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| Where Was The Black Phone Filmed? Full List of Shooting Locations You Can Actually Visit (Photo: IMDb) |
If you’ve ever watched The Black Phone and thought, “Hang on… where is this creepy suburb actually filmed?”, you’re not alone. While the story is set in 1978 Denver, Colorado, the film was primarily shot in Wilmington, North Carolina and its surrounding Cape Fear region. Not every exact spot was made public during production — understandably, the team wanted to avoid unwanted disruptions on set — but over time, several key filming locations have been identified. And yes, some of them are open to the public.
The 2021 supernatural horror film, directed by Scott Derrickson and based on Joe Hill’s short story, didn’t just impress audiences with its performances and tense storytelling. The retro neighbourhoods, quiet streets, and unsettling basement scenes added serious atmosphere.
The Black Phone Filming Locations
Here’s a full breakdown of where The Black Phone was filmed — and what makes each place worth talking about.
Main Filming Base: Wilmington, North Carolina
Although the film takes place in suburban Denver, the production chose Wilmington for its period-friendly streets and strong film infrastructure. The city has long been a quiet favourite for filmmakers thanks to its versatile architecture and studio facilities.
Filming ran between February 9 and March 27, 2021, under the working title “Static.” The budget reportedly sat between $16–18 million, with support from North Carolina’s tax incentive programme.
Now, let’s get into the exact spots.
1. The Grabber’s House
2414 & 2415 Shirley Rd, Wilmington, NC 28405
This residential street was used for the exterior shots of the house where Finney is held captive. The property itself looks deceptively normal — which makes it even more chilling in context. It’s a private residential area, so if you’re planning a visit, be respectful. No knocking on doors, please.
Why it stands out: The quiet suburban setting contrasts heavily with the tension unfolding inside. That normal-on-the-outside aesthetic was deliberate to amplify unease.
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2. Finney and Gwen’s House
246 Pinecrest Pkwy, Wilmington, NC 28401
This home served as the siblings’ family house. The location adds authenticity to the 1970s setting, especially with its modest design and tree-lined surroundings.
Why fans love it: Many viewers felt the home scenes grounded the story emotionally. It’s where the sibling dynamic really shines.
3. Acme-Delco Middle School
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26133 Andrew Jackson Hwy E, Delco, NC 28436
The school scenes — both interior and exterior — were filmed at Acme-Delco Middle School in Delco, a small community outside Wilmington.
Why it works: The structure naturally fits the late-70s aesthetic without heavy digital alterations. The production team leaned into existing textures rather than over-polishing.
4. Cape Fear Optimist Park
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3222 N Kerr Ave, Wilmington, NC 28405
The baseball field scenes were shot here. It’s a public park, so yes — you can visit.
Why it matters: These early scenes help establish Finney’s social world and vulnerability before everything spirals.
5. Grab N Go Convenience Store
4129 Princess Place Dr, Wilmington, NC 28405
A small but memorable location. This convenience store appears in key neighbourhood moments.
Why it’s interesting: It adds to the everyday realism of the setting. Nothing flashy, just pure suburban normality.
6. North College Rd & Spartan Rd Area
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Wilmington, NC
Various kidnapping scenes were filmed around these roads, particularly those involving Robin and Bruce.
Important note: These are public road areas, not designated film attractions. If you visit, it’ll look like an ordinary neighbourhood — because it is.
7. EUE/Screen Gems Studios
Wilmington, NC
The majority of interior sets, including the infamous basement, were built and filmed at EUE/Screen Gems Studios. This is Wilmington’s major production hub.
Why this location was crucial: Controlled studio environments allowed the team to craft the basement’s specific lighting, colour grading, and atmosphere.
Director of photography Brett Jutkiewicz worked closely with the director to create a muted yet high-contrast visual palette. The team used specialised colour grading techniques and lookup tables (LUTs) to reduce modern vibrancy and capture a 70s feel.
Dream sequences were shot in Super 8 format using Bolex cameras and Kodak Vision3 film stocks, adding grain and texture that feels authentic rather than filtered. Lighting played a massive role in determining which film stock was used, especially for darker basement scenes.
Visual effects were handled by VFX Legion, delivering around 200 digital compositing shots including set extensions, CGI enhancements, and stunt integrations. Even subtle details like rig removal and camera transitions were carefully refined.
Why Not All Locations Were Public During Filming? During principal photography, some filming spots weren’t publicly disclosed. This wasn’t secrecy for marketing hype — it was mainly to prevent interruptions and protect cast, crew, and residents. Horror productions especially rely on tight schedules and controlled environments.
Online reactions to the filming locations have been split. Some fans are excited about the idea of visiting Wilmington and ticking off the filming spots as a mini horror pilgrimage. Others argue that because many locations are standard residential areas, it feels a bit invasive to treat them like tourist attractions.
A few viewers even admitted they were surprised the film wasn’t shot in Colorado, saying the setting felt convincingly Midwestern. That’s arguably a compliment to the production design team.
Should You Visit?
If you’re travelling to North Carolina anyway, adding a few of these public spots — like Cape Fear Optimist Park — to your list could be a fun bonus. Just remember that several locations are private homes or everyday community spaces.
Wilmington itself has become a subtle film hotspot, so even beyond The Black Phone, you might recognise a few corners from other productions.
Tonboriday will keep updating this list if new filming locations surface over time.
Now we’re curious — would you actually plan a trip just to stand outside The Grabber’s house? Or are you more of a “watch from the sofa” kind of fan?