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| Where Was ‘Big Mistakes’ Filmed? Inside the Real Locations Behind Netflix’s 2026 Crime Comedy Hit. (Credits: Netflix) |
Netflix’s 2026 release Big Mistakes doesn’t just lean on sharp writing and chaotic sibling chemistry—it builds its world through grounded, recognisable locations that quietly shape the story’s tone. While production details were deliberately kept under wraps during filming to avoid disruptions, enough has surfaced to map out where this crime comedy took root.
Shot largely across New Jersey with a brief but striking extension to Puerto Rico, the series blends suburban realism with cinematic tension in ways that have caught viewers off guard. Created by Daniel Levy, who returns to co-creation after Schitt’s Creek, the series pairs him with Rachel Sennott in a story about two siblings spiralling through increasingly messy criminal situations.
With Taylor Ortega, Laurie Metcalf, Abby Quinn, Boran Kuzum, and Jack Innanen rounding out the cast, the backdrop becomes more than scenery—it’s part of the narrative’s unpredictability.
Edison, New Jersey anchors much of the show’s visual identity, doubling as the siblings’ everyday environment.
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| Netflix |
Several scenes were filmed along Old Post Road, where residential properties stood in for the Malinowski home.
A local hardware shop was transformed into a fictional political campaign base, adding a layer of small-town authenticity that reflects the show’s mix of chaos and familiarity.
The choice of Edison’s lived-in streets helps ground the otherwise absurd premise, making the stakes feel oddly believable.
Union County expands the story’s civic and commercial spaces, with filming taking place in Union Township and Springfield Township.
The Town Hall in Springfield briefly becomes a central backdrop, used across multiple days of filming, while a boutique clothing store in New Providence provides the setting for a key character moment.
These locations lean into the series’ theme of ordinary places hiding extraordinary situations, reinforcing the tension between normal life and criminal missteps.
Elsewhere across New Jersey, production moved through a patchwork of towns that collectively shape the show’s tone.
Hackettstown’s livestock auction site appears in one of the more unexpected sequences, while Irvington contributes urban textures that contrast with quieter suburban scenes.
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Jersey City is believed to feature in transitional moments, adding a slightly more metropolitan edge without overshadowing the story’s grounded core.
Ridgewood offers a softer visual palette, with tree-lined streets and open public spaces used for early filming sequences.
Its village-like atmosphere provides a calm counterbalance to the escalating chaos of the plot.
Similarly, Monmouth County contributes subtle background moments—residential streets, older homes, and small businesses—that quietly reinforce the show’s everyday realism without drawing too much attention to themselves.
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A notable shift comes with the move to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where the production captures a different energy altogether.
Filmed toward the end of the schedule, these scenes introduce a brighter, more expansive setting that contrasts with New Jersey’s muted tones.
The change in landscape signals a narrative escalation, visually marking a turning point for the characters as their situation grows more complicated.
For viewers, the appeal of these locations goes beyond aesthetics. Online reactions have been varied but engaged—some fans are already treating Edison and Ridgewood as must-visit spots, drawn by how closely the show ties its story to real places.
Others have pointed out how the understated settings make the plot feel more immediate, arguing that the lack of overly stylised backdrops strengthens the series’ impact.
There’s also a quieter conversation around how much was intentionally concealed during filming, with many appreciating the effort to keep production low-key.
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| Netflix |
Not every location used in Big Mistakes has been publicly confirmed, and that’s by design. Productions of this scale often withhold specific details to maintain control over filming conditions, especially when working in accessible public areas. Still, what has been revealed offers a clear picture: this is a series built on real environments, not studio illusions.
For fans considering a visit, many of these places—particularly in New Jersey—are accessible and familiar rather than tourist-heavy.
That accessibility is part of the appeal. Walking through these areas doesn’t feel like stepping onto a drama set; it feels like stepping into the story itself, where ordinary streets quietly carry the weight of everything that went wrong.
That blend of relatability and unpredictability is exactly why Big Mistakes has sparked curiosity beyond the screen.
If more locations surface, interest is only likely to grow. So, would you actually add these spots to your travel list—or is the chaos best left on Netflix?