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TV Shows & Movies Filmed in Downtown Orange, CA

Ever watch a movie or TV show and think, that looks familiar?  Well, it is possible it was shot on location in historic downtown Orange, California. For decades, the Orange Circle has been used for its classic scenery in television shows and movies. Some are classics, while others you may have forgotten about.

Here is a list of movies you may or may not know had portions filmed on location around Downtown Orange Plaza.

Orange Circle Fountain

Movies Filmed in Downtown Orange

  • Smiles (1919) – Documentary
  • Fallen Angel (1945) – Filmed at Watson Drug Store, 116 E. Chapman Ave., and 80 Plaza Square.
  • The Gumball Rally (1976) – Motorcycles crashed through Sir Wickets Men’s Shop. This movie inspired real Gumball rallies that are still held today.
  • Monster in the Closet (1983) – Filmed at Orange Plaza.
  • The Bridesmaids (1988) – The CBS television movie used the Plaza and Old Towne.
  • That Thing You Do (1996) – Scenes shot in Watson Drug Store and Soda Fountain, Plaza Square and Mr. C’s Records.
  • Small Soldiers (1998)
  • Forever Lulu (1999) – Starring Melanie Griffith and Patrick Swayze with filming at a craftsman style house at 195 N Shaffer Street.
  • Frailty (2000) – Directed by Bill Paxton at the Orange Plaza.
  • Big Momma’s House (2000) – Martin Lawrence cross-dressed as Big Momma and Big Momma’s house was filmed and located at 192 N. Shaffer Street. Filming also took place at 100 N. Glassell Street, Chapman University and Plaza Square.
  • The Man Who Wasn’t There (2000) – A Coen Brother’s movie where Paul’s Cocktails’ façade was turned into an Italian restaurant.
  • Clockstoppers (2002) – A car crashed into a magazine stand on the corner identified as Hot Skates on 117 E. Chapman.
  • Surviving Christmas (2003) – Starring Ben Affleck, Christina Applegate, James Gandolfini with scenes shot on Glassell and the Plaza.
  • American Wedding (2003) – Mrd American Pie movie where 101 S. Glassell Street was portrayed as the flower shop and Chapman University was used as a hospital.
  • Merge (2003) – A lifetime movie at a private residence on Glassell.
  • First Daughter (2003) –Katie Holmes ran through streets and alleys of Plaza Square in Old Towne Orange.
  • The Benchwarmers (2005) – Filmed at Watson’s Drug Store and the Army Navy Store and starring Rob Schneider, David Spade, Jon Lovitz and Molly Sims.

TV Shows Filmed in Downtown Orange

  • America’s Most Wanted (1994) – Home Federal Bank, Orange Police Department, Meats Avenue and Westchester were all filming locations.
  • A Letter to My Killer (1995) – Filmed around the Orange Plaza.
  • Vital Signs (1997)
  • The George Wallace Story (1997) – The Gary Sinise production filmed a reenactment of a political rally/assassination at the Orange Civic Center, using 500 extras.
  • Merge (2003) – A lifetime movie at a private residence on Glassell.
  • Medical Investigation (2004) – Season 1 episode “Progeny” had two scenes filmed at Watson’s Drugstore
  • The West Wing (2004) – Filmed at the Plaza Square at 132 S. Glassell Street and 34 Plaza Square.
  • Ghost Whisperer (2005) – TV show starring Jennifer Lover Hewitt and filmed at the Plaza Square.
  • American Horror Story (2017) – Season 7 – The COBA Academy on Main was transformed into a store called “The Butchery on Main” in the season 7 premiere.

Movies Filmed at Chapman University

  • Samantha (1991) – Scenes for this comedy were filmed at Chapman University.
  • Crimson Tide (1994) – Starring Denzel Washington, Gene Hackman and Viggo Mortenson and filmed at Chapman University.
  • The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle (2000) – Filming at Chapman University.
  • Big Momma’s House (2000) – Martin Lawrence cross-dressed as Big Momma and Big Momma’s house was filmed and located at 192 N. Shaffer Street. Filming also took place at 100 N. Glassell Street, Chapman University and Plaza Square.
  • American Wedding (2003) – This American Pie movie is where 101 S. Glassell Street was portrayed as the flower shop and Chapman University was used as a hospital.
  • Accepted (2005) – Starring Blake Lively and Justin Long and filmed at Chapman University.

Commercials Filmed in Orange

  • Snapple (1996)
  • Oscar Mayer (1998) – The Wienermobile cruised around the Orange Circle.
  • Fazoli’s (2002)
  • Del Taco (2002) – Dialogue at College Barber Shop on Glassell.
  • Prius (2003) – Filmed at Old Towne Plaza and Hart Park.
  • Pfizer (2003) – Scene included a bus driving through Old Towne Plaza and surrounding residential area.
  • Kentucky Fried Chicken (2004)