SetJetting the Filming Locations of “Sharktopus”
Sharktopus may be a B-movie, but it’s perfect chewing gum for the mind, with exotic movie scene locations you can enjoy SetJetting. The film taps into the legend of the Caribbean “Lusca”, a sea beast thought to be half Great White shark and half Giant Octopus. It was once hunted by TV angler Jeremy Wade, to no success. Add this mythical creature to the mind of cult movie king Roger Corman, who even makes a cameo in the film, and you get Sharktopus. But this time hunted down by Eric Roberts. While the movie received a mix of harsh and humorous reviews, it was a surprising success, becoming a favorite among fans of campy, creature features.
The reviews of this film are great, and make it worth watching – just to see how far Corman takes it and who is left alive at the credits. There are a few spoiler alerts in my blog, but not to worry, it’s not like you don’t see it coming.
- “It’s as if a shark and an octopus had a child and then sent it to acting school. The movie is hilariously bad, and that’s what makes it so good” (link).
- “This is what Syfy does best. Pure B-movie bliss. Roger Corman strikes again!” (link).
Despite its low budget and critical pans, Sharktopus garnered impressive viewership on Syfy, the highest viewership of any of its made-for-TV films (2 million). They led to several sequels, making it a success in Corman’s vast B-movie empire.
Queen Mary – Long Beach, California (2 Scenes)
I love this scene because you know it’s coming, but you’re just not sure who is going first. Ok, you probably know every scene is coming in this film. Sharktopus devours the ship’s painters hanging over the side of the Queen Mary in Long Beach. The Queen Mary offers more than just a filming location; visitors to this historic ocean liner can explore its fascinating history, take ghost tours, or dine aboard this iconic ship. With its unique mix of maritime history and paranormal intrigue. There are two ShotSyncs at this location, the best one from across the water from the Queen Mary at the “Official Queen Mary Photo Op Locations”, and the other from the Queen Mary parking lot in front of the Queen Mary.
More info on the Queen Mary.
Additional film scenes found at the Queen Mary
- The Poseidon Adventure (1972) – The Queen Mary was used for the interior and exterior shots of the ill-fated cruise liner.
- Pearl Harbor (2001) – The Queen Mary stood in for military vessels in this war drama.
- The Aviator (2004) – Used as a stand-in for the luxury liner SS Normandie.
- Titanic II (2010) – Featured in scenes of the titular ship.
- Ghost Ship (2002) – The Queen Mary’s haunted history made it a natural fit for this horror film.
Paradise Beach Resort & Spa – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (2 Scenes)
At the Paradise Beach Resort, Sharktopus kills Nathan Sands (Eric Roberts) along the marina boardwalk. While this scene is action-packed, the resort itself offers a more serene escape, with luxurious amenities, beach activities, and stunning views. There is a great fire-dancing Sharktopus attack at this resort location as well.
More on Paradise Beach Resort.
Conchas Chinas Beach – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (4 Scenes)
This beach has several great scenes of Sharktopus chaos to visit. The reporter Stacy Everheart (Liv Boughn) with her cameraman “Bones” (Héctor Jiménez), filming Sharktopus attacking the beach goers, the “Old Man” watching a bikini-clad beach goer (Lindsay Conklin) pulled into the water, and a few other scenes were filmed at Conchas Chinas Beach. This quiet, scenic beach is ideal for snorkeling, sunbathing, and enjoying peaceful coastal views in Puerto Vallarta. Grab a ShotSync photo of your favorite scene and explore the hidden coves of this idyllic location.
Explore Conchas Chinas.
Check this out!
“Bones” (Héctor Jiménez) is the same actor who played “Esqueleto” in Nacho Libre beside Jack Black.
The “Dirty Old Man” watching Stacy bend over on the beach just before her demise was actually Roger Coreman! Here are a few more films with Coreman’s signature style that you must watch.
- Attack of the Crab Monsters (1957) – Like Sharktopus, it’s a campy creature feature that’s “hilariously bad” but beloved for its B-movie charm.
- Death Race 2000 (1975) – An outrageous, over-the-top action film that critics panned but audiences adored, much like Sharktopus.
- Piranha (1978) – Another killer creature movie that mixes terror and laughs, often described as “pure B-movie bliss.”
Parque Nacional Marino Los Arcos de Mismaloya – Puerto Vallarta, México (1 Scenes)
When Pez (Blake Lindsey) goes overboard in the tentacles of Sharktopus into the stunning waters of Parque Nacional Marino Los Arcos, it’s hard not to appreciate the breathtaking beauty of the marine park. Famous for its rock formations and snorkeling spots, this location is a diver’s paradise.
El Edén de Mismaloya – Puerto Vallarta, México
I’m not sure how an ocean dwelling shark octopus chimera made it 3 miles inland up a remote jungle fresh water river, but Sharktopus did it and ended up at El Eden de Mismaloya. There are several Sharktopus scene locations at the resort located in this deep jungle area, including the demise of several bystanders, key characters and the final battle in the river between Andy Flynn (Kerem Bürsin) and Sharktopus. The river and resort area are really spectacular and offer zip-lining, swimming in natural pools, and lush jungle landscapes. Visit El Eden.
Want another reason to visit El Eden? This location also hosted Predator’s “guerrilla camp” scene, and the movie set still remains, as well as the helicopter, and they have a statue of the Predator at the location. Take your SetJetters ShotSync photos on the set and surrounded by this natural beauty!
Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias – Valencia, Spain
The lab where Sharktopus was created was filmed at the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias in Valencia, Spain. This futuristic architectural masterpiece offers plenty of attractions, including an aquarium, science museum, and interactive exhibits.
Discover more about Ciudad de las Artes.
Additional film scenes found at the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
- Tomorrowland (2015) Exterior scenes of the futuristic city were filmed here.
- Andor (2022) The second season of the show was filmed at this location.
Why Visit These Locations?
Visiting filming locations brings us deeper into the region hosting the scene, from the haunted history of the Queen Mary to the tranquil beaches of Puerto Vallarta and the futuristic landscapes of Valencia, the filming locations of Sharktopus bring us to unique and experiential areas. But, who doesn’t love to see a campy CGI image superimposed on these beautiful areas? Grab the SetJetters app, travel, capture your ShotSync moments, explore and relive the outrageous scenes of Sharktopus—and let us know if you see the half-shark, half-octopus Lusca lurking nearby!
“The only thing scarier than Sharktopus is that people can’t get enough of it!” (link).
