Starring Eddie Murphy, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jillian Bell, Nick Offerman, and many more recognizable faces along the way, Candy Cane Lane tells the story of the Carver family, as they compete in a yearly holiday house decorating contest to win one hundred thousand dollars.
After losing his job just a few days before Christmas, Chris (Murphy) puts job hunting on the back burner in service of creating a festive masterpiece on his front lawn.
And yes, in case you’re wondering, we felt those Deck The Halls vibes too!
Enlisting the help of his youngest child Holly (sibling of Joy and Nick… get it?), he stumbles across Kringles, a magical Christmas shop where Pepper the elf sells him a ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’, Christmas tree.
When it and the ornaments from each of the twelve days unexpectedly come to life and flee the tree on the night of the competition, Chris and his family must find the five golden rings in time or Pepper, who it turns out was exiled from Santa’s workshop, will turn him into a singing ceramic Christmas ornament.
Is it a classic Christmas tale? Not exactly. Is it a little offbeat? Sure.
But did we have fun with the movie and love seeing all of the houses alight and twinkling ahead of the big day? You bet we did!
Now, we know you’re wondering if Candy Cane Lane is a real place, whether you can visit, and if they actually shut down a whole street to film the movie there.
Well, you can have yourself a merry little Christmas because we’ve done the research for you and can answer all of these questions and more – happy holidays!
Is Candy Cane Lane a real place?
Yes, Candy Cane Lane is a very real place located on East Acacia Avenue in El Segundo, California. Every year since 1949, with an understandable one-year hiatus in 2020, the street comes alive in a spectacle of Christmas lights and festive displays made by the residents.
With nightly shows from December 9th – 23rd, and visits every other evening from Santa himself, it’s a sight to behold and definitely one for the bucket list!
Unlike in the movie, there is no competition between neighbors.
Instead, the displays serve to bring the residents and the community together in celebration of the season.
Did they film Candy Cane Lane on the actual Candy Cane Lane?
Whilst it might look just like the real thing, scenes outside the Carver house were actually all shot on a stage.
Where? None other than Colonial Street at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Setting the backdrop for many of our favorite films and television series over the years, if you’re thinking it looks familiar it probably does!
Other productions filmed on Universal Studio’s Colonial Street
Arguably the most recognizable show shot here was Desperate Housewives.
Since the street was as much a character as the residents themselves, we wouldn’t be surprised if some eagle-eyes fans spotted Wisteria Lane the moment they pressed play on Candy Cane Lane.
Other productions include, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Malcolm In The Middle, Leave it to Beaver, Why Him, and Sabrina The Teenage Witch – and that really is just naming a few!
More filming locations from Candy Cane Lane
With no snow to build snowmen or go sledding in, children at the start of the movie can be seen sand surfing and building sandmen instead.
According to Atlas Of Wonders, these scenes were filmed in California on Playa Del Rey Beach. Meanwhile, exteriors from the high school were shot in El Segundo itself.
Other movies that feature Candy Cane Lane
Since we’re guessing you love holiday movies (and movie houses!) just as much as we do, you’ve probably come across Candy Cane Lane in TV shows and films before this one.
Most recently, we saw Candy Cane Lane in the holiday movie The Happiest Season, starring Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis.
However, this Candy Cane Lane was based on a different, yet equally amazing display in Duboistown, Pennsylvania, and scenes were filmed on Cleveland Avenue in Avalon.
Read all about that and the other dreamy filming locations and houses we tracked down from the movie right here:
Meanwhile, New Girl fans will remember an episode called The 23rd in season one, where the gang drives to Candy Cane Lane at 4 am and proceeds to scream and shout for the residents to turn on their lights.
According to the New Girl podcast, Welcome To Our Show on which the show’s stars, Zooey Deschanel, Hannah Simone, and Lamorne Morris re-watch and give behind-the-scenes info about each episode, this Candy Cane Lane was shot on the Disney ranch.
Why? Like most holiday movies and shows, the episode was not actually shot at Christmas.
The takeaway? Even if you can’t take a trip to Candy Cane Lane this year, there are plenty of festive movies and TV shows that can transport you there from the comfort of your very own home – Merry Christmas everyone!
More stories
The Real-Life Home Alone House: Then and Now
Where is the Griswold house from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation?
