Since its debut in 2016, Stranger Things has become a global pop-culture phenomenon, blending 1980s nostalgia with supernatural horror. Beyond its memorable characters and monsters, fans are endlessly curious about one thing: where was Stranger Things filmed? From small Georgia towns standing in for Hawkins, Indiana, to a chilling real-life prison in Lithuania, the show’s filming locations are just as fascinating as the story itself.
This blog explores Stranger Things filming locations, revealing where Stranger Things was shot, how those places were used, and where Stranger Things season 5 was filmed.
Table of Contents
Where Was Stranger Things Filmed?
The majority of Stranger Things was filmed in and around Atlanta, Georgia, with nearby towns doubling as the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. Over the seasons, the production expanded globally, filming scenes in New Mexico for California sequences and Lithuania for Russia-based storylines. Cast members like Max Mayfield gained massive popularity through the show, leading to fan theories explored in Sadie Sink Spider Man
So, if you’re asking where is Stranger Things filmed, the short answer is Georgia. But the full answer spans multiple U.S. states and even Europe.
Stranger Things Filming Locations in Georgia (Hawkins, Indiana)
Downtown Hawkins – Jackson, Georgia
Location: Jackson, Georgia
Used As: Downtown Hawkins
The heart of Hawkins is actually downtown Jackson, Georgia, about 50 miles south of Atlanta. Streets like 2nd Street, 3rd Street, Mulberry Street, and Oak Street appear repeatedly throughout the series.
Here you’ll find:
- Hawkins Public Library (Butts County Probate Court exterior)
- Melvald’s General Store (formerly Jackson Drug)
- Hawk Theater
- Alley where Steve and Jonathan fought in Season 1
Jackson has fully embraced its fame, offering guided tours for fans eager to explore these iconic Stranger Things filming locations.
The Byers House – Fayetteville, Georgia
Location: 149 Coastline Road, Fayetteville
Used As: Byers family home
One of the most emotional settings in the show, the Byers house is where Joyce communicates with Will through Christmas lights. This real house in Fayetteville, Georgia, became instantly recognizable and was later turned into an Airbnb experience for fans.
If you’re wondering where is Stranger Things shot for its most iconic scenes, this house is at the top of the list.
The Wheeler House – East Point, Georgia
Location: Piney Wood Lane, East Point
Used As: Wheeler residence
Mike Wheeler’s basement is where Eleven hides, friendships form, and D&D games begin. While interior scenes were filmed on sound stages, the exterior shots come from East Point, where several other character homes are also located.
Nearby are:
- Sinclair House
- Henderson House
- Holland House
Hawkins National Laboratory – Emory University Briarcliff Campus
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Used As: Hawkins Lab
The source of nearly every supernatural event in the series, Hawkins Lab was filmed at the former Georgia Mental Health Institute, now part of Emory University’s Briarcliff Campus. Both interior and exterior shots were filmed here, making it one of the most important Stranger Things filming locations.
Starcourt Mall – Gwinnett Place Mall
Location: Duluth, Georgia
Used As: Starcourt Mall (Season 3)
Season 3’s neon-soaked Starcourt Mall was filmed at Gwinnett Place Mall, which has since closed. Many fans still visit the area to see where the Mind Flayer terrorized Hawkins’ teens.
Where Was Stranger Things Shot Outside Georgia?
As the story expanded, so did the filming locations.
Stranger Things California Filming Locations (Actually New Mexico)
Although Season 4 introduced California into the story, these scenes were filmed in Albuquerque and Los Lunas, New Mexico.
Key locations include:
- Surfer Boy Pizza: Los Lunas, NM
- Lenora Hills High School: Eldorado High School, Albuquerque
- Americana Motel: Albuquerque
- Rink-O-Mania: Skate-O-Mania, Albuquerque
So, if you’re asking where is Stranger Things filmed for California scenes, the real answer is New Mexico.
Where Is Stranger Things Filmed in Russia?
Kamchatka Prison – Lithuania
Location: Lukiškės Prison, Vilnius, Lithuania
Used As: Kamchatka Prison (Season 4)
One of the most shocking answers to where was Stranger Things filmed involves Europe. Hopper’s terrifying Russian prison scenes were filmed at Lukiškės Prison, a real former prison with a dark history.
The prison:
- Operated for over 100 years
- Held political prisoners
- Was used during World War II to imprison Jewish people
Today, it functions as a museum and cultural space, making it one of the most haunting Stranger Things filming locations ever used.
Henry Creel’s Mansion – Rome, Georgia
Location: Rome, Georgia
Used As: Creel House
Introduced in Season 4, Vecna’s childhood home is a real 140-year-old mansion. The seven-bedroom house retains many original features and has become a major pilgrimage spot for fans.
Where Is Stranger Things Filmed Season 5?
Return to Hawkins
If you’re wondering where is Stranger Things filmed season 5, production returned primarily to Georgia, revisiting classic Hawkins locations. Downtown Jackson, East Point neighborhoods, and Rome, Georgia were all reused to bring the story full circle.
New and returning locations include:
- Creel House
- Downtown Hawkins streets
- Hawkins Lab areas
- Familiar residential neighborhoods
Where Is Stranger Things 5 Being Filmed Globally?
In addition to Georgia, Season 5 also used select international and studio locations for controlled scenes. Large productions often rely on controlled environments for safety, a topic also highlighted in Tom Holland Injury. However, unlike Season 4, the final season focuses heavily on Hawkins itself, making Georgia the primary filming hub once again.
So, where is Stranger Things 5 being filmed? Mostly Georgia, with limited additional locations for special sequences.
Why These Stranger Things Filming Locations Matter
The reason Stranger Things feels authentic isn’t just the acting or writing—it’s the locations. Small Georgia towns, abandoned malls, eerie cemeteries, and real historical sites give the show its grounded yet unsettling atmosphere.
Fans can actually visit many of these places, making Stranger Things one of the most location-accessible TV shows ever made. Like other iconic productions discussed in Zootopia Characters, Stranger Things proves how world-building plays a major role in audience connection.
Final Thoughts: Where Was Stranger Things Filmed?
To sum it up:
- Hawkins, Indiana: Mostly filmed in Georgia
- California scenes: Filmed in New Mexico
- Russia scenes: Filmed in Lithuania
- Season 5: Returns to Georgia
Now that you know where Stranger Things was filmed, exploring these real-world locations adds a whole new layer to rewatching the series. Whether it’s a quiet Georgia street or a chilling European prison, the filming locations are as unforgettable as the Upside Down itself.
