Movies & Film History

Hollywood has come calling to the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region over 24 times since the 1920s when Buster Keaton first filmed "The General" in the historic town of Cottage Grove. Eugene has also provided scenic backdrops for the beloved classics "Animal House" and "Stand By Me." 

Many of the film sites still attract movie fans eager to see landmarks like the railroad bridge over Mosby Creek ("Stand By Me") or the Dexter Lake Club ("Animal House"). Take a self-guided tour of "Animal House" film sites on the University of Oregon campus. See many of the movie sites along the Oregon Film Trail.

The region has also been highlighted in popular television shows from "Antiques Roadshow" to "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives." And of course, Springfield is the inspiration for "The Simpsons".

On Screen & In Theaters

Go to the movies or catch a film screening during a local film festival. In the summer toss out a picnic blanket for a movie in the park, and in the winter catch a holiday film at a local hotel, community center or theater. Check out our boutique movie houses including Art House and Broadway Metro in Eugene and City Lights Cinemas in Florence. Valley River Center in Eugene is home to Regal Cinema and The Shoppes at Gateway in Springfield is home to Cinemark movie theaters.

Film Festivals & Screenings

This region has a rich film history, both for onsite filming of movies, and for film screening organizations. Local festivals and organizations include:

Local Movie Houses

Art House

Eugene’s iconic 2-screen art house cinema, resurrected and re-imagined as a multi-use venue: café by day, low-key bar at…

City Lights Cinemas

An independently-owned, four screen movie theater showing popular current releases, independent films and high…

Metro Cinemas

The Broadway Metro cinema in downtown Eugene features seven auditoriums, ranging in size from 18 to 100+ seats…

Cycling the "Stand By Me" Movie Bridge by Eugene, Cascades & Coast

Cycling the "Stand By Me" Bridge (Mosby Creek Bridge) in Cottage Grove.

Local Film History

Visit filming locations from Cottage Grove to Dexter where famous movies such as "Stand By Me" and "Animal House" were filmed. Cruise Springfield on the look out for possible inspiration behind the television show and movie, "The Simpsons".

The Watchman's Canoe

2017

Location: Florence

Feature Film

Tracktown

2017

Location: Eugene

Feature Film

We Grew Wings

2012

Location: Eugene

Feature Film

Something Wicked

2009

Location: Eugene

Feature Film

The Go-Getter

2007

Location: Eugene

Feature Film

Seraphim Falls
(portion)

2006

Location: McKenzie River

Feature Film

Zerophilia

2004

Location: Eugene, Cottage Grove

Feature Film

Sisters

2004

Location: Eugene, Cottage Grove

Feature Film

Fahrenheit 911 (partial)

2003

Location: Florence

Documentry

Rennie's Landing (portion)

2000

Location: Eugene

Feature Film

Therese: The Story of a Soul

2000

Location: Portland, Salem, Eugene (Chambers Media Center)

Feature Film

Without Limits

1998

Location: Eugene, Cottage Grove

Feature Film

Richocet River

1997

Location: Eugene, Cottage Grove

Feature Film

Inconceivable

1997

Location: Eugene 

Feature Film

Grizzly Mountain

1994

Location: Eugene, Grants Pass

Feature Film

The Four Diamonds

1994

Location: Eugene, McKenzie Pass

TV Movie

Timescape

1992

Location: Eugene

Feature Film

Grand Tour

1990

Location: Eugene, Oakland, Bend

Feature Film

Finish Line

1988

Location: Eugene, Corvallis

TV Movie

Buster Keaton - A Hard Act to Follow

1987

Location: Eugene, Cottage Grove

Documentary

Stand By Me

1985

Location: Eugene, Cottage Grove, Brownsville

Feature Film

Cry For The Stranger

1982

Location: Florence

TV Movie

Personal Best

1980

Location: Eugene

Feature Film

How to Beat the High Cost of Living

1978

Location: Eugene (Valley River Center)

Feature Film

The Swarm

1978

Location: Eugene

TV Movie

Animal House

1977

Location: Eugene, Cottage Grove, Dexter 

Feature Film

Flood!

1976

Location: Eugene 

Feature Film

Sacred Ground

1975

Location: Eugene 

Documentary

Street Girls

1975

Location: Eugene 

Feature Film

Lost in the Stars

1974

Location: Cottage Grove

Feature Film

Emperor of the North

1972

Location: Cottage Grove

Feature Film

Drive, He Said

1970

Location: Eugene

Feature Film

Five Easy Pieces

1970

Location: Eugene, Portland

Feature Film

Getting Straight

1970

Location: Eugene

Feature Film

The Way West

1967

Location: Lane County, Crooked River Gorge

Feature Film

Fields of Honor

1964

Eugene, Mohawk Valley

Feature Film

Rachel and the Stranger

1949

Location: Eugene

Feature Film

Abe Lincoln in Illinois

1939

Location: Eugene, McKenzie River

Feature Film

Ed's Coed

1929

Location: Eugene

Feature Film

The General

1926

Location: Cottage Grove

Feature Film

Direct Filming Inquiries to:

Meg Trendler, Director of Tourism Sales

Meg Trendler Director of Tourism Sales

Meg provides support for travel trade, independent international visitors and the film/video industry, including coordinating tours, developing group itineraries, offering resources for international travelers, and hosting media.

Film Production & Photography