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Top Filming locations in Vancouver, Canada

SuperHost
ATARAXIA Loft - Affordable Photo + Video Space
  • $55/hr
  • New
  • 4.9 (196)
  • 196
  • Instant book
  • Responds within a few hours
  • Vancouver, BC
SuperHost
New Private Space With Kitchen And Patio
  • $150/hr
  • New
  • 5.0 (193)
  • 193
  • Instant book
  • Responds within a few hours
  • Vancouver, BC
SuperHost
Modern Home With Atrium And Roof Deck
  • $275/hr
  • New
  • 5.0 (24)
  • 24
  • Instant book
  • Responds within 1 hr
  • Vancouver, BC
SuperHost
Cyclorama Wall Photo Video Studio
  • $83/hr
  • New
  • 4.8 (43)
  • 43
  • Instant book
  • Responds within a few hours
  • Vancouver, BC
SuperHost
Modern Railtown Photo Video Studio
  • $100/hr
  • New
  • 4.8 (44)
  • 44
  • Instant book
  • Responds within 1 hr
  • Vancouver, BC
SuperHost
Unique bright mezzanine space with natural light
  • $175/hr
  • New
  • 5.0 (5)
  • 5
  • Instant book
  • Responds within a few hours
  • Vancouver, BC
SuperHost
5 SETS 1 LOCATION -The Content Corner- FRASER
  • $35/hr
  • New
  • 5.0 (17)
  • 17
  • Instant book
  • Responds within a few hours
  • Vancouver, BC
SuperHost
Bright Luxury Townhome W Mtn City Views
  • $104/hr
  • New
  • 5.0 (4)
  • 4
  • Instant book
  • Responds within 1 hr
  • Vancouver, BC
SuperHost
Natural light creative studio
  • $80/hr
  • New
  • 5.0 (33)
  • 33
  • Instant book
  • Responds within 1 hr
  • Vancouver, BC
SuperHost
Bright Gastown Loft Photo studio
  • $110/hr
  • New
  • 5.0 (114)
  • 114
  • Instant book
  • Responds within a few hours
  • Vancouver, BC

How to find Filming locations in Vancouver, Canada
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What people are saying about Filming on Giggster

Shelly W.
$ 400
4 hours
30 people
2 days ago
The studio space is beautiful and perfect for our baby shower. Great communication from the host and also very quick to respond. Highly recommend. They have some banquet tables and chairs available to use. Loved the plants, they made the space even more beautiful. Only thing is parking may be difficult to find as it's street parking out front and may be busy. Also there is a 2 hour limit on parking with exception to Sundays. Luckily our event was on Sunday so we didn't have much issues there. Big thank you to The Garden for sharing your space with us, we had a blast!
Barry S.
$ 150
2 hours
5 people
3 days ago
The space is amazing with beautiful light. Carly is a joy to deal with. Will definitely be back!
Will W.
$ 140
2 hours
5 people
4 days ago
Beautiful, clean and luminous apartment for shooting... well-organised and very prompt in communications with Carly.. highly recommend :>
Karen L.
$ 35
1 hours
5 people
19 days ago
The parking and loading was a breeze. Parking was right in front of the entrance and the unit is right by the elevator. The studio was bigger IRL and the space was immaculately designed. Carly was extremely fast at responding and gave clear instructions.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Filming venues

Do I need my own production or event insurance in Vancouver?
Yes. All renters are required to carry Comprehensive Liability and Property Damage insurance with liability coverage of no less than $1,000,000.
What protection plans are available for bookings in Vancouver on Giggster?
Giggster offers Damage Protection coverage that you can add to a booking at checkout. Learn more about Giggster's Damage Protection coverage.
What types of locations can I book in Vancouver?
You can choose from 42 types! Just search for locations in Vancouver at giggster.com, then click 'Filters' to look for something specific.
How many Filming locations are available in Vancouver?
Right now, there are 311 Filming locations available in Vancouver.
What payment methods does Giggster accept for Vancouver bookings?
You can pay for your booking with a credit card, or with ACH or wire transfer for bookings over $4k.
What is the cancellation policy for Vancouver guests on Giggster?
Refund options vary, based on when the booking is canceled. Learn more about Giggster's cancellation and refund policy.
What are the cleaning and safety policies for Vancouver locations on Giggster?
Now more than ever, your health and safety is our number one priority. We've outlined specific health and safety requirements for both hosts and guests. Learn more about Giggster's COVID-19 Health & Safety Measures.
What locations available near Vancouver?
You'll find up to 42 different types of locations in Vancouver. Just start a search at giggster.com and narrow things down with the 'Filter' option.
Is there an extra cost to add more attendees to my Vancouver booking?
Yes. Pricing tiers are based on group size. For example, if you booked a space for a group of 1-5 for $30/hr, the price per person is $6/hr. Each additional person would increase the rate by $6/hr.
How much are average location rentals in Vancouver?
Rental rates vary with the type and features of the location, but the average rate in Vancouver is $102 per hour.
Why should I choose Giggster over other platforms offering rentals in Vancouver?
Giggster's got your back — and we know our stuff. Our Customer Support team is knowledgeable and accessible, we offer white glove Concierge service to help you find the perfect location, and we're experts on the unique needs of production teams.
What is the price range for Filming locations in Vancouver, BC?
Booking prices vary with the property type, features, and rental length, but generally a 1-hour booking will be in the range of $35 to $275.
Which Filming locations are most popular in Vancouver, BC in 2023?
How do I book a Vancouver location on Giggster?
When you find the right venue, you can connect with the host to get additional info and work out the details. Once everything is all set, you can book and pay for the location in a couple of clicks. Learn more about booking locations.
How do I cancel a Vancouver reservation request?
You can contact our team to request a cancellation. Learn more about our cancellation policy.

