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".
Movies Filmed Here — What to Watch Tonight
Do you know the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region is in quite a few movies? Our small historic…
The Unofficial Simpsons Tour of Springfield
D'oh! Springfield, Oregon is the real inspiration behind the Twentieth Century Fox…
"Animal House" Movie History
National Lampoon's irreverent and slapstick comedy "Animal House" was filmed in the…
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:
- Eugene Environmental Film Festival
- DisOrient Asian American Film Festival
- TAC International Film Festival
- Oregon Independent Film Festival
- Cinema Pacific
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" 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 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.