In case you missed it, Essex County has been abuzz with celebrity and film crew sightings over the past few years. Having the opportunity to see one’s hometown on the silver screen is always exciting. We've rounded up a list of each time a production company has rolled its cameras into town. Keep reading for a rundown of movies with scenes filmed right here in Montclair, New Jersey.

A Different Man | 2024

Analyze This + Analyze That | 1999, 2002

There's no better backdrop for a movie about a mob boss than New Jersey. The 1999 film Analyze This follows anxiety-ridden mobster Paul Vitti, played by Robert De Niro, and his therapist Dr. Ben Sobel, portrayed by Billy Crystal, in a comedy that earned a sequel, with the actors reprising their roles in 2002 for Analyze That. Montclair makes an appearance in both films as the location of Dr. Sobel’s home, though the address changes from the first movie to the second. In Analyze This, Billy Crystal’s character lives at 538 Park Street in Upper Montclair, and in Analyze That, he’s taken up residence on Wayside Place.

Chemical Hearts | 2020

Based on the 2016 YA novel by Krystal Sutherland, Our Chemical Hearts, this film stars celebrities Lili Reinheart from Riverdale and Austin Abrams from Euphoria. Chemical Hearts used many New Jersey locations as its backdrop, including the Essex County towns Glen Ridge, West Orange, and Montclair. To add to this film's Garden State lore, Chemical Hearts was also written, directed, and produced by Livingston native Richard Tanne, according to New Jersey Digest.

Exhibiting Forgiveness | 2024

Exhibiting Forgiveness, the other film showcased at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, is about a black artist whose path to success gets disrupted by an unexpected visit from his estranged father, a recovering addict seeking redemption, as per IMDb. According to Patch, this was filmed in Allendale, Bayonne, East Orange, Hillside, Kearny, Orange, Paterson, West Orange, and Montclair.

Imaginary Heroes | 2004

The plot of the drama Imaginary Heroes is centered around a family trying to cope following the suicide of the eldest son, with a cast that features big-name actors Sigourney Weaver, Jeff Daniels, and Michelle Williams. It’s also one of many movie productions to choose Montclair High School as a filming locale, with other scenes shot throughout New Jersey, including Essex County’s Glen Ridge and Newark.

In + Out | 1997

This early LGBTQ+ film, a comedy starring Kevin Kline, Joan Cusack, Matt Dillon, Debbie Reynolds, and Tom Selleck, actually derived its inspiration from a significant moment in the film industry: an Oscar acceptance speech from Tom Hanks. In + Out looks at the events that unfold in a Midwest town after a high school teacher is outed as gay by a former student during his acceptance of an Academy Award. Loosely based on Tom Hanks’s praise of his gay high school drama teacher as he received the 1994 Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal of a gay, AIDS-positive lawyer in Philadelphia, it’s important to note that the movie differs in that Hanks had asked his former teacher’s permission prior to the speech. The event, though, provided the idea for In + Out nonetheless. And according to New Jersey Digest, despite the film’s plot taking place in Indiana, Montclair made the cut as one of the filming locations, in addition to other spots in New Jersey. 

Loverboy | 2005

Directed by Kevin Bacon, and featuring both himself and his IRL wife Kyra Sedgwick, Loverboy is a drama about an exceedingly possessive single mom and her struggle with her son’s increasing independence. As noted by NJ.com, Montclair residents will spot a familiar sight in the film, the Bradford School, although renamed as Bradford Academy. 

Lymelife | 2008

2008’s Lymelife brought in quite a few recognizable actors for the drama, including Alec Baldwin, Cynthia Nixon, Emma Roberts, and brothers Kieran and Rory Culkin. Focusing on the Lyme Disease diagnosis of a husband and father and its rippling effects on two families, the story is set in 1979 Long Island. However, Lymelife joins the roster of films with scenes shot at Montclair High School.

Maybe I Do | 2023

Starring Richard Gere, Diane Keaton, William H. Macy, Susan Sarandon, and Emma Roberts, Maybe I Do is about a couple who discover that their parents share a complicated past. According to Montclair Local, the home of Jennifer Snyder, owner of the Little Daisy Bake Shop, was the primary filming location for this comedy + romance. “Now when I see the trailer, I’m like ‘there’s Richard Gere in my kitchen,'” Snyder told Montclair Local.

Mean Girls | 2004

Arguably one of the most iconic movies of all time (just check Instagram + TikTok feeds on October 3rd), the highly quotable film had the crew call “action!” right in our own backyard. The teen movie follows Africa-transplant Cady Heron, played by Lindsay Lohan, as she navigates the cutthroat cliques of public high school and falls in with the Plastics, the girls at the top of the social hierarchy. Those who have passed through the halls of Montclair High School, it turns out, have also walked through one of the sets of Mean Girls’ own Northshore High, according to NJ.com. How fetch is that?

Reversal of Fortune | 1990

Reversal of Fortune is based on the intriguing true events that took place between an American heiress and socialite, Sunny von Bülow (Glenn Close), and her husband, Claus von Bülow (Jeremy Irons). The movie looks at Claus’s trial for the attempted murder of his wife after she mysteriously becomes irreversibly comatose. As for its tie-in to Montclair, scenes from the drama designed to be taking place in a Fifth Avenue New York City apartment were actually filmed in a local home, according to insight from The New York Times. 

