Key Takeaways

• “The Life List” was primarily filmed across various boroughs of New York City
• Key NYC filming locations include Chinatown, Cortlandt Alley, Lower East Side, and Washington Square Park
• Brooklyn provided character and charm through neighborhoods like Gowanus and Brooklyn Heights
• Nyack, NY was transformed to represent Burlington, Vermont for specific scenes
• Jersey City, New Jersey also served as a filming location for several scenes

Where Was The Life List Filmed: A Journey Through Its Stunning Backdrops

The captivating Netflix sensation “The Life List” has taken viewers by storm since its premiere on March 28, 2025. As audiences follow the emotional journey of the protagonist checking off items from her bucket list, many are left wondering: where was The Life List filmed? The answer lies primarily across the vibrant boroughs of New York City, with additional scenes captured in New Jersey. Let’s dive into the mesmerizing filming locations that brought this heartwarming story to life.

New York City: The Urban Canvas

New York City served as the main backdrop for “The Life List,” offering its iconic cityscape and diverse neighborhoods as the perfect setting for the character’s transformative journey.

Chinatown: A Place of Reflection

The bustling streets of Chinatown became an integral part of the movie’s visual storytelling. These scenes were carefully chosen to represent moments of deep self-reflection and discovery for the main character. As she navigates through the vibrant markets and narrow streets filled with colorful lanterns, viewers can feel her emotional evolution against this culturally rich background. The contrast between the character’s internal quietude and the neighborhood’s external energy creates a powerful visual metaphor that resonates throughout the film. According to Moviedelic, these Chinatown scenes rank among the most visually striking in the entire movie.

“The juxtaposition of ancient traditions and modern life in Chinatown perfectly mirrored our protagonist’s struggle to reconcile her past with her future.” – The Life List’s director

Cortlandt Alley: Old-World Charm

Film buffs might recognize Cortlandt Alley, as it’s one of the most filmed locations in New York City. This narrow passage between Franklin and White Streets in Tribeca provided “The Life List” with that quintessential old-New York aesthetic that cinematographers adore. Its gritty, weathered appearance with fire escapes and industrial doorways created the perfect ambiance for pivotal scenes in the story. Moviedelic reports that this location was specifically chosen to evoke a sense of nostalgia and authenticity that newer parts of the city couldn’t provide.

Lower East Side: Youthful Energy

The production team captured several key moments around East 9th Street and Loisaida Avenue in the Lower East Side. This neighborhood’s eclectic mix of hip cafes, vintage shops, and street art perfectly complemented the protagonist’s journey of rediscovery. The area’s youthful energy and creative spirit mirror the character’s own awakening as she progresses through her life list. According to film location experts, the Lower East Side scenes were primarily shot during early morning hours to capture the soft, golden light while minimizing interference from crowds.

Washington Square Park: Freedom and Possibility

No New York-based film would be complete without featuring Washington Square Park, and “The Life List” is no exception. This iconic location, with its famous arch and central fountain, was used to capture the city’s free-spirited atmosphere. Several pivotal scenes take place here, with the park symbolizing freedom and possibility. Whether it’s a chance encounter with a stranger or a moment of revelation, Washington Square Park provides the perfect setting for these emotional touchpoints. Film location resources confirm that the production secured special permits to film during less crowded weekday mornings.

Greenwich Village Comedy Club: Laughter and Growth

For scenes where the character Alex performs stand-up comedy as part of her bucket list, the production team likely utilized the Greenwich Village Comedy Club. This venue provided an authentic setting for these nerve-wracking yet transformative moments in the story. The intimate stage and classic comedy club ambiance created the perfect backdrop for the character to face her fears and find her voice. Moviedelic notes that actual stand-up comedians were brought in as extras to create a realistic comedy club environment.

Brooklyn: Character and Charm

Brooklyn’s unique character made it an ideal filming location for “The Life List,” offering diverse urban settings with a distinctly different feel from Manhattan.

“Brooklyn isn’t just a setting in our film—it’s practically a character itself, with its own personality and evolution paralleling our protagonist’s journey.”

Gowanus: Industrial Meets Creative

The Gowanus neighborhood, known for its blend of repurposed warehouses and creative spaces, provided a fascinating visual contrast to the more polished parts of the city. This area’s transformation from industrial wasteland to artistic hub parallels the main character’s own journey of reinvention. The filmmakers took advantage of the neighborhood’s canal, street art, and converted factories to create visually compelling scenes that speak to themes of change and renewal. According to location scouts, Gowanus offered the “perfect visual metaphor for the character’s transformation.”

River Deli Restaurant: Intimate Connections

Located at 32 Joralemon Street in Brooklyn Heights, the River Deli Restaurant served as the setting for several intimate dinner scenes. This charming Italian eatery, with its warm lighting and cozy atmosphere, created the perfect backdrop for meaningful conversations and relationship developments. The restaurant’s authentic character added depth and realism to these pivotal moments. Both Moviedelic and Soap Central confirm that the production team spent several days filming at this location to capture both daytime and evening scenes.

Brooklyn’s Historic Streets

The film also showcases several of Brooklyn’s most picturesque streets, including Columbia Place, Remsen Street, Montague Street, and Cadman Plaza West. These tree-lined thoroughfares with their brownstone buildings and historic charm provided a romantic, timeless quality to the film. Walking scenes filmed in these locations capture the character’s moments of contemplation and decision-making against a backdrop that feels both quintessentially New York and somehow apart from the frenetic energy of Manhattan. According to filming location databases, many of these street scenes were filmed during fall to capture the beautiful foliage.

