| Although Central Florida has never quite lived up | | | | prostitute and serial killer Aileen Wuornos, who |
| to its reputation as "Hollywood East," many classic | | | | was executed for a notorious killing spree during |
| - and some extremely medicore - movies have | | | | the 1980s. Monster, which also starred Christina |
| been shot in the Orlando area over the years. | | | | Ricci and Bruce Dern, was shot entirely in Central |
| The brief list below highlights some of the more | | | | Florida. |
| notable films that were partly or wholly shot in | | | | Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector [2006] - |
| Central Florida, as well as one cult movie that | | | | Larry the Cable Guy (real name: Dan Whitney) |
| boasts a significant connection to the Orlando | | | | resides in Sanford, Florida, and his film debut was |
| area: | | | | shot entirely on location in Orlando. Judging by the |
| Parenthood [1989] - Directed by Ron Howard, | | | | myriad of negative reviews, critics seemed |
| Parenthood starred Steve Martin, Mary | | | | decidedly underwhelmed by Larry the Cable Guy: |
| Steenburgen, Jason Robards, Tom Hulce, Joaquin | | | | Health Inspector and a sequel appears unlikely. |
| Phoenix, Dianne Wiest and Keanu Reeves. | | | | In addition, before Disney closed its Central Florida |
| Although this comedy/drama dealt with the trials | | | | animation studio at Disney-MGM Studios in 2003, a |
| and tribulations of a "Midwestern" family, many | | | | number of animated films were worked on there |
| scenes were shot in Central Florida, including | | | | such as Mulan (1998), Lilo & Stitch (2002) and |
| Orlando, College Park and Altamonte Springs. The | | | | Brother Bear (2003), among others. The space is |
| birthday scene was shot at the now-defunct | | | | now occupied by an attraction called The Magic of |
| Mystery Fun House across from Universal | | | | Disney Animation, a behind-the-scenes look at the |
| Orlando. | | | | animation process. |
| Lethal Weapon 3 [1992] - The building that gets | | | | "Disney-MGM Studios still maintains a backlot tram |
| blown up in the opening sequence of the film is | | | | tour that takes you past movie sets and props, |
| actually the old Orlando City Hall building, which had | | | | as well as Catastrophe Canyon, a showcase for |
| been scheduled for demolition anyway. The rest | | | | state-of-the-art special effects," said Kyle Collins, |
| of Lethal Weapon 3 was filmed elsewhere. | | | | Director of Interactive Marketing for "In addition, |
| Trekkies [1997] - This hilarious documentary on | | | | both Disney-MGM Studios and Universal Studios |
| obsessive Star Trek fans profiled a Central Florida | | | | feature a variety of rides and attractions based |
| dentist, Dr. Denis Bourguignon, who had opened a | | | | on popular movies such as Indiana Jones Epic |
| "Starbase Dental" office full of Star Trek | | | | Stunt Spectacular, Beauty & the Beast, Star |
| memorabilia and whose staff wore Star Trek | | | | Tours, The Great Movie Ride, Revenge of the |
| uniforms. | | | | Mummy, Men in Black Alien Attack, Back to the |
| The Blair Witch Project [1998] - Although this | | | | Future the Ride and Twister . . . Ride it Out, |
| incredibly successful independent movie was | | | | among others." |
| filmed entirely in Maryland, its director and cast all | | | | Central Florida is also home to the Florida Film |
| graduated from the University of Central Florida | | | | Festival, a 10-day event in early April that |
| (UCF). Made for about $35,000, The Blair Witch | | | | features American independent films, foreign films, |
| Project eventually grossed nearly $250 million | | | | documentaries, regional and family films, animation, |
| worldwide. | | | | narrative films and midnight movies. Past |
| The Waterboy [1998] - The "Bourbon Bowl" | | | | attendees have included Dennis Hopper, Steve |
| game at the end of the movie was filmed at the | | | | Buscemi, William H. Macy and Oliver Stone. The |
| Citrus Bowl in downtown Orlando. Many of the | | | | Florida Film Festival takes place at the Enzian |
| extras in the scene were UCF students. The | | | | Theater in Maitland. |
| Waterboy starred Adam Sandler as "Robert | | | | Orlando, Florida Guide, the most comprehensive |
| 'Bobby' Boucher Jr.," as well as Kathy Bates and | | | | online guide to Orlando and Walt Disney World, |
| Henry Winkler. | | | | also features discount Disney World tickets, |
| Monster [2003] - Charlize Theron captured an | | | | incredible deals on Orlando hotels and individually |
| Oscar as "Best Actress" for her portrayal of | | | | tailored Orlando vacation packages. |