Seven Minutes in Heaven | 1985

Eighties movie fans, this one’s for you. The 1985 teen flick Seven Minutes in Heaven stars a young Jennifer Connelly as Natalie and centers around her character and two friends, Jeff and Polly, as they work through familial and romantic relationships. While IMDb confirms that filming took place in Montclair, the nostalgia-driven fansite 80s Movies Rewind points to a more specific locale, sharing that one of the houses in the film is at the intersection of Christopher and McDonough Streets. The movie also claims Montclair High School as another spot where the cameras were rolling.

Stepmom | 1998

An emotional family-focused drama, Stepmom revolves around the rocky relationship between a mother (Susan Sarandon) and the young future stepmom (Julia Roberts) to her children. The movie credits many filming locations in New York City, New York State, and New Jersey, including Glen Ridge, Maplewood, and, of course, Montclair.

Swimfan | 2002

The first thriller on the list, Swimfan shows actor Jesse Bradford portraying a popular MVP high school swimmer, with his life thrown into chaos by a new girl, whose obsession with him becomes toxic. Montclair High School once again proves to be big-screen-worthy, serving as a set for the 2002 picture.

The Devil’s Own | 1997

Headlining Harrison Ford and Brad Pitt, The Devil’s Own is an action thriller about a police sergeant hosting a man visiting from Ireland, who is later revealed to be involved with the Irish Republican Army and on a dangerous mission. Among New Jersey stomping grounds Newark, Jersey City, Hoboken, Bayonne, and Sandy Hook, Montclair was also selected as one setting for the film.

The Room Next Door | 2025

Director Pedro Almodóvar’s first English-language movie made its Garden State debut at The Clairidge in Montclair on January 10th, 2025. As per NJ.com, the Tilda Swinton + Julianne Moore movie spent four days in May 2024 filming in town, including in spots like Montclair Book Center and Montclair State University, both of which appear in the movie’s final cut. Per IMDb, The Room Next Door follows Ingrid + Martha, who “were close friends in their youth, when they worked together at the same magazine. After years of being out of touch, they meet again in an extreme but strangely sweet situation.”

To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar | 1995

Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze, and John Leguizamo portray three drag queens who pile into a 1967 Cadillac DeVille convertible for a road trip from New York City to Los Angeles in this comedy, one that has been regarded as a cult classic. In fact, in the summer of 2021, a screening of To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar was put on by Montclair Film in partnership with Out Montclair as part of the effort to shine a light on LGBTQ+ stories in film. The film was a fitting choice, given that production took place on the township’s own Upper Mountain Avenue. A scene was also shot in Jersey City.

Upcoming

Song Sung Blue | TBD

Song Sung Blue, an upcoming musical adaptation of a 2008 documentary about a Milwaukee couple’s Neil Diamond cover band, wrapped up filming in December 2024. Leading the film are Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. Other stars include Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos, White Lotus), Fisher Stevens (Succession), and Jim Belushi (Red Heat, Curly Sue). One of the filming locations was none other than Tierney’s Tavern at 138 Valley Road in Montclair. The release date has yet to be announced, but cinema lovers can expect it sometime this year. See The Montclair Girl's coverage of this upcoming movie here.

Deliver Me From Nowhere | TBD

The upcoming Bruce Springsteen biopic starring Jeremy Allen White, Deliver Me From Nowhere, has been seen filming all around the Garden State from Hoboken to Asbury Park. On Saturday, October 26th, Montclair Public Library posted on its Facebook page saying that its Bellevue Avenue Branch is an official location for the film. Per Montclair Local, a ramp labeled “rigging crew” was placed over the front stairs of the Bellevue Avenue Branch, and a sign on the front door stated “off limits” as film crews worked on a production. NJ.com reported that Jeremy Allen White was seen filming at the Bellevue Avenue Branch on Monday, October 28th, 2024. See our coverage on all things Deliver Me From Nowhere here.

Grassland | 2025

The film, Grassland, inspired by film director and writer Sam Friedman's experiences growing up in Montclair, premiered at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival and was showcased at the Monterrey International Film Festival and at the Pan African Film + Arts Festival, per Variety. Executive-produced by Oscar and Grammy-winning artist Common, this film is set to release on April 18th, 2025. Sam shared with The Montclair Girl that filming in Montclair was an inspiring experience for him as a lifelong resident. "While we considered other locations—since most of our cast and crew are based in Los Angeles—we ultimately chose Montclair to capture its unique character, something that simply couldn’t be replicated elsewhere," he said.

See More: What’s Filming in Hoboken + Jersey City? An Ongoing List for 2025

Bonus

Happy Gilmore 2 | 2025

Happy Gilmore 2 is a sequel to the 1996 film Happy Gilmore, which follows Happy Gilmore (Adam Sandler) as a failed ice hockey player turned golf pro who ends up winning the Pro Tour. From September to November 2024, Happy Gilmore 2 was spotted filming all around Northern New Jersey, including in Verona, as well as in Morris County, Bergen County, Somerset County, and Monmouth County. Rumor has it that Happy Gilmore 2 was also filmed at a Montclair golf club. While that's yet to be confirmed, we do know that Adam Sandler was also seen checking out local Essex County spots like Faubourg in Montclair and Goldberg’s World Famous Deli + Bagels in Millburn. See our coverage on Happy Gilmore 2 here.