10 ‘Big Fish’ filming locales you can visit in Alabama
The 2003 movie “Big Fish” is one of the most Alabama films ever – it was based on a novel by Birmingham-born Daniel Wallace, who also received screenplay credit, and it was set in and filmed in Alabama. Wallace even has a cameo in the film.
(Trivia: Miley Cyrus made her film debut in “Big Fish” at age 10 as Ruthie, one of the kids who approach the Witch’s House.) The filming sites chosen by director Tim Burton are located in southern parts of Alabama.
The movie, based on the book “Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions,” starred Albert Finney, Jessica Lange, Ewan McGregor, Billy Crudup, Helena Bonham Carter, Danny DeVito, Alison Lohman, Marion Cotillard and Steve Buscemi.
Here’s a look at 10 filming locations you can visit today:
Town of Ashton
Downtown Wetumpka and, in a few scenes, Prattville, stood in for the movie’s fictional town of Ashton. Wetumpka and its quaint business district are located on the Coosa River, about 15 miles north of Montgomery. The city was featured in the 2021 season of “Home Town Takeover” on HGTV.
Bloom Home
The 1874 Victorian house that served as the home of Edward Bloom (played by Albert Finney) and his wife Sandra (portrayed by Jessica Lange), still stands at 401 East Bridge Street. It is located on a hill overlooking the city. A second story was added for the movie and it remains today.
Read More: You can own the Alabama house from ‘Big Fish’ movie and HGTV show
The Campfire
Jackson Lake Island, a favorite of campers and fishers, is located near Millbrook, Ala. The scene where Young Edward (portrayed by Ewan McGregor) tells the story of catching “the big fish” around a campfire was filmed here.
Town of Spectre
Director Tim Burton built the fictional town of Spectre for the movie on another part of Jackson Lake Island. The crew built facades of numerous homes and buildings, including a church, some of which still stand on the island.
Witch’s House
Dicksonia Plantation in Lowndesboro, about 15 miles west of Montgomery, serves as the “witch’s house” in the film. The house stands in its ruinous state following a fire in the 1960s. Read more on the house’s history here.
Auburn University
Alabama’s historic Huntingdon College stands in for Auburn University in the movie. Huntingdon is a private Methodist college located in Montgomery.
Athletic Field
Young Edward shows off his athletic skills on the field at Capitol Heights Middle School in Montgomery. The historic school is located at 206 Federal Drive.
Ashton Courthouse
The courthouse in the fictional city of Ashton was actually Elmore County Courthouse at 100 Commerce Street.
Ed’s Funeral
The funeral of Edward Bloom was filmed at Pine Flat Presbyterian Church on Alabama Highway 143 in Deatsville.
Site of Bank Robbery
The scene in which Norther (played by Steve Buscemi) robs the fictional Horizon Savings and Loan Bank was filmed in two places. Exterior shots were filmed at Thames Pharmacy at 121 East Bridge Street. Interior shots were filmed in the Old First National Bank Building on Company Street.