Where Was Glass Filmed? M. Night Shyamalan’s 2019 Movie Filming Locations Explained

Glass marks the conclusion to M. Night Shyamalan’s Unbreakable trilogy, also known as the Eastrail 177 trilogy, the majority of which is set in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Fittingly, much of the 2019 sequel was shot in Philly, and fans of Shyamalan’s story can even visit some of the places that serve as a backdrop to Glass. Many of the businesses that serve as settings for the movie’s pivotal moments have advertised their involvement in the Unbreakable trilogy. And other locations are recognizable enough that viewers will clock them without the help of Facebook and Instagram posts.

Using so many Philadelphia-based filming spots throughout Glass — and the previous Eastrail 177 movies — gives Shyamalan’s story a feeling of authenticity. It grounds the characters and the viewers firmly in the setting without feeling distracting. One might not even realize where Glass takes place as they’re watching it, but there are definitely landmarks that point to its environment.

A.C. Radio Supply – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This Is Where Glass’ Dunn Security Scenes Are Filmed

When Glass opens, David Dunn is in and out of his private security company, Dunn Security, where his son also works. There are several shots of the company at the beginning of Glass, and these were filmed at A.C. Radio Supply in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A.C. Radio Supply posted about their appearance in the 2019 film on Facebook, confirming their store serves as the backdrop. It’s one of several Philadelphia businesses that shows up over the course of Glass’ run. One of the scenes set at Dunn Security also features a cameo from Shyamalan himself.

Allentown State Hospital – Allentown, Pennsylvania

The Facility Doubles As Raven Hill Memorial Psychiatric Hospital In The Film

Much of Glass takes place at a psychiatric facility called Raven Hill Memorial Psychiatric Hospital, which is where Kevin Wendell Crumb and David Dunn are brought following a violent encounter with one another. Sarah Paulson’s Dr. Ellie Staple evaluates them, suggesting their extraordinary abilities are merely “delusions of grandeur.” They eventually learn that Samuel L. Jackson’s Mr. Glass is also being kept at Raven Hill Memorial.

According to IMDb, the shots of this facility were taken at a former psychiatric facility called Allen State Hospital. Allen State Hospital was closed by the time Glass filmed there, and it was demolished a year after the movie’s release (via Leigh Valley Live). It makes for a believable backdrop, especially given where most of the film takes place.

Brave New Worlds Comic Shop – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This Is 1 Of 2 Comic Shops To Make An Appearance In Glass

Brave New Worlds, a comic shop in Philadelphia, also makes an appearance in the movie Glass — and it’s not the only real-life comic book store to do so. Brave New Worlds is the store Joseph Dunn visits after his father is taken to Raven Hill Memorial. Casey Cooke also goes there after encountering Kevin for the first time since the ending of Split. Both are presumably interested in learning more about superheroes and the possibility of deluding oneself into becoming one.

Brave New Worlds shared shots of Glass on its Instagram account, admiring how “cool” the store looks in the movie. Looking at the lighting in the “villains” section Joseph visits, it’s clear the post has a good point. Brave New Worlds is still open as of this writing, so fans of Shyamalan’s Unbreakable movies can go visit.

La Famiglia Ristorante – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Dr. Staple’s Flashback Takes Place Here

La Famiglia Ristorante is an Italian restaurant located in Philadelphia, and it makes a brief appearance towards the ending of Glass (via Italian American Herald). As David Dunn is being drowned in a puddle, Dr. Staple tells him to take her hand. She shows him a glimpse of the meeting that sent her looking for Dunn, Kevin, and Mr. Glass. This meeting takes place in a restaurant, and it was filmed at La Famiglia Ristorante. This eatery is still open as of this writing, making it another place fans of Shyamalan’s trilogy can visit.

Fork – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Dr. Staple Announces Her Future Plans At This Eatery

La Famiglia Ristorante isn’t the only restaurant Dr. Staple dines at during Glass; Paulson’s character also has a scene filmed at the Philadelphia-based eatery Fork. This takes place at the end of Glass, when she meets with the group that sent her after David, Kevin, and Mr. Glass. She reveals her plans to “move to the next city” here and assures her organization that there won’t be any “repercussions.” Fork offers a relatively upscale backdrop, much like La Famiglia Ristorante. Such settings make it clear that the group behind Dr. Staple’s mission has money and power within Shyamalan’s universe.

Ontario Street Comic Shop – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Glass’ 2nd Comic Book Store Appeared In Unbreakable, Too

Ontario Street Comic Shop is the second Philadelphia-based comic book store that appears in Glass, and it has a history within Shyamalan’s Eastrail 177 universe. As Star News Philly notes, this store previously appeared in Unbreakable, during a scene in which Mr. Glass hilariously stresses out one of the workers there. In Glass, Dr. Staple visits this store, and it’s where she realizes how she inadvertently set Mr. Glass’ plans into motion. It’s fitting that this revelation should happen here, and it brings Shyamalan’s trilogy full circle nicely. Ontario Street Comics remains open, and fans can take photos where Paulson once stood.

30th Street Station – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Final Moments Of Glass Were Shot Here

The final moments of Glass see Casey, Mrs. Price, and Joseph meeting at a train station on the heels of Mr. Glass’ plans coming to fruition. As the world realizes that superhuman powers are real, the three sit together and offer each other support. According to Penn Live, this scene was filmed at Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station. The Amtrak station is recognizable as a train pulls into it, and its waiting area marks the perfect spot for Glass characters to watch the world change.

Various Locations In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Using Recognizable Spots Gives The Unbreakable Trilogy Authenticity

Glass kept most of its filming in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and there are numerous other locations the cast and crew were spotted — from random streets and buildings to restaurants and parks. Featuring recognizable areas around Philly gives the Unbreakable trilogy an undeniable sense of authenticity, as it makes its setting feel more real. Per Penn Live and Philly.com, some of the other real-world locations viewers may spot in the film include Frankford Arsenal, Fairmount Park, Guerin Recreation Center, French eatery Parc, Bryn Mawr College and Dinic’s Tavern.

Brazil

It’s Unclear Which Scene M. Night Shyamalan Filmed Here

Although Glass mostly sticks to Pennsylvania, Shyamalan wrote on Twitter that the cast and crew filmed a scene for the movie in Brazil. It’s unclear which scene he’s referring to — or if that moment even made it into the final cut. It’s very possible Shyamalan’s Brazil scene was deleted before Glass hit theaters, which would explain why there’s no backdrop that suggests the movie was filmed anywhere but Pennsylvania.

Source: Facebook, IMDb, Leigh Valley Live, Instagram, Italian American Herald, Star News Philly, Penn Live, Philly.com, Twitter