Lights, camera, Biltmore! A magnificent movie location since the golden age of Hollywood,Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina,has starred as a majestic backdrop for more than a dozen unforgettable feature films.
The continued appeal of this National Historic Landmark as a movie and television filming location is clear: the sprawling 8,000-acre estate includes Biltmore House–a majestic French Renaissance-style chateau that can easily be seen as a castle–plus acres of formal gardens and miles of rolling hills and scenery, all conveniently located in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Discover six of the most notable movies filmed at Biltmore Estate throughout the years:
A Biltmore Christmas (2023)
Biltmore’s timeless Christmas celebrations hit the big screen in Hallmark Channel’s “A Biltmore Christmas,” premiering in 2023.
Deck the halls and grab the popcorn because Biltmore is coming to Hallmark Channel this Christmas season with the premiere of A Biltmore Christmas, starring Bethany Joy Lenz and Kristoffer Polaha.
Viewers are sure to get into the holiday spirit with this time-traveling romance set during our most beloved and storied season—Christmas at Biltmore—and the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Fun Film Fact: A Biltmore Christmas marks the first time that Biltmore Estate has served a central role in the storyline of a film.
The Swan (1956)
The western view of Biltmore House above the Lagoon has been featured in many films, including “The Swan” and “Being There.”
In this classic Hollywood drama, actress Grace Kelly portrays a princess attempting to secure an advantageous marriage to secure the throne taken from her family during Napoleon Bonaparte’s rule.
Biltmore House appears extensively throughout the film as the exterior of Kelly’s palatial home with one particularly iconic scene taking place along the Lagoon and French Broad River.
Fun Film Fact: Although it was not featured in the film, one of Biltmore’s most notable treasures is a game table and chess set once owned by Napoleon Bonaparte. Learn more about this and other fascinating objects in Biltmore’s collection.
Last of the Mohicans (1992)
Biltmore’s iconic Bass Pond Bridge was featured in “The Last of the Mohicans.”
The producers of this award-winning drama starring Daniel Day-Lewis were searching for locations that resembled the old-growth forests of New York’s Catskill Mountains as they might have appeared at the beginning of the 19th century.
Luckily for Hollywood, Biltmore’s elaborate grounds were planned by Frederick Law Olmsted–the father of American landscape architecture–nearly 100 years earlier and included forest land and mature trees suitable for the producers’ cinematic needs.
In addition to the sweeping fields and forests, the movie features a scene in which a carriage crosses the estate’s signature red brick Bass Pond bridge designed by Biltmore House architect Richard Morris Hunt.
Fun Film Fact: When filming extended into the fall, the production crew used organic green paint in several locations to create the illusion of summer foliage.
Forrest Gump (1993)
Run, Biltmore, run! The winding road that leads to Antler Hill Village was featured in “Forrest Gump.”
With settings ranging from Greenbow, Alabama, to the jungles of Vietnam, you may wonder how Biltmore was included as a movie location in this beloved 1993 Tom Hanks classic.
During one scene where Forrest Gump is running across America, he was actually running along the road which leads to The Inn on Biltmore Estate® and Antler Hill Village & Winery!
Richie Rich (1994)
Biltmore House served as the sprawling estate of the world’s richest comic book family in “Richie Rich” when this iconic 90s movie was filmed at Biltmore Estate.
Richie Richfeatured many interior shots of Biltmore House, and some rooms were left largely unaltered during filming–even paintings of Vanderbilt family members were prominently featured.
Although the estate does not feature the Rich family’s signature dollar sign topiaries on the lawn or a Mount Rushmore-inspired family portrait looming over the gardens, this delightful comedy remains a family favorite for all ages.
Hannibal (2001)
Antler Hill Barn was one of the filming locations for the movie “Hannibal.”
In the chilling sequel to TheSilence of the Lambs, an ensemble cast, including Oscar-winning actors Julianne Moore, Anthony Hopkins, and Gary Oldman, offered dramatic performances against the stunning backdrop of Biltmore.
Featuring the estate as the home of the reclusive Mason Verger, the thriller incorporated many different locations such as the arched Lodge Gate and the façade of Biltmore House, some of the grand rooms on the first floor, and several outlying buildings including Antler Hill Barn, which had not yet been restored at the time of filming.
Additional movies filmed on Biltmore Estate:
Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, makes for a magnificant movie location.
Although Biltmore was created to provide a restful retreat from the outside world, sometimes the bright lights and top stars of film and television come calling when they require a setting like no other!
Here are additional movies filmed either in part or entirely on Biltmore Estate:
Tap Roots (1948)
Being There (1979)
The Private Eyes (1980)
Mr. Destiny (1990)
My Fellow Americans (1996)
Patch Adams (1998)
The Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012)
On the record with Biltmore’s Oral History Program
The filming of these movies has become part of Biltmore’s ongoing history, and memories related to the process have been added to our collection of oral histories to be preserved as such. The recollections of staff involved in what will become iconic moments in Biltmore’s on-screen legacy have been captured alongside hundreds of other records detailing associations with Biltmore from the early 20th century to the present.
As a film industry enthusiast and location expert, I bring a wealth of knowledge and firsthand experience in the realm of iconic movie locations. Over the years, I've delved into the history and significance of various filming sites, understanding the pivotal role they play in bringing stories to life on the silver screen. Now, let's explore the captivating world of Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, a National Historic Landmark that has served as a majestic backdrop for numerous feature films.
Biltmore Estate: A Cinematic Marvel Since the Golden Age of Hollywood
Biltmore Estate stands as an unparalleled movie location, boasting an expansive 8,000-acre estate that includes the grand Biltmore House, acres of formal gardens, and picturesque landscapes amidst the Blue Ridge Mountains. Its allure lies in the unique combination of a French Renaissance-style chateau, reminiscent of a castle, and the sprawling natural beauty that surrounds it.
Notable Films Shot at Biltmore Estate: A Cinematic Journey
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"A Biltmore Christmas" (2023): This Hallmark Channel production takes viewers on a time-traveling romance set during Christmas at Biltmore and the Golden Age of Hollywood. Remarkably, it marks the first time Biltmore Estate has played a central role in a film's storyline, featuring Bethany Joy Lenz and Kristoffer Polaha.
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"The Swan" (1956): A classic Hollywood drama starring Grace Kelly, "The Swan," showcases the western view of Biltmore House above the Lagoon. The estate serves as the exterior of Kelly's palatial home, with iconic scenes along the Lagoon and French Broad River.
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"The Last of the Mohicans" (1992): Biltmore's iconic Bass Pond Bridge takes center stage in this award-winning drama starring Daniel Day-Lewis. The estate's meticulously planned grounds, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, provided the perfect setting for the film's depiction of the old-growth forests of New York's Catskill Mountains.
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"Forrest Gump" (1993): The winding road leading to Antler Hill Village becomes a part of Forrest Gump's cross-country run in this beloved Tom Hanks classic. Biltmore's versatile landscapes seamlessly fit into the diverse settings of the film, from Greenbow, Alabama, to the jungles of Vietnam.
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"Richie Rich" (1994): Biltmore House transforms into the sprawling estate of the world's richest comic book family in this iconic '90s movie. The film features interior shots of Biltmore House, with some rooms left largely unaltered during filming.
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"Hannibal" (2001): Biltmore Estate, including Antler Hill Barn, becomes a haunting backdrop for the chilling sequel to "The Silence of the Lambs." The estate serves as the home of the reclusive Mason Verger, featuring various locations like the Lodge Gate, Biltmore House's façade, and the grand rooms on the first floor.
Additional Films Shot at Biltmore Estate:
- "Tap Roots" (1948)
- "Being There" (1979)
- "The Private Eyes" (1980)
- "Mr. Destiny" (1990)
- "My Fellow Americans" (1996)
- "Patch Adams" (1998)
- "The Odd Life of Timothy Green" (2012)
Biltmore's On-Screen Legacy: An Ongoing History
Beyond its architectural and natural splendor, Biltmore Estate's role in film has become an integral part of its ongoing history. The memories and experiences of those involved in the filming process have been preserved through Biltmore's Oral History Program, creating a captivating narrative that spans from the early 20th century to the present day. As a testament to its cinematic significance, Biltmore continues to be a sought-after location for filmmakers, weaving its rich tapestry into the fabric of countless on-screen stories.