Jackie’s house in ‘Best. Christmas. Ever!’ is on a farm in Utah
As the autumn leaves fall and the air grows chill, the timeless allure of classic Halloween movies beckons us once again to the eerie and fantastical realms they depict.
Films like Beetlejuice, Hocus Pocus, The Addams Family, Sleepy Hollow, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Friday the 13th have become staples of the season, drawing us into worlds where the supernatural reigns and the eerie takes center stage.
Yet, beyond the talented actors, eerie plotlines, and haunting soundtracks, there is another essential element that breathes life into these cinematic masterpieces — the sets and interiors.
These iconic films transport us to a realm where witches, ghosts, monsters, and vampires coexist with the living, where the macabre meets the mundane. The interiors of these movies play a pivotal role in setting the stage, creating an ambiance that is both captivating and spine-tingling.
They are the canvas on which the artists behind the scenes — visionary movie directors, stellar production designers, and art directors — paint a rich tapestry of emotions, invoking a unique blend of awe and fear that leaves a lasting imprint on our psyche.
It’s no secret that the setting and backdrop for a movie are of paramount importance, but in the realm of fantasy and horror, this importance is magnified. A well-crafted set can serve as a character in its own right, immersing the audience in a carefully designed world where the surreal becomes reality.
The creaking floorboards, dimly lit corridors, and eerie artifacts scattered about these cinematic interiors hold the power to transport us to the very heart of the narrative, intensifying our connection to the story and its characters.
Reimagining the interiors of our favorite Halloween classics with the help of AI
These classic Halloween movies, some dating back decades, have become an annual tradition for many, a comforting yet spine-tingling journey back to a time when our greatest fear was the monster under our bed.
They’ve left an indelible mark on our hearts and imaginations, making us yearn for the feeling of nostalgia and suspense they offer. In a world that perpetually seeks the new and novel, there is a unique satisfaction in revisiting these timeless classics, like worn pages in a cherished book.
But, what if you could revisit these iconic movie interiors in a fresh, modern light? What if you could reimagine the Addams Family mansion in the 21st century or walk through the halls of Sleepy Hollow with a new perspective? Thanks to the wonders of artificial intelligence and computer-generated imagery, we can now explore these treasured movie settings as if they were born anew.
With a little help from the creative team over at Swift Direct Blinds, we’ll delve into the magic of AI-generated images that recreate the interiors of our favorite Halloween movies. These images provide a modern lens through which we can appreciate the artistry of the original sets while also marveling at the potential for reinterpretation.
By fusing the nostalgia of yesteryears with the technological prowess of today, we bridge the gap between tradition and innovation, offering a fresh look at the beloved and the eerie. Join us as we embark on a journey to unearth the haunted beauty of classic Halloween movie interiors, rekindling our love for the timeless and the macabre in a new, hauntingly realistic light.
#1 Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice, directed by Tim Burton, has solidified its place in cinematic history as a beloved cult classic. Released in 1988, the film has retained its charm, continuing to enchant audiences with its darkly whimsical and quirky narrative.
Set in the afterlife and the realm of the deceased, Beetlejuice introduces us to the Maitlands, a recently deceased couple who find themselves trapped in their own home. When the Deetz family moves in and begins to alter their beloved residence, the Maitlands seek the help of the titular character, Beetlejuice, an obnoxious and mischievous ghost.
What sets Beetlejuice apart and contributes to its enduring popularity are its aesthetics. The film’s production design and set decoration transport us to a world that is a delightful blend of the gothic and the absurd.
The Maitland’s haunted house is a marvel of grotesque beauty, filled with eccentric and grotesque details that are meticulously crafted to perfection. And AI managed to capture all of its magic in recreating an interior design inspired by the 1988 movie, as we’ve seen above.
#2 Sleepy Hollow
Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow, released in 1999, is a modern classic that has left a lasting mark on the world of fantasy and horror cinema. This adaptation of Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow starring Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci transports us to a hauntingly atmospheric world where mystery and the supernatural reign supreme.
The story unfolds in the eerie, fog-shrouded town of Sleepy Hollow, where the legendary Headless Horseman terrorizes the inhabitants. Ichabod Crane, a skeptical constable from New York, is sent to investigate the grisly murders attributed to this decapitated specter.
As he delves deeper into the macabre secrets of the town, Ichabod discovers a web of dark conspiracies, and the line between the living and the dead becomes chillingly blurred.
Sleepy Hollow is beloved for a multitude of reasons, but its aesthetics play a crucial role in its appeal.
Tim Burton’s signature style is on full display in this film, and it’s impossible not to be entranced by the hauntingly beautiful world he creates. The movie’s visuals are a mesmerizing blend of Gothic and Victorian influences, rich in dark and brooding atmospheres.
The misty, moonlit woods and decaying manors of Sleepy Hollow are brought to life with an enchanting and eerie allure.
The film’s muted color palette, dominated by deep blacks, blood reds, and smoky grays, lends it an unmistakable sense of foreboding. The costumes, too, are meticulously designed to capture the essence of the period, making the characters feel like they’ve stepped out of a haunting painting.
And the interiors AI conjured in the image above beautifully reflect the moody aesthetics of the world Burton created.
#3 Friday the 13th
Friday the 13th (1980), is a beloved classic in the slasher genre. The film follows a group of camp counselors who, while trying to reopen a summer camp, are terrorized by an unknown assailant. As the body count rises, the identity of the killer becomes a chilling mystery.
This film is cherished for its role in popularizing the slasher subgenre and its effective use of suspense and tension. Its aesthetics, though simpler compared to other horror films, play a significant part in its appeal.
The movie’s camp setting, with its rustic cabins, dense woods, and isolated lakeside, creates a sense of vulnerability and fear.
See also: Is it Real? Michael Myers’ house in ‘Halloween’
The dark, shadowy cinematography and gruesome practical effects contribute to the film’s enduring reputation as a quintessential slasher classic. Its iconic killer, Jason Voorhees, has become a symbol of horror, and the film’s aesthetics remain an integral part of its enduring legacy.
And here’s how the movie’s aesthetics translates into interior design:
#4 The Nightmare Before Christmas
The 1993 stop-motion animated masterpiece The Nightmare Before Christmas
has carved a special place in the hearts of audiences as a holiday classic. This enchanting film, directed by Henry Selick and produced by Tim Burton, takes us to the whimsical worlds of Halloween Town and Christmas Town.
The story revolves around Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, who stumbles upon Christmas Town and becomes captivated by the holiday’s joy and cheer.
Determined to bring Christmas to his fellow residents, Jack embarks on a misadventure that blurs the lines between the macabre and the merry, resulting in a heartwarming and visually stunning narrative — that AI managed to transform into eccentric interiors that blend both the eerie and cheerful visual elements of the Halloween classic.
What makes “The Nightmare Before Christmas” so beloved are its unique aesthetics. The film is a visual marvel, with its meticulously crafted stop-motion animation creating a surreal and captivating world.
The character design, with its array of eccentric and endearing denizens, including Jack Skellington, Sally, and Oogie Boogie, is both spooky and lovable. The contrast between the dark, Tim Burton-inspired Halloween Town and the cheerful Christmas Town is an aesthetic triumph that underscores the film’s central theme of transformation and discovery.
#5 The Addams Family
The Addams Family, the 1991 cinematic adaptation of the classic TV series, remains a beloved classic known for its quirky characters and distinctive aesthetics.
Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, the film brings the delightfully macabre Addams family to life on the big screen. The family’s eccentricities, from Gomez and Morticia’s passionate yet gothic love to Wednesday’s morbid fascination and Pugsley’s appetite for destruction, add a refreshing twist to the family comedy genre.
Aesthetically, the film is a visual feast.
The production design immerses viewers in the eerie and opulent world of the Addams mansion, which becomes a character in its own right. The mansion boasts a foreboding exterior and lavish, cobweb-covered interiors filled with bizarre artifacts and contraptions.
And while the exterior of the opulent house is by no means easy to replicate, AI quickly reimagined the interiors of the Addams family house, carefully incorporating the movie’s key themes and aesthetics.
The film’s color palette combines dark, moody tones with vibrant pops of color, capturing the whimsical and Gothic elements that set it apart from conventional family comedies.
The Addams Family embraces the macabre without losing its sense of humor, making it a unique and enduring classic that celebrates the unconventional while reminding us that there’s beauty in embracing the bizarre.