Have a question about Filming in Vancouver, Canada? Ask our City Guides

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Find Filming locations in Vancouver, Canada

About Vancouver

Just a stone’s throw away from Portland, Oregon in the northwestern portion of Washington state, you’ll find the radiant city of Vancouver. On the banks of the Columbia River, Vancouver is home to some gorgeous parks and forestry land.

The weather is rainy, but the vistas are splendid, making it a great place for your next filming project. Whether you’re looking to shoot a short documentary or a major production, Vancouver has the sites, the equipment, and the perfect vibe for what you’re looking to produce.

Filming Options in Vancouver

Making a film can be a blast. Admittedly, it's a ton of work as well. But when you are prepared with the right equipment and supplies, it will go much more smoothly.

  • Cameras
    Obviously, you can’t have a film without cameras, but when it comes to making high-quality films, the better the camera, the better the film. There are a large number of camera shops in Vancouver where you can compare and contrast the cameras side-by-side and ask professional staff their opinions on which camera is right for your particular project.

  • Lighting
    Getting the right lighting for your shot is very important when filming your project. It sets the tone and highlights the important parts of the scene while dimming out the less important parts. Much like cameras, the better the equipment, the better the product. Find the right lighting equipment at any one of the great camera shops in Vancouver.

  • Post Production
    This is where producers shine. This is where all of the editing happens; where they take all the raw materials and create a coherent story and amazing effects. Most of the computer work happens in post-production including animation, effects, and continuity.

Filming Companies in Vancouver

When filming in Vancouver, let the pros in the business work alongside you to make every step that much easier.

  • Wide Angle Studios
    When it comes to film production and design, Wide Angle Studios has years of experience making fabulous videos for businesses, organizations, and personal projects. This Vancouver-based company does everything from production to animation, and graphics, helping bring your idea to fruition.

  • Marble Mountain Films
    If you have a project in mind, Marble Mountain Films will help you make it a reality. Doing everything from documentaries to independent films, Marble Mountain’s team of experts works closely with you to get it right.

  • Team 302 Productions
    There are so many aspects to video production, as you well know, and Team 302 is well-versed in all of them. They specialize in scriptwriting, production, post-production, strategy, agency partnering, and creative consulting. Team 302 works within your budget to make the best project possible.

Pros and Cons of Filming in Vancouver

Filming in Vancouver has its ups and downs like any city. When it comes to scenery, Vancouver has it all with forests, beaches, beautiful campuses, and more, but the general cons that come with living in a city, such as crime rates and bad weather, also rear their ugly heads.

Advantages

  • Washington University Campus is beautiful
    With the appropriate permission, the Washington University Campus is a beautiful spot for filming in Vancouver.

  • Fun and trendy city
    A trendy city means a lot of cool people, atmospheres, and backdrops for your project.

  • Gorgeous parks, mountains, and beaches
    If your film needs some green areas, Vancouver has a ton of breathtaking parks. Esther Short Park and Vancouver Lake Regional Park are just a few of the great filming locations, as long as you have explicit permission from the parks to do so. Also, you can’t beat the beautiful beaches and mountains in Vancouver. With this type of natural scenery, filming in Vancouver is a dream.

Disadvantages

  • Gross winters
    Just make sure that you pick the right time of year to film your project. The winter is grey and rainy, making it a pretty gross place to be outside. Unless, of course, that is the weather you need for your shoot.

