Old Towne Orange has appeared on screen for decades. Its historic commercial streets, preserved architecture, Orange Plaza and nearby Chapman University give filmmakers a variety of recognizable Southern California settings within a compact area. Productions have used storefronts, streets, public buildings and other locations around Orange for movies, television shows and commercials.
This guide highlights documented and recognizable filming locations rather than attempting to list every production ever filmed in the City of Orange. Release years are used below unless otherwise noted. Businesses and storefronts can change over time, so some locations may look different today.
Famous Movies Filmed in Old Towne Orange
That Thing You Do! (1996)
Old Towne Orange is one of the recognizable Southern California locations used in That Thing You Do! Scenes were filmed around Orange Plaza and at locations including Watson’s and Mr. C’s Records. Chapman University’s historic Memorial Hall was also used during production.
Big Momma’s House (2000)
The Martin Lawrence comedy used several Orange locations, including areas around Glassell Street, Plaza Square and Chapman University. A private Old Towne residence was also used for filming; because it is a private home, its street address is not included here.
The Man Who Wasn’t There (2001)
The Coen brothers’ film used Old Towne Orange as one of its period locations. The production transformed local streets and businesses to help create its mid-century setting, including work around the Plaza area.
American Wedding (2003)
The third American Pie movie filmed in Orange, with a Glassell Street location portrayed as a flower shop. Chapman University was also used as a hospital setting.
First Daughter (2004)
The Katie Holmes film used streets and alleys around Plaza Square in Old Towne Orange.
Surviving Christmas (2004)
The holiday comedy starring Ben Affleck, Christina Applegate and James Gandolfini filmed scenes around Glassell Street and Orange Plaza.
The Benchwarmers (2006)
The comedy starring Rob Schneider, David Spade and Jon Lovitz filmed at public-facing Old Towne locations including Watson’s and the Army Navy Store. Production records also identify private residences, which are not listed here.
More Movies Filmed in Orange
- Fallen Angel (1945) – Filming included locations around Watson’s and the Plaza area.
- The Gumball Rally (1976) – Old Towne Orange was used during production, including a scene involving a downtown storefront.
- Monster in the Closet – Orange Plaza was among the filming locations associated with the production.
- Small Soldiers (1998) – The production filmed in Orange.
- Forever Lulu – Filming included a private Craftsman-style residence in Old Towne Orange; the private address is omitted.
- Frailty (2001) – The Bill Paxton-directed film used the Orange Plaza area during production.
- Clockstoppers (2002) – Old Towne Orange storefronts and streets were used for filming.
TV Shows Filmed in Old Towne Orange
Ghost Whisperer
The supernatural drama starring Jennifer Love Hewitt filmed around Orange Plaza and other Old Towne locations. The historic streets and storefronts were used to help represent the show’s fictional setting.
The West Wing
The NBC political drama filmed scenes around Plaza Square and Glassell Street in Orange.
Medical Investigation
The NBC series filmed at Watson’s in Old Towne Orange for the Season 1 episode “Progeny.” Production records also identify a private residence, which is not listed here.
American Horror Story: Cult (2017)
Orange Plaza was used for filming for the Season 7 premiere of American Horror Story. During the production, the former COBA Cosmetology Academy location was dressed as the fictional “The Butchery on Main.” The business occupying a filming location can change, so visitors should not expect the storefront to look as it did on screen.
Other Television Productions
- America’s Most Wanted (1994) – Filming locations included public and municipal locations in Orange.
- Vital Signs (1997) – Production filming took place in Orange.
- George Wallace (1997) – The television production filmed a political-rally sequence at the Orange Civic Center using hundreds of extras.
TV Movies Filmed in Orange
- The Bridesmaids (1989) – The CBS television movie used the Plaza and Old Towne Orange.
- A Letter to My Killer (1995) – The television movie filmed around Orange Plaza.
Movies & TV Filmed at Chapman University
Chapman University’s historic buildings have also appeared in film and television productions. Memorial Hall in particular has been used when productions need distinctive institutional or period architecture.
- Crimson Tide (1995) – The submarine thriller starring Denzel Washington, Gene Hackman and Viggo Mortensen used Chapman University’s Memorial Hall as a filming location.
- That Thing You Do! (1996) – Memorial Hall was among the Chapman locations used in the film.
- The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle (2000) – Memorial Hall was used during filming.
- Big Momma’s House (2000) – Chapman University was one of several Orange filming locations.
- American Wedding (2003) – Chapman University was used as a hospital setting.
Commercials Filmed in Orange
Orange has also hosted commercial shoots. Historical City production records include commercials for national restaurant, food, beverage and automotive brands.
- Snapple – Commercial production filmed in Orange.
- Oscar Mayer – A production featured the Wienermobile around the Orange Circle.
- Fazoli’s – Commercial filming took place in Orange.
- Del Taco – Filming included the College Barber Shop area on Glassell Street.
- Toyota Prius – Commercial filming included Old Towne Plaza and Hart Park.
- Pfizer – A commercial included a bus traveling through Old Towne Plaza and surrounding streets.
- KFC – One production staged a parade scene in Old Towne Plaza with a marching band, baton twirlers and a KFC float.
Visit Old Towne Orange Filming Locations
Many of Orange’s most recognizable filming locations are public places that visitors can see while exploring Old Towne. Start around Orange Plaza at Glassell Street and Chapman Avenue, then explore the historic commercial blocks surrounding the Plaza. Chapman University is a short distance away, and some productions have also filmed at public parks such as Hart Park.
Our Old Towne Orange guide has more ideas for exploring the district. Please respect private property: some productions filmed at private homes, and those residential addresses are intentionally not provided in this guide.
Why Movies & TV Shows Film in Orange
Old Towne Orange combines a preserved historic district with varied architecture, traditional storefronts, residential streets and the distinctive Orange Plaza. That range of settings allows productions to create different places and time periods without moving far between locations. The City of Orange continues to provide information and permitting for commercial filming within the city.
Orange Filming Locations FAQ
What movies were filmed in Orange, California?
Movies filmed in Orange include That Thing You Do!, Big Momma’s House, The Man Who Wasn’t There, American Wedding, Surviving Christmas and The Benchwarmers, among others.
Was That Thing You Do! filmed in Orange?
Yes. The production used locations around Old Towne Orange as well as Chapman University’s Memorial Hall.
Was Big Momma’s House filmed in Orange?
Yes. The movie used several Orange locations, including areas around Old Towne and Chapman University, as well as a private residence.
What TV shows were filmed in Old Towne Orange?
Television productions that filmed in Orange include Ghost Whisperer, The West Wing, Medical Investigation and American Horror Story: Cult.
Was American Horror Story filmed in Orange?
Yes. Orange Plaza was used during filming for the Season 7 premiere of American Horror Story: Cult in 2017.
What movies were filmed at Chapman University?
Chapman University locations have appeared in productions including Crimson Tide, That Thing You Do!, The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle, Big Momma’s House and American Wedding.
Why is Old Towne Orange used for filming?
The historic district offers preserved architecture, traditional storefronts, the central Plaza and varied streetscapes that can represent different places and eras on screen.
Can you visit the filming locations?
Many public locations around Orange Plaza, Glassell Street, Chapman University and local parks can be seen while visiting Orange. Some productions also used private residences; visitors should respect private property and view only public locations.