#6 Hocus Pocus
Another Halloween classic, Hocus Pocus (1993) has cast its spell on audiences for decades, becoming a cherished tradition during the spooky season.
The original movie — a much-awaited sequel was released in 2022 — weaves a captivating tale of three witch sisters resurrected on Halloween night in modern-day Salem, Massachusetts, and the trio’s quest for immortality.
Related: The wonderfully witchy Hocus Pocus Houses & filming locations for the new movie
The film’s enduring appeal lies in its enchanting blend of humor, supernatural elements, and timeless aesthetics. The Sanderson sisters, played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, infuse the story with their zany yet malevolent charm, making them iconic Halloween figures.
The film’s witty and light-hearted approach to witchcraft and the supernatural, coupled with the nostalgic ’90s setting, creates a perfect blend of family-friendly Halloween spookiness with aesthetics that continue to captivate both young and old alike.
And they translate into some equally charming interiors that perfectly capture a timeless and whimsical Halloween atmosphere.
Visually, Hocus Pocus captures the essence of Halloween with its cozy small-town setting, complete with quaint colonial houses and a centuries-old cemetery.
The film’s visuals evoke the quintessential Halloween ambiance, replete with autumnal colors, jack-o’-lanterns, and the sisters’ distinctive witchy attire. The Sanderson sisters’ spellbinding concoctions and magical mishaps, rendered through practical effects, add a touch of enchantment to the film’s aesthetics, making it a feast for the eyes.
#7 Little Shop of Horrors
The 1986 cult classic is celebrated for its unique blend of musical comedy and horror. Directed by Frank Oz, the film tells the story of Seymour, a meek floral shop worker who discovers a peculiar plant with a ravenous appetite for human flesh. As the plant, Audrey II, grows and demands increasingly gruesome sacrifices, the story takes dark and humorous twists.
The film’s beloved status can be attributed to its entertaining combination of humor and horror, with a cast that includes Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, and Steve Martin. Little Shop of Horrors offers a fresh take on the B-movie horror genre, using catchy musical numbers and witty dialogue to add an unexpected charm to the story.
Aesthetically, the film features a distinct 1960s urban backdrop with a color palette reminiscent of comic book aesthetics, easily replicated by AI when creating Little Shop of Horrors-inspired interiors.
The imaginative design of Audrey II, a menacing and larger-than-life carnivorous plant, is a visual highlight, blending seamlessly with the film’s darkly comedic themes.
The film’s aesthetics play a crucial role in making it memorable, creating a world where the bizarre and the hilarious intersect, ensuring Little Shop of Horrors remains a beloved classic for those who appreciate its quirky charm.
More stories
Is the Practical Magic House Real? A Throwback to the Magical Movie House that Bewitched Us All!
Is It Real? The Creepy Neibolt House in Stephen King’s ‘It’
Inside Guillermo del Toro’s spine-chilling Bleak House: A treasure trove of horror memorabilia
If you grew up in the 90s as I did, you likely watched Father Of the Bride, erm, let’s say more than a handful of times.
I’m also willing to bet that, while you sat there admiring Annie’s eternally bouncy curls with utter certainty that stonewashed mom jeans and layered turtleneck sweaters would never go out of style, you also dreamt about growing up in a home as warm and welcoming, (not to mention downright huge) as the Banks’ house.
To be fair, Annie’s outfits have come full circle and are once again considered the height of cool-girl fashion. As for our love of that fairytale family home, you’re not the only one still pining to step inside over 30 years later.
To this day it remains one of the most searched-for movie houses on the internet and after a quick re-watch (or three) since the film joined Disney+, I was instantly reminded why.
It also got its fair share of recognition in the 1991 movie that starred Steve Martin as George Banks, Diane Keaton as Nina Banks, Kimberly Williams-Paisley as Annie, Kieran Culkin as Matty, and Steve Martin’s Only Murders in the Building co-star Martin Short as the eccentric wedding planner extraordinaire Franck Eggelhoffer.
Steve Martin’s character, George, proudly boasted that “I love this house. I love that I taught my kids to ride their bikes in the driveway. I love that I slept with them in tents in the backyard. I love that we carved our initials in the tree out front. This house is warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and looks spectacular with Christmas lights. It’s a great house, and I never want to move.” Safe to say that if we lived at the Banks’ house, we’d stay put too!
