Movies and Television Inspired by the Outer Banks

Discover films and television productions connected to the Outer Banks NC, along with the landscapes, history, and stories that exist behind the screen.

Outer Banks Inspired Movies & TV Shows

By Outer Banks Visitors Bureau on Apr. 14, 2025

The Outer Banks of North Carolina has long offered coastal settings, striking scenery, and a remarkable history to inspire storytellers. The region has been part of major moments ranging from the birth of a nation to the birth of aviation, influencing the history and character of North Carolina, the country, and the world. Its role in television, film, radio, books & more is no surprise. The productions below were inspired by the OBX or filmed locally.

Call Sign Romeo

Among the more recent movies filmed locally, Call Sign Romeo follows a high school wrestling team captain pursuing a championship match while struggling with competing priorities and hardship. Producer Sam Cortez wrote the film, which had its first premier in May of 2022. Local actors made up 80% of the film's actors, and aviation themes were brought to life at Wright Brother's National Memorial.

Send It

Set in the southern section of the Outer Banks, Hatteras Island, Send It is a boy-meets-girl romance unfolding during REAL Watersport's kiteboarding event, the Wind Voyager Triple-S Invitational. To represent their roles authentically, the main actors learned to kiteboard for the production.

Netflix's Outer Banks

Netflix's Outer Banks draws on actual east coast barrier islands and has gained popularity around the world. Although the show was not filmed in the OBX, it combines adventure novels with the history and lore of the surrounding NC coastal area. The teen drama centers on friends searching for clues about one character’s missing father and a buried treasure along the coastal Outer Banks of North Carolina.

The Peanut Butter Falcon

OBX born and raised local Tyler Nilson co-wrote and directed The Peanut Butter Falcon. This heartfelt film follows Zak, a 22 year old with Down Syndrome who has been abandoned by his family. After fleeing his caregivers, he sets out to become a professional wrestler. Shia LaBeouf, Zak Gottsagen, and Dakota Johnson star in the movie.

Nights in Rodanthe

Nights in Rodanthe brings to the screen the romance of the major motion picture starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane, adapted from the bestselling novel by Nicholas Sparks. The film was shot on location in Rodanthe, the Hatteras Island village named in its title, allowing visitors to experience actual places on the Outer Banks of North Carolina that appear in the film.

Brainstorm

The 1983 science fiction film Brainstorm features Natalie Wood, Christopher Walken, and Louise Fletcher. Some of its scenes are set at the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills.

National Geographic's Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks

The Outer Banks serves as more than a vacation destination; it is fishing territory for local legends. Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks explores the captains' favorite spots along the Outer Banks. Britton Shackelford also offers a behind-the-scenes look at his boat in a special interview at the end of the blog.

In Search Of Season 2, Edpisode 3: The Lost Colony of Roanoke

Hosted by Zachary Quinto and Eddie Schmidt, In Search Of travels to Roanoke Island to investigate one of America's greatest historical mysteries: the disappearance of 117 English colonists. The production examines the site of the original attempted settlement, where the colonists vanished over 400 years ago without a trace, to consider whether any survivors remained. The episode was made for this History Channel production.

Expedition Unknown: Josh Gates Tours Roanoke Island

On Travel Channel's Expedition Unknown, Josh Gates searches for the lost colony on Roanoke within North Carolina's Outer Banks barrier islands while sharing adventurous travel tips. The Lost Colony and Elizabethan Gardens are among the shooting locations.

Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives with Guy Fieri

Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives visited multiple OBX restaurants in its 2012 episodes “Layer of Flavor,” “Land to Sea” and “Pub & Grub.” Tortuga's Lie, The Black Pelican, Ortega'z Southwestern Grill, and Outer Banks Brewing Station were all featured.

Feeling' It Music Video by Scotty McCreery

Country singer Scotty McCreery released his hit song Feelin' It in 2013 after filming the music video along the OBX. The video shows Scotty and friends enjoying the beach, driving along Highway 12, climbing Bodie Island Lighthouse, and visiting Dune Burger for treats.

Waitin' on a Woman Music Video by Brad Paisley

Country music star Brad Paisley joined Andy Griffith for this award winning music video in 2008. Andy Griffith was a full time resident in Manteo at the time of filming, and the production took place at the Outlets Nags Head.