New Jersey has been the backdrop for countless films, but some have gone on to achieve iconic status in cinematic history. Here are five unforgettable movies that were filmed in the Garden State. Did you know Camp Crystal Lake, featured in the 1980 hit film Friday the 13th was filmed right here in New Jersey?
Arguably one of the most famous slasher films of all time, “Friday the 13th” terrorized audiences with its story of camp counselors being hunted down. Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco in Hardwick served as the fictional Camp Crystal Lake. The movie has since spawned numerous sequels and become a staple of horror film culture.
The majority of “Friday the 13th” was shot in ‘Cunningham County” a fictional county in New Jersey, and despite its infamous reputation, Camp Crystal Lake is not a real place. The iconic setting was inspired by an actual camp in Hardwick, New Jersey known as Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco.
Sure, we can go easy and list movies like Clerks and the Many Saints of Newark, but here are some you might not know were filmed in New Jersey.
War of the Worlds (2005)
Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Cruise, “War of the Worlds” is a science fiction masterpiece. Parts of the movie were shot in Bayonne and Newark, capturing the industrial and urban landscapes of New Jersey as settings for this apocalyptic thriller. The film serves as a modern adaptation of H.G. Wells’ 1898 novel, portraying a catastrophic alien invasion.
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
Russell Crowe’s Oscar-winning portrayal of mathematician John Nash in “A Beautiful Mind” took viewers inside the world of mental illness and academic brilliance. Filming locations for this biographical drama included Princeton University and Fairleigh Dickinson University, allowing the film to showcase New Jersey’s academic heritage.
On the Waterfront (1954)
A classic in American cinema, “On the Waterfront” starred Marlon Brando and won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Set in Hoboken, the film’s story of union violence and corruption was dramatically captured against the backdrop of New Jersey’s waterfront docks.
Garden State (2004)
Written and directed by New Jersey native Zach Braff, “Garden State” is a romantic comedy-drama that resonated with audiences for its quirky storytelling and unique characters. Locations such as South Orange and Maplewood were used to bring this coming-of-age tale to life, celebrating the distinctiveness of suburban New Jersey.
Unlike many movies about New Jersey that are filmed elsewhere, this one was actually filmed in the Garden State.