Based on Maurice Sendak’s 1963 children’s book of the same name, “Where the Wild Things Are” is a fantasy film by Spike Jonze that centers on the story of a lonely young pre-teen named Max (Max Records), who becomes away from home in search of adventure and an escape from his boring life. Not only does he physically run away, but he metaphorically runs to a world in his own imagination. This leads him to reach an island inhabited by several distinct and large creatures known as wild things. Instead of attacking Max, these savage creatures befriend him when he proclaims himself their king and claims he has the potential to get rid of all their worries and problems.
The 2009 adventure film is a brilliant combination of live action, animatronics, various costumed performers, and outstanding CGI. As for the live action sequences, the film features actors including Max Records, Catherine Keener and Mark Ruffalo. The voices of the wild things are given by actors such as James Gandolfini, Chris Cooper, Lauren Ambrose and Forest Whitaker. Filled with distinct and unique settings, ranging from real-world to surreal island scenes, audiences are bound to ponder the locations used for the production and filming of this dramatic adventure film. If you’re one of those people curious about filming locations, we’ve got you covered!
Where the wild things are filming locations
After months of searching for the perfect filming location for ‘Where the Wild Things Are’, the crew finally found a home in Australia’s diverse state of Victoria. According to everyone involved in the production of the fantasy film, it was Victoria’s spectacular and diverse landscape, not to mention the local talent, that set the town apart from the rest of potential filming destinations such as the Ireland, Thailand and New Zealand. Zeeland. Filming began in July 2006 in Melbourne and ended in December. Let’s learn more about the specific locations used in the film!
Flinders, Victoria
Almost all of the scenes in the mystical island where Max encounters several huge wild beasts were filmed at Bushrangers Bay in the seaside town of Flinders, located 104 km from Melbourne. This unique beach on the Mornington Peninsula has proven to be the right choice to represent the island as it stands out from the rest. The scenic site also supported the fantasy images used on the island sequences.
Melbourne, Victoria
Principal photography for the film began at Dockland Studios Melbourne at 476 Docklands Drive in the capital city of Melbourne. The city’s landscape is so diverse that it offers verdant hills, stretches of barren land, as well as extraordinary coastlines, all in one destination, making it perfect for almost any creative vision.
While in the city, the production team used many other locations and regions in and around the city as backdrops for the film. Several scenes were shot in the quaint suburbs of Port Melbourne, Williamstown, Mornington and Newport.
Other Locations in Victoria, Australia
Apart from the aforementioned locations, many other destinations have become filming locations for this fantasy adventure film. The various cities and regions used to produce and shoot the film include Gembrook, Little River, Portland, Mount Arapiles, Woodend, and finally, Discovery Bay Coastal Park, where the desert dune scene was filmed.
These filming locations offered a variation in scenic backdrops, as some of them have cliffs overlooking the beautiful ocean, while others have stone quarries, lush green meadows, and native dense forests.
Los Angeles, California
Some of the filming was also done in the sprawling city of Los Angeles in Southern California. Los Angeles Center Studios at 450 South Bixel Street in Downtown LA served as the production site to film several scenes for the film. “Fight Club” and “Constantine” are among the many films that have used this filming site for their production.
Read more: The best adventure movies of all time
