Hollywood has a knack for turning grand historic mansions into unforgettable cinematic settings.
From haunting Gothic estates to opulent Gilded Age mansions, these architectural masterpieces have played starring roles in some of the biggest blockbusters.
In this list, we explore 17 legendary historic mansions that have graced Hollywood’s most memorable films, becoming as much a part of the storytelling as the characters themselves.
1. Beverly Estate
Designed by architect Gordon Kaufmann in 1926, Beverly Estate is a historic Beverly Hills mansion known for its Hollywood legacy.
Once home to William Randolph Hearst, its grand Spanish-style architecture and lush gardens have made it a prime filming location.
It famously appeared in The Godfather and The Bodyguard and has been featured in Beyoncé’s music videos.
Beyond film, it has hosted elite events, cementing its status as a symbol of Hollywood luxury and history.
2. Biltmore Estate
Located in Asheville, North Carolina, the Biltmore Estate is the largest privately owned home in the U.S., spanning 8,000 acres.
Built by George Washington Vanderbilt II in the late 19th century, this grand mansion boasts 250 rooms, including a massive banquet hall, an indoor pool, and a library with thousands of rare books.
Its breathtaking architecture, lavish interiors, and meticulously designed gardens have made it a popular filming location.
Hollywood has frequently used Biltmore’s elegance as a backdrop for major films.
It famously appeared in The Last of the Mohicans (1992), providing the perfect setting for the film’s historical drama, and in Richie Rich (1994) as the title character’s luxurious home.
3. ‘Home Alone’ House
This red-brick Georgian-style home in Winnetka, Illinois, became famous as the McCallister family house in Home Alone (1990).
Its elegant facade and spacious interiors were central to the film’s iconic scenes, including Kevin’s booby traps against burglars Harry and Marv.
Featured briefly in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), the house remains one of the most recognizable movie homes.
Fans continue to visit year-round, especially during the holidays, snapping photos and reliving the magic of the beloved Christmas classic. Its timeless charm keeps it an enduring pop culture landmark.
4. Rosecliff Mansion
Situated in Newport, Rhode Island, Rosecliff is a stunning Gilded Age mansion known for its French Baroque-inspired design.
Built-in the early 1900s by socialite Theresa Fair Oelrichs and designed by Stanford White, it features Newport’s largest ballroom, hosting lavish events for over a century.
Rosecliff famously served as a backdrop for the 1974 adaptation of The Great Gatsby, capturing the opulence of the Jazz Age.
It also appeared in True Lies (1994), further cementing its place in Hollywood history.
Now part of the Preservation Society of Newport County, the estate remains open to visitors, offering a glimpse into its storied past.
5. Hatley Castle
Hatley Castle, located in Colwood, British Columbia, is a stunning Scottish Baronial mansion built in 1908, renowned for its grandeur and gothic charm.
It has played a key role in Hollywood, most famously serving as Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters in the X-Men films and as Lex Luthor’s mansion in Smallville.
The castle’s eerie yet majestic presence also made it a perfect setting for horror films like The Boy (2016) and TV series like Arrow.
Its historic architecture, dramatic ambiance, and proximity to Vancouver make it a favorite among filmmakers.
Versatile and visually striking, Hatley Castle continues to be an iconic backdrop for blockbuster movies and TV shows.
6. Highclere Castle
Located in Hampshire, England, Highclere Castle is renowned as the primary filming location for Downton Abbey and its films.
This magnificent Jacobethan-style mansion, set on a 5,000-acre estate, perfectly captures the elegance of early 20th-century aristocratic life.
Designed by Sir Charles Barry, the architect of the Houses of Parliament, the castle features lavish interiors, intricate ceilings, and a vast art collection.
Its grand drawing rooms, dining hall, and sweeping staircases bring the fictional Crawley family’s world to life.
Beyond Downton Abbey, Highclere has appeared in various films and documentaries, solidifying its cinematic legacy.
7. Hatfield House
Situated in Hertfordshire, England, Hatfield House is a stunning Jacobean mansion, renowned for its ornate interiors, intricate woodwork, and vast gardens, making it a prime filming location.
Built in 1611, it famously portrayed Kensington Palace in The Favourite (2018) and features the long gallery, seen in Sherlock Holmes (2009).
The estate has also appeared in The King’s Speech (2010), Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007), and Rebecca (2020).
Beyond its cinematic legacy, Hatfield House holds deep historical significance as the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth I, further adding to its timeless appeal.
8. Blenheim Palace
Located in Oxfordshire, England, Blenheim Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Winston Churchill, celebrated for its majestic Baroque architecture and vast landscaped grounds.
Built in the early 18th century for John Churchill, the 1st Duke of Marlborough, it remains one of England’s most iconic stately homes.
The palace’s grand façades, opulent interiors, and sweeping gardens have made it a prime filming location for Hollywood blockbusters and historical dramas.
Notably, it appeared in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015) and Spectre (2015), where it stood in for Buckingham Palace.
Other films such as The Favourite (2018) and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) have also utilized its breathtaking settings.
Beyond its cinematic roles, Blenheim Palace continues to be a major cultural attraction, drawing visitors with its rich history, art collections, and royal connections.
9. Oheka Castle
Found in Huntington, New York, Oheka Castle is one of the most opulent and historically significant estates in the United States.
Built in 1919 by financier Otto Hermann Kahn, the French-style chateau boasts stunning gardens, grand staircases, and lavish ballrooms, making it a sought-after filming location.
Notably, its architectural splendor inspired the design of Charles Foster Kane’s estate, Xanadu, in Citizen Kane (1941), one of cinema’s most legendary films.
It was also prominently featured in Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby (2013), where it perfectly captured the extravagant Roaring Twenties aesthetic.
