Roseville to Lake Tahoe Movies: Films Worth Watching

Roseville, Calif.- Ever watch a movie or commercial scene and think to yourself, that looks familiar? With over four dozen movies filmed in Placer County, it just might be more than your imagination.

Summer and the holiday season can provide a little extra downtime to catch a movie or two with friends and family. While local movie theaters offers the latest in big screen Hollywood entertainment, explore and consider some options below for some hyper local fun!

Dozens of films

Placer County locations have played a part in dozens of films going all the way back to the 1920's. That doesn't include the countless commercials and photo shoots that includes some of the most popular names in entertainment.

Almost Famous, a Cameron Crowe classic about coming of age in the 1970s music world filmed its iconic scene on a quiet road in Lincoln. The clip remains one of our all-time favorites and features a sing along to Elton John's Tiny Dancer.

Classic bus scene in Lincoln

In addition to small and colorful towns, Placer County is home to spectacular mountain views, color bursting sunsets and a myriad of amazing backdrops well suited to the entertainment industry.

Film crews can quickly shift between a suburban scene one day and a remote wilderness scene the next. The convenience can slice a studio's productions time and costs significantly.

Filmed on Foresthill Bridge

Placer-Lake Tahoe Film Office

movie film

The Placer-Lake Tahoe Film Office assists in securing film permits at no charge, ensuring that all necessary approvals are obtained from government agencies. Typically, local law enforcement and fire protection agencies must sign off on a production, especially if explosives or firearms are used. If a production will take place on, or requires closing part of a roadway under state or county jurisdiction, the California Highway Patrol will be involved. Film production in any of California's 270 state parks is usually free, but requires coordination with that agency. With an abundance of federal forestland in the county, the U.S. Forest Service is often involved in permitting.

To share information about possible scenery and locations, the Placer-Lake Tahoe Film Office maintains an extensive library of still photos showing the variety of locations the county has to offer.

The Godfather Part II in Homewood Lake Tahoe

FREE Film Permits

To see what Placer County has to offer for motion picture and still photography locations, visit the Film Office's website. For additional information, contact the Film Office at: 530-889-4091, or toll free at: 877-228-3456.


Filmed in Placer County

  • THE ADVENTURES OF ROCKY AND BULLWINKLE Sheridan, Lincoln, Auburn, 2000
  • ALMOST FAMOUS Lincoln, 2000
  • A PLACE IN THE SUN Lake Tahoe, 1951
  • BEFORE THE DARK Auburn, Roseville, 2017
  • BREAKDOWN Auburn, Newcastle, 1997
  • BUSHWHACKED Foresthill, Lake Tahoe, 1995
  • CINEMA VERITE Auburn, 2011
  • COBB Lake Tahoe, 1994
  • THE DEEP END Lake Tahoe, 2001
  • DIGGSTOWN Roseville, Colfax, 1992
  • THE DONNER PARTY Norden, 2009
  • DRAGONFLY Foresthill, 2002
  • GENTLE BEN I & II Dutch Flat, Foresthill, 2002
  • GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE Foresthill, 1997
  • GODFATHER -PART II Lake Tahoe, 1974
  • GOLD RUSH Norden, 1925
  • GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN Roseville, Granite Bay, 2005
  • GOOD LUCK Foresthill, 1996
  • GREED Colfax, Iowa Hill, 1924
  • HER Norden, Soda Springs, 2013
  • HOT DOG Squaw Valley, 1984
  • IMPULSE Lincoln, 1984
  • THE INDEPENDENT Colfax, 2000
  • JACKASS 3D Kingvale, 2010
  • JACK FROST Lake Tahoe, 1998
  • LAST WEEKEND Tahoe City, 2014
  • LOVE RANCH Donner Summit, 2010
  • MAMABOY Rocklin, 2017
  • MEET THE BLACKS Granite Bay, 2016
  • MI FAMILIA Auburn, 1995
  • THE MUPPETS Norden, Lincoln, 2011
  • THE NAVIGATOR Lake Tahoe, 1924
  • No Address, 2023
  • OUT OF THE PAST Lake Tahoe, 1947
  • THE PHANTOM Auburn, 1996
  • PHENOMENON Auburn, 1996
  • PROTOCOL Auburn, 1984
  • RETRIBUTION Granite Bay, 2000
  • ROSE MARIE Lake Tahoe, 1936
  • SALVATION Auburn, 2003
  • SENSORED Roseville, 2009
  • SOARIN' Lake Tahoe, 2001
  • TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT Foresthill, Tahoe, 2000
  • TRUE LIES Lake Tahoe, 1994
  • THE TWO FACED WOMAN Sugar Bowl, 1941
  • VOWS OF DECEPTION, 1996
  • WHITE MILE Foresthill, 1994
  • WHO WILL LOVE MY CHILDREN Lincoln, 1983
  • WISDOM Auburn, 1986
  • XXX Auburn, 2002