  • Property crime is above average
    Be careful when taking all your expensive equipment out for a day of filming. While crime rates are lower than average overall, property crimes are higher.

  • Bad traffic
    While you won’t find it to be as bad as some major cities like LA or New York, Vancouver has its own set of issues when it comes to traffic. Factor in some extra driving time for your shoots.

Famous Locations in Vancouver

  • Esther Short Park
    Whether you are looking to check out a fantastic farmers’ market, a lively concert, or you just want to walk the dog and play on the playground, the Esther Short Park is a very popular outdoor attraction.

  • Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
    A former fur trading post, Fort Vancouver is a well-loved historic landmark that has been restored and is open to the public. There is a community garden out back and live historical reenactments and actors playing historically dressed characters.

  • Kiggins Theatre
    Another one for the history books; Kiggins Theatre was built in the 1930s and has become a national landmark. It is one of the most luxurious theatres in all of Washington and is a great place to bring the family or a romantic date.

  • Vancouver Lake Regional Park
    Love the great outdoors? You’re in luck! The Vancouver Lake Regional Park has a 3,000-acre lake that is perfect for swimming and kayaking, plus there are a few great hiking trails. So, bring your family or take some much-needed alone time out in the woods, away from the hectic parts of life.
Tom Cruise on pay phone in ‘Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol'
Paramount Pictures

10 iconic filming locations in Vancouver

While Vancouver, British Columbia, might be far off from the traditional locations people think of when considering the film industry, the truth is that it’s played an important role in film history since the early 1900s. Often considered a part of “Hollywood North,” Vancouver—and often Toronto—are hubs for movie production. In fact, Vancouver was ranked as North America’s second-best city for film by MovieMaker Magazine partly due to the city’s high quality of life for residents and its impressive number of productions per year (around 400).

The existence of Vancouver Film Studios is also a major benefit as it contains massive production facilities as well as a major special effects stage and visual effects cluster. Of course, the other benefit of filming in Vancouver is utilizing its truly impressive natural beauty and historical metropolitan areas—never mind the numerous tax credit incentives film productions receive from shooting in British Columbia.

With blockbuster films like “Deadpool,” “Twilight,” and critically acclaimed movies like “Okja” all shot in Vancouver, there’s a significant amount of content to sort through. Thankfully, Giggster researched Vancouver shooting locations for you and highlighted 10 places across the city from famous films that you can visit—complete with addresses—on a cinematic pilgrimage.

Michael Cera and Elliot Page play guitar in ‘Juno’
Fox Searchlight Pictures

Juno’s house in ‘Juno’

- Location: 4550 Crown St

The world of “Juno” is that of small-town rural Minnesota, conveyed through the vision of Canadian American director Jason Reitman and the writing of renowned Midwest screenwriter Diablo Cody (of “Jennifer’s Body” fame). Despite its narrative setting, the movie was actually filmed in Vancouver—a choice that reflects the film’s smaller budget and Reitman’s desire to shoot there based on past work experiences.

Vancouver ended up being the ideal location for filming thanks to its intense weather; the crew had planned on importing fake snow for the winter scenes but instead woke up one morning to find very real snow blanketing the ground and changed their whole shooting schedule to utilize it. Vancouver also provided Juno’s (Elliot Page) home, a centerpiece of the film. With a saturated blue exterior and a warm cluttered interior, this house is where we see J.K. Simmons and Allison Janney as Juno’s father and stepmother. It also includes one of the most iconic teenage bedrooms seen on screen, with Juno’s eclectic blankets, walls plastered with band and movie posters, and of course, the burger phone.

Burrard Bridge in Vancouver
karamysh // Shutterstock

Where Ethan Hunt receives his mission in ‘Mission: Impossible–Ghost Protocol’

- Location: Burrard Bridge

The seventh installment of the “Mission: Impossible” series titled “Dead Reckoning Part One” is set to hit theaters in July 2023, but for this entry, we’re calling back to the fourth in the series, “Mission: Impossible–Ghost Protocol.” MI4 sees Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) escape from a Moscow prison and embark on a mission across the globe in director Brad Bird’s first live-action film following hits like “The Incredibles” and “Ratatouille.” After Hunt’s big prison break, he receives an urgent mission to find a man named “Cobalt” who intends to create nuclear armageddon. And where does he receive this mission? In a phone booth on none other than Vancouver’s Burrard Bridge.

