Featured Image: Canton Tourism
Forget the catfish and college football for just a moment and picture this: In a quaint town square where the courthouse has been on camera more times than we can count, Canton, Mississippi, has become a tried-and-true director-favorite filming destination.
Without the traffic of Hollywood and with the beauty of 19th-century Southern architecture, what’s not to love about Canton? If you’re a cinephile looking for a hobby trip a little closer to home, here’s a list of the top films and their locations.
The Claims To Fame
A Time to Kill | 1996
Calling all Matthew McConaughey fans: Based on John Grisham’s best-selling novel, A Time to Kill was filmed almost entirely at the Madison County Courthouse, located in the center of Canton’s historic square. While in Canton, you can walk the square, tour the courthouse, and even visit the building that housed the iconic scene where we see Matthew and Sandra Bullock’s characters arguing at a local diner.
Today, that very building and set are home to the Canton Movie Museum’s exhibit on the film, a must-visit to experience the set in real life, along with many props, outfits, and more used in A Time to Kill.
My Dog Skip | 2000
Dogs really are man’s best friend, and My Dog Skip is one of the best portrayals of how animals can truly shape human lives. The movie follows the story of a quirky young boy (Frankie Muniz) whose mother gets him a dog that changes his life, relationships, and confidence for the better.
The movie had several filming locations around downtown Canton, including the iconic courthouse, the boy’s childhood home located just a few blocks from the square, and Union Street. As a bonafide doggy lover and enthusiast, I feel I must prepare you for the true ending of the film–so please come equipped with tissues and comfort snacks.
O Brother, Where Art Thou? | 2000
Satire meets drama meets comedy in O Brother, Where Art Thou? Set in rural Mississippi during the great depression, this flick follows the story of three convicts (George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson) who have escaped from prison and are searching for a hidden treasure whilst being chased by local law enforcement.
Plenty of laughs are to be had when watching this film, and you’ll spy several scenes with the Madison County Courthouse, downtown square, and even the Canton Tourism and Welcome Center, which served as the local restaurant.
The Minute You Wake Up Dead | 2022
Small-town mystery movie The Minute You Wake Up Dead is about a stockbroker named Russ (Cole Hauser) who makes a bad call with a client’s money and ends up ostracized from the life he knows. Escaping, he returns to the small Mississippi town he grew up in and gets involved with a local waitress (Jaimie Alexander).
I won’t spoil the rest for you, but just know you’re in for lots of treats and thrills: murder, deception, even Morgan Freeman, who plays the local sheriff. Canton provided the perfect small-town Mississippi setting for this film, and locations included the historic post office in town, the Will Banks Building, and, of course, the historic downtown square featuring the Madison County Courthouse.
The Girl in the River | Coming Soon
If you have your thoughts on the future, keep a watchful eye out for The Girl in the River, a thriller set in a rural American town following the story of a psychologist and criminologist duo investigating the murder and disappearance of young twin girls. Not much is known about the film just yet, but we do know that filming wrapped up in 2025, with much of it featuring the historic downtown square and courthouse.
Other Ways to Experience
The Movie Museums
Canton has a way for you to immerse yourself in their rich history with the cinematics via the Canton Movie Museums. You can experience different recreated sets from films such as A Time to Kill, My Dog Skip, O Brother, Where Art Thou, and more. Tickets are a steal at only $5 per person and are well worth the treat of seeing props, costumes, and more from some of America’s most cherished movies.
Canton Young Filmmaker’s Workshop
For 24 years, the Canton Young Filmmakers Workshop has been thriving, pouring knowledge into kids ages eight to 18 on how to direct, create, film, and even write scripts. Students are invited to engage their creativity, collaborate with other students on projects, and learn what it means to be in the movie business.
Find more Southern travel inspiration here.
| This article is presented in partnership with Canton Tourism, a Modern South Founding Partner.
