When I first watched Mallrats, I wanted to visit every spot where Kevin Smith filmed this cult classic. If you’re hunting for the actual Mallrats filming locations, you’re in the right place.
I’ll walk you through each site where the 1995 comedy came to life, from the main mall in Minnesota to hidden spots in New Jersey and California.
This guide covers both theatrical and extended cut locations so you can plan your own View Askewniverse pilgrimage.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovered the film, I’ve got every address and detail you need.
Main Filming Locations Overview
Mallrats was shot across three main states. Most scenes happened in Minnesota, specifically at Eden Prairie Center Mall. Kevin Smith also filmed parts in New Jersey and California.
The extended cut includes extra locations not shown in theaters.
Minnesota hosts the primary mall and several houses. New Jersey appears in extended cut scenes and the famous flea market.
Los Angeles shows up in the theatrical version for specific house shots. Universal Studios Backlot provided the wedding scene backdrop.
Some scenes differ between cuts, so certain locations only appear in one version.
Eden Prairie Center Mall: Primary Filming Location
This Minnesota shopping center served as the main backdrop for most of the movie’s iconic scenes.
Why This Mall Was Chosen
Kevin Smith needed a real shopping center that looked authentic on camera. Eden Prairie Center fits the bill perfectly.
The mall had the right mix of stores, open spaces, and a layout that worked for comedy.
Management agreed to let the crew film there, which made this location the heart of the movie. The mall gave Smith’s script room to breathe. Characters could walk through actual stores and interact with real mall spaces.
Key Scenes Filmed Here
Jay and Silent Bob hang out near the mall entrance through most of the film. Their drug dealer antