The weeks leading up to Halloween are the perfect time to watch a classic thriller or horror film, and it’s even more fun when you recognize some of the locations in the movie. While San Francisco may not boast as many filming locations as LA, it does have a few iconic films shot in the city. If you want to watch a horror movie and dive into SF nostalgia, check out the list below.
Vertigo (1958)
Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic film Vertigo was famously set in San Francisco. The physiological thriller came out in 1958 and has since become a critically acclaimed film that often makes “greatest films of all time” lists. Vertigo follows a former detective as follows a friend’s wife, and he stumbles into a strange mystery. The film was shot in several California locations, including some noticeable scenes across San Francisco.
Madeline underneath the Golden Gate Bridge.
A SF Street, Madeline walks towards her hotel.
The entrance to the Legion of Honor.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
The sci-fi horror film is a cult classic and the perfect scary movie to watch before Halloween. The film was a remake of the original film made in 1956, and director Paul Kaufman changed the location of the film to San Francisco. As a result, eagle-eyed fans can spot several familiar locations across San Francisco.
The entrance to the San Francisco Department of Public Health.
San Francisco City Hall in the background of the shot.
Phantasm (1979)
Phantasm is a science fantasy horror film that has achieved cult status many years after its release. Directed by Don Coscarelli, the iconic 1979 horror film was set in Oregon but was primarily filmed in the San Fernando Valley. The film does include a shot of the historic Dunsmuir Hellman Estate located in Oakland.
The Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate is located in Oakland.
The Game (1997)
This critically acclaimed mystery thriller film was set in San Francisco and consequently filmed in SF. The 1997 film follows a wealthy banker in San Francisco, and many scenes are shot in SF’s Financial District.
A staircase shown in The Game in San Francisco