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Boyz n the Hood movie cover Movie Locations Guide

Where was Boyz n the Hood filmed?

1991

City Locations

Los Angeles (USA)

Location Types

House, School, Restaurant, Storefront

Location Styles

Parking Lot, Dilapidated/Neglected, Manufactured Home, Classic Car

About Boyz n the Hood

Arriving two years post-Spike Lee's revolutionary film Do the Right Thing, Boyz n the Hood marked the debut of African-American director John Singleton and was perceived as a significant contribution to the surge of black cinema in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. Released in 1991, Boyz n the Hood is an American coming-of-age drama penned and directed by Singleton himself. The movie boasts a stellar cast, including Ice Cube, Cuba Gooding Jr., Laurence Fishburne, Regina King, Nia Long, and Morris Chestnut.

The storyline captures the challenges faced by three young African-American men coming of age in South Central Los Angeles. Tre (Cuba Gooding Jr.), an intelligent underperformer, is sent to live with his father (Laurence Fishburne), a stern disciplinarian. During his stay, he becomes friends with Ricky (Morris Chestnut), an aspiring football star, and Doughboy (Ice Cube), a potential gang member. As time progresses, each one embarks on a different path: Tre appears college-bound; Ricky, a top-notch running back, has his choice of colleges; Doughboy becomes a drug dealer and certified gangster, frequently visiting the county juvenile facility. Disaster ensues when a rival gang pursues Tre and Ricky, leading to catastrophic outcomes.

Upon its release, the movie received widespread critical acclaim and became an influential classic in American cinema, earning both commercial success and Academy Award recognition. It was nominated for two Oscars at the 64th Academy Awards—Best Original Screenplay and Best Director, being the first African American director ever nominated in that category—though it did not win either award. It also won the Best New Filmmaker (John Singleton) award at the MTV Movie Awards that same year. The National Board of Review Awards has preserved the film as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

Boyz n the Hood Locations

John Singleton, at the age of 23, directed a film that tackles the relentless cycle of violence among the African-American community. The movie was shot in the South Central district of Los Angeles, the very neighborhood where Singleton himself was raised.

The backdrop of this inner-city area consists of a vibrant mix of urban and suburban features, including bright street art, modest yet lively shops, and residential enclaves full of multiculturalism. It's a unique landscape that doesn't just appear on film—it can be experienced first-hand with a visit to South Central LA.

From the home of Furious Styles (Fishburne) and Tre at 5918 Cimarron Street to the Westside restaurant where Furious and Reva Devereaux (Angela Bassett) have their heart-to-heart at 4335 Crenshaw Boulevard, Boyz n the Hood fans will get to see many memorable locations from the movie as they explore the area. There are also plenty of other attractions in South Central LA that warrant exploration, such as local parks for outdoor activities or culinary delights ranging from soul food to Mexican cuisine to Jamaican fare.

A trip to the locations for Boyz n The Hood would certainly be worthwhile for anyone wanting to learn more about this iconic movie and get a closer look at the incredible landscape it was filmed in. Taking in all these different sites helps bring much more depth to our understanding of this classic film, making it an experience not easily forgotten.

Styles' house scene in Boyz n the Hood

5918 Cimarron St, Los Angeles, CA 90047, USA

The movie begins in 1984 and follows three African-American children who are growing up in South Central, Los Angeles, and facing various obstacles. Young Tre Styles (Desi Arnez Hines II), a promising student of about 10 years old, is already displaying disciplinary issues—he acts disrespectfully towards his teacher, who, in turn, gives him a chance to deliver a lecture on a topic of his choice. This scene unfolds with Tre's mother, Reva, in conversation with a teacher who brings Tre's misconduct to her attention. Subsequently, she concludes that Tre would be better off living with his father, Furious Styles.

The residence of Furious Styles and his son Tre is located a few miles north in Park Mesa Heights. The address is 5918 Cimarron Street, which is between 59th and 60th Streets. A few houses north, Brandi (Nia Long) resides at 5906 Cimarron Street and Doughboy at 5911 Cimarron St. All these houses share a common history, having been constructed in 1923.

The house has become an iconic symbol of black family life in American culture due to its appearance in Boyz n the Hood. It has appeared in other films such as Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, where it serves as the home of Ashtray (Shawn Wayans) and Loc Dog (Marlon Wayans).

To get to this location, you can take public transportation—such as taking bus 40 and then 108 bus—or drive down Highway 10 West until you reach the 59th Street exit and then turn left on Cimarron Street until you arrive at 5918 Cimarron St. Please be mindful that the house is privately owned and refrain from disturbing its residents.

"Y’all wanna see a dead body?" scene in Boyz n the Hood

6002 S Wilton Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90047, USA

The iconic scene in Boyz n the Hood features four neighborhood kids walking along a railroad track, and one of them asking, "Y’all wanna see a dead body?" This scene serves as an introduction to one of the central characters, young Doughboy (Baha Jackson), as well as his friends. It is a pivotal moment in the movie that sets up many themes explored throughout the film.

The scene was filmed at 6002 S Wilton Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90047, USA. At the time of filming, there was an empty lot on this spot; however, by 1993, a house was built in its place. Since then, several of the neighboring homes have been demolished and rebuilt.

You can take public transportation or drive there to get to this location. If you’re taking public transportation, you can take the Metro J Line to the train from Downtown LA or Santa Monica to Expo/Western station, which is about a 15-minute ride to the Western / Exposition stop. From there you can walk for 20 minutes until you reach your destination. Although the site is not identical to the one in the movie, you can still appreciate the ambiance. Just keep in mind that the location may be different.

