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When we watch a movie, there are so many pieces to pay attention to, whether it be the dialogue, costumes, or score. These small components set the tone of the film and create an unforgettable viewing experience. One thing that is often overlooked by viewers in a film is the setting. While a lot of movies are filmed inside studios and use green screens to create realistic backdrops, much of a movie is filmed in real-life locations. While Hollywood is the most popular and well-known location for filming and is the location of more films than any other in the world, it is quickly being surpassed by many other gorgeous cities. Here are some of the best and most popular locations for film in the United States outside the borders of Hollywood.

Atlanta

Rising in popularity is the city of Atlanta, Georgia as a film location. This bustling city has become a staple in the industry because of tax incentives, but also is a great backdrop for movies set in a large city. Both on the street and in the studio, Atlanta has many options for filming locations and is currently third when it comes to popular shooting locations in the country. Some popular flicks that were shot in Atlanta are Borat, Ant-Man, and Baby Driver.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the home of tons of American history, and is also a busy metropolitan area. There are many films shot within the city as well as in the suburbs, providing for a variety of options to create the right aesthetic for a movie. Because of the abundance of history and landmarks, Philly is the filming location for many movies that are historical in nature. It is also the home of M. Night Shyamalan, and therefore home to many of his creations. And, of course, you can’t mention film in Philadelphia without referencing the city’s most beloved hero, Rocky Balboa. While the character of Rocky is only loosely based off of a real person, he has become an icon and a hero to the city of Philadelphia. Visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art and you’ll immediately recognize the “Rocky steps,” an iconic part of the film that just about everyone would be able to identify. Unique filming locations like that make shooting on-location important to the movie and setting the right atmosphere for viewers. Some other popular movies shot in Philly are Baby Mama, National Treasure, and Mannequin.

New York City

Possibly one of the most easily recognizable cities in the country, New York City has been the setting of many films throughout the years. In fact, when you remove production studios from the equation, NYC has been the setting of more films than any other in the United States. While Hollywood has an abundance of studios, New York’s backdrop is an iconic place for many films, particularly superhero flicks. This is likely because New York is often modeled as the “big metropolitan area” that is in danger in an action movie, but it makes its mark on every genre. It is home to movies such as The Avengers, Night at the Museum, Ghostbusters, The Godfather, and, of course, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Central Park is the most popular filming location in the city and can be spotted in many blockbuster hits, like Enchanted.

Las Vegas

The Hangover, Ocean’s 11, Casino, it’s no surprise to anyone that these were filmed in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sin City is the home to many of these types of flicks, ones that revolve around crime, gambling, or just a drunken, wild night out. Las Vegas is another one of those iconic location that’s easily recognizable on film. It wouldn’t be difficult to name three more movies shot in Las Vegas, Fear and Loathing being one of the most popular. Surprisingly enough, Sin City was NOT shot in the real-life city of sin, but Austin, Texas.

Austin

You might be surprised at how popular Austin is as a filming location. As I mentioned before, Sin City is a movie you may be shocked to hear was filmed in Austin, Texas. This is because its director, Robert Rodriguez, runs the production studio Troublemaker Studios out of this city. The movies produced by Troublemaker Studios are shot mostly in Austin, such as the hit flick Spy Kids. There are also many famous actors from Texas, such as Matthew McConaughey and Ethan Hawke, as well as many talented up-and-coming actors. Austin is also home to hits such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, a cult classic which revolutionized the horror genre, and McConaughey’s first big hit, Dazed and Confused.