Where was Zombieland filmed?
2009
City Locations
Atlanta, Los Angeles (USA)
Location Types
Mansion, Storefront, Warehouse, Cafe
Location Styles
Dilapidated, Colonial, Parking Lot, Rustic, Modern Building, Modern Car, Americana
About Zombieland
Zombieland offers an unexpectedly delightful viewing experience. The post-apocalyptic zombie movie is essentially a celebration of life's simple joys: the graceful destruction of objects in slow motion, cowboy heroes brandishing dual handguns in true John Woo fashion, and the Twinkies. Ruben Fleischer directed the comedy film, featuring a star-studded cast that includes Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin.
The storyline traces the journey of four zombie apocalypse survivors as they traverse the United States in search of safety. Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), a cowardly shut-in forced to join forces with Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), an experienced zombie slayer, to survive the undead onslaught. During their journey, they come across two young girls, Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), who have been using unorthodox tactics to survive.
As the unlikely quartet makes their way through a zombified America, they face off against hordes of the undead and each other to find safety. The film's special effects makeup designer, Tony Gardner, primarily used physical prosthetics to create the appearance of the zombies.
Zombieland, which premiered on October 2, 2009, received rave reviews from both critics and viewers. The film raked in over $100 million solely from box office revenue and earned 10 Awards, including the 2010 Best Ensemble Scream Award and a 2009 San Diego Film Critics Society Special Award (Woody Allen).
Zombieland Locations
Zombieland was filmed predominantly in the US state of Georgia. It features a variety of locations, including urban Atlanta and the northern suburbs, as well as Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta.
Edgewood Avenue NE at Park Place NE served as the chaotic urban setting where Columbus enunciates his rules for survival. At the same time, Decatur’s Pure Service station lends itself to the flashback scene where Wichita and Little Rock conspire to acquire an engagement ring.
Meanwhile, Argonne Forest provided a luxurious setting for Bill Murray's mansion at 490 West Paces Ferry Road. Finally, Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta was the setting for the scene when Wichita and Little Rock took off to find Pacific Playground. Some Zombieland scenes were also filmed in Los Angeles, California, in particular at the Grauman’s Chinese Theater.
A trip to the Zombieland filming locations is a worthwhile endeavor for die-hard film fans up for a unique experience! Beyond setting sights on the familiar spots from the movie, it’s also an opportunity to enjoy the fantastic views that Georgia has to offer.
Fun Facts:
Originally meant to be a TV pilot, the Zombieland script went through heavy rewrites to give us the feature film we have now grown to love. Woody Harrelson also learned how to play the banjo for the supermarket scene.
The rule #2 scene in Zombieland
One Park Place, 15 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
A virus akin to the mad cow disease has wiped out a significant portion of Earth's inhabitants, transforming them into zombies hungry for human flesh. Among the few survivors is Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), a University of Texas student attempting to make his way to his hometown of Columbus, OH, in hopes that his parents have survived.
In the film's introductory sequence, Columbus lays out several survival rules for living in Zombieland. One notable rule is the "double tap," shooting a zombie twice to ensure its permanent demise.
The memorable "double tap" scene was filmed at One Park Place in Atlanta, GA. It’s a location that offers breathtaking views of downtown Atlanta with abundant parks and squares. It is also in close proximity to famous attractions like the Centennial Olympic Park and the Georgia Aquarium.
To get to One Park Place from downtown Atlanta, take public transportation from the Peachtree St at Baker St bus stop.
Columbus and Tallahassee meet the sisters at Blaine's Grocery scene in Zombieland
CH James Parkway/Hwy 278, Lithia Springs, GA 30106, USA
Columbus and Tallahassee stop at a grocery store, searching for Tallahassee's favorite Twinkies, where they fight off three zombies. Afterward, they find two teenage girls, Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), hiding in the storeroom. After being bitten, Little Rock pleads for them to take her life.
Columbus, in response, gives his shotgun to Wichita who then uses it to rob Columbus and Tallahassee of their remaining weapons and Escalade. However, it appears that Little Rock was unharmed, and she escapes with Wichita.
The sequence was filmed at a deserted building near Power Springs in Lithia Springs, Georgia. It may not be possible for fans to visit this exact location, since it was created solely for the movie; however, fans can still experience its dilapidated atmosphere.
Take a bus from Washington St. at MLK Jr. Dr. and get off at Thornton Rd (N) at the Bankhead Hwy stop. Alternatively, drive via Interstate-20 W to the location.
Wichita's flashback scene in Zombieland
249 E Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030, USA
In a flashback, Wichita visits a gas station, feigning a search for a diamond engagement ring and promising a $3,000 reward for a Station Manager (Mike White) if it can be found and faxed to her. Once Wichita leaves, Little Rock shows up and "discovers" a counterfeit ring that she strategically placed on the floor.