So, is the Father of the Bride house real? Can we go visit it? And, most importantly, can we too carve our initials on the tree out front?
Probably a firm no on that last one but in answer to the rest, I’ve done some digging and finally know everything I’ve ever wondered about this heart-warmingly nostalgic home. And spoiler alert, it’s not in San Marino, where Steve Martin’s character, George Banks, said it was.
“We live in a small town in Southern California called San Marino. I love this town and not just because it’s the kind of place where people still smile at each other. But because it hasn’t changed much in the past 25 years.”
Is the ‘Father of the Bride’ house real?
Yes, the Father of The Bride House is absolutely real! However, as it turns out, they actually used two homes to bring the movie together. The first, built in 1913, was used to film interior scenes and features as the front of the home that George pulls up to at the beginning of the movie.
“This is our house, 24 Maple Drive”
It has an incredible total of 8 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms and remains as charming today as it was back in the early 90s.
Though the true address isn’t quite as pretty sounding as 24 Maple Drive, it is, as George says, located in California. You’ll find the house looking just as dreamy as you’ve always remembered it at 843 El Molino Avenue in Pasadena, California.
It’s a private residence of course so any trips there should be respectful and discreet, making sure not to trespass on the property or disturb residents and neighbors. There’s been plenty of that in the past; according to betweennapsontheporch.com, the young couple who purchased the property shortly after the movie was made even had people ringing their doorbell and asking for a tour.
However, if you’re noticing that the first house doesn’t have those same iconic pink flower-lined white picket fences you remember from the movie, that’s because they were constructed especially (and temporarily) for the film.
The new owners had them taken out and replaced with new ones when they moved in.
The second house was used to shoot scenes for Annie and Bryan’s backyard wedding.
A Colonial home built in 1925, that property boasts 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, and almost half an acre of land. There’s also a partly furnished basement, a working fireplace, and a parking spot outside to keep the family car in. No mention of a basketball hoop (or swans in the bathtub) of course but I like to think the owners have one!
House #2, the wedding house, it’s also in California and stands at 500 N Almansor St, Alhambra.
“I’ll be honest with you. When I bought this house 17 years ago it cost less than this blessed event in which Annie Banks Became Annie Banks McKenzie.”
A lot has changed since 1992 when Father of the Bride first hit theatres. Not least the cost of huge five-bedroom houses with white picket fences and beautifully landscaped backyards.
So, three decades on and, sadly, more in the know about the cost of real estate, I couldn’t help but wonder just how much the Father of the Bride house would set you back today. Zillow had the answer. Though it’s currently off the market, they estimate that the iconic 4,339 square-foothouse is worth over 3.5 million dollars!
And, if you’re hoping the house used for the backyard wedding scenes might be more reasonable, you’re in luck… kind of. Also off the market, Zillow estimates this equally striking family home’s worth at around the 2.5 million dollar mark. It was last sold in 2016 for $1.998 million.
I’m suddenly considering giving up writing in pursuit of owning my own cook nook or perhaps an athletic shoe company!
Featured image: The real-life house featured on “Father of the Bride”, photo credit: Peter M. CC BY-SA 2.0 via Flickr
More stories
Mrs. Doubtfire’s house is hiding in plain sight in San Francisco
The real-life Brady Bunch House: Then & Now
Where to find Edward Scissorhands’ house, castle, and town in real life
If you love to watch A Christmas Story over the holidays, you might also love to visit Ralphie’s house in real life. I triple dog dare you! Originally released in 1983, the iconic holiday film is set in 1940 and tells the tale of Ralphie Parker’s dream Christmas gift: a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot […]
The post ‘A Christmas Story’ Miracle: Ralphie’s House is Real & Open to Visitors appeared first on Fancy Pants Homes.
Helloooo, and welcome! Though I can hardly believe it, it’s been 30 years since Mrs. Doubtfire was released in theatres. To this day it remains a firm favorite movie of mine and millions of others around the world. Hardly surprising with a Golden Globe win, (Best Performance By An Actor In A Motion Picture), an Oscar win […]
The post Hip-Hop, Be-Bop, Dance Till You Drop – We found the iconic house from Mrs Doubtfire appeared first on Fancy Pants Homes.