United States Germany Spain France
Skip Navigation LinksHome > Suffolk County Culture & History > History & Heritage > Famous Film Sites
The diverse landscape and beaches, woodlands, public mansions, and quaint Main Street towns have made Long Island’s Suffolk County a long-time mecca for film production.

The Suffolk County Film Commission can assist filmmakers with finding locations, securing permits, arranging support services and taking advantage of tax credits. While here take in thetare show at a performing arts center, or make plans to attend an independent film series or festival.

For visitors to Suffolk County Long Island, many former film locations are public venues open to explore:

Explore Caumsett State Park where “Arthur” (1981) staring Dudley Moore was shot. The stable scenes of the movie were filmed in this location. Also, more recently “Salt,” starring Angelina Jolie, includes scenes from this historic site. In 1921 Marshall Field III purchased 1750 acres of Lloyd Neck to create a self-sufficient English-style estate as a combination country club, hunting preserve, and home, complete with its own water and electrical supply. Take a walk around Caumsett State Historic Park, situated on a scenic peninsula extending into Long Island Sound. Visit the nearby Joseph Lloyd Manor house, the home of the first published African American poet, Jupiter Hammon.

A true portrait of life and art comes together at the Pollock-Krasner House where the motion picture “Pollock” (2000) staring Ed Harris, was filmed. The National Historic Landmark site is the home and studio of abstract expressionist painters Jackson Pollock (1912-1956) and Lee Krasner (1908-1984) and holds research material on 20th century American art. The house contains prints by both artists, their furniture, hundreds of jazz records and the artists' personal library. The most exciting element is Pollock’s art studio where visitors can stand amidst the paint-splattered walls and floor where he actually created much of his art. Various exhibitions are found thought the year and guided tours are available by appointment only. Explore Suffolk County's other art museums and galleries while here.

Spend some time on the sun-soaked beaches of Montauk, made famous by the movie “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” (2004). Take a ride though the movie as you start from the Montauk train station and travel out east. Spend a day filling your head with memories as you walk along the sandy beaches to enjoy the crisp Atlantic air. Various activities keep the busy traveler active with fishing, hiking, horseback riding, bird watching and more. Walk up to the oldest lighthouses in New York at the Montauk Point Lighthouse, commissioned by President George Washington in 1792. There are several lighthouses open to the public in Suffolk County. With so many things to do, no wonder people want to meet at Montauk. Just don’t erase the memory you have of it. The nearby Hamptons region is also the site of many films and TV shows, including the series, Royal Pains, among others.

Follow in the footsteps of the fabled movie adventurer Crocodile Dundee. “Crocodile Dundee II” (1988) was filmed at Eagle's Nest, now the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium. The Eagle's Nest mansion was built in 1910 and known for its Spanish Architecture design. Vanderbilt was a motor car racing enthusiast. The estate still houses much of his original possessions and private collections, including a natural history exhibit, a mummy, collections from around the world, Vanderbilt’s custom built 1928 Lincoln touring car and a spectacular view of the water. The Vanderbilt estate is just one of many mansions and arboretums in Suffolk County.

Visit the town of Greenport and see the home port of the H.M.S Bounty. This ship has been used in such films as “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Mutiny on the Bounty,” starring Marlin Brando. Lovers of the sea can also sail away on journeys anywhere from a few days to a month along aboard this ship. The ship is dedicated to teaching history and the lost maritime skills of square-rigged sailing. There are classes available to teach sail theory, celestial navigation, marlinespike seamanship, and maritime history. Call ahead to see if this ship is in port as it does travel often.

Beware of an alien invasion at the Fire Island Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in New York State with over 182 steps. The lighthouse can be seen in the post office scene in “Men in Black II” (2002). The lighthouse is located on the Great South Bay and adjacent to Robert Moses State Park. The Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society provides tours for visitors. Enjoy a nature walk, exhibits, and gift shop.

And while some visitors may associate Long Island with the movie “Adventureland,” this film was not actually made here. You can however visit the real Adventureland in Farmingdale where you'll find great rides and family fun.

Other film projects in Suffolk County include:
“Something Borrowed” (2011)— A story about a Manhattan attorney who becomes involved with her best friend's fiancé. This film, partly shot in the Hamptons, stars Kate Hudson, John Krasinski and Ginnifer Goodwin.

“The Romantics” (2010) — Filmed on the North Fork, this romantic comedy starring Katie Holmes, Anna Paquin and Josh Duhamel, tells the story of seven close friends who reunite for the wedding of two of their friends.

“Salt” (2010) — Starring Angelina Jolie, portions of this spy thriller were filmed at Caumsett State Park in Lloyd Harbor and at Republic Airport in East Farmingdale.

“Fair Game” (2010) — The lobby of the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge was used as the set for the CIA Building in Washington, DC in this action film starring Naomi Watts and Sean Penn.

“Paper Man” (2009) — Jeff Daniels, Emma Stone and Ryan Reynolds portray the story of a writer spending his winter with writers block on the eastern end of Long Island.

“Funny Games” (2008) — Starring Naomi Watts and Tim Roth, this thriller in which a family submits both physically and mentally to the torture, violence, and death foisted upon them by two young, unexpected, white-gloved visitors at their vacation retreat near a lake, was filmed in Head of the Harbor, Shelter Island and Southampton.

“Nanny Diaries” (2007) — Scarlett Johansson and company filmed scenes in East Hampton and Southampton, which stood in for Nantucket.

“Loverboy” (2006) — A neglected daughter becomes a possessive mother in an emotional journey into the heart and mind of a woman who loved too much. Directed by and starring Kevin Bacon, alongside Kyra Sedgwick, this movie was filmed at Babylon’s Oak Beach.

“The Manchurian Candidate” (2004) — The atmospheric assassination scene was actually shot in Centerport Harbor, standing in for the Chesapeake Bay.

“The Forgotten” (2004) — Julianne Moore as Telly Paretta was on location at a house in Hampton Bays where she remembers that an odd, friendly man was near her son the last time she saw him and finds a picture of him on the mantelpiece of the now-abandoned house.

“Something's Gotta Give” (2003) — Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton, as Harry and Erica, fall in love while he convalesces at her Hamptons beach house.

Order a Free Travel Guide and begin exploring.


© 2013 Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau and Sports Commission. All Rights Reserved.

Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau and Sports Commission
330 Motor Parkway, Suite 203, Hauppauge, NY 11788
877-386-6654 | tourism@discoverlongisland.com