The Burrard Bridge is described as a “symbol of Vancouver’s progress and a mark of faith in the city’s future,” and, due to its inception in 1932, is Vancouver’s oldest surviving bridge. Burrard is completed in the art deco style and functions as a connection between the neighborhoods of Point Grey and South Vancouver, bordering the Burrard Green Streets Garden and the Vancouver Aquatic Center.

Adam Sandler in ‘Happy Gilmore’
Universal Pictures

The ‘Happy Gilmore’ driving range

- Location: Riverway Golf Course & Driving Range, 9001 Bill Fox Way

Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2021, “Happy Gilmore” is a cult classic underdog film starring Adam Sandler as an up-and-coming golfer. The film was actually the second screenplay written by Sandler and long-time friend Tim Herlihy, the first being “Billy Madison,” and takes direct inspiration from the Bill Murray film “Caddyshack.” As it is a golf-centric film, four different golf courses were featured, including the Riverway Golf Course & Driving Range.

Despite being less than 10 miles away from the Vancouver airport, Riverway Golf is technically located in Burnaby, Canada, the third-largest city in British Columbia. Riverway boasts its status as one of the Greater Vancouver Area’s “premier 18-hole championship golf courses,” and each hole varies in length between 5,400 and 7,000 yards. Within the movie’s narrative, Riverway Golf is used as one of the locations for the Waterbury Open, which earns Gilmore a spot on the pro golfing tour he later uses to fight for his grandmother’s house.

Jack Nicholson and Art Garfunkel in ‘Carnal Knowledge’
Embassy Pictures

Multiple movies at Shannon Mews Park

- Location: 1551 W 57th Ave

Shannon Mews Park was planned in the early 2010s and has since come to fruition as a beautiful sprawling park in Vancouver with a children’s playground, hedge maze, rose garden, and historic mansion. The mansion itself was commissioned by B.T. Rogers, who founded Rogers Sugar, and was completed posthumously in 1925 in the beaux-arts style; it was later rezoned and townhouses and apartments were added to the property. While the mansion was closed to the public until 2020, both the home and the park still have found their way into several films.

Shannon Mews featured prominently in 2004’s “I, Robot” as the house of Dr. Lanning, a robotics creator whose death is being investigated by Will Smith, which eventually gets demolished by an explosion. Mike Nichols uses Shannon Mews’ beautiful architecture in his film “Carnal Knowledge” as an Ivy League college where Jack Nicholson and Art Garfunkel attend, and Zach Snyder’s “Watchmen” briefly features the estate as well. It’s not just limited to the silver screen, however, as television shows “Psych” and “Timeless” also feature Shannon Mews in episodes.

A simulated fire engine crash on a replica of Brooklyn Bridge from "Fantastic Four"
Twentieth Century Fox

Multiple movies at Pier 94

- Location: 3 St. Andrews Ave

Pier 94 is a largely unused pier and dry dock in Northern Vancouver and is quite different from many other locations featured on this list. The appeal of Pier 94 is not its setting nor is it anything to do with its maritime purpose but is instead its industrial emptiness, which has proven perfect for film studios to construct various sets and green screen structures within. The previously referenced “I, Robot” is one of the most notable examples of this, as whatever they could not find existing locations for was instead built or projected in sets at Pier 94.

Another film to utilize this location was 2005’s “Fantastic Four,” starring Chris Evans and Jessica Alba, which specifically used the Pier to construct its own Brooklyn Bridge set, which gets overtaken by flames and explosions. It’s unclear whether the Pier will continue to aid film sets in the future, as there was a 2021 proposal by the company Seaspan to renovate the dock for mooring purposes.

Sylvester Stallone in ‘First Blood’
Anabasis N.V.

The police ambush in ‘First Blood’

- Location: Near the Trans Canada Trail on Harris Road, Pitt Meadows

“First Blood” is a 1982 adaptation of a 1972 novel written by David Morrell, starring Sylvester Stallone (who also co-wrote the script) as John Rambo. The film found great success, but it was the character of Rambo, a Vietnam veteran who becomes subject to a massive manhunt, that really grabbed people’s imaginations. There are currently five films following Rambo as well as accompanying video games and an animated series.

In “First Blood,” Rambo is repeatedly hunted by local Washington state police, who eventually set up an ambush for him at the real-life Harris Road, associated with the Trans Canada Trail, in Pitt Meadows. The Trans Canada Trail is considered “the longest trail network in the world,” extending 14,996 miles long and stretching all the way from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. Several other trails were featured in “First Blood” as the narrative mostly occurs outside, and for the eager Rambo fan, the blog Feed ’n Flow has put together a “First Blood Outdoor Movie Set Hiking Tour.”

