Did you know that Canada has provided the backdrop for some of Hollywood’s most celebrated films? Find out which of your favourite movies were shot right here in your own backyard.

Hollywood often uses Canadian locations to bring its award-winning stories to life. Offering everything from dramatic natural backdrops to urban settings, Canada is a hub for cinematic scenes that have dazzled audiences on the big screen. Let’s take a look at some of the most memorable Oscar-winning movies that were shot throughout the country.

The Revenant (2015)

Few movies offer such a powerful showcase of Canada’s natural beauty as this one. Filmed extensively in Alberta, The Revenant is a brutal survival story made all the more intense by the province’s stark wilderness locations. It used Alberta’s frozen rivers, dense forests, towering mountains, and vast open terrain to convey physical and emotional endurance. It was the film that finally granted Leonardo DiCaprio his long-awaited Oscar.

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Brokeback Mountain also used Alberta’s Rocky Mountains to tell its story. The sweeping scenery, with its dramatic peaks and alpine lakes, was perfect for recreating the American West. More than just a backdrop, our landscape was used to reflect the tension and isolation at the heart of the movie. Brokeback Mountain earned multiple Oscars, including Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, with Alberta’s scenery playing an essential role.

Titanic (1997)

While many scenes in Titanic were filmed in massive studios, Canada was also used to bring the historic disaster to life on screen. In particular, scenes connected to the ship’s sinking were filmed around Halifax, which is not far away from where the real-life tragedy occurred. The frigid Atlantic waters lent a gravity and authenticity to the production, which went on to tie for the most Oscars ever won, at 11.

Chicago (2002)

Despite its setting in 1920s Illinois, much of Chicago was actually filmed in Toronto. The city’s streets were transformed into Prohibition-era Chicago, making it pass convincingly for its American locations. From smoky jazz clubs to courtroom scenes, Toronto provides the backdrop for the film’s glamorous world. The musical ultimately won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, with its Canadian locations playing a crucial supporting role.

Good Will Hunting (1997)

While the story took place in Boston, much of Good Will Hunting was filmed in Toronto. The city’s academic buildings and urban neighbourhoods stood in for the City of Champions. By providing its seamless and convincing backdrop, Toronto allowed the performances to take centre stage. The beloved, character-driven drama ended up earning the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Robin Williams.

The Shape of Water (2017)

Toronto once again proved its versatility as a filming location when it served as a Cold War-era Baltimore for The Shape of Water. Streets, theatres, and industrial spaces were used to evoke the 1960s setting, providing the fantasy romance film with a grounded realism. The film went on to win four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, thanks in no small part to Toronto’s believable period atmosphere.

Capote (2005)

Although Capote was set largely in Kansas and New York, significant scenes in the movie were filmed in Winnipeg and the surrounding area. The province’s flat landscapes and small-town filming locations helped create a quiet and restrained tone and were able to convincingly stand in for the American Midwest. With ideal scenery for anchoring the performance-driven drama, the film earned Philip Seymour Hoffman an Oscar for Best Actor.