Additionally, Oheka Castle has been used in numerous television shows, music videos, and other films, including What Happens in Vegas (2008) and Royal Pains (2009).
10. Wollaton Hall
Located in Nottingham, England, Wollaton Hall is a stunning Elizabethan mansion known for its intricate stonework, grand towers, and vast parklands, making it a prime filming location.
Built in the late 16th century, it famously served as Wayne Manor in The Dark Knight Rises (2012), providing a fittingly grand and mysterious home for Bruce Wayne.
Its historic charm and imposing design have also been featured in Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007) and Netflix’s The Irregulars (2021).
Surrounded by 500 acres of parkland, the hall now functions as a natural history museum, blending cinematic legacy with historical and educational significance.
11. Knebworth House
Situated in Hertfordshire, England, Knebworth House is a striking Gothic Tudor mansion known for its turrets, spires, and elaborate stonework, making it a popular filming location.
With a history dating back to the 15th century, the house has been home to the Lytton family for over 500 years.
Its dramatic façade and lavish interiors have made it a favorite for period dramas and historical films.
Notably, it portrayed Balmoral Castle in The King’s Speech (2010), adding authenticity to the Oscar-winning film.
Knebworth House has also been featured in Batman (1989), The Shooting Party (1985), and Stardust (2007).
Beyond its film legacy, it is famous for hosting legendary rock concerts, including performances by Queen, The Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin.
12. Hampton Court Palace
Once home to Henry VIII, Hampton Court Palace in Richmond, England, is a stunning blend of Tudor and Baroque architecture, making it a sought-after filming location.
Its lavish Great Hall, grand courtyards, and famous hedge maze have set the stage for numerous Hollywood productions.
The palace notably appeared in The Favourite (2018), capturing the splendor of Queen Anne’s court, and in Netflix’s Bridgerton, where it provided regal ballroom settings.
It was also featured in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011) and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011).
With its cinematic history and royal grandeur, Hampton Court Palace remains a Hollywood favorite for period dramas and historical blockbusters.
13. Ardverikie House
Set amidst Scotland’s rugged Highlands, Ardverikie House is a stunning 19th-century baronial mansion, best known for portraying Balmoral Castle in The Crown.
Its turrets, steep gables, and dramatic landscapes make it a sought-after Hollywood filming location.
The estate also appeared in Mrs. Brown (1997), Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2011), and the BBC series Monarch of the Glen.
With its cinematic charm and royal grandeur, Ardverikie House remains a favorite for filmmakers seeking an authentic Highland backdrop.
14. Wilton House
Located in Wiltshire, England, Wilton House is a magnificent Palladian-style mansion that has become a favorite Hollywood filming location for period dramas and historical blockbusters.
With its grand state rooms, gilded ceilings, and intricate artworks, the estate has provided a regal setting for royal and aristocratic stories on screen.
Notably, it was featured in Bridgerton, where its lavish Double Cube Room served as a backdrop for the show’s grand ballroom scenes, adding to the series’ opulence.
It also appeared in The Crown, standing in for Buckingham Palace in multiple seasons.
Wilton House’s majestic interiors have been used in several Oscar-winning films, including The Madness of King George (1994), Pride & Prejudice (2005), and The Young Victoria (2009).
With its timeless elegance and Hollywood appeal, Wilton House continues to be a go-to location for filmmakers recreating royal and aristocratic grandeur.
15. Montacute House
Situated in South Somerset, England, Montacute House is a stunning example of Elizabethan Renaissance architecture, making it a prime filming location for Hollywood period dramas.
Built in the late 16th century, its intricate stone façade, grand windows, and historic interiors offer an authentic glimpse into England’s aristocratic past.
The house was prominently featured in the BBC’s acclaimed series Wolf Hall (2015), bringing Thomas Cromwell’s world to life with its period-accurate setting.
Hollywood has also turned to Montacute House for films such as Sense and Sensibility (1995) and Elizabeth (1998), where its ornate Long Gallery and opulent rooms added to the grandeur of these historical dramas.
With its timeless beauty and cinematic appeal, Montacute House remains a sought-after location for filmmakers recreating Tudor and Elizabethan England on screen.
16. Belvoir Castle
Located in Leicestershire, England, Belvoir Castle is a striking neo-Gothic estate that has become a popular Hollywood filming location, known for its opulent interiors, grand staircases, and sweeping landscapes.
Most notably, it portrayed Windsor Castle in multiple seasons of The Crown, capturing the grandeur of the British royal residence.
Its ornate staterooms, medieval-style turrets, and historic artwork have made it an ideal setting for period dramas.
Belvoir Castle has also been featured in The Da Vinci Code (2006), Young Sherlock Holmes (1985), and The Libertine (2004), where its regal atmosphere enhanced the historical narratives.
The castle’s majestic exterior and lavish interiors continue to attract filmmakers looking to recreate aristocratic and royal settings, solidifying its status as a Hollywood favorite for historical and period productions.
17. Eilean Donan Castle
Found in Scotland, Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most iconic and cinematic medieval castles, making it a favorite Hollywood filming location.
Situated on a small island where three lochs meet and connected to the mainland by a stone bridge, its dramatic setting has made it a staple in historical and fantasy films.
Eilean Donan played a pivotal role in Highlander (1986), where it served as the home of the MacLeod clan, enhancing the film’s mystical and rugged atmosphere.
It also appeared in Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007), reinforcing the film’s historical grandeur, and in the James Bond classic The World Is Not Enough (1999), where it served as MI6’s Scottish headquarters.
As one of the most photographed castles in the world, its fairytale appearance and breathtaking Highland backdrop continue to attract Hollywood filmmakers and global audiences alike.