The Unexpected Truth: 5 Key Locations Where They Filmed 'It Ends With Us' (It's Not Boston!)

The highly-anticipated film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's global phenomenon, It Ends With Us, has finally arrived, bringing the emotional story of Lily Bloom, Ryle Kincaid, and Atlas Corrigan to the big screen. As of December 12, 2025, fans are buzzing not just about the cast and the controversial age gap, but also about the evocative backdrop of the movie. While the novel firmly plants its roots in Boston, Massachusetts, and the fictional town of Plethora, Maine, the actual production team chose a different, and perhaps surprising, East Coast location to bring Lily's story to life: New Jersey.

This article dives deep into the specific, real-world addresses and towns that doubled as the Boston setting, revealing the key filming locations in New Jersey and providing a complete profile of the main stars who anchored this romantic drama. The choice of filming locations was a strategic move to capture the quintessential New England feel without the logistical challenges of shooting in the heart of Beantown.

The Core Cast and Director: A Quick Profile

The film, directed by Justin Baldoni, features a small but powerful ensemble cast, with each actor taking on the challenging roles from Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel.

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• Blake Lively (as Lily Bloom)
  • Birth Name: Blake Ellender Brown
  • Born: August 25, 1987, in Tarzana, California, United States
  • Notable Works: Best known for her iconic role as Serena van der Woodsen in the CW series Gossip Girl, as well as lead roles in films like The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, The Age of Adaline, and A Simple Favor. She also serves as an executive producer on It Ends With Us.
• Justin Baldoni (as Ryle Kincaid / Director)
  • Birth Name: Justin Louis Baldoni
  • Born: January 24, 1984, in Los Angeles, California, United States
  • Notable Works: Renowned for playing Rafael Solano on the TV series Jane the Virgin. Baldoni not only stars as the neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid but also directs and serves as an executive producer through his company, Wayfarer Studios, after securing the rights to the book in 2019.
• Brandon Sklenar (as Atlas Corrigan)
  • Birth Name: Brandon Tyler Feakins
  • Born: June 26, 1990, in New Jersey, United States
  • Notable Works: Gained significant recognition for his role as Spencer Dutton in the Yellowstone prequel series 1923, and has also appeared in films like Midway and The Offer.

5 Specific Filming Locations That Became Lily's Boston

Despite the story being deeply "embedded in Boston and New England life," the majority of the filming took place just across the Hudson River from Manhattan, utilizing the unique architecture and neighborhoods of Hudson County, New Jersey. The production team, including Production Designer Russell Barnes, worked to create a world that felt authentic to Lily Bloom's journey. Here are the key locations where the magic happened:

1. Hoboken, New Jersey: The Main Hub and Cityscape

Hoboken, a small city on the banks of the Hudson River, served as the primary base of operations for the cast and crew. Its charming brownstones, waterfront views, and bustling main streets provided the perfect visual stand-in for the Boston setting. Locals frequently spotted Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni filming scenes across the city, capturing the daily life of Lily Bloom as she starts her new life.

2. Jersey City, New Jersey: Doubling for Boston's Financial District

Just south of Hoboken, Jersey City was crucial in providing a more metropolitan feel, often substituting for some of Boston's more urban or commercial areas. The city's diverse architecture allowed the production to seamlessly blend different types of scenes, from dramatic street moments to intimate interior shots.

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3. South House, Jersey City: The Fateful Restaurant Scene

One of the most memorable and fateful scenes in the movie—likely involving Ryle and Lily—was filmed at a specific, real-world establishment: South House in Jersey City. This fine dining restaurant provided the sophisticated and dramatic backdrop for a pivotal moment in the characters' relationship. Fans of the book will recognize this location as a key setting where a major plot point unfolds, making it one of the most identifiable real-life spots from the movie.

4. Van Vorst Park, Jersey City: An Outdoor Backdrop

The production utilized several outdoor spaces to capture the natural beauty and community feel of the New England setting. Van Vorst Park in Jersey City was specifically mentioned as a location used for filming. Parks and green spaces are essential for capturing the romantic and contemplative moments in the story, particularly those involving Lily and Atlas Corrigan. This location likely provided the setting for some of the more tender or reflective scenes.

5. The Roots Flower Shop: A Custom-Built Set

While Lily Bloom’s flower shop, "Roots," is central to the entire narrative, the actual shop was not a pre-existing location. Instead, the production team created a custom-built set to serve as Lily’s sanctuary and business. This set was likely constructed within a commercial space in either Hoboken or Jersey City, allowing the team complete control over the design to match the book's description and the film's aesthetic. The flower shop serves as a major entity in the story, representing Lily's independence and her fresh start in the new city.

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Why New Jersey Over Boston? Production Secrets Revealed

The decision to film a story set in Boston in the neighboring state of New Jersey is a common practice in Hollywood, often boiling down to logistical and financial advantages.

• Tax Incentives: New Jersey frequently offers generous film and television tax credits, making it significantly more cost-effective to film there compared to a major city like Boston. This financial incentive is often the single biggest factor in choosing a production location.
• Proximity to Production Hubs: Filming in Hoboken and Jersey City provides easy access to New York City, which is one of the world's largest production centers. This proximity means better access to rental equipment, specialized crew members, and post-production facilities.
• Architectural Double: Both Hoboken and Jersey City share a similar East Coast aesthetic with Boston, featuring historic brownstones, waterfront areas, and a mix of old and new architecture, allowing them to convincingly double for the Massachusetts capital.

The production, which began filming in 2023 and continued into early 2024, faced a brief delay due to the WGA strikes but successfully wrapped to meet its release schedule. The use of Wayfarer Studios, Justin Baldoni's own production company, ensured a dedicated and passionate approach to adapting Colleen Hoover's sensitive material.

Ultimately, the New Jersey locations—from the specific fine dining restaurant in Jersey City to the various streets of Hoboken—successfully created the visual world needed for the romantic drama. Fans of the novel can now appreciate how the production team artfully transformed these New Jersey spots into the iconic settings of Lily Bloom's emotional journey, proving that the heart of the story can be captured anywhere the camera rolls. The effort to secure these real-world locations, rather than relying on studio sets, adds a layer of authenticity to the story of the neurosurgeon and the flower shop owner that readers have come to adore.