10 Greatest Motion pictures Set In Maine, Ranked

Most filmgoers acknowledge large cities like Miami, Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles of their favourite movement footage. Positive sufficient, these locals present the backdrop to a number of traditional footage from Michael Bay’s “Unhealthy Boys” to “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” “King Kong” and Michael Mann’s “Warmth.”  Nonetheless, one other outstanding locale exists within the movie world, a spot you’ve got possible seen most of the time, even when it did not instantly stand out. We’re speaking, after all, in regards to the state of Maine.

Uniquely, many tales happen within the Pine Tree State. Its lush surroundings and coastal views make for gorgeous cinematography, whereas the colder parts present the mandatory bleakness for heavier dramas. Right here, household pleasant fare like “Casper” and “Pete’s Dragon” took flight, whereas extra intense movies such because the alligator thriller “Lake Placid” and the Stephen King horror story “Pet Sematary” discovered distinctive methods to scare the bejesus out of audiences. 

Nonetheless, whereas these movies are enjoyable, they are not the perfect to happen within the state. With out additional ado, listed below are the ten finest films set in Maine, ranked! 

Earlier than diving into historic epics like “Braveheart,” “The Ardour of the Christ,” “Apocalypto” and “Hacksaw Ridge,” to not point out 2025’s very “Flight Danger,” Mel Gibson directed “The Man With out a Face,” a compelling drama in regards to the relationship between a troubled boy and a disfigured man.

Gibson stars as Justin McLeod, a painter/instructor residing in isolation following a devastating automotive accident that left his face completely scarred. By likelihood, he meets Chuck Norstadt (Nick Stahl), a younger boy searching for assist to cross a take a look at required to hitch a navy academy, and the pair kind an unlikely friendship. Nonetheless, McLeod’s murky previous shortly comes again to hang-out him, main the native townsfolk to drive a wedge between pupil and instructor.

Shot round Deer Isle in Penobscot Bay in Maine, with further footage filmed at Rockport and Brunswick, Gibson takes benefit of the native surroundings, making for an efficient, typically visually arresting character drama. “The Man With out a Face” does not ascend to the heights of his different directorial efforts, nevertheless it definitely packs an emotional punch. 

A remake of a beloved movie doesn’t typically surpass the unique. But 1998’s “The Dad or mum Entice” manages the feat because of a pair of plucky performances by Lindsay Lohan, pulling double responsibility as long-lost twins who reunite at a summer time camp and subsequently try to get their divorced dad and mom again collectively.

Co-starring Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson, this Walt Disney manufacturing, a remake of the traditional 1961 movie starring Hayley Mills, provides a number of intelligent twists to the routine with out straying too removed from the method. “The Dad or mum Entice” is a innocent, healthful piece of popcorn leisure that’ll depart a smile on all however probably the most cynical viewers.

Whereas many of the image takes place in California, the Camp Walden sequence that makes up the primary act happens in Maine — although even these scenes have been filmed in California, particularly Camp Seeley in Crestline. Misguided, it counts! 

The primary of many Stephen King variations on this checklist, “Cujo” is basically simply an evil model of the 1992 household comedy “Beethoven.” Think about if the enormous, lovable, slobbering St. Bernard from that movie went rabid and determined to homicide his newfound household. Gross.

Right here, Donna Trenton (Dee Wallace) will get trapped inside a automotive together with her son Tad (Danny Pintauro) after getting attacked by an enormous, contaminated killer canine. As the warmth threatens to dehydrate the pair, Donna should take issues into her personal fingers to save lots of her household from dying by canine.

Tellingly, King’s novel, which he does not keep in mind writing, is much more chilling than this Lewis Teague-directed image, as his gnarly descriptions of Cujo’s assaults are sufficient to make your abdomen churn. Nonetheless, the movie is a satisfactory thriller, primarily resulting from Wallace’s plausible efficiency and some suspenseful sequences. At simply over 90 minutes, “Cujo” gives a fast thrill however may’ve used just a little extra meat on the bone.

