Where was Blended filmed?
2014
City Locations
Sun City and Cape Town, South Africa; Lawrenceville, GA (USA)
Location Types
House, Hotels/Motels, Clubs/Bars
Location Styles
Cape Cod, Colonial, Exotic/Tropical
About Blended
In 2014, Frank Coraci's romantic comedy Blended debuted with a remarkable cast that included Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Kevin Nealon, Shaquille O'Neal, Terry Crews, and Joel McHale. This heartwarming film follows two single parents who unexpectedly meet on a blind date before coincidentally vacationing with their families at an African safari resort for spring break.
Lauren (Drew Barrymore) and Jim (Adam Sandler) are both apprehensive about entering the world of dating again. After an uncomfortable blind date that goes awry, they find themselves stuck together on a family vacation to Africa. Despite their initial reluctance to be in each other's company, they soon embark on adventures with their respective children. As they learn more about each other and form a bond, they must decide whether or not they are willing to take a chance on love once again.
Critics generally panned Blended, but it received some accolades for its performances. The movie received Best Performance in a Feature Film—Young Ensemble Cast from the Young Artist Awards in 2015. At the same time, Adam Sandler earned nominations for Teen Choice Awards for his performance as Jim. Rotten Tomatoes has bestowed the film with a favored approval rating of 15%, based on 140 critiques that rate it an average of 4.10/10. Audience members polled by CinemaScore gave the film an exceptional average "A−" grade on a scale from A+ to F.
Blended Locations
The production of the 2014 romantic comedy Blended utilized a variety of stunning global locations to craft the perfect backdrop for its story. Most of the scenes for this Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore-led film were shot at South Africa's Lost City resort, Sun City. Here, viewers can marvel at the scenery that features an animal park, the Palace of the Lost City Hotel, a pool terrace, and more. Some scenes were also captured in Georgia, USA, around the Gwinnett area, such as Buford and Lake Lanier. With a setting that combines vibrant wildlife with tranquil lakeside views, it is no surprise that Blended offers some unique filming locations worth exploring.
Travelers interested in experiencing the stunning landscapes utilized in Blended will certainly not be disappointed. A trip to South Africa’s Lost City presents visitors with an incredible array of attractions such as golf courses, crocodile pools, water parks, and magnificent gardens, all of which can be explored within the complex resort grounds. Meanwhile, nearby Lake Lanier offers many possibilities, including kayaking and fishing on its picturesque waters or a stroll along its shoreline, providing an ideal setting for a romantic picnic or getaway.
From Atlanta’s towering skyscrapers to South Africa’s wild safaris, this movie amalgamates natural and built wonders with great finesse to create its iconic visual allure.
Jim and Lauren's blind date scene in Blended
860 Duluth Hwy Suite 900, Lawrenceville, GA 30043, USA
The blind date scene is one of the movie's most iconic moments. It starts as Jim and Lauren, two single parents, go on a blind date at the Lawrenceville Hooters restaurant to find love again. The restaurant is a well-known chain famous for its chicken wings and waitresses wearing skimpy outfits. It sets the tone for the rest of the movie with its lighthearted atmosphere and quirky character dynamics.
Inside, you can expect classic American sports bar decor such as colorful lights, TVs showing sports games, pool tables, and alcoholic beverages on tap. Aside from that, there are plenty of delicious food options like burgers, sandwiches, and iconic chicken wings served by friendly waitresses in short shorts—just like they appear in Blended.
The scene was filmed at 860 Duluth Hwy Suite 900, Lawrenceville, GA 30043, USA. The location is easily accessible by car and public transport. Most people can reach it by taking I-85 N or I-285 N from Atlanta, for a total driving time of around half an hour from downtown Atlanta. Once you get to the shopping center, you can spot Hooters immediately, thanks to its bright orange logo on the building's facade.
Jim and Lauren's meeting at the resort scenes in Blended
Sun City Resort, R556, Sun City, 0316, South Africa
Jim and Lauren embark on a romantic vacation to South Africa with their Blended Honeymoon package. When they initially meet, the awkwardness between them is palpable, along with Brendan (Braxton Beckham) calling his mother "hot" and Espen (Emma Fuhrmann) still not ready to let go of his mom despite her absence. However, over time both sets of kids warm up to each other and their respective parents, creating a delightful mix of romance and comedy from this newfound bond.
The movie was filmed in Sun City Resort, located approximately 90 miles northwest of Pretoria, a neighboring city of Johannesburg in South Africa. To make it look even more lavish, the Palace of the Lost City Hotel was used as a backdrop for many scenes within the resort, featuring extravagant swimming pools, numerous restaurants, two golf courses, and much more.
To get to Sun City Resort, you’re looking at a two-hour drive from Pretoria or a two-and-a-half-hour drive northwest from Johannesburg.
Uncover Filming Locations
Nature walk scenes in Blended
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Rhodes Dr, Newlands, Cape Town, 7735, South Africa
In the romantic comedy Blended, the beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden in Cape Town was the backdrop for a memorable scene. The stunning fynbos blooms and lush greenery provide a lovely setting for their family outing. During this time, Jim and Lauren bond with their children as they participate in adventurous activities such as safari and parasailing.
Visiting Kirstenbosch is a sight to behold, regardless of the season; however, if you want a truly magnificent experience that allows you to appreciate the beauty and abundance of fynbos in all its glory—with flowers and plants blooming everywhere—then plan your visit between August and November. Kirstenbosch is located on Rhodes Drive at the foot of Table Mountain and was established in 1913. The area is well-known for its diverse vegetation, with over 8 600 indigenous plants representing 20 families. There are trails suitable for all ages that meander through various landscapes, from grasslands to mountain slopes, providing visitors with stunning views of gardens and mountains.
The easiest way to get there is by car or taxi, which is only 15 minutes from the city center. It is also accessible by public transport (MyCiti bus) or footpaths leading up from Constantia Nek or Newlands Forest Nature Reserve.
Check Video Shoot Locations
Tyler's baseball game scene in Blended
6262 Chestnut Hill Road, Flowery Branch, Georgia, USA
The final scene from the movie starts with a baseball game. Everyone supports Tyler (Kyle Red Silverstein), including Lauren and Brendan, Jen (Wendi McLendon-Covey) and Dick (Dan Patrick), and Jim and his daughters. As the game progresses, Jim gives Tyler some pointers on how to hit the ball as he had taught him in Africa, helping Tyler gain the confidence he needs. This inspiring moment is celebrated with cheers from all around. At the end of the game, Jim and Lauren admit their feelings for each other in front of everyone, including their kids, who know they are already a blended family. They share a passionate kiss that brings joy to everyone present.
This scene was filmed at Four Seasons Sports Park, which you can find at 6262 Chestnut Hill Road, Flowery Branch, Georgia. iIt’s a great spot for families looking to spend quality time together and host special celebrations like birthdays outdoors. This iconic location features a picturesque landscape filled with trees, lush grassy areas, picnic tables and BBQ grills.
This location is easily accessible from various directions, and is just a 45-mile drive from the heart of Atlanta.
Atlanta Filming Locations Exploration
Conclusion
Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore offer undeniable chemistry, bringing many lighthearted moments to the film. Though it follows a formulaic plotline, both actors do their best with what they have been given; despite characters of limited depth and range, they inject humanity into them. The rest of the cast provides satisfactory support that will garner quite a few laughs from audiences as well.
At the end of the day, Blended 2014 is worth watching if you enjoy classic Adam Sandler comedies like The Wedding Singer or 50 First Dates (also starring Barrymore). And if you want to check out some Blended filming locations, either in the USA or South Africa, they’re easy to track down for yourself.