Where Was ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ Filmed? Can You Visit Filming Locations?

Have you ever seen the film “Napoleon Dynamite”? This iconic film is a favorite for many. Even if you’ve never seen the film, you can likely recognize Napoleon’s blank face. The movie is set in Idaho, but was it filmed there too? Where was “Napoleon Dynamite” filmed? Follow along to find out.

What is Napoleon Dynamite About?

“Napoleon Dynamite” follows the main character, Napoleon Dynamite, an awkward and anti-social teenager who lives with his grandmother and older brother. However, at the beginning of the film, his grandmother is hurt. He and his brother go to live with their uncle, Uncle Rico.

Napoleon makes two friends in school, while his brother, Kip, tries to make money to see his girlfriend from Detroit, LaFawnduh. Napoleon Dynamite’s two new friends are Deb and Pedro. Deb is a shy but intelligent girl who wants to make enough money for college. Pedro is calm and wants to run for class president. Ultimately, this hilarious coming-of-age film is a story about friendship and finding your people.

This film stars actors like Jon Heder, Jon Gries, Aaron Ruell, Sandy Martin, Tina Majorino, and Efren Ramirez. “Napolean Dynamite” was released in the United States on June 11, 2004. The film had a budget of $400,000. In less than a year, the film grossed nearly 45 million.

Where Was ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ Filmed?

Very few films are produced in the same city or state where they are set. This isn’t the case for “Napoleon Dynamite”. This film was set in Preston, Idaho, and that’s where it was filmed! It took about 20 days, give or take, to film the movie. Preston is close to the Utah border.

You can visit many of the filming spots within the film, considering the buildings were just part of the small town! Fun fact: the film had a small budget and was filmed with friends on a short deadline. Filming in Jared Hess’s hometown, including his high school! 

So, where can you find some of the filming spots? Here are the addresses of a few distinct shooting locations.

Napoleon Dynamite’s House

1447 E 800 N, Preston, ID 83263

Pedro Sanchez’s House

59 S 2nd St E, Preston, ID 83263

Tether Ball Scene

525 S 400 E, Preston, ID

Big J’s Drive-In

190 S 200 W, Richmond, UT 84333

Pop’n Pin Lanes

411 US-91, Preston, ID 83263

Preston High School

151 E 2nd S, Preston, ID 83263

About Preston, Idaho

Now that we know more about the film and its filming location let’s dive into Preston, Idaho! Preston is a charming Midwestern city in Idaho near the Utah border. This city is in Franklin County and is home to nearly 5,600 people. It has a surface area of 6.80 square miles and is only a 25-minute drive from Logan, Utah, home to 10 times the number of people.

Wildlife in Preston, Idaho

So, what animals can you find in this city? Follow along to discover some wildlife that call Preston, Idaho home.

Mule Deer

The first animal on our list is the mule deer. Mule deer are native to western North America. Currently, they are the “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List. While there are several subspecies of mule deer, their appearance varies little. Mule deer have black-tipped tails and large antlers that “fork” as they grow. Their antlers grow rapidly, starting as soon as they shed.

Western Tanager

While visiting Preston, Idaho, you may also see colorful birds like the western tanager. Western tanager birds are vibrant songbirds that stretch about 6.3 to 7.5 inches long. Unsurprisingly, males are more colorful than female western tanagers. They are mainly yellow, red, black, and orange. In Idaho, you can mainly find these birds in coniferous or mixed forests.

Barred Tiger Salamander

Also found in and near Preston is the barred tiger salamander, also known as the western tiger salamander. This mole salamander lives throughout western North America. They are sometimes also pets. These large salamanders are about 6 to 9 inches long and live for about 14 years or more.

Mountain Holly Fern

What about plants? What plants can you find in and near Preston, the filming location of “Napoleon Dynamite”? One plant found in Preston is the mountain holly fern. The scientific name for this plant is Polystichum scopulinum. Like other wildlife on our list, it’s native to western North America.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © SevenMaps/Shutterstock.com