Top 20 Real Movie Locations That Don't Exist Anymore

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While there’s still a Sixth Street Viaduct in Los Angeles, it’s not the exact one you’ve probably seen at least once in a 20th-century or early-21st-century film. Originally built in the 1930s, the Sixth Street Viaduct went on to become a hot filming spot for a lengthy list of films. From classics like “Grease” and “The Mask” to more recent films like “Transformers” and “The Dark Knight Rises,” we could go on and on about this bridge viaduct’s stamp on Hollywood history. In 2016, however, it was closed and subsequently demolished due to safety concerns. While a new Sixth Street Viaduct was completed several years later, it didn’t have the same original appearance and historic feel.

“Showgirls” (1995) & “Swingers” (1996)

Located on the Las Vegas strip, the Stardust Resort and Casino was the largest hotel in the world when it opened in 1958. A few decades later, the space-themed entertainment giant was one of the filming locations for “Showgirls” —a 1995 erotic drama about a young woman who hitchhikes to Sin City in hopes of becoming a showgirl. The Stardust was also used for exterior Las Vegas casino shots in “Swingers” —a buddy comedy film starring Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn. In 2006, Boyd Gaming, which had owned the historic Stardust for about 20 years, announced its closure and ensuing demolition. Its famous, iconic astronomical-themed sign was saved, though—and given to the city’s Neon Museum.

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After being turned into a used car dealership in 2002, the days of the drive-in restaurant known as Johnie’s Broiler in Downey, California were numbered. In 2007, not only was the building demolished—but it was done so illegally without proper permits from the city. The restaurant was originally called Harvey's Broiler when it opened in 1958. It was renamed Johnie’s Broiler in 1968—and stayed that way for the rest of the century. With its 1950s look, Johnie’s Broiler was not only a place to grab a burger, but a film location. Its cinematic history includes the likes of “License to Drive,” “Reality Bites,” and “Heat,” among many others. In 2009, the building was reconstructed as part of the Bob's Big Boy chain.

“Blue City” (1986) & “Leather Jackets” (1992)

This historic 30-room bungalow-style motel in Malibu opened in 1929 and remained open until 2004. From then on, it continued to wear down with each passing year in its uninhabited state. And in 2025, the structure burnt down in the Palisades Fire. The Topanga Ranch Motel served as a filming location for the 1986 action thriller “Blue City” and the 1992 movie “Leather Jackets.” That wouldn’t have been the case had a proposed plan in the 1980s gone through—which would’ve demolished the motel and replaced it with condos, apartments, and a shopping center.

“Mildred Pierce” (1945)

In 1929, about three years after the first famous derby-hat-shaped location opened, a second Brown Derby opened in Hollywood. This restaurant is believed to be the birthplace of the Cobb salad—and according to Shirley Temple herself, the Shirley Temple. It’s not just the culinary inventions that make it historic, though; it’s also its connection to the Golden Age of Hollywood. With many film studios nearby, the Hollywood Brown Derby was a hotspot for actors—and even served as a film location for the 1945 film noir “Mildred Pierce.” All that remains of the original Brown Derby chain is a replica at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida.

“Funny Lady” (1975) & “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home” (1986)

This famous ranch house was established as a California State Historic Park in 1944 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. It served as a symbol of the legacy of the famous actor and humorist Will Rogers. It was also a film location for the 1975 Barbra Streisand sequel “Funny Lady,” as well as the fourth “Star Trek” film, which came out in 1986. The ranch was renovated between 2002 and 2006, and the property of Will Rogers State Historic Park as a whole continued its history as an attraction for locals and tourists alike. However, in 2025, the ranch was destroyed in the devastating Palisades Fire.

“Twister” (1996)

When you think of this film, you think of tornadoes—and perhaps destruction. That’s because in “Twister,” Oklahoma faces the devastating effects of a massive tornado. Not only do we see ruins on screen, but the actual town of Wakita was also impacted during filming. Specifically, buildings in the older part of town were demolished for the scene where the F4 tornado ravages the area. That’s right, folks. It wasn’t just harmless special effects here; there was legit damage done. But don’t worry, this was no accident—it was all part of the plan!

