9 Famous Movies Filmed in Savannah & Tybee Island | South Key Management (2024)

Whether you love classic films or keeping up on the latest flicks in the theater, you might be surprised to learn that many of your favorite movies — both old and new — were filmed in Downtown Savannah and the nearby Tybee Island. Though there have been dozens of movies filmed in Savannah and the surrounding areas, these are a few of the most notable blockbusters with filming locations in Savannah!

Iconic Movies Filmed in Savannah

From Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman to Zac Efron to Will Smith, these are some of the actors that have visited and movies that have been filmed at notable locations in Savannah and Tybee Island.

1. Forrest Gump (1994)

Forrest Gump is arguably the most iconic movie filmed in Savannah, Georgia. Forrest Gump tells the story of one man's extraordinary life (Tom Hanks) and features pivotal historical events like the Vietnam War, the March on Washington, and more.

Though much of the movie starring Tom Hanks was filmed in South Carolina, the bus bench where Forrest Gump sits and tells his life story was located in Chippewa Square in Savannah's Historic District. This bench no longer sits in Chippewa Square, but you can find it in the Savannah History Museum, so you can still see this iconic filming location during your trip to Savannah. Today, Chippewa Square has become a place for local musicians to perform their street numbers to delight visitors.

2. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997)

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is a movie directed by Clint Eastwood based on the book by John Berendt that details a real-life retelling of an event in Savannah. This movie follows the story of an antique dealer, Jim Williams, who is on trial for the murder of a male prostitute.

Several scenes from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil are shot at famous locations in Savannah, including the Mercer-Williams House (made famous from this bestselling novel), Forsyth Park, and Bonaventure Cemetery.

3. The Last Song (2010)

The Last Song is a romantic drama based on the bestselling novel by Nicholas Sparks, starring Liam Hemsworth and Miley Cyrus. This coming-of-age teenage romance follows the story of an estranged father trying to rekindle a relationship with his daughter, who falls in love with a local boy in the process.

Most of The Last Song was filmed on the Tybee Island Beach and Tybee Island Pier, though key scenes were also filmed at the Georgia Aquarium and Wormsloe Historic Site. One of the film locations, the Tybee Island Wedding Chapel, was actually built for the film, but it was moved to a local location where couples can now actually get married.

4. Something to Talk About (1995)

Something to Talk About is a romantic comedy starring Julia Roberts and Dennis Quaid that features several locations around Georgia and South Carolina, including some in Savannah! The most iconic Savannah landmark featured in this film is the Six Pence Pub on Bull Street — one of the best bars in Savannah that you can visit during your vacation to Savannah, GA.

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5. Magic Mike XXL (2015)

Did you know that Channing Tatum and the handsome cast of Magic Mike XXL filmed several scenes of this iconic movie sequel in Savannah, Georgia? Although the movie was primarily filmed in Myrtle Beach, a few scenes were shot in Savannah.

In one of the scenes, some of the characters stop at a strip club in Savannah, and the scenes that were supposed to be filmed at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center were actually filmed at the Savannah Convention Center. Of the many famous movies filmed in Savannah, this one is by far one of the most successful — it brought in over $120 million on under a $20 million budget.

6. Glory (1989)

Though Glory wasn't a blockbuster at the box office, fewer movies filmed in Savannah, Georgia, have brought as much star-studded talent to the city as this important historical drama. This movie tells the story of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War — the army's first black regiment — features several famous actors, including Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington, Matthew Broderick, and Cary Elwes.

There are several filming locations from this movie filmed in Savannah, including The Roundhouse Complex at the Georgia State Railroad Museum, Battlefield Memorial Park, and the Mercer-Williams House. You can visit all these locations during a vacation to Savannah, Georgia.

7. The Longest Yard (1974)

The Longest Yard is one of the oldest movies filmed in Savannah, Georgia, and tells the story of a former NFL star turned prisoner who teaches an entire team of prisoners how to "play ball" against the prison guards. It's a must-watch movie for any sports fan!

Though most of the movie isn't filmed in Savannah, there is one chase scene from Forsyth Park to River Street filmed in Downtown Savannah. If you're a fan of the movie, you'll recognize the scenery while exploring Savannah's Historic District.

8. Baywatch (2017)

Baywatch was a recent movie filmed with Zac Efron and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as a reimagining of the popular television series. Although the movie is set in the fictional Emerald Bay in Broward County, Florida, scenes from the movie are filmed in both Florida and Georgia, including Tybee Island!

Many beach scenes from the movie are filmed on Tybee Island, and there are also scenes filmed at other locations in Savannah and Tybee Island, including Savannah’s Memorial University Medical Center and Estill Hammock Marina. You can see many of the spots in Broward County (or should we say, Tybee Island) during a vacation to Savannah, Georgia!

9. Lady and the Tramp (2019)

Walt Disney's live-action version of Lady and the Tramp, the popular animated movie released in 1955, was the most recent movie filmed in Savannah — and the movie features tons of Savannah landmarks!

While the most famous scene in the movie, the romantic spaghetti and meatball scene, was filmed in an alleyway near Factor's Walk in Savannah, you'll probably notice several other famous landmarks in the movie while exploring Savannah, including the Georgia State Railroad Museum and Wright Square. The opening scene even features the Cathedral of St. John’s the Baptist near Lafayette Square.

Plan a Trip to Savannah to Visit Popular Savannah Film Locations with South Key Management

There is no shortage of incredible movies filmed in Savannah and Tybee Island — from classic favorites like Forrest Gump to recent blockbusters like Lady and the Tramp.

If you're planning a trip to Savannah soon, be sure to schedule some time to check out the notable landmarks from your favorite movies. We recommend staying in the Historic District for the quickest access to the most famous spots — which is, fortunately, where our charming vacation rentals from South Key Management are located!

Explore our vacation rentals to find the perfect place for your upcoming stay, and if you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch with us.

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