Top 10 Movies & Shows You Didn't Realize Have the Same Sets

“One Tree Hill” (2003-12) & “Dawson's Creek” (1998-2003)

Although set in the fictional town of Capeside, Massachusetts, the majority of “Dawson’s Creek” was filmed in and around Wilmington, North Carolina. As such, it was responsible for the city seeing a boost in tourism and an influx of productions using Wilmington for filming their projects - one of which was “One Tree Hill.” “Dawson’s Creek” ended its run on the WB in 2003, and that same year the network introduced us to the Scott brothers and “One Tree Hill,” while reintroducing us to a number of locations and sets. These include the boardwalk, Cape Fear Memorial Bridge and Rachel Gatina’s house, which had been Chris Wolfe’s house on the “Creek.”

“The Office” (2005-13) & “Scrubs” (2001-10)

Remember on “The Office” when Pam got injured playing volleyball and Jim took her to Sacred Heart hospital, where JD checked her out? Okay, so that never actually happened. But the scene in question did connect the shows in one way most of us probably didn’t pick up on at the time. You see, the hospital Jim and Pam went to in that episode was The North Hollywood Medical Center - a decommissioned hospital that was used as the set in a number of movies and television shows - including every episode of the first 8 seasons of “Scrubs” (except for the pilot).

“Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” (2001) & “Sherlock Holmes” (2009)

If someone asked you if you knew of the Hatfield House mansion in England, you’d likely answer “no”. But the truth is, if you’ve watched movies over the last few decades, you’ve probably seen it on screen multiple times - especially as the residence of one iconic hero or another. Hatfield was the set for the lavish Wayne Manor in 1989’s “Batman” and it also doubled as Croft Manor in 2001’s “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider”. The gorgeous mansion also made another appearance on the silver screen as the headquarters of the Temple of the Four Orders in the 2009 flick “Sherlock Holmes.”

“Aliens” (1986) & “Batman” (1989)

The giant Acton Lane Power Station was a London power station that closed down in 1983. But while it stopped generating electricity in the early ‘80s, it continued to generate Hollywood dreams as a setting for two of the most successful action films of the decade. First, in 1986, James Cameron came along and had the decaying asbestos in the plant professionally cleaned and used the station as an alien nest. Then a few years later, Tim Burton looked at it and decided it would make for the perfect Axis Chemicals plant location for the birth of the Joker in the aforementioned 1989 “Batman” movie.

“Mr. & Mrs. Smith” (2005) & “Seven” (1995)

Since 2014, 1236 West 7th Street in Los Angeles, California has been the address of a bar of the Teragram Ballroom. But for decades, prior to 2006, it was the location of the Quality Cafe, an L.A. diner where a whole bunch of movies and television shows filmed scenes, including two Brad Pitt films, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” and “Seven”. In the former, Pitt sits at the bar with Vince Vaughn discussing a failed assassination, while in the latter Pitt’s movie wife Gwyneth Paltrow sits in a booth with his partner Morgan Freeman and tells him she’s pregnant with Pitt’s child.

“The Wedding Singer” (1998) & “Spider-Man 2” (2004)

Although they are very different people, Robbie Hart from “The Wedding Singer” and Doctor Octopus from “Spider-Man 2” have at least one thing in common - they both like money. One of the ways they differ however, is that while Robbie wants to work to make money, Doc Oc prefers stealing it. Although they do both bring their differing money-making philosophies to the same financial institution - the old Bank of America building at 650 South Spring Street in Los Angeles. The building has played the part of a bank in a number of movies including the aforementioned “The Wedding Singer” and “Spider-Man 2”.

“Mad Men” (2007-15) & “New Girl” (2011-18)

Did you know that “Mad Men” and “New Girl” both filmed scenes at the same Korean-style fried chicken restaurant? Don’t feel bad if you have no memory of Don Draper or Nick Miller chowing down on some crispy legs, because while The Prince is a decently-reviewed restaurant, it makes for an awesome retro-style Bar setting - which is how it’s usually portrayed on screen. And we’ve definitely seen Don and Nick knock back a few while surrounded by that oh-so-recognizable wallpaper and retro decor - much of it dating back to when the place opened in 1949 (it didn’t become a Korean chicken joint until 1991).

“Pretty in Pink” (1986) & “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984)

High school can be scary, but for the teens studying at Springwood High School in “A Nightmare on Elm Street”, the hallways could be deadly. And while there were no bloody bodies being dragged down the halls at “Pretty in Pink’s” Meadowbrook High School, Duckie did get in a few good punches on Steff before they were pulled apart. Both of those violent scenes took place in the halls of John Marshall High School, a public Los Angeles institution that has been used as the educational setting for numerous movies and television shows.

“Iron Man 2” (2010) & “Earth Girls Are Easy” (1988)

When it comes to giant donut signs, you might think the most recognizable one in popular culture is the one in front of “Lard Lad Donuts” on “The Simpsons.” But a real-life iconic sign is at the Randy’s Donuts in Inglewood, California, which you’ve seen if you’ve watched the 1988 science fiction rom-com “Earth Girls Are Easy” or the 2010 MCU movie “Iron Man 2”. In “Iron Man 2” the large donut is a place where our hero can find a little peace and quiet to enjoy his breakfast, while in “Earth Girls Are Easy” there’s no peace and quiet as a couple of aliens drive a car off the highway and crash it into the large donut hole.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

They Squared Off Most of the Arched Openings, But the Similarities Are Hard to Miss

The Little Europe Section of the Universal Lot Was Both the Good Place & Genovia

Yes, It’s True! Luke’s Diner Became the Apple Rose Grille

West Beverly Hills High School Had More Rich Kids, Sunnydale High Had More Vampires

It’s Randall’s House, But It Was the Camdens’ Family House on “7th Heaven” First

“Star Trek Into Darkness” (2013) & “The Muppets” (2011)

The Greystone Mansion, (aka the Doheny Mansion) was built in 1928 by oil magnate Edward L. Doheny as a gift to his son. Since 1965 the estate has been owned by the city of Beverly Hills, and over the ensuing decades it has been the location for many a movie and TV show seeking a residence that exudes wealth and social prominence. It’s where the Winklevoss twins meet Prince Albert, and where Kermit the Frog wanders around in lonely solitude remembering the good ol’ days. And, in a somewhat out-of-left-field move, with the help of some impressive CGI, the almost 100-year-old Mansion was used as the site of the "Royal Children's Hospital" hundreds of years in the future in “Star Trek Into Darkness”.