Town of Squamish
Ludmila Ruzickova // Shutterstock

The town of Bearpaw in ‘McCabe & Mrs. Miller’

- Location: The town of Squamish

Robert Altman is an acclaimed film director, known for “M*A*S*H,” “Nashville,” and “The Long Goodbye,” but his work on “McCabe and Mrs. Miller” is some of his all-time best. Adapted from the Edmund Naughton novel “McCabe,” Altman manages to illustrate the narrative’s status as both a standard Western and a subversive anti-Western classic. Because the film had all the necessary stereotypes of the genre, Altman was able to alter smaller details, like “maybe they didn’t all wear big hats and speak with a drawl … Maybe the hero was just this normal, well-intentioned, blustering kind of guy who stumbles on the right thing to do.”

The backdrop of the film is the frontier town “Presbyterian Church,” a massive set destroyed after filming. However, the town of Bearpaw where protagonist John McCabe enlists his first three prostitutes is actually a real town named Squamish, found between Vancouver and Whistler. Squamish describes itself as a “mecca for windsurfing, rock climbing, hiking and mountain biking” and The New York Times placed it on its Top 52 Places to Go list in 2015 due to its Sea-to-Sky Gondolas that carry guests up Vancouver summits.

Intersection and clock in Gastown Vancouver
Harry Beugelink // Shutterstock

The alley where Bastian gets cornered in ‘The NeverEnding Story’

- Location: Blood Alley, Gastown

At the time of its production, this West German fantasy film had the highest budget of any film produced outside the U.S. or USSR, coming in at $27 million. This budget allowed for the majority of the film to be shot at Stage 1 of Bavaria Studios in Munich. However, practical locations were used for scenes following a boy named Bastian who stumbles upon a quirky bookstore after being chased by bullies into an alley. It’s in this alley/store that Bastian discovers the book “The NeverEnding Story,” which sparks the plot for the rest of the film, an experience fans can mimic by visiting the real alley in Vancouver.

Known as (the definitely not ominous) Blood Alley, this film setting is located in Gastown, Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood. Situated on the Vancouver peninsula that borders Vancouver Harbor, Gastown’s heritage architecture makes it a hotspot for film sets aiming for the classic big-city look. Ironically, Blood Alley is about five minutes away from the city block used to film most of the New York City scenes in “Jason Takes Manhattan.”

Craigdarroch Castle in Vancouver
Max Lindenthaler // Shutterstock

The ballroom scene from 1994’s ‘Little Women’

- Location: Craigdarroch Castle, 1050 Joan Crescent

“Little Women” reentered the cultural zeitgeist and endeared itself to audiences in 2019 with Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of the classic Louisa May Alcott novel—but for older generations, 1994’s “Little Women” fills that role. Directed by Gillian Armstrong, this film has an A-list cast with Winona Ryder, Christian Bale, and Susan Sarandon, and was mostly filmed in and around Vancouver.

One of its locations is Craigdarroch Castle, built between 1887 and 1890 for Robert Dunsmuir, which is an example of a “bonanza castle—massive houses built for entrepreneurs who became wealthy during the industrial age.” This castle provides the background for several extravagant ballroom scenes in the film, including that in which Jo and Laurie meet for the first time, sparking a lifelong friendship. “Little Women” is not the only film to use Craigdarroch, however, as both “The Boy” and “The Boy 2” use the castle as the ominous manor in which a doll named Brahms seemingly haunts its family.

Zachary Gordon in ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days’
Twentieth Century Fox

Multiple movies at Swaneset Bay Resort and Country Club

- Location: 16651 Rannie Rd

Swaneset Bay Resort and Country Club is a staple of Pitt Meadows, a nature-filled municipality of Vancouver, which features two highly renowned golf courses designed by world-famous golfer Lee Trevino and a 65,000-square-foot clubhouse. It’s no surprise, then, that the club was another filming location for Adam Sandler’s aforementioned classic “Happy Gilmore,” where Swaneset serves as the location for the AT&T Invitational where Happy faces off against nemesis Shooter McGavin for the final time.

For Greg Heffley, however, Swaneset is the Plainview Heights Country Club in “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days.” This film shifts the focus from the extensive greens to the clubhouse, where Greg uses his best friend Rowley’s membership to get closer to his crush and drinks a whopping $260 worth of smoothies. Like several other locations on this list, “I, Robot” also filmed here, as well as Jackie Chan’s “Rumble in the Bronx,” “The Pledge” with Jack Nicholson, and “Blonde and Blonder,” a Pamela Anderson film wherein the titular blondes become involved with the Vancouver mafia.