Prom, Panic, and the Places That Made It Real: Where Fear Street: Prom Queen Was Filmed

Prom, Panic, and the Places That Made It Real: Where Fear Street: Prom Queen Was Filmed

Ever wonder where those spooky school hallways in Fear Street: Prom Queen were shot? You’re not alone. Netflix brought the creepy town of Shadyside back to life—this time with a fresh 1988 vibe, high school drama, and a killer on the loose.

But behind the chills and chaos? Real-world locations in Canada helped set the stage. In this piece, we’re digging into the spots used to film the latest installment of the Fear Street franchise—and why they were the perfect fit.

They Didn’t Film in Georgia This Time

There is a significant change this round: the movie wasn’t shot in Georgia like the earlier Fear Street films. Instead, the crew packed up and headed to Ontario, Canada. Why the move? A few reasons:

• Better scenery for 1980s Shadyside
• More control over locations
• And, yes—budget cuts

Filming kicked off in March 2024 and wrapped by mid-May. That gave them plenty of time to develop the right look, and it shows.

Hamilton’s Abandoned School Became a Horror Playground

Picture this: a Gothic-style school that’s been shut down for years. Empty halls. Cracked floors. The perfect place for a slasher film, right?

That’s precisely what the team found in Delta Secondary School in Hamilton. It’s got that creepy charm built right in. Located at 1284 Main Street East, it stood in for Shadyside High. The crew even swapped out the sign to make it official.

And Hamilton? It’s not just old buildings. It’s a historic port city with tons of personality. You’ve probably seen it before in shows like The Handmaid’s Tale and The Boys—both filmed here, too.

Toronto Helped Build the 80s… From Scratch

Hamilton gave the film its spooky heart. But Toronto brought it all together.

Why Toronto?

• Custom studio spaces

• Tons of local film talent

• Tax breaks (always a bonus)

It’s known as “Hollywood North” for a reason. Here, they could design retro classrooms, old-school lockers, and every bloody hallway, without worrying about finding real-life spots for every scene.

Think of Toronto as the behind-the-scenes magic. The guts of the movie. Quiet, but vital.

Real Places Made Shadyside Feel Real

So what happens when you mix Hamilton’s eerie vibes with Toronto’s studio power?

You get a town that feels like it could exist.

That’s what makes Prom Queen work. It’s believable. It’s creepy. It feels lived-in. And for a horror movie, that’s gold.

Directors love this kind of setup. It allows them to be creative while keeping the story grounded.

Canada’s Becoming a Horror Hotspot

Horror movies love Canada right now. Especially Netflix.

Why?

• Cheaper to film here

• Easier to get permits

• Places like Toronto and Hamilton look like small-town America

And fans? They get more movies that feel real.

Netflix has already filmed other projects here, like Motorheads and Bet. Judging by how good Prom Queen looks, they’re not stopping anytime soon.

What’s Prom Queen All About, Anyway?

It’s 1988—Prom season. High school drama is at its peak. And when things heat up… girls start disappearing.

There’s a masked killer on the loose.

That’s the basic setup. But this film isn’t just blood and jump scares. It pulls from R.L. Stine’s classic books but spins its fresh story, with new characters and a new setting. It’s still very Fear Street.

Matt Palmer Brought the Scares—And the Style

Director Matt Palmer doesn’t mess around. He teamed up with Donald McLeary to write the film, and they nailed the vibe.

They leaned into:

• Emotional tension
• Classic slasher thrills
• That nostalgic ’80s flavor

And by filming in real schools and soundstages, they made it all feel… disturbingly real.

You Might Spot a Landmark or Two

Live in or around Toronto or Hamilton? Look closely.

• The CN Tower
• Scarborough Bluffs
• Casa Loma

Some of these landmarks pop up in the background. Others were used as sneaky stand-ins for Shadyside locations. If you’re local, it’s a fun little scavenger hunt.

Quick FAQs

Where was Fear Street: Prom Queen filmed?
In Hamilton and Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

When does it come out?
May 23, 2025, on Netflix.

Why Hamilton?
Because Delta Secondary School is spooky—and perfect for horror.

Did they film inside real schools?
Yes. Plus, they built custom sets in Toronto studios.

Is this connected to the other Fear Street movies?
Yep, same universe. But a new story with fresh characters.

Final Words

Fear Street: Prom Queen is more than a slasher flick. It’s a love letter to 80s horror, with real places giving it that extra bite. The ghostly halls of Hamilton and the crafted sets of Toronto brought Shadyside to life in a chilling and cool way. So next time you watch, pay attention to the background—you might see a piece of Canada hiding in the shadows.