“Seven Years Bad Luck” (1921) & “Kingdom Come” (2001)

Talk about historic! This mansion in Altadena, California was built in the late 19th century and was the home of Andrew McNally, an Irish immigrant. Along with the charming architectural structure itself, the property was also designed with beautiful gardens and a picturesque backdrop. It attracted film crews as well. In 1921, after McNally had passed away, Max Linder’s silent comedy film “Seven Years Bad Luck” came out—which was partially shot at the property. 80 years later, the comedy “Kingdom Come” was released—which also used the property as a filming location. The Andrew McNally House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, stood until 2025, when it was lost to the Eaton Fire.

“That Touch of Mink” (1962) & “Metropolitan” (1990)

Ah, the automat—they don’t make ‘em like these anymore! Just insert your nickels into the food and beverage slots of your liking, and voila! In the 1962 rom-com “That Touch of Mink,” Doris Day’s Cathy and Audrey Meadows’s Connie even showed us that you could have a conversation through the vending machine slot! Perhaps the most famous automat was the Horn & Hardart chain. This scene in “That Touch of Mink” was shot in a New York City location. In the years after the film’s release, automats began to decline. The last Horn & Hardart closed in 1991—a year after the release of the rom-com “Metropolitan,” which featured a scene there. While these waiterless cafeterias lost their place in society, their legacy lives on through cinema.

“The Blues Brothers” (1980)

Carrie Fisher’s character detonates a bomb at the flophouse where Elwood lives during a scene of “The Blues Brothers.” As you can tell from the sign as the camera pans down from the train tracks above, this location was the Plymouth Hotel in Chicago. Interior shots of the stairway, lobby, and Elwood’s room were also filmed there. About 23 years after “The Blues Brothers” came out, the building faced a very different kind of destruction than what we see in the movie. In 2003, it was torn down to make space for a library and park area.

“Xanadu” (1980)


Opened in 1935, the Pan-Pacific Auditorium was long regarded as one of L.A.’s shining architectural landmarks. Notable for its unique Streamline Moderne architecture and green and white exterior, the Pan-Pacific Auditorium has been used in various music videos and movies. Perhaps its most famous appearance is in the cult classic musical fantasy “Xanadu.” The movie opened in 1980 - eight years after the Pan-Pacific Auditorium had closed its doors. As a result, the building was in a considerable state of decay. Finally, on May 24, 1989, the entire building went up in flames and was completely destroyed. It is now the site of the Pan-Pacific Park recreation center off Beverly Blvd.

“Better Off Dead” (1985) & “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” (2001)


Found in North Hollywood was a restaurant called Sandy’s. This building was made up as various fictional fast food joints throughout the years. In 1985, it appeared as Pig Burgers in the John Cusack comedy “Better Off Dead,” and in 2001 it starred as Mooby’s in “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.” The restaurant was found at 6223 Lankershim Boulevard, but it is now closed and abandoned. The Google street view photo taken in January 2021 showed quite a sad sight indeed. A ruined sign, missing letters, and a plain white building that is boarded up and lifeless.

“Vertigo” (1958)


While it’s not a major location in the movie, St. Paulus Lutheran Church can be seen at various times throughout the classic Alfred Hitchcock thriller “Vertigo.” Located in the northern section of San Francisco, this church was completed in 1894 and remained open for over a century. 101 years, to be precise. On November 5, 1995, the historic church burned to the ground. Following the fire, the church was forced to relocate. However, there is some good news. In 2019, it was announced that the church was returning to its former site in the form of a new commercial condominium. It’s not an elegant cathedral, but it’s something!