Since King wrote the story, it is solely pure that it takes place within the fictional city of Citadel Rock, Maine, the setting for many of his tales. In case you have been questioning, the locale additionally serves because the inspiration behind Rob Reiner’s Citadel Rock Leisure. 

Andy Muschietti’s terrific adaptation of Stephen King’s common work, “It,” follows a bunch of children battling an evil clown who awakens each 27 years to eat youngsters. A lot of King’s tales detect the large display, leading to darkish horror footage missing the writer’s complicated concepts. “It,” however, combines an enchanting coming-of-age story with the guide’s extra horrific parts, and whereas the outcomes aren’t at all times excellent, Muschietti expertly captures the essence of King’s story, gifting audiences an exciting, even heartwarming blockbuster.  

Invoice Skarsgård stars as Pennywise, a mysterious killer clown with an urge for food for very younger youngsters; the extra scared they’re, the higher. Lingering beneath the city of Derry, Maine, our dancing villain units his sights on an area clique headed by Invoice Denbrough (Jaeden Martell), Richie Tozier (Finn Wolfhard), and newcomer Beverly Marsh (Sophia Lillis), however these children show fairly the match for Pennywise, organising a depraved battle of wits that can change their lives without end. As SlashFilm’s Karen Han famous in her evaluate, “Come for the evil clown, keep for the unbelievable child performances.” 

Maine supplies the scenic setting for Brad Chook’s traditional animated function, “The Iron Big,” during which an enormous robotic washes up in a small coastal city and befriends a toddler. Mixing parts of Steven Spielberg’s “E.T. The Further-Terrestrial” with the artistry of Norman Rockwell and Edward Hopper, Chook presents a strong story about friendship, struggle, and violence, that issues now greater than ever.

Hogarth (Eli Marienthal) is a younger boy residing a quiet life together with his mom (Jennifer Aniston) in Rockwell, Maine, in the course of the peak of the Chilly Conflict. One night, he discovers an iron large (Vin Diesel) residing in his yard, and the pair strike a friendship whereas making an attempt to assist the mysterious being keep in mind his previous. Nonetheless, it isn’t lengthy earlier than a paranoid authorities agent (Christopher McDonald) arrives trying to find what he believes to be a Russian weapon, leading to a tense standoff between the benevolent large and the U.S. navy. Can Hogarth persuade everybody of his pal’s innocence earlier than it is too late?   

One other King adaptation, “Dolores Claiborne,” is a somber character research about an older girl wrongfully accused of homicide, a case that finds previous transgressions involving her late husband. Directed by Taylor Hackford, this eerie drama makes use of the scenic vistas of Nova Scotia to recreate Maine’s lonely desolation, leading to a bleak, chilly, however finally rewarding image.

Kathy Bates stars as Dolores Claiborne, a girl tasked with caring for a paralyzed shopper named Vera Donovan (Judy Parfitt). After an accident sends Vera to the grave, Detective John Mackey (Christopher Plummer) suspects Dolores of homicide. Thus, Dolores’ estranged daughter, Selena (Jennifer Jason Leigh), should return to her hometown to defend her mom whereas concurrently studying the reality about her abusive father (David Strathairn). 

Splendidly acted, this harrowing story tackles heavy subject material, taking viewers on a darkish journey of self-discovery and reconciliation. Half homicide thriller, half household drama, “Dolores Claiborne” is a blinding piece of cinema. 

Todd Subject’s intricate “Within the Bed room” options dynamite performances by Sissy Spacek, Tom Wilkinson, Nick Stahl, and Marisa Tomei and goes for the jugular in its exploration of grief and loss, revenge and justice. It is the kind of movie that leaves viewers questioning their beliefs and debating whether or not the ends justified the means. Briefly, “Within the Bed room” is a uncooked, haunting expertise that lingers in your thoughts lengthy after the heartbreaking last shot.