However, when the Gas N' Gulp Station Manager comes to claim it, Little Rock insists on a reward before relinquishing it. Believing he will soon receive $3,000, the manager gives her $400. Unbeknownst to him, Wichita never intended to pay him anything.
249 East Ponce de Leon Avenue at North Candler Street in Decatur is the location where the scene was filmed. It is now an auto repair shop, but fans can still visit. The area maintains the original signage and aesthetic style of a ‘70s gas station.
Take DeKalb Ave NE and College Ave NE to get to the Zombieland filming location.
The group stop at the 'Kemo Sabe' to trash the shop scene in Zombieland
7201 Atlanta Hwy, Rutledge, GA 30663, USA
The sequence at Kemo Sabe’s Trading Post is indelibly etched in the viewers' minds. The location's eccentric decor, featuring colossal arrows and statues, provides a whimsically bizarre setting for the group as they gleefully wreak havoc in the store.
The ambiance is an eclectic mix of Native American-themed adornments, like massive arrows and sculptures, coupled with typical tourist keepsakes like spears, tomahawks, headdresses, tom-toms, vases, and pottery. This scene's unique appeal, which encapsulates Tallahassee, Columbus, Wichita, and Little Rock's playful vandalism of the store makes it a memorable moment of the film that fans can easily recall in vivid detail.
The trading post was filmed at Cowboy’s Steaks and Stuff in Rutledge, GA, which is located at 7201 Atlanta Hwy, Rutledge, GA 30663, USA. It has since closed down, but fans of Zombieland can still visit the location.
The landmark is located off Interstate 20 and US-278 just north of Madison. Plenty of parking is available for visitors who wish to take photos or just take in the atmosphere.
Bill Murray’s mansion scene in Zombieland
490 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305, USA
When Bill Murray first appears on screen, he has disguised himself as a zombie, which allows him to roam the city freely as zombies typically don't attack their own kind. The scene intensifies when Columbus takes Little Rock to Murray's private screening room to watch Ghostbusters and asks if Wichita has a boyfriend. Later, after play-acting scenes from Ghostbusters, Tallahassee and Wichita decide to scare Columbus as a joke, resulting in him accidentally shooting and killing Murray.
The sequence was recorded at 490 West Paces Ferry Road in the northern Atlanta suburb of Argonne Forest. This lavish mansion features Italian marble flooring, towering ceilings adorned with chandeliers, and walls decorated with portraits of cinema celebrities. The same house also made an appearance in the 2012 Farrelly brothers' movie, The Three Stooges.
To get to this location, fly into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, just 18 miles away from 490 West Paces Ferry Road. From there, you can rent a car or take public transportation via bus or rail system to get within walking distance of the house.
The Pacific Playland scene in Zombieland
Wild Adventures, 3766 Old Clyattville Rd, Valdosta, GA 31601, USA
Concerned that forming additional bonds may jeopardize their sisterly connection, Wichita and Little Rock leave and head toward the amusement park. Assuming it's abandoned, they switch on all the power, illuminating every corner of the park. However, the noise and lights draw zombies from nearby areas.
Seeing Wichita and Little Rock trapped atop a ride by zombies, Columbus and Tallahassee decide to intervene. Tallahassee scours the park, distracting and eliminating as many zombies as possible, while Columbus confronts his ultimate fear: a zombie clown, which he eventually defeats. He then assists Wichita and Little Rock in descending from the tower. In a moment of relief and affection, Wichita reveals her real name, Krysta, to Columbus.
The Wild Adventures Theme Park, situated at 3766 Old Clyattville Road in Valdosta, Georgia provided the setting for the scene. The park features various attractions including six roller coasters, a collection of exotic animals, shows, and the Splash Island water park.
The theme park is located near Interstate 75 and can only be reached by private car. It takes about 2 hours to drive there from Jacksonville and 3 and a half hours from Atlanta.
Conclusion
Zombieland is a hilarious and action-packed zombie comedy brought to life by lists of fascinating locations. For huge fans of the post-apocalyptic comedy planning a Zombieland filming locations tour, there are a few more places worth visiting.
The Atlanta Motor Speedway at 1500 Tara Place, Hampton, Georgia, was the setting for the highway rest stop in the film. Grauman’s Chinese Theatre at 6925 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, California, also served as one of the movie’s filming locations.
Zombieland was one of the first films to popularize the modern zombie genre seen today in movies like World War Z, Warm Bodies, and Train to Busan. This film has significantly influenced subsequent productions within horror cinema and comedy.
If you are looking for a heartwarming and exhilarating movie, this is definitely one to watch. Viewers can aspire to live by these special rules; Rule #1: Enjoy good food, Rule #2: Surround yourself with pleasant people, and Rule #3: Discover stunning sceneries while indulging in one of the most renowned zombie films ever produced.