TV
While New York City may be called "Hollywood East," Long Island’s stunning natural settings have also been the backdrop for countless famous films and TV shows, many of which have gone on to win Academy Awards, Emmy Awards, and Golden Globes.
Whether you've visited or just seen them on screen, Long Island’s mansions, historic villages, iconic lighthouses, and romantic beaches have starred in it all. If you're a film buff or just love spotting celebrity film-sites, check out this list of blockbuster movies and award-winning TV shows that were filmed here!
MOVIES FILMED ON LI
The Great Gatsby:
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, “The Great Gatsby,” has a special place in Long Island’s history. Filmmaker Baz Lurhmann appropriated the grounds and exterior of the historical Old Westbury Gardens to directly inspire the exterior sets for Daisy Buchanan’s house in his 2013 remake of “The Great Gatsby,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, and Tobey Maguire. The set was built on a soundstage, with postproduction digital enhancements.
Insider scoop: The classic novel celebrates its 100-year publishing anniversary this year. Celebrate by visiting the many mansions that inspired the story on Long Island’s Gold Coast!
The Godfather:
One of the most famous movie scenes of all time was shot on Long Island. In 1972, the iconic horse head sequence from “The Godfather" was shot at Sands Point Preserve.
The Wolf of Wall Street:
Much of Martin Scorsese's “The Wolf of Wall Street” was set on Long Island. The wild party at Jordan Belfort’s beach house was filmed in Sands Point, the outdoor wedding scene filmed in Bayville, and a Hamptons house was styled to resemble a Caribbean hotel in the movie, after some video effects.
Inside scoop: When asked to describe Long Island in just one word, Martin Scorsese said, “Paradise.”
The Greatest Showman:
Most of “The Greatest Showman” was filmed on location as the story follows the story of P.T. Barnum’s famous circus. However, P.T. Barnum and Charity’s beach, set on the south shore of Connecticut, was actually filmed in Caumsett State Park.
No Hard Feelings:
This 2023 comedy stars Jenifer Lawrence and is set in Montauk. Main characters Maddie and Percy go on a date together at the world-famous Montauk Lighthouse. Maddie also works at an upscale boat dock eatery, which was filmed at Gosman’s Dock, Montauk.
Hitch:
Will Smith plays a “date doctor” who teaches men how to get the women of their dreams in the 2005 romcom, “Hitch.” At the end of the film, Albert and Allegra (played by Kevin James and Amber Valletta) get hitched at Old Westbury Gardens.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind:
It’s on the wintery beach in Montauk that Joel (Jim Carrey) first connects with blue-haired Clementine (Kate Winslet) on Valentine’s Day. The beach house that is shown numerous times throughout the movie is in Wainscott, on Long Island’s East End, and Joel is seen sitting on the steps with his diary at Ocean Surf Resort, Montauk.
Inside scoop: Ride the Long Island Railroad to the Montauk station this winter, just like Joel and Clementine.
Citizen Kane:
Way back in 1941, Oheka Castle in Huntington was the setting for the fictional estate Xanadu in the classic film “Citizen Kane.”
The Devil’s Own:
Starring Brad Pitt and Harrison Ford, “The Devil’s Own” was filmed in areas of Holbrook and in the village of Greenport, more specifically around the Greenport Yacht and Shipbuilding Company.
Men in Black II:
Located on Fire Island National Seashore just east of Robert Moses State Park is the Fire Island Lighthouse, which served as a post office in the movie “Men in Black II,” starring Will Smith.
Arthur:
The remake of “Arthur” starring Jennifer Garner and Russell Brand was filmed at Old Westbury Gardens outside the south lawn, behind the historic house.
Leave the World Behind:
Julia Roberts’ 2022 Netflix movie, “Leave the World Behind,” was shot in four separate locations in Riverhead, on a road in Wading River right near hotel and award-winning catering hall East Wind Long Island, and a beach scene was shot in Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles:
Jones Beach State Park is on Long Island’s South Shore with 6.5 miles of ocean beach and served as the backdrop of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” in 2013. Megan Fox and the turtles also filmed a scene at Sands Point Preserve.
Annie Hall:
Annie famously had a house in the Hamptons, and many of the scenes in the movie stayed true to the setting. The lobster scene and beach scenes are all shot in the Hamptons, and there is a scene where they drive down Dune Road. Dune Road runs along the south shore out east and is known for its extreme beach mansions, making it a popular drive.
Something’s Gotta Give:
Many outdoor scenes were shot outside of a Southampton home in 2003’s “Something’s Gotta Give,” starring Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton.
TV SHOWS
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel:
Scenes of this period-drama-hit were filmed at Oheka Castle and the American Airpower Museum at Republic Airport in Farmingdale.
The Affair:
This Showtime series features lovers who meet in Montauk, and many of the episodes were actually filmed on Long Island’s east end. The Solloway family stops at Lunch for lobster rolls in Amagansett, and Alison’s family is having a bonfire on the beach where the Montauk lighthouse is in the distance. Alison’s family-owned ranch scenes were filmed at Deep Hollow Ranch, also Montauk. Other scenes were also filmed at The Surf Lodge, the Shagwong, Montauk train station, Montauk Yacht Club, and on Old Montauk Highway.
Panam:
Said to be responsible for Margot Robbie’s Hollywood breakthrough role, “Panam” was filmed at Long Island MacArthur Airport, alongside Christina Ricci.
The Gilded Age:
This show follows some of New York’s elite as they live in Manhattan and summer in Newport, Rhode Island. Don’t be fooled though, some of those gorgeous estates seen in the show were actually filmed on Long Island’s Gold Coast. Film sites include: Hempstead House at Sands Point Preserve and Bayard Cutting Arboretum.
Sex and the City:
For the season 5 finale, the ladies of “Sex and the City” headed from New York City to the Hamptons, even taking the iconic big, green Hampton Jitney.
American Horror Story, NYC:
In 2022, the eleventh season of the horror television series, “American Horror Story” was filmed on Fire Island. The eighth episode of the season even being named, “Fire Island.”
Orange is the New Black:
This Netflix jailbird series features The Suffolk Theater in Riverhead in season 3 of the show.
The Diplomat:
“The Diplomat,” starring Keri Russell, touched down on Long Island shooting part of season 3 at Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park in Oyster Bay.
