14 Must-See Movies Filmed In Sacramento: A Local’s Look

Have you ever watched a movie and thought, “Hey, that looks like Sacramento!” or recognized a street, building, or park you know in Sacramento from a scene on screen? If so, you’re not alone—California’s capital city has quietly become a backdrop for more films than most people realize. 

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While some people know Sacramento as the Farm to Fork Capital – for its agriculture and award-winning restaurants, River City – for its proximity to the Sacramento and American River, or The Almond Capital of the World — a Jeopardy clue from the gameshow in May 2019, in recent years, the city has become a filmmaker and cinematographer hot spot for many reasons.

Why Sacramento? My Choice

I moved to Sacramento from San Francisco in 2007. In a short few years, I bought and sold a house, lived as a hipster in janky Midtown, showed art in local galleries, worked for the State government, and participated in several vintage scooter rallies.

In 2012, I took off for some international living adventures in Mexico and Colombia that lasted longer than anticipated. In 2018—much to the surprise of friends who thought I’d stay abroad forever—I returned to Sacramento and dove right back into being here. Honestly, It was an easy choice. 

Despite being the Capital City where many decisions affecting the state and the nation are made almost daily, Sacramento has a strange pull– a mix of creative spirit and a laid-back-yet-progressive feel of a bigger, small town in California. 

linSacramento is slightly more affordable than L.A. or the Bay Area, which makes enjoying the diverse neighborhoods, tree-lined streets, and growing food and arts scene a simple process.

Plus, with Lake Tahoe, the Sierra Nevadas, and award-winning wine country just a short drive away, it’s the perfect home base for nature lovers and weekend wanderers alike. 

Why Sacramento? The Filmmakers’ Choice

With its laid-back atmosphere, diverse neighborhoods, and unique mix of grit and charm, it’s no wonder filmmakers often choose Sacramento for filming. What might surprise you, though, is just how many movies have been filmed in the city and its surrounding areas.

From Academy Award winners to indie gems, Sacramento has earned its place in Hollywood’s spotlight. Many moviegoers are surprised to learn about the unique films brought to life on the streets of California’s capital city.

As you read the list below, you may begin to understand the appeal of why these movies were set in, mentioned, or made reference to Sacramento. Ready to find out more?  Let’s go!

14 Must-See Movies Filmed In Sacramento

No Address – 2025

Stars: William Baldwin, Beverly D’Angelo, Ty Pennington
Plot: A deep dive into the lives of people experiencing homelessness, this film offers a humbling perspective and connection to community and survival.
Sacramento Connection: Filmed entirely in the city, using real neighborhoods like Midtown, Oak Park, and Del Paso Heights.
Official Movie Website

✏️ Editor’s Note: No Address has received both positive praise declaring it a film on a topic deserving of national attention and not-so-nice reviews from people who see it as a polished Hollywood flick with a spotty plot. For me, it’s about the actors, including a Baldwin brother, the mom from National Lampoon’s Vacation, and a guy I used to toast pints with at the Stein Club in Atlanta.

Sacramento – 2024

Stars: Michael Angarano, Michael Cera, Kristen Stewart
Plot: While taking an impromptu road trip from Los Angeles to Sacramento, two old friends reconnect by reflecting on their past and redesigning their futures.
Sacramento Connection: Filmed in local favorites like Gunther’s Ice Cream, Old Sacramento, and the R Street Corridor.
Tribeca Films Website

Lorelei – 2020

Stars: Pablo Schreiber, Jena Malone
Plot: After 15 years in prison, a man is released and reunited with a single mother of three who was once his high-school sweetheart.
Sacramento Connection: Includes scenes filmed at Dive Bar in Sacramento, pushing the day-drinking-to-evening norms of local establishments to enhance the film’s setting.
Variety Magazine’s Film Review

​Lady Bird – 2017

Stars: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf
Plot: Set in the years following the bombing of the Twin Towers in 2011, a young woman comes of age in Sacramento while hoping to change her life by moving to attend college on the East Coast.
Sacramento Connection: Filmed and set in Sacramento, with scenes at notable landmarks like McKinley Park, the Fab 40s, and the Tower Theatre.
An Overview on Rotten Tomatoes

✏️ Editor’s Note: With scenes featuring places like Thrift Town in Natomas and East Sacramento, Lady Bird is one of two of my favorite movies set in the capital city. When it debuted, both Submerge magazine and the San Francisco Chronicle called Lady Bird “Director Greta Gerwig’s Love Letter to Sacramento.” Awww!

On The Road – 2012
Stars: Sam Riley, Kristen Stewart, Garrett Hedlund
Plot: Based on the incomparable book by Jack Kerouac, the movie follows Sal Paradise, a young writer whose life is upended when he meets wild-eyed Dean Moriarty and his girlfriend, Marylou. Together, the trio encounters numerous people, each of whom immensely impacts their journey across the United States.

 Sacramento Connection: Features scenes filmed in Sacramento, capturing local settings to infuse the film with California sentiment and virtue.
The Hollywood Reporter Cannes Review

​Bloodline – 2011

Stars: Matt Thompson, Kimberly Alexander
Plot: After discovering a dark family secret involving demons and deception, a seminary student wrestles to determine what is legend and what is truth.
Sacramento Connection: Shot in Sacramento, El Dorado, and Placer counties, featuring both city and rural scenes.
An Overview on Rotten Tomatoes

The Jane Austen Book Club – 2007

Stars: Maria Bello, Emily Blunt, Kathy Baker
Plot: Jane Austen fans will delight in this romantic comedy about Sacramento-based friends who form a book club and quickly discover their lives run parallel to the classic stories they are reading.
Sacramento Connection: Set in Sacramento with suburban and city backdrops, though filmed primarily in Southern California.
An Overview on Rotten Tomatoes

✏️ Editor’s Note: The Jane Austen Book Club is the second of two of my favorite movies set in Sacramento. From its incredible indie cast – including a young Emily Blunt – to the meet-cute of Maria Bello and Hugh Dancy inside the Sacramento Valley train station, the Jane Austen Book Club is a must-see romantic comedy. It also provided wonderful, modern media during my years of teaching high school English Literature and Creative Writing in Colombia, when we studied Pride and Prejudice.

