Cars speeding by heritage downtown buildings with CN Tower in background.

Union Station | Destination Toronto

Notable movie and TV show locations in Ontario

Cars speeding by heritage downtown buildings with CN Tower in background.

Union Station | Destination Toronto

With picturesque landscapes, vibrant urban settings and quaint small towns, it’s no wonder that Ontario is a top destination for filming.

You can visit many of these great locations and relive some of the top moments from popular movies and TV shows while exploring the stunning backdrops that helped bring these stories to life. Some of these places even enhance your cinematic experience by offering movie walking tours or tour guides for TV shows.

Here are some of the amazing movies and TV shows that were filmed in Ontario and identifiable locations you can visit.

The Umbrella Academy

In this popular Netflix series, seven children with mysterious origins are adopted by billionaire Sir Reginald Hargreeves who transforms them into a superhero team dubbed “The Umbrella Academy.” Many of The Umbrella Academy’s filming locations were shot in Toronto and Hamilton.

Where was The Umbrella Academy filmed?

Suicide Squad

The “Suicide Squad” are a group of supervillains recruited by a secret government agency to fight against dangerous threats. Consisting of fan-favourite DC Comics characters like Harley Quinn, Deadshot and Killer Croc, the squad is summoned to stop the antagonist Enchantress from destroying the world. If you pay close attention, you’ll spot numerous Toronto and other Greater Toronto Area landmarks in the background.

Where was Suicide Squad filmed?

  • Harley Quinn took a break to steal some clothes at the CF Toronto Eaton Centre. In the heart of downtown Toronto, this is North America’s busiest shopping mall, with hundreds of shops and restaurants.
    Location: 220 Yonge Street, Toronto
  • After the Batmobile chases the Joker and Harley Quinn into the harbour, Batman revives Harley Quinn near the Harbourfront Centre—a cultural event centre that showcases various art, dance and theatre exhibitions throughout the year.
    Location: 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto
  • Located in downtown Toronto, Ki Modern Japanese + Bar features modern Japanese dishes like sushi, rice bowls and tempura. The exterior of this restaurant is where the Suicide Squad take time for some drinks after learning they were set up.
    Location: 181 Bay Street, Toronto
  • The final showdown between the Suicide Squad and Enchantress, was filmed at Union Station, Canada’s busiest transit station.
    Location: 65 Front Street West, Toronto

Suits

The legal drama “Suits” follows Mike Ross, an expelled university student with a photographic memory, after he’s hired as an associate lawyer despite not having a licence to practise law. Among its talented cast is the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, who lived in Toronto whenever she was filming for the show. Though the series takes place in New York City, the majority of the scenes in Suits were filmed in Toronto.

Where was Suits filmed?

  • The Specter Litt Wheeler Williams law firm was filmed in the Bay-Adelaide Centre, a large corporate complex in Toronto’s Financial District. The top offices are restricted to workers, but you can visit the retail shops and eateries in the centre’s underground floor that connects to the PATH system.
    Location: 333 Bay Street, Toronto
  • Enjoy a luxurious stay at the Fairmont Royal York, just across the street from Union Station. The hotel’s spacious lobby is where the board meeting with the McKernon Motors was held.
    Location: 100 Front Street West, Toronto
  • Alternatively, spend the night at the trendy Ritz-Carlton, one of Toronto’s top luxury hotels, where Harvey and Jones met with Daniel Vega and his attorney.
    Location: 181 Wellington Street West, Toronto
  • Enjoy a meal like your favourite Suits characters at Luma Restaurant. Located on the second floor of the TIFF Bell Lightbox, this classy restaurant serves up creative twists on Canadian dishes, made with fresh fish and seasonal vegetables.
    Location: 350 King Street West (2nd Floor), Toronto
  • Looking to satisfy your sweet tooth? Crepe it Up is another place where many Suits characters have dined, and you can feast on sugary crêpes with coffee at this casual dessert spot.
    Location: 91 Front Street East, Toronto

The Handmaid’s Tale

Based on the novel by Margaret Atwood, “The Handmaid’s Tale” is a dystopian TV show about a totalitarian society where fertile women, known as Handmaids, are forced to bear children for infertile families. The main protagonist, June Osborne, is captured while trying to escape with her husband and daughter, and she becomes a Handmaid. The show was filmed at multiple locations across Ontario, particularly in Toronto, Cambridge and Hamilton.

Where was The Handmaid’s Tale filmed?

Schitt’s Creek

After the wealthy Rose family are plunged into bankruptcy, they’re forced to move to their only remaining asset: a small town called “Schitt’s Creek” that had been purchased as a joke. This hilarious comedy became a worldwide hit after taking home nine Emmy wins in 2020. Visit some of the locations where this TV show was filmed in communities across Ontario.

Where was Schitt’s Creek filmed?

IT Chapter One and IT Chapter Two

The popular horror novel “IT” by Stephen King was adapted into two films, “IT Chapter One” and “IT Chapter Two.” The story follows the Losers’ Club, composed of seven misfit friends, as they confront a terrifying clown IT. IT terrorizes the Losers’ town of Derry, Maine, but the movie’s scenes were filmed in Port Hope and other places around Ontario.

Where were the IT movies filmed?

  • Port Hope, a small community located about a two-hour drive east of Toronto, was transformed into the town of Derry for the IT movies. Tour through some of the movie’s most iconic spots like the Memorial Park and the bridge on Walton Street with the help of the IT Walking Tour.
    Location: Port Hope
  • The Losers attend Derry High School, which was filmed at the peaceful Mount Mary Retreat Centre in Ancaster, located on the western edge of Lake Ontario.
    Location: 437 Wilson Street East, Ancaster
  • The sparkling waters where the Losers jump in to enjoy a swim was filmed at Elora Quarry. This unique limestone quarry is encircled by 12-metre-tall cliffs and offers scenic hiking, a large beach area for swimming and shaded areas for a secluded picnic.
    Location: 319 Wellington Road 18, Elora
  • Rouge National Urban Park serves as “The Barrens” in the film. The largest urban park in North America, it’s home to diverse wildlife, forests and marshland. Learn more about the park’s cultural history by joining a guided nature walk, led by knowledgeable Parks Canada leaders. 
    Location: 25 Zoo Road, Toronto
  • The bridge where an “H” is cut into Ben’s skin is the West Montrose Covered Bridge, the only remaining covered bridge in Ontario. It’s known as the “Kissing Bridge”, as 19th-century travellers would sneak a kiss while riding through this sheltered bridge.
    Location: 1 Covered Bridge Drive, West Montrose

The Shape of Water

Directed by Guillermo del Toro, the award-winning movie “The Shape of Water” follows the life of Elisa, a mute janitor working for a secret government laboratory during the height of the Cold War. After the laboratory captures a human-like amphibian and decides to kill him, Elisa helps the creature escape. The film is set in Baltimore, but you may recognize some iconic spots in Toronto and Hamilton.

Where was The Shape of Water filmed?

Learn more about Toronto’s growing film industry with the Hollywood North Experience Tour, where you’ll take an immersive 2.5-hour tour through the filming locations of some top movies and TV shows. An experienced tour guide will bring you to the places where memorable scenes were shot, show you how the scenes are filmed and introduce you to local actors.

Last updated: August 16, 2024

Looking for Ontario travel advice?

Our experts are here to help you plan your perfect trip. Call or book today.