Where was Thor filmed?
2011
City Locations
Los Angeles (USA), New Mexico (USA)
Location Types
Film Studio, Ranch, Bar
Location Styles
Airstream, Muscle, Industrial Style, Neglected, Modern Building, Modern Car
About Thor
Thor is a 2011 action-packed superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Kenneth Branagh directed Thor, while Zack Stentz, Ashley Edward Miller, and Don Payne co-wrote its screenplay. The plot revolves around Thor, a formidable yet conceited warrior God whose irresponsible behavior triggers a prior conflict. Thor is punished by being cast down to Earth and must live among humans without his powers. With the help of his new friends' help and his hammer Mjolnir, Thor must prove himself worthy before he can reclaim his power and save Asgard from destruction.
Chris Hemsworth plays the role of Thor in the movie, starring alongside Natalie Portman, who portrays Jane Foster, Anthony Hopkins as Odin, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, and Idris Elba as Heimdall. It was released in May 2011 to positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. It was also a box office success grossing over $449 million worldwide, making it one of Marvel's highest-grossing films at the time.
Thor is an exciting superhero movie with thrilling action sequences and impressive visual effects. The performances from Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston stand out, while Anthony Hopkins perfectly brings Odin to life with his wisdom. A fantastical adventure from beginning to end, this movie has all you need for an enjoyable cinematic experience.
Thor Locations
The production of the film Thor utilized two distinct regions for its backdrop, Los Angeles' Manhattan Beach studios, and New Mexico. At Raleigh Studios in Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles, the fantasy realms of 'Asgard' and 'Jotunheim' were built to give an epic feel to audiences. Meanwhile, New Mexico provided a spectacular backdrop for more terrestrial scenes with its diverse terrain and picturesque mountain ranges. The area is home to some unique landmarks, such as White Sands National Park, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region.
A trip to either region could prove very worthwhile for fans of the film Thor. In New Mexico, visitors can experience the unique landscape as a backdrop for the movie's scenes. They can explore White Sands National Park, get close to wildlife like wolves and prairie dogs, or participate in various outdoor activities such as river rafting on the Rio Grande River. Alternatively, those visiting Los Angeles can tour Raleigh Studios and see where Asgard and Jotunheim were constructed. They may even glimpse other iconic sets from past films or TV shows being created while there. Either way, it would be an exciting journey back into Thor’s world that fans won’t soon forget.
Fun Fact
A fun fact about this movie is that Stan Lee makes a cameo in it. He appears in a biker bar scene where he shouts out, "Hey! That's my shoe!" when Thor throws Mjolnir into the air, which causes a variety of objects to fly around the room. Stan Lee ad-libbed this hilariously memorable scene during filming.
Thor and the Warriors Three going to Jotunheim scene in Thor
Raleigh Manhattan Beach Studios, 1600 Rosecrans Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA
Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the son of Odin (Anthony Hopkins), is getting ready to take over the throne of Asgard. But his plans must be postponed as he discovers that Loki (Tom Hiddleston) had permitted Frost Giants to steal the Casket. Although Odin warned him not to, Thor decides to face Laufey in Jotunheim with his allies – Sif (Jaimie Alexander) and the Warriors Three (Fandral played by Josh Dallas, Volstagg, played by Ray Stevenson, and Hogun, played by Tadanobu Asano) – as well as his brother Loki.
Raleigh Manhattan Beach Studios is a premier full-service production studio in Manhattan Beach, California. With 14 sound stages and nearly 600,000 square feet of office and support space on 22 acres, it is one of the largest production facilities in the Los Angeles area. The studios have been in operation since 1998 and have hosted various productions, including movies, TV shows, commercials, and music videos. Some notable productions that were shot at Raleigh Manhattan Beach Studios include "True Blood," "Dexter," "Mad Men," "The Voice," and "The Mentalist."
If you are driving from within the Los Angeles area, you can take one of the major highways, such as Interstate 405 or the Pacific Coast Highway, to reach Manhattan Beach. Once in Manhattan Beach, use a navigation app or follow signs to reach Rosecrans Ave and head towards Building 7.
Thor landing in Puente Antiguo scene in Thor
Cerro Pelon Movie Ranch, Galisteo, NM
After his banishment from Asgard, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) arrives in Puente Antiguo, where he is discovered by a group consisting of astrophysicist Dr. Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), Dr. Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgård), and Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings). The people of the town stumble upon Mjolnir, which soon catches the attention of S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg). To understand the wormhole that brought Thor to Earth, Coulson forcefully takes Foster's research data.
The entire town was constructed in a movie ranch. Cerro Pelon Movie Ranch is a sprawling movie set and ranch estate in Galisteo, New Mexico. Covering more than 20,000 acres of land, this unique location has been the setting for numerous Hollywood productions over the years. In addition to serving as a production location, Cerro Pelon Movie Ranch also offers visitors the chance to experience the Old West with guided tours of the property.
To get here, take I-25 North and exit at Madrid/Cerrillos (Exit 267). Follow the signs to Madrid, then turn left onto NM-14 North towards Santa Fe. After about 5 miles, turn left onto County Road 42, which will take you directly to Cerro Pelon Movie Ranch.
Thor and Dr. Selvig getting drunk together scene in Thor
Cheeks, 2841 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, NM
Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Professor Selvig (Stellan Skarsgård) get drunk on Boilermakers. The scene takes place after Selvig helps Thor escape from S.H.I.E.L.D. custody, and they arrive in New Mexico. Selvig takes Thor to a bar where they both order Boilermakers, a drink of beer, and whiskey.
This scene was shot at a club called Cheeks. Cheeks, a strip club and topless bar, was established in the late 1980s on Cerrillos Road in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Soon after its opening, it gained popularity among residents and visitors alike and remained the only strip club in the city. Despite its controversial nature, cheeks provided an exclusive entertainment option to customers seeking such services. The establishment continued to operate for over thirty years before it closed quietly in December 2021. The club's management has released no official statement regarding the reasons behind the closure.
If you're coming from downtown Santa Fe, travel south on S Saint Francis Drive, then turn onto Cerrillos Road and continue driving for about 2.5 miles. You will find 2841 Cerrillos Rd on the left-hand side of the road.
Conclusion
The movie Thor was filmed across various locations, from mythical Asgard and Jotunheim to real-life locations on Earth. The mighty God Thor, played by Chris Hemsworth, is cast out of Asgard to live in Midgard (Earth), where he soon becomes a protector of the people. Much of the movie was shot in New Mexico, while parts such as the fantasy realms and some sequences were shot in Raleigh Studios in Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles.
Overall, Thor's journey takes him all over the universe - from his home realm of Asgard to Jotunheim, to Earth, and finally back home again. This wide variety of filming locations gives viewers diverse visual effects and settings that help transport them into this magical world. The powerful visuals and use of various filming locations make for a truly spectacular experience that can only be found in Thor.