Become a Sustaining Patron

100% voluntary โ€ข Cancel anytime โ€ข No paywall



Roseville Today remains free for everyone.
Your voluntary monthly support helps us continue serving the community.

Hope Valley

Local Impact

Local Insights

Trending

Woodcreek High School in Roseville Seeks Dress Donations for Formal Wear Event

Woodcreek High School's Wellness Center is seeking formal dress donations for its second annual Formal Wear Event, helping students find outfits for Homecoming regardless of income.

Ain't Necessarily Dead Fest in Auburn: Placer County's Most Colorful & FREE Event this Saturday

Ain't Necessarily Dead Festival returns to Auburn at Regional Park on September 12, 2026 for another legendary day of music, dancing and a cosmically good time in the time-honored tradition of any Deadhead gathering.

Roseville Polish Festival: Annual Celebration Returns September 12, 2026

Roseville, Calif.- The public is invited to attend the Annual Polish Festival in Roseville, California on Saturday, September 12, 2026.

Rattlesnakes in Roseville: Tips to Protect Against Bites as Activity Increases

Roseville, Lincoln, and Rocklin along with all of South Placer is rattlesnake country. They thrive in our warm and wild open spaces as well as taking up residence in neighborhood

Riego Creek Elementary in Roseville

Riego Creek Elementary 3255 Pruett DriveRoseville, Calif. 95747(916) 771-1900Elementary Schoolshttps://riegocreek.rcsdk8.org/ Map...

Royal Oaks Mobile Park in Rocklin

Royal Oaks Mobile Park 4695 Pacific StRocklin, Calif.ย 95677(916) 624-2127Mobile Home...

Dutch Bros. Coffee on Sunset Blvd in Rocklin

Dutch Bros. Coffee 3450 Sunset Blvd.Rocklin, Calif.ย 95765Drive thru - Coffee...

5 Star Fingerprinting in Rocklin

Livescan Fingerprinting and Notary Services

The Grand Indian Cuisine in Roseville

The Grand Indian Cuisine is an authentic Indian restaurant located in Roseville, California

Anytime Fitness in Roseville

Visit your 24/7 gym in Roseville, CA 95661. Enjoy a variety of equipment, personalized plans, and supportive community to reach your fitness goals. Join today

Related Articles

Sponsored Local Spotlight

Paul Black's Solar Panel Cleaning in Roseville serving the region for over 30 years

Roseville, Calif. - Money-saving solar panels in Roseville, Rocklin and throughout South Placer County have become ubiquitous From new residential solar communities continue to big business and after market installation, solar seems to be a smart choice to shred those high monthly electric costs.

Roseville Sheet Metal serving community's heating and air needs for over 70 years

Roseville, Calif. - At Roseville Sheet Metal, weโ€™re proud of our years of service to the Roseville area and look forward to helping you with your air conditioning and heating needs.

Mobley Pest Services in Roseville serving the community and region for over 20 years

Roseville, Calif.- Fully licensed and bonded, Mobley Pest Services in Roseville has been providing reliable pest control services for well over 20 years. Serving residents and businesses in the greater Placer and Sacramento region, Mobley Pest Services is locally owned and operated in Roseville.