Almost Famous – 2000

American Beauty – 1999

Stars: Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening
Plot: With its nods to suburban malaise, identity-searching, and midlife crisis, this dark comedy delves into sexual exploration, spousal exploitation, and the aftermath of infidelity while careening toward self-destruction.
Sacramento Connection: While mostly shot in L.A., several aerial scenes and exteriors of this quote-worthy, melancholy look at midlife were captured in Sacramento.
An Overview on Rotten Tomatoes

Pleasantville – 1998

Stars: Tobey Maguire, Reese Witherspoon, Joan Allen
Plot: When they find themselves trapped in a 1950s sitcom, two teenage siblings from the 1990s discover their influence has the potential to profoundly alter their apathetic world.
Sacramento Connection: Features scenes shot in local “timeless” neighborhoods of Sacramento to depict the film’s evolving setting.
An Overview on Rotten Tomatoes​

Pink Cadillac – 1989

Stars: Clint Eastwood, Bernadette Peters
Plot: With his dashing good looks, Eastwood captures viewers as an unusual bounty hunter chasing Peters as a wacky woman with over-the-top moves, driving cross-country in a stolen pink Cadillac. Worth noting: The director, Buddy Van Horn, was also a stunt double for Clint Eastwood in many of Eastwood’s most famous films.
Sacramento Connection: Features downtown Sacramento, including scenes near Capitol Mall and local side streets.
Overview on Rotten Tomatoes

Howard the Duck – 1986

Stars: Lea Thompson, Jeffrey Jones
Plot: A rock singer gets a surreal wake-up call when a talking duck from another planet accompanies them on Earth to seek out and destroy evil.
Sacramento Connection: Some scenes were filmed around Sacramento with distinct local backdrops.
More Info on Marvel Fandom

Magnum Force – 1973

Stars: Clint Eastwood, Hal Holbrook, Mitchell Ryan
Plot: In one of his most famous roles, Clint Eastwood stars as Dirty Harry investigating a series of murders of criminals who were acquitted by the courts, leading him to suspect a group of vigilante cops. Worth noting: Eastwood seemed to favor Sacramento for filming, with its short proximity and wide-berth similarities to his favorite Northern California region of Monterey County.
Sacramento Connection: Includes scenes filmed in Sacramento, showcasing parts of the city to represent various locales in the storyline.
An Overview on Rotten Tomatoes​

In Old Sacramento – 1946

Stars: Wild Bill Elliott, Constance Moore, Henry H. Daniels Jr.
Plot: The film follows the life of Johnny Barrett, a Confederate officer turned criminal, who creates a new identity for himself in Sacramento. As he darts between deceptive and romantic situations, Barrett also navigates his way through the California Gold Rush
Sacramento Connection: The movie is set in Sacramento during the Gold Rush era, depicting the city’s bustling atmosphere and historical backdrop.
More Information on LetterBoxd

In Old California – 1942

Stars: John Wayne, Binnie Barnes, Albert Dekker
Plot: Another classic set during the California Gold Rush, this film follows the life of Boston pharmacist Tom Craig, who starts a new life in Sacramento while confronting local corruption, setting up a business, and discovering true love.
Sacramento Connection: The narrative is set in Sacramento, highlighting the city’s early days during the Gold Rush period.
More Information on INSP

Wrap-Up: Sacramento-based Films Are Worth Seeing

So there you have it, seekers of must-see movies filmed in Sacramento! From iconic ice cream spots and dive bars to independent thrift stores and historic neighborhoods, Cap City has played many roles on screen.

No matter if it’s the full setting of a story or a quick, scene-stealing backdrop, Sacramento continues to inspire filmmakers with its beauty, history, and character.

Ready to see the city for yourself? Whether you’re visiting Sacramento for a special event or just a weekend getaway, check out these lists of recommended hotels and favorite travel resources. From charming B&Bs to modern downtown suites, I’ve curated a few options to suit every style. See you soon!

Recommended Hotels in Sacramento

Embassy Suites by Hilton Sacramento Riverfront Promenade

• Address: 100 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814
• Reservations: Embassy Suites by Hilton
• Features: A gorgeous, chain hotel with apartment-like rooms, spectacular views of the Tower Bridge, and a delicious, all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. A favorite with the locals for “staycations,” rooms fill up fast during holidays and weekends.

Hyatt Regency Sacramento

• Address: 1209 L St, Sacramento, CA 95814
• Reservations: Hyatt Regency Sacramento
• Features: Reported to be one of the most luxurious hotels in the area, Hyatt Regency prides itself on “passionate hospitality” with sizable rooms a 24-hour fitness center, a resort-style pool, two restaurants, and two bars.

The Citizen Hotel

• Address: 926 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814
• Reservations: The Citizen Hotel
• Features: A Marriott boutique hotel with historic charm and luxury styling, The Citizen Hotel – located near Capitol Park – features stunning views of downtown, a curated art collection, and 1900s architecture.