Ruth and Matt Fowler (Spacek and Wilkinson) dwell peacefully in Camden, Maine, the place their son Frank (Stahl) visits for the summer time. Frank has fallen for a divorced girl named Natalie (Tomei) and pursues a relationship regardless of his dad and mom’ objections. Catastrophe strikes when Natalie’s violent ex-husband (William Mapother) unintentionally kills Frank, throwing the Fowler’s blissful existence right into a tailspin. Grieving for his or her son and struggling to keep up their marriage, Ruth and Matt should determine find out how to transfer on with their lives and take care of the person answerable for their tragedy.   

Frank Darabont’s under-appreciated adaptation of Stephen King’s “The Mist” is remembered primarily for its surprising ending. For good cause — that ending is, ah, properly, you may simply must see for your self. Nonetheless, two hours previous the climactic second, Darabont (who additionally wrote) spins a wild yarn about good versus evil, full of King’s traditional assortment of spiritual zealots, bullies, and creepy crawlies, and delivers a real thrill experience that deserves way more recognition than it receives. 

Thomas Jane stars as David Drayton, an everyman residing together with his spouse and eight-year-old son, Billy (Nathan Gamble). Immediately, a mysterious fog rolls into city, forcing the denizens of Bridgton, Maine, to hunt shelter inside an area grocery store. Because it seems, this unusual enigma accommodates lethal creatures of all sizes and shapes, seemingly designed to devour every part in sight. Terrified, the city breaks into factions, with many following the antics of a spiritual fanatic (Marcia Homosexual Harden) who believes the mist is an act of God’s vengeance upon their unholy city and others following the extra virtually minded David. Will the city make it via this nightmare, or are they damned to undergo by the hands of those unknown creatures, or, worse, one another?   

For more information on “The Mist,” take a look at this detailed oral historical past of the movie, written by SlashFilm’s Eric Vespe.

Lasse Hallström’s poignant adaptation of John Irving’s traditional novel tells the story of Homer Wells (Tobey Maguire), an orphan raised in an orphanage by Dr. Larch (Michael Caine), who units off to see the world and in pursuit of his life’s goal. A heady movie, “The Cider Home Guidelines” tackles every part from abortion to the complexities of affection through a strong coming-of-age story ripe with sturdy performances, Rachel Portman’s superbly crafted rating, and Irving’s sharp screenplay.

Homer lives at St. Cloud’s orphanage in Maine, the place he learns obstetrics underneath the steering of the compassionate Dr. Larch. The nice physician, you see, additionally secretly performs abortions, a observe Homer refuses to take part in. Bored with his quaint existence and longing to see the world, Homer vacates his put up and takes a job at an orchard, falls in love with a girl named Sweet (Charlize Theron, who supposedly had a tough time on the movie), and learns extra about life’s difficulties. 

Co-starring Delroy Lindo, Paul Rudd, and Jane Alexander, “Cider Home” gained Academy Awards for Greatest Tailored Screenplay (Irving) and Greatest Supporting Actor (Caine).

Frank Darabont’s “The Shawshank Redemption” is a type of movies you should see at the least as soon as earlier than you die. Should you occur upon a dialog the place any person asks, “Have you ever seen ‘Shawshank,'” and your reply is, “No,” likelihood is you may be met with surprised appears of shock, possibly even anger at your abysmal failure. No, actually. “The Shawshank Redemption” is incredible, not simply due to that jaw-dropping ending. The whole lot about it really works. The performing, the directing, the dialogue, and Thomas Newman’s rating all come collectively to kind a profoundly heartfelt movement image occasion that you’re going to wish to watch repeatedly. One way or the other, the image bombed on the field workplace however has since gone on to huge acclaim.

Starring Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins, the movie chronicles the friendship of two lifelong prisoners throughout their keep at Shawshank jail – an actual place, albeit situated in Ohio somewhat than Portland, Maine. All through the years, our friends take care of typical jail hardships, notably corrupt guards, evil wardens, and violent cellmates, all of the whereas clinging to the hope of escaping their jail and beginning a brand new life on the opposite aspect.