“Speedy” (1928)


Known for being Harold Lloyd’s last theatrical silent film, “Speedy” was released in the spring of 1928. In one of the movie’s signature scenes, Lloyd’s character travels to Coney Island and spends a fun day inside Luna Park. The grand and elegant amusement park had been in operation since 1903, and it provided carnival fun for over 40 years. But, wouldn’t you know, pesky fire strikes again. A good chunk of the amusement park was destroyed in a blaze on August 13, 1944, and it never reopened. A new Luna Park eventually opened across Surf Ave., just to the south of its original location. That is now home to multiple high rises.

“Rocky” (1976)


Everyone remembers the adorable little pet shop from the first “Rocky.” Rocky flirts with Adrian while she’s working, asks her out on a date, and even casually shoplifts some turtle food. This was a real pet shop located at 2146 N. Front Street in Philadelphia. Surprisingly, the shop remained open until 2006, when it was eventually forced to shutter its doors and board up its windows. The closed and abandoned shop is actually featured in “Rocky Balboa,” as Rocky visits it during a nostalgic jaunt through the old neighborhood. The site was demolished in 2017 and is now nothing but a gap between two buildings.

“Sunset Boulevard” (1950)


It’s only natural that one of Sunset Boulevard’s greatest haunts appears in “Sunset Boulevard.” Founded in 1932, Schwab's Pharmacy was a very popular hangout for those in the movie industry. Famous gossip columnist Sidney Skolsky worked out of the pharmacy, and he would be the first journalist to use the nickname “Oscar” for the Academy Award. He did so in print on March 16, 1934. The exterior of the pharmacy appeared in Billy Wilder’s classic noir, although the interior was recreated at Paramount Studios. The iconic Hollywood landmark finally closed in 1983 and was demolished five years later. The corner of Sunset and Crescent Heights is now a shopping complex.

“GoldenEye” (1995)


Found in the jungles of Puerto Rico was one of the world’s most famous telescopes. Known as the Arecibo Telescope, it famously appeared in the climax of the classic James Bond film “GoldenEye.” The satellite opened just one year after the first James Bond movie, in 1963, and remained under the management of Cornell University throughout most of its life. Unfortunately, various natural disasters threatened the integrity of the telescope, and it was officially decommissioned in 2020. On December 1 of that year, the structure collapsed into itself and was completely destroyed. Extensive efforts were then undertaken to dismantle what remained of the historic telescope.

“Taxi Driver” (1976)


This Martin Scorsese classic opens with Travis Bickle applying for a job at a cab depot. The office isn’t seen much throughout the film, but it was indeed a real dispatch depot located in Manhattan. But it’s amazing how much can change throughout the decades. This cab depot was located on West 57th Street near the West Side Highway, but the area is virtually unrecognizable today. When Travis leaves the depot, viewers can spot a brick building and the old Elevated Highway in the background. Not only are they gone, but the surrounding area has been completely redeveloped and modernized. ‘70s New York really was dingy…

“Ocean's 11” (1960)


The Sands is synonymous with the Las Vegas Strip. At least, it was. The Sands was the place to be back in the ‘50s and ‘60s, hosting legendary performers like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. The Rat Pack helped make the Sands iconic, and they shot “Ocean’s 11” at the hotel. Seven years after the movie’s release, the Sands was bought by famous business magnate Howard Hughes. However, all great things must pass, and time eventually came for the Sands. The old-fashioned casino couldn’t compete with the shinier and fancier operations, and it was demolished on November 26, 1996. The site is now home to The Venetian.

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Los Angeles is home to many hotels, but none were quite like the Ambassador. The Ambassador was a lavish and world-renowned hotel that hosted countless iconic entertainers, housed various presidents, and contained the famous Cocoanut Grove nightclub. It is also featured in countless movies, including “Forrest Gump,” “Catch Me If You Can,” and “Almost Famous.” Unfortunately, the surrounding area fell into poverty throughout the ‘70s, and the Ambassador was slowly forgotten. It was later demolished to make room for the Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools, which are named after the politician who was famously shot in the hotel’s kitchen.




Is there a specific movie location that you'd like to visit someday? Let us know in the comments!