Brunswick County Real Estate News

Filmed in Southport, NC: Why Hollywood Keeps Coming Back

From Safe Haven to The Summer I Turned Pretty - Southport has quietly become one of the most filmed coastal towns in the country!

Note from the Author

I’d be willing to bet anyone from around here over the age of 50 would have laughed if you told them “back in the day” that Southport and the surrounding areas would one day feel like a little Hollywood. Back then, the biggest news was the next hurricane—or maybe an upcoming festival. My own introduction to the film world started early. I was in elementary school in Bolivia, NC when Firestarter, starring Drew Barrymore, was filmed nearby. I was cast as her third stand-in—mostly because we were the same age, height, and coloring (definitely not because of any acting talent). I never made it on screen—stand-ins are there to help set lighting and camera angles—but it was still unforgettable.

A few years later, Weekend at Bernie's came to town, starring Andrew McCarthy and Jonathan Silverman. My mom signed our whole family up as extras during spring break—and yes, you can spot the corner of my head if I point it out! Since then, I’ve loved seeing our coastal corner show up on screen—and it’s clear the film industry feels the same way. But why you may ask?

A coastal lifestyle that’s been quietly camera-ready for decades

There’s a certain rhythm to life in Southport—the kind you don’t always notice until someone else points it out. The way the light hits the water in late afternoon. The quiet hum of boats along the Yacht Basin. The feeling that time moves just a little differently here, a little more relaxed.

Right now, that rhythm is being captured on camera…again.

With filming for the movie “The Summer I Turned Pretty” currently underway (Spring 2026 for the movie version) across Southport and the greater Wilmington area, our familiar streets and waterfront views are once again stepping into the spotlight.

A Limited Window, A Lasting Impression

Production officially began in late April 2026 and is expected to continue through late June, giving the area a concentrated—but meaningful—moment in the spotlight.

That short filming window adds to the energy around town. It’s not a long disruption—it’s more like a seasonal cameo. A few weeks where everyday scenes are suddenly part of something much bigger.

And then, just as quickly, things settle back into their usual rhythm.

Where Filming Is Happening Locally

While production tends to keep things intentionally low-profile, Southport has once again been part of the action—particularly in areas that locals know by heart:

• The waterfront and Yacht Basin, often used for scenic and boating scenes
• Downtown streets and historic areas, where everyday life blends seamlessly into filming
• Nearby coastal backdrops throughout Wilmington and surrounding beaches

Across the broader region, filming has also taken place in places like Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Wrightsville Beach, and Fort Fisher, all of which help create the show’s fictional “Cousins Beach.”

And here’s the thing—none of these locations need much transformation. They already look the part.

A Coastline That Knows the Role Well

Of course, this isn’t Southport’s first time on screen.

Over the years, the Southport and Oak Island area has become one of North Carolina’s most recognizable filming destinations, appearing in:

• Safe Haven (2013)
• A Walk to Remember (2002)
• Nights in Rodanthe (2008)
• Under the Dome (TV) (2013-2015)
• Crimes of the Heart (1986)
• Summer Catch (2001)
• I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
• A Weekend at Bernie’s (1989)
• Matlock: The Movie (1992)
• The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022-Present – TV Show and Movie)
• Firestarter (1984)
• Dawson’s Creek (1998-2003)
• And many more!

There’s a reason this list keeps growing:

• Versatility – Can double as New England, the Outer Banks, or a generic “coastal town”
• Authenticity – Real waterfront, real homes, real charm
• Accessibility – Close to Wilmington and major production infrastructure
• Visual appeal – Marshes, beaches, historic streets, and marinas all within minutes

It’s the kind of place that doesn’t need much set design—which, in film terms, is gold.

Why It Keeps Working

There’s a reason production company return here again and again. It’s not just the scenery—it’s the scale, the authenticity, and the way everything connects. Waterfront, historic homes, quiet neighborhoods, and open coastal views all exist within minutes of each other.

For filmmakers, that’s efficient.
For locals, it’s just everyday life.

The Takeaway

Southport and Oak Island have spent years showing up in films and television—not because they’re trying to be somewhere else, but because they represent something people are searching for.

A slower pace.
A stronger sense of place.
A lifestyle that feels just a little more intentional.

So yes—you can watch it on screen.

But living it?
That’s where the story really begins.