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Red Dawn movie cover Movie Locations Guide

Where was Red Dawn filmed?

2012

City Locations

Detroit (USA), Grand Ledge (USA), Spokane (USA), Royal Oak (USA), Pontiac (USA)

Location Types

House, Film Studio, Ranch, Restaurant

Location Styles

House, Muscle, Asian, Helicopter, Federal Building, Modern Car, Modern Building

About Red Dawn

Red Dawn is a 2012 action war film that follows the story of a group of brave young people who must defend their hometown from an invading North Korean army. Chris Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Josh Peck, Isabel Lucas, Adrianne Palicki, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan are the main stars in the movie. As the invasion grows closer to their home, the group of teenagers takes it upon themselves to fight for their freedom and take back their town. The ragtag group embarks on a journey through the wilderness where they must develop survival skills all while forming an unexpected bond with each other. The movie showcases impressive feats of bravery by the team of young adults, as they face insurmountable odds against a much larger and more equipped force. Along with moments of intense battle scenes throughout, Red Dawn also provides heart-warming moments where these teens discover courage within themselves and come together as a family to save not only each other but save their town. Overall, Red Dawn is an exciting action-packed war movie filled with themes of courage and unity in the face of adversity. It’s a classic story filled with amazing performances by its cast that will have viewers hooked until its thrilling conclusion!

Red Dawn Locations

The 2012 remake of the Cold War classic Red Dawn was filmed across several locations in Michigan, the United States. The majority of the movie was shot in Mount Clemens, a city in Michigan's Macomb County. The backdrop is that of a small-town America, full of winding streets and lush greenery. Surrounding landmarks include the historic Mount Clemens Public Library, downtown Mount Clemens, and other local buildings that feature prominently in the movie. Visiting these sites is definitely worthwhile for fans of Red Dawn. They can experience firsthand what it must have been like to stand on set when the movie was being filmed. Those who are familiar with the original version can trace some of its key scenes back to their real-life locations. For example, one scene was shot at Crystal Gardens Banquet Center in the nearby Charter Township of Clinton. Others include Ortonville Recreation Area, which served as a camping ground for characters, and White Lake Regional Park where a major fight scene took place. In addition to outdoor shooting locations, various indoor scenes were filmed in studios across Michigan such as Raleigh Studios and Corrigan Moving Picture Company located in Troy near Detroit. All these different places provided an immersive atmosphere that made it easy for viewers to relate to the fictional scenes from Red Dawn.

Fun Fact:

A unique fact about this movie is that most of the cast was actually in their late twenties or older when filming took place, despite playing roles of high schoolers in the movie. This shows just how well these seasoned actors were able to portray characters much younger than them while still bringing out an inspiring performance that showcases intense drama and emotion.

Blackout scene in Red Dawn

New Age Noodles, 143 N Main St, Mt Clemens, MI 48043, United States

The Wolverines, Matt's (Josh Peck) football team, experiences a loss against another team. Following the game, they decide to visit a bar, but an unforeseen power outage forces them to return home. New Age Noodles, a comfortable and welcoming eatery located in the center of downtown Mt. Clemens, Michigan, appeared in the power cut scene filmed at The Bar and Grill. The restaurant specializes in delivering mouth-watering and genuine Far East fare, concentrating on classic Chinese and Japanese dishes. New Age Noodles' interior showcases a sleek and stylish design with modern minimalistic decor that radiates a contemporary ambiance. The dining area is generously spacious, comfortable, and impeccably clean, offering an ideal setting for enjoying a meal with loved ones. If you're driving, take I-94 East towards Port Huron and exit at North River Road. Turn right onto North River Road and continue along this road until you reach Cass Avenue. Turn left onto Cass Avenue, then right onto North Main Street. The destination will be on your left. If you're coming from Detroit, take the SMART bus 560 or 561 towards Mount Clemens. Get off at the Cass Avenue & Northbound Gratiot stop, then walk south on Gratiot Avenue and turn left onto North Main Street. The destination will be on your right.

