You may have recently heard about the film The Meaning of Life winning the Film.ca Audience Choice Award at the 2017 Willson Oakville Film Festival.  What you may not know is that the film was shot entirely within the former site of the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH).

And the film is not alone. Over the years, the picturesque town of Oakville has been featured in a number of big-name films and television shows. Once you visit, you’ll see why.

Read on for a short locations list to help you take a self-guided cinematic tour of our beautiful town (we promise to keep the details spoiler-free):

The Handmaid’s Tale (2017)

If you’re one of the many people who has watched Hulu’s adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, you may have noticed Coronation Park’s outdoor stage as the location of several ceremonial scenes. A far cry from its dystopian on-screen counterpart, the park is a local favourite, featuring a playground, picnic areas and other amenities (please note that some areas are closed due to high lake levels).

Dream House (2011)

Daniel Craig fans may have gotten a glimpse of Oakville in the 2011 thriller, Dream House. Set in New England, the film’s titular “dream house” and surrounding scenery are actually located in Gairloch Gardens, a lakeside spot that features beautiful landscaping, Oakville Galleries art exhibits and a breathtaking view of Lake Ontario (please note that some areas are closed due to high lake levels).

The Santa Clause (1994)

The spotlight is definitely on Oakville in the Tim Allen comedy The Santa Clause, which includes a number of street scenes filmed in Downtown Oakville. Take a walk through this popular shopping district and try to spot the shops and restaurants featured in the film. Some of the signs may have changed, but many of the businesses are still here!

This list is by no means complete, but it will hopefully give you a good idea of which cinematic spots to check out while you’re in town. We look forward to your visit!