Nyack, New York: Small-Town Transformation

One of the most impressive feats of the production team was transforming the picturesque village of Nyack, New York, into Burlington, Vermont for certain scenes in the film. This charming location along the Hudson River, about 20 miles north of New York City, provided the perfect small-town atmosphere needed for specific parts of the story.

Wasabi Restaurant Becomes “Purdy’s”

In a clever bit of movie magic, the production temporarily rebranded Nyack’s Wasabi Restaurant as “Purdy’s” for the film. This transformation allowed the story to convincingly portray a quintessential Vermont eatery without having to travel to the actual state. The restaurant’s exterior and interior were modified with set dressing to create the illusion of a completely different establishment. Moviedelic reports that local residents were fascinated by the overnight transformation of this familiar local spot.

The First Reformed Church of Nyack

The historic First Reformed Church of Nyack features prominently in several scenes, providing a sense of community and tradition that contrasts with the urban settings elsewhere in the film. This beautiful structure, with its classic architecture, offers a visual touchstone for scenes exploring themes of faith, commitment, and legacy. Soap Central notes that the production was particularly careful to respect the historical significance of this location during filming.

“The transformation of Nyack into a Vermont town wasn’t just about changing signs—it was about capturing that quintessential New England feeling that’s so crucial to those pivotal scenes in our story.”

New Jersey: Urban Diversity

While New York provided the bulk of filming locations, the production team also ventured across the Hudson River to capture scenes in Jersey City, New Jersey. This location choice took advantage of Jersey City’s proximity to NYC while offering slightly different urban aesthetics.

Jersey City’s Urban Landscape

Jersey City’s diverse urban settings provided additional visual variety for the film. Its waterfront areas offer stunning views of the Manhattan skyline, while its neighborhoods range from ultra-modern to historically preserved. This diversity allowed the filmmakers to capture different moods and moments without traveling far from their primary New York locations. Sportskeeda reports that several key transitional scenes were filmed here, taking advantage of the city’s distinctive character.

The Filming Timeline

According to production information from 4Filming, the filming of “The Life List” took place throughout 2024, wrapping in time for its Netflix premiere on March 28, 2025. The production team strategically scheduled outdoor filming to capture different seasons, adding visual richness to the story’s progression. This careful planning allowed them to showcase New York’s distinctive seasonal changes as a visual parallel to the character’s emotional journey.

Why These Locations Matter

The choice of filming locations for “The Life List” was far from arbitrary. Each setting was carefully selected to enhance the storytelling and reflect the emotional state of the characters. From the gritty authenticity of Cortlandt Alley to the picturesque streets of Brooklyn Heights, each location adds layers of meaning to the narrative.

The contrast between bustling urban environments and more serene settings mirrors the protagonist’s internal journey. As she works through her life list, the changing backdrops become a visual representation of her evolving perspective and priorities. This thoughtful integration of setting and story is part of what makes “The Life List” such a visually compelling and emotionally resonant film.

“In cinema, locations are never just backdrops. They’re emotional landscapes that shape our understanding of character and story. Each street corner in ‘The Life List’ was chosen to reflect a specific moment in our protagonist’s evolution.”

Planning Your Own “Life List” Tour

For fans of the movie eager to experience these locations firsthand, a self-guided tour of “The Life List” filming spots could make for an exciting adventure. Most of the locations are accessible by public transportation, making it relatively easy to visit multiple sites in a day. From Washington Square Park to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, walking in the footsteps of the characters offers a unique way to connect with the film’s themes of exploration and discovery.

Whether you’re a film buff, a New York enthusiast, or simply captivated by the story of “The Life List,” exploring these filming locations provides a tangible connection to the movie’s magic. Just as the protagonist discovered new perspectives through her journey, visitors might find fresh appreciation for these iconic New York and New Jersey settings when viewed through the lens of this heartwarming film.

So, where was The Life List filmed? Now you know it was primarily across New York City’s diverse neighborhoods, with strategic scenes in Nyack and New Jersey – each location carefully chosen to enhance the storytelling and create a visually stunning backdrop for this unforgettable journey.

FAQ

Q: When was “The Life List” released on Netflix?
A: “The Life List” premiered on Netflix on March 28, 2025, after filming throughout 2024.

Q: Was “The Life List” actually filmed in Vermont?
A: No, the scenes set in Vermont were actually filmed in Nyack, New York, which was transformed to resemble a Vermont town. The production team rebranded locations like Wasabi Restaurant (which became “Purdy’s” in the film) to create the illusion of being in Vermont.

Q: What New York City neighborhoods were featured in “The Life List”?
A: The film featured several New York City neighborhoods, including Chinatown, Tribeca (specifically Cortlandt Alley), the Lower East Side, Greenwich Village (including Washington Square Park), and various parts of Brooklyn including Gowanus and Brooklyn Heights.

Q: Can I visit the comedy club shown in the movie?
A: Yes, the Greenwich Village Comedy Club featured in the film is a real venue that you can visit. It’s where the character performs stand-up comedy as part of her bucket list.

Q: Did they film any scenes in New Jersey?
A: Yes, some scenes were filmed in Jersey City, New Jersey. The production team took advantage of Jersey City’s diverse urban settings and waterfront areas that offer stunning views of the Manhattan skyline.

Q: Is the River Deli Restaurant in Brooklyn a real place I can visit?
A: Yes, the River Deli Restaurant located at 32 Joralemon Street in Brooklyn Heights is a real Italian eatery that served as a filming location for several intimate dinner scenes in the movie.