Maps of Movies
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Where The Curious Case of Benjamin Button says it takes place, and where it was really shot.
A man born old and growing young: his New Orleans homes, and the cities that were really Montreal
View on the map
Scenes and places
The backwards clock at the train station (1918)
A blind clockmaker unveils a station clock that runs backwards, a memorial for the sons lost in the war. It frames the whole story that Daisy tells from her hospital bed.
Set in New Orleans train station — The station where a blind clockmaker's backwards-running clock is unveiled.
The station interior was built as a 3D computer model rather than filmed in a real building.
The nursing home where Benjamin is raised (1918)
An old-looking baby is left on the porch and Queenie takes him in as her own. Benjamin grows up among the residents, learning to walk on crutches.
Set in Queenie's nursing home — The nursing home on whose porch the newborn is left and where Queenie raises him. Google Maps · Apple Maps
A house in New Orleans' Garden District, now a private home.
Filmed at 2707 Coliseum Street, Garden District (Garden District, New Orleans, United States) — House used as the retirement home; the coordinates are the Garden District, not the house itself. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: Garden District; the house is a private home, view from the street.
Benjamin and Daisy at the water's edge (1930)
Benjamin, grown but still old in body, sits by the water with a mentor figure and a friendship forms. It is one of the quiet scenes between his adventures.
Set in Waterside peristyle — A columned waterside walk in New Orleans where Benjamin talks with an older man. Google Maps · Apple Maps
A columned lakeside pavilion in New Orleans' City Park.
Filmed at Peristyle, City Park (City Park, New Orleans, United States) — Named as a filming spot by one film-location blog; the coordinates are City Park's center, not the peristyle. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
Out to sea on the Chelsea (1936)
In autumn 1936 Benjamin leaves with the tugboat crew and sees the world, sending postcards to Daisy. The sea years shape him far from home.
Set in Tugboat Chelsea at sea — The tugboat on which Benjamin leaves New Orleans and travels the world.
The story place is on open water, so it has no fixed map point.
Murmansk, 1941 (1941)
Far from home, Benjamin falls for Elizabeth Abbott, the wife of a British diplomat. The affair is the first great love of his life.
Set in Murmansk — Russian port city where Benjamin meets Elizabeth Abbott. Google Maps · Apple Maps
A Russian Arctic port; in the film it was staged with Canadian streets.
Filmed at Old Montreal, rue Saint-Paul (Old Montreal, Montreal, Canada) — French Wikipedia says Old Montreal streets stood in for a Russian city; which city is not named. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
The Button family mansion (1945)
Back in New Orleans after the war, Benjamin visits the dying Thomas and learns about his family. Thomas leaves him the button business and the estate.
Set in Thomas Button's house — The estate where the dying Thomas Button tells Benjamin about his birth. Google Maps · Apple Maps
A grand house on a tree-lined New Orleans avenue.
Filmed at Lanaux Mansion, Esplanade Avenue (Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans, United States) — Named as the house by one film-location blog; the coordinates are the avenue, not the house. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
Paris, 1954 (1954)
Daisy's ballet career ends in a car accident, and Benjamin travels to see her. She is stunned by how young he looks and pushes him away.
Set in Paris — The city where Daisy's dancing career ends after an accident. Google Maps · Apple Maps
The French capital, partly recreated in a Canadian old town.
Filmed at Old Montreal (Old Montreal, Montreal, Canada) — Italian and French Wikipedia say parts of Old Montreal played Paris. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
Daisy dances for Benjamin (1962)
Daisy, back in New Orleans, dances for Benjamin and the two finally meet on equal ground. They fall in love.
Set in Bandstand in the park — A park bandstand in New Orleans where Daisy dances. Google Maps · Apple Maps
A bandstand in a large New Orleans park.
Filmed at Newman Bandstand, Audubon Park (Audubon Park, New Orleans, United States) — Named as the bandstand by one film-location blog; the coordinates are the park's center. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
Characters
- Benjamin Button — A man born with an old body who grows younger as the years pass.
- Daisy — A dancer from New Orleans whose life keeps crossing his.
- Queenie — The caretaker who raises Benjamin as her own.
Questions answered on the map
- Where was Benjamin Button's nursing home in New Orleans?
- Which cities in Benjamin Button were really Montreal?