to its stunning and diverse locations, its proximity to Vancouver’s film industry infrastructure, and the support provided by local film commissions. It’s always exciting to see our familiar landscapes transformed into worlds for the big and small screen!
Is there any particular film or TV show you’d like to know even more about? Perhaps the specific filming locations within Nanaimo for The Last of Us or the local reaction to the Sonic the Hedgehog filming in Ladysmith? Let me know!
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