From sprawling mansions to quaint villages, Long Island provides a versatile canvas for filmmakers to work their magic. In this post, we'll delve into crazy facts about movies set on Long Island that showcase the island's unique charm and cinematic appeal.

 

Citizen Kane

Oheka Castle was used as the setting for Xanadu. The castle's formal gardens were featured in the opening newsreel and some other exterior shots. Click here for seven other times Oheka Castle was featured on film.

 

The Godfather

One of the most famous movie scenes of all time was shot on Long Island. In 1972, the iconic horse head sequence from "The Godfather" was shot at Sands Point Preserve. This memorable moment unfolds within the opulent bedroom of Jack Woltz's lavish "West Coast" villa, situated at 127 Middle Neck Road within the preserve's sprawling grounds. It's in this chilling scene that Woltz makes the horrifying discovery of a bloodied, decapitated horse head nestled in his bed.

 

Love Story

The imposing mansion of Oliver Barrett III, portrayed by Ray Milland, stands as the formidable Phipps Estate House, nestled at 71 Old Westbury Road within the enchanting Old Westbury Gardens on Long Island. This stately location has graced the silver screen in several notable films.

 

North by Northwest

The classic Hitchcock thriller that follows the story of a mistaken identity, as an advertising executive, played by Cary Grant, is pursued across the country by both spies and law enforcement after being wrongly accused of being a government agent. According to a shot-by-shot breakdown of a pivotal part in the movie by scountingny.com, the scene was shot at Old Westbury Gardens.

 

Pollock

Not all movies set on Long Island are actually filmed here. For this biopic about abstract action artist Jackson Pollock, filmmakers traveled to East Hampton where Pollack (played by Ed Harris) lived with his wife Lee Krasner (Marcia Gay Harden). Some scenes featured the actual Pollock-Krasner House where the couple lived after purchasing the home with a loan from art dealer Peggy Guggenheim.

 

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Some settings for this quirky romance starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet takes place in Montauk. Some scenes were filmed in Montauk and Wainscott.

 

Meet the Parents

In this comedy starring Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro, many of the shots were filmed in locations across Long Island including Oyster Bay, Port Washington and Old Brookville, according to moviesfilmedonlongisland.com.

 

The Other Woman

This comedy starring Cameron Diaz (Carly), Leslie Mann (Kate), and Kate Upton (Amber) features a part where the two of the characters stumble upon the shocking revelation of Mark's infidelity with yet another woman. This pivotal scene introduces Amber, as she emerges on a picturesque Westhampton beach, catching Kate and Carly completely off guard.

 

The Brothers McMullen

The 1995 dramedy was made by Ed Burns who was raised in Valley Stream and used his childhood home there for scenes in the movie and shot mostly on Long Island.

 

The Wolf of Wall Street

The scene where Leaonardo DiCaprio married Margot Robbie on the beach was filmed at The Crescent Beach Club in Bayville. Exterior scenes at DiCaprio’s character Jordan Belfort’s mansion were filmed at a luxurious Mill Neck home that went up for sale in 2022 for $10 million.

 

Whether it's the Gold Coast mansions, charming small towns, or picturesque beaches, Long Island continues to play a significant role in shaping the backdrop of some of Hollywood's most memorable movies. It's clear that Long Island will continue to inspire filmmakers and capture the hearts of moviegoers for years to come.