Tre waits at Tisha's house scene in Boyz n the Hood

5330 Chesley Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90043, USA

Tre waits for two elderly women to leave so he can sneak into the house and be with Tisha (Leonette Scott). We see them dressed in immaculate white dresses, a powerful image that speaks to the type of neighborhood they live in—one where even the elderly are conscious of their presentation and safety. Once they've left, Tre quickly makes his way to the door, which Tisha opens with a loving embrace before hastily closing it behind him.

This scene was filmed at 5330 Chesley Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90043, USA. It’s a 1,850-square-foot house built in 1914 that still stands today and looks quite similar to how it did back then—with a few modifications, such as the color of the walls and roof. However, fans can only see the site's exterior since the house is privately owned.

There are three possible ways to reach this location: by private vehicle, taxi, or bus. The quickest option is a private car, which will get you there in approximately 20 minutes from downtown Los Angeles. If you opt for the bus, expect the journey to last around an hour. Depart from Patsaouras Bus Plaza and take bus number 40 to Crenshaw & 52nd St bus stop. From there, it's just a 5-minute walk to your destination.

Furious Styles and Reva Devereaux have a heart-to-heart scene in Boyz n the Hood

Dr Q Barbecue Cuisine, 4335 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008, USA

A scene unfolds where Furious and Reva engage in a dialogue. Despite not being together, these two parents manage to discuss their child's welfare. Furious asserts to Reva that Tre (Cuba Gooding Jr.) is mature enough to make his own choices, and she should allow him to live his life.

The unassuming 'Westside' restaurant, where this heartfelt conversation between Furious and Reva transpires, was actually filmed at Coley’s Kitchen Jamaican Restaurant, located at 4335 Crenshaw Boulevard. The place, known for its vibrant Jamaican cuisine, has since been transformed into Dr. Q Barbecue Cuisine. However, the restaurant is no longer in operation.

For those wishing to visit the location where this scene was filmed, it is located at 4335 Crenshaw Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. It can easily be reached by taking a car or public transport, such as a bus or train from elsewhere in LA; alternatively, you can take an Uber or taxi for a quicker journey.

Ricky and Tre run from thugs scene in Boyz n the Hood

In between 3026 & 3030 5th Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90018, USA

Upon their return from the store, Ricky and Tre spot a car owned by the gangster who had previously provoked a confrontation with Ricky. The car begins to follow them, leading the duo to sprint into an alley and zigzag through numerous backyards in an effort to confuse their followers. This happens after Ricky and Tre find themselves being chased by thugs following a quick stop at a local corner store. They try to elude their pursuers by running between two houses located in an alley off W. 30th Street. Even when they are seemingly trapped with no exit in sight, Ricky and Tre stand firm in their determination to escape, making a valiant attempt to break free.

The two-story houses in which this scene was filmed were built in 1916 and are located in South Central Los Angeles. The alley itself is gated from both ends, making it difficult to gain access unless you ask permission from one of the residents.

To get to this location, you would need to travel to 3026 & 3030 5th Ave. Los Angeles between Gramercy Place and Harvard Boulevard in South Central Los Angeles. To get to 3026 5th Ave from downtown LA by car, take the road through Arlington Ave. The journey should take approximately 10 minutes. If you wish to enter the alley itself, you should knock on one of the house doors, as permission is needed first before entering through either end of the gates.

The triple murder scene in Boyz n the Hood

3701 Santa Rosalia Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90008, USA

The final scene is an influential and iconic moment of urban gang violence, particularly in South Los Angeles. It opens with Doughboy and his two friends driving around looking for Ricky's killers as they desperately seek justice for their fallen friend. Eventually, they spot them at a local food stand, where Monster (Baldwin C. Sykes) has an AK-47 ready to fire and quickly takes down all three bangers with one blast. Dough runs up to the last banger, who is sobbing and demanding mercy, but Dough shows no remorse and ends his life. This scene sets the tone for the rest of the movie, highlighting the gritty realities of living in this area at that time.

The scene was shot in the southern section of the parking lot of Baldwin Hills Mall, located at 3701 Santa Rosalia Dr. This site was once the location of Eat a Burger, but the building was torn down in 2010 and has since been replaced by a Staples store. Since the 1960s, the Baldwin Hills neighborhood has been popular with individuals from various professions, including doctors, entertainers, and politicians. This led to its nickname, "the Black Beverly Hills," with notable residents such as Ike and Tina Turner, Nancy Wilson, Ray Charles, and former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, who chose to make the picturesque hillside houses their homes.

If you would like to visit the site of this famous movie scene today, it is located just off Santa Rosalia Drive in Los Angeles. The closest intersection is La Brea Avenue and Jefferson Boulevard, where you can take a slight left onto Santa Rosalia Drive and continue until you reach the mall’s parking lot. You will recognize it by its large parking lot surrounded by small shops, furniture stores, optometrist offices, other businesses, and some residential homes nearby.

Conclusion

Overall, Boyz n the Hood is a remarkable, emotionally powerful, and thought-provoking film. The actors’ performances were incredibly strong and realistic, capturing their characters' struggles as they navigated difficult life decisions while living in the hood. The script was also expertly written, drawing viewers into the lives of each character with its frank dialogue and dramatic payoffs.

The idea behind Boyz N the Hood was brilliant—explore how gang violence affects young people, particularly those living in disadvantaged communities—and director John Singleton pulled it off with style. The viewer is left feeling deeply moved by this movie; its realism makes it both heartbreakingly beautiful and thought-provoking. It's impossible to watch this film without being struck by its importance to American society and global culture.

The movie has had a lasting impact on the movie industry, as it was one of the first mainstream movies to tackle the issue of gang violence in America’s urban ghettos. Its thoughtful approach opened up similar films in subsequent years, significantly broadening representation in cinema. Even though it was released almost 30 years ago, this film still resonates with audiences today and is sure to leave viewers feeling moved by its honest portrayal of life in urban America.