What does The Hunger Games, The Walking Dead, and The Fast and The Furious have in common? No, it’s not just action! Parts of all of these films were shot in Atlanta, Georgia. That’s right, it’s y’allywood. Many companies are choosing to film in Atlanta and we were lucky enough to take a tour of some of the behind the scenes locations. We boarded a bus with Atlanta Movie Tours for a private custom tour.
Our first stop took us to an overpass “hot spot” for film makers. Used in the movie The Fast and The Furious for racing, for a fight scene in Captain America and a scene from the Walking Dead, the street was empty while we snapped photos, making it the perfect destination.
Our next stop took us to Miller’s Rexall Drug Store, a third generation family owned drug store specializing in natural remedies and spiritual supplies. We talked with “Doc” Miller who gave us a brief history of the building and told us some of his favorite movie set stories. His shop gained world wide fame when he had a surprise visit by Paul McCarthy, who purchased some of his famous “Run Devil Run” products. Although Doc didn’t know who Paul was, Paul promised to write a song about it. A picture of Mr. Miller’s shop was featured on Paul’s album, Run Devil Run.
Mr. Miller’s shop has been the set for several movies, including the upcoming release (on Halloween) of The Ring. We all walked down the narrow steps to the basement where we toured the historic side of the building. A paved arch showed us where one of the entrances to Underground Atlanta was originally, along with a bricked up entrance to what was once a hotel. One the other side of the basement was the film set for The Ring, including a grotesque and kind of creepy “torture chamber,” with etchings from the actress still on the wall. Naturally, we had to stop to read them.
As we prepared to return to the bus, we passed an empty store across the street that was in the process of being transformed into a movie set for an upcoming film. Unfortunately, none of the Hollywood insiders will divulge the name of the film, leaving us having to guess what might be coming up next.
Our next stop was a Marriott located downtown for a visit to The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. We were able to see several props used in the film, including the elevator used by Katniss.
Our last stop was at Oakland Cemetery where we were greeted by Margaret “Peggy” Mitchell. She greeted us with a handshake, saying, “Hi, I’m Peggy Mitchell. You might know me. I wrote a book.” (Gone With the Wind.) The actor portraying Mrs. Mitchell told us stories of “her” life and death. The sassy personality of Peggy Mitchell shown through with each comment. “Now, here’s my grave. My grandmother’s buried down the hill, that old witch.” If you are a fan of Gone With, the Atlanta Movie Tours has a special three hour tour with Mrs. Mitchell that also include a pass to the Road To Tara Museum in Jonesboro and the Marietta Gone With The Wind Museum, as well as re-entry to The Margaret Mitchell House at no extra charge.
Tours for the Atlanta Movie Tours are constantly being updated, but right now you can catch Zombie tours (for the Walking Dead), Hero Tours, Victory Tours and The Best of Atlanta Tours. Do you know of any movies that were filmed in Atlanta? Which ones are your favorites?
I would have been so excited to see a real movie set. I wonder what that movie will be. I will be keeping my eye out for it.
I live in Atlanta and I have heard of the Atlanta movie tour and I have yet to experience the tour. They are right this is the city that is filming lots of movies and television show and I have been on some! I shot the FX Atlanta commercial here (well they had to the show is called Atlanta afterall) but its awesome how this city is literally becoming a mini hollywood!
That looks like a fun time and I would love to go on that tour! Atlanta has so much to do there!
This is my ikind of tour. I would love to visit that plce. Glad you share this
I am a movie buff and this is my kind of tour! It would be amazing to visit the places and learn more about the movies that we’ve come to love.
My husband is the movie buff in our family. He would get a kick out of going on a movie tour like this one. So much cinematic history.
This looks like a fun time! I would love to see where they film the walking dead.
I never been in atlanta but this one is on my bucket list. I’d love to go there someday
I haven’t been to Atlanta in a while but if I get the chance to go then I definitely want to do this tour! It looks like so much fun!!
My hubby actually went on that tour when he was down in Atlanta for a work trip. I’ve seen pictures and I must say I’m jealous! I love the walking dead!
The tour sounds absolutely amazing, I would love to visit where fast and furious was made lol
That spooky part where The Ring filmed is right up my alley! The next time I am in Atlanta I will look into this tour! 🙂
This would be an amazing tour to go on. I am hoping to be in Atlanta in the new year.
What a fun and neat tour you had! I wouldn’t mind to get a peek at this in person, I live there!
I can see why that hospital place is in movies. It’s creepy in general! haha
That is an awesome private tour. How incredible and cool 🙂 This is really neat to see where the movie is shot.
Ah! This would be so fun. I have always wanted to do a tour like this, I think it would be tons of fun to see where things are shot!
I love those movies and show especially The Walking Dead! This is why I love Atlanta too! It would be so much fun to visit those places I’ve only seen on movies!
The tour looked great. My husband and I are big fans of movies in general. It must have been quite a thrill to actually be in areas where scenes of various movies were filmed. The Fast and Furious movie really popped to me when I read it. 🙂
I live hear in Atlanta and I’ve never been on this tour! LOL. There is always some film crew blocking streets around here. It’s amazing how many movies are filmed here now!
I did not know that, so that’s pretty cool! I love all of those shows/movies, and would love to take the tour!
I have never been to a film tour – anywhere. It has been ages since I have been to Atlanta. I might have to take a trip back.
That is way too cool, this is definitely something I would love to do. I am a huge Huger Games fan and would die seeing the set.
This sounds like a tour that my whole family would love! I know my hubby would be hopped on the building that had scenes in Fast and the Furious and I’d love to see that elevator in person!
Wow. I have been to Atlanta so many times and I have never even thought to do this. Definitely know what’s on the agenda for next time!
NOW that’s a reason to visit Atlanta!!! we love the Walking Dead & would so go on this tour
How cool is this tour! We’ve toured sets in Los Angeles but definitely good to know there’s one in Atlanta too!
The Atlanta Movie Tours sounds like something that would be amazing to do in Atlanta Georgia. I know my sons would love to see a few of these movie sets. Thanks for sharing your experience.
How cool! I love the Hunger Games!
This is awesome! I’d have loved it just because of it’s affiliation with The Walking Dead and Hunger Games lol! Thanks for sharing!
Oh this tour looks so fun. I’d love to go see this with my family.
What an amazing tour! I’m a huge Gone With the Wind fan and I know I’d love the special three-hour tour.
That tour is amazing! I’ve been on it a few times with the family, and it is absolutely spectacular.