Atlanta and Georgia Studio Locations
The core production of Stranger Things is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with filming spread across multiple soundstages and nearby facilities. The series is produced by 21 Laps Entertainment and Monkey Massacre Productions, with principal photography centered at Tyler Perry Studios and other Atlanta-area stages. Many interior sets, including the Wheeler house and school hallways, were built on soundstages in the metro Atlanta region. Additional filming for the Hawkins High School scenes and other institutional interiors used locations in the greater Atlanta area, with the production relying on local crew and infrastructure. For broader context on how major productions use Georgia incentives, see the Georgia Department of Economic Development film office page Georgia Film Office.
Outside the soundstages, the production frequently used practical locations in and around Atlanta to create the fictional town of Hawkins. Neighborhood streets, parks, and commercial strips in Atlanta suburbs doubled for the show's suburban streets and shopping districts. The series also used nearby towns for wider establishing shots and exterior scenes that required a small-town feel. Georgia's film-friendly tax incentive program has attracted numerous high-budget productions, making it a hub for projects like Stranger Things. The state's infrastructure, including experienced local crews and diverse locations, supports the logistical demands of a long-running series.
Indiana-Specific Filming Locations
To capture the look and feel of the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, the production team selected specific real-world locations in Indiana for exterior shots and key scenes. The show's creators chose sites that matched the mid-century American aesthetic described in the scripts, using small towns and rural roads in the state. Several iconic outdoor scenes, including the woods and lake settings central to the story, were filmed in Indiana forests and lakeshores that fit the show's atmosphere. The production used local permits and coordinated with Indiana authorities to film on public and private land in the region. For more on how film productions secure locations, see the location scouting practices outlined by the Location Managers Guild Location Managers Guild.
Specific Indiana landmarks and streets were used to represent Hawkins' downtown and residential areas, with the production transforming these places to match the show's period setting. The crew returned to repeat locations across multiple seasons to maintain visual continuity for the fictional town. Nearby facilities in Indiana supported the production with additional space for staging equipment and managing the logistics of on-location shoots. These Indiana sites became points of interest for fans visiting the real places behind the series, with some locations now associated with the show's legacy.
Other Key Filming Sites and Production Facilities
Beyond Atlanta and Indiana, Stranger Things used a range of additional locations and facilities to build its world. The production relied on specialized studios for complex scenes, including those requiring controlled environments for visual effects and stunts. Certain scenes were filmed at locations outside Georgia and Indiana, chosen for their unique landscapes or architectural features that matched the show's needs. The production team worked with local film commissions and property owners to secure these sites, often transforming them temporarily for filming. For an overview of how major studios coordinate multi-location shoots, see the American Film Institute resources on production management American Film Institute.
The series also made use of specific facilities for post-production work, including editing, sound design, and visual effects, with many of these services based in the Atlanta area. The collaboration between on-location filming and studio-based post-production allowed the show to maintain a consistent look across its seasons. Additional sites were used for the show's more fantastical elements, such as the Upside Down, with practical sets combined with digital effects to create the final imagery. The production's use of real locations alongside studio work reflects current industry practice for blending practical and digital filmmaking techniques.