Camping at the park scene in Red Dawn

Dodge Park #10, Highland Charter Twp, MI 48356, United States

In the woods close to the park, a band of young rebels called the Wolverines, are fighting against a North Korean invasion. They have set up camp and are preparing a meal on an open fire while plotting their next course of action against the enemy. As the night wears on, they are unexpectedly ambushed by the North Korean soldiers, leading to a gripping and chaotic combat sequence. Dodge Park #10, nestled in the Highland Recreation Area of Michigan, is known for its scenic beauty that draws outdoor enthusiasts from all over. The park prides itself on offering visitors of all ages a rich variety of activities to enjoy. Apart from its raw natural beauty, the park also boasts several amenities such as picnic areas, playgrounds, and barbecue pits, making it an excellent destination for family excursions and picnics. It's available shelters and event spaces have also made it a popular spot for events like weddings, family get-togethers, and other special occasions. To get to Dodge Park #10 in Highland Charter Township, Michigan via car, drive south on Milford Rd from downtown Highland. Make a left turn onto Livingston Rd and continue driving for nearly 2 miles. Afterward, take a right onto Hickory Ridge Rd and then the first left onto Harvey Lake Rd. Continue along Harvey Lake Rd until you reach the intersection. Turn right onto Duck Lake Rd before turning left onto White Lake Rd. After driving for around half a mile, take a right turn onto Glengary Rd, and you will spot the park entrance on your left.

Driving scene in Red Dawn

Raleigh Michigan Studios, 1999 Centerpoint Pkwy, Pontiac, MI 48341, USA

The Wolverines, who are young rebels fighting against a North Korean invasion, drive through a barren wasteland. It is set in a bleak future where North Korea has invaded the United States. The Wolverines are seen intently driving in a military vehicle through deserted streets and ruined buildings, highlighting the gravity of the situation. Pontiac, a Detroit suburb, was the location of Motown Motion Picture Studios. Initially called Michigan Motion Picture Studios and Raleigh Michigan Studios, the studio was owned by Motown Motion Pictures LLC, which included A. Alfred Taubman, John Rakolta Jr., and Linden Nelson. William Morris Endeavor Entertainment and Raleigh Entertainment (10%) were also part owners. The studio came into being in 2009 after the state introduced generous film tax credits that were promoted by then-Governor Jennifer Granholm. These tax credits became a hot topic of discussion at the Cannes Film Festival, according to Linden Nelson's son. If you're coming from the north on I-75 S, take exit 79 for M-59 toward Pontiac. Keep right at the fork and follow signs for Opdyke Rd. Turn right onto Opdyke Rd, then left onto Centerpoint Pkwy. Continue on Centerpoint Pkwy for about 0.7 miles and the destination will be on your right.

Wolverines hiding scene in Red Dawn

Polsa Rosa Ranch, 5726 Soledad Canyon Rd, Acton, CA 93510, United States

Following the successful retrieval of the suitcase, the Wolverines and Marines gather at a safe house to regroup. However, their meeting is cut short when Russian Spetsnaz forces ambush them, resulting in Jed's (Chris Hemsworth) death during the ensuing firefight. Despite the loss, Matt and the remaining members of the group manage to escape with the suitcase. As they reflect on their next move, Robert (Josh Hutcherson) realizes that the Russians had tagged Daryl (Connor Cruise) with a subcutaneous tracking device during their escape from the police station, which led to the ambush. After much contemplation, Daryl comes to terms with the reality that he cannot continue with the group and decides to stay behind while the rest proceed toward the Marines' extraction point. Polsa Rosa Ranch is a beautiful and sprawling property that is located in Acton, California. The estate covers an area of approximately 500 acres and boasts a diverse range of landscapes, including rolling hills, rocky outcrops, and picturesque valleys. The ranch has been used extensively as a filming location for movies and TV shows, thanks to its unique and rugged topography. If you are driving from Los Angeles, take the I-5 North towards Santa Clarita. Take Exit 162 for CA-14 North towards Palmdale/Lancaster. Continue on CA-14 North for approximately 11 miles. Take Exit 11 for Soledad Canyon Rd and continue on Soledad Canyon Rd for approximately 5 miles. You will pass the Acton Post Office and Acton Market on your right. After passing the Acton Market, continue on Soledad Canyon Rd for another 0.5 miles. Look for a sign that says "Polsa Rosa Ranch" on your left-hand side. Turn left onto the dirt road immediately after the sign. Drive down the dirt road for approximately 0.25 miles until you reach the main entrance of the ranch.

Conclusion

Red Dawn is a powerful and fast-paced action film that used a wide range of filming locations around the United States. Michigan served as the main filming location, with many of the action scenes shot in rural areas of the state. The filmmakers also traveled to Beijing, China to record some of the opening sequences of Red Dawn. This gave viewers an insight into how North Korean troops were able to invade the small town in Michigan. Shots were taken on various streets around Beijing, which added authenticity to this part of the movie's storyline. Overall, Red Dawn featured varied locations across four different states in America and one nation overseas. This diversity allowed for unique shots that accurately portrayed each scene in this intense war movie. All these places combined to create a realistic atmosphere for viewers, while also adding a sense of urgency and danger to every scene featuring North Korean soldiers invading our small-town heroes’ home turf.