Discover how filmmakers transform abandoned malls and big-box stores into cost-effective film set locations for atmospheric brilliance
When they first appeared in the 1950s, the quintessential big-box stores and multifaceted malls were a shopper’s dream, offering consumers a one-stop shop for all their buying needs. So why are there so many abandoned mall film locations nationwide today?
Although this trend quickly became a fixture of the American shopping experience, hitting its prime in the 1980s and 90s, it wouldn’t last. At the turn of the century, a more modern approach to retailing was rapidly overtaking: online shopping. People were suddenly able to find every product that a big-box store offered just a click away, all without having to leave the comfort of home.
With the rise of the internet came the inevitable downfall of malls and big-box stores. Steady declines in mall-going numbers over the last two decades have resulted in more and more closures, leaving empty buildings behind. In comes filmmakers, breathing new life into the ghost towns of malls past. From realistic, generational depictions to haunted apocalypses of the future, genres across the movie industry utilize abandoned malls as film locations.
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This abandoned mall in Ohio is a perfect setting for apocalyptic scenes. Photo credit: Nicholas Eckhart/Flickr
Why Are Filmmakers Turning to “Dead Malls” and Big-Box Stores?
Big-box store film sets and deserted malls, or “dead malls,” offer many advantages for filmmakers. Where some people may see merely an empty building that has long since lost its purpose, there is a large capacity for growth with the right creative mind.
While building a set from scratch certainly has its upsides, exploring the vast potential of dead malls opens up some cost-effective film set locations. No need to spend time and money on the construction of a crumbling post-apocalyptic building or a hauntingly eerie horror set when you can find the model location already sitting ready to use.
Not only do these locations save on construction cost and time, but they are also the authentic, atmospheric backdrops for various film genres. Whether you want to rejuvenate the mall’s glory days with an 80s flair or transform the space into a long-forgotten, apocalyptic relic, abandoned mall film locations are the perfect canvas. With plenty of space to use to your advantage, there is seemingly endless possibility for you to adjust and shape the derelict relics to serve your vision best.
Abandoned malls across the country provide ready-to-shoot locations offering authenticity. Photo credit: Nicholas Eckhart/Flickr
Transforming Retail Spaces: Adaptive Reuse in Film Production
Adaptive reuse in film production involves using a preexisting building, such as a vacant mall, for a new purpose different from its original one—in this case, filming. In recent years, one of the most prominent examples of adaptive reuse is the Gwinnett Place Mall’s transformation into the Starcourt Mall for Stranger Things. Using the skeleton of a 1980s mall, production was able to revitalize the structure into their vision.
By reusing existing abandoned mall film locations, filmmakers drastically reduce the need for new set construction, cutting down on time and cost while also investing in a more sustainable approach.
The Starcourt Mall, originally Gwinnett Place Mall, was the setting for scenes from Stranger Things. Photo credit: Mike Kalasnik/Flickr
Notable Examples of Abandoned Retail Spaces in Film and TV
Gwinnett Place Mall as Starcourt Mall in Stranger Things
Starcourt Mall is the undeniable star of sets in Stranger Things season three. From secret Russian plots to bathroom confessions, many of the show’s seminal scenes take place in the real-life Gwinnett Place Mall. A lot of cosmetic restoration went into bringing the mall back to the 1980s. Having been built in the same decade as the show is set, the mall adds a sense of nostalgic realism to an otherwise supernatural storyline. Restorations were dismantled to prevent vandalism shortly following filming, but the Gwinnett Place Mall remains with plans for revitalization.
Dixie Square Mall in The Blues Brothers
While the Dixie Square Mall was only open for a little over a decade, it served as the backdrop for one of the funniest scenes in the 1980 cult classic, The Blues Brothers. Dressed up in bright colors and merchandise, the mall returned to its former days. A police chase cuts directly through the shopping center, smashing through the carefully constructed set, adding an element of comedic realism to the movie. As of 2012, the Dixie Square Mall was demolished, making way for new development, but it holds its place in helping shape the story of The Blues Brothers and the potential these derelict spaces have.
The long-deserted Hawthorne Plaza Mall oozes with dilapidated sets and creepy vibes. Photo credit: Pinterest
Hawthorne Plaza Mall featured in multiple productions
From fast-paced action in Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift to harsh dystopia in Westworld, the Hawthorne Plaza Mall has been featured in over a dozen productions across television, movies and music videos. Vandalism, looting and arson over the decades have only added to the atmospheric draw of this sprawling location as an ideal setting for various filming genres. The inside has long since been gutted, stripped down to its bare bones, which makes it flexible for production redesign. It was last used in the 2020 production of Tenet and continues to serve as a cost-effective film set location.
“Dead mall.” Photo credit: Ken Fager/Flickr
Legal and Logistical Considerations
The first step when scouting for your movie is considering filming permits for abandoned locations. Filming permit regulations and fees vary depending on jurisdiction, but they are crucial for any production. The local city government page is a good place to check for permit resources.
Navigating ownership is another hoop you will have to jump through before filming begins. Many abandoned mall film locations are privately owned, so access to the building will have to be granted through the owner beforehand.
Now that you have the perfect location, don’t forget to invest in some insurance. Many film production insurance policies cover filming in deserted malls and other long-forgotten places.
A true relic from the past, this abandoned JCPenney store provides a creative backdrop for many types of scenes. Photo credit: Nicholas Eckhart/Flickr
Pro Tip for Scouting and Preparing Abandoned Locations
Once you have gained access to the building and all your permits and insurance are lined up, there is another vital step to consider before filming begins.
A complete site inspection will help you understand the terrain and ensure your team is aware of any safety concerns that need to be addressed. Since big-box store film sets are authentically run-down places, they come with environmental and structural challenges and hazards. Years of abandonment have led to substantial structural damage, such as rust, corrosion and water infiltration. Local authorities and community members are good resources for understanding the location’s history and how best to address any problems, including deterioration.
Embracing the Potential of Abandoned Mall Film Locations
Plenty of deserted spots are scattered across the country, many of which have become recognizable through iconic films and television shows in which they are featured.
Consider using one of these, or many more like them, the next time you need a horror-fueled or post-apocalyptic film location. With so much space and history, there is a lot of potential for a unique creative touch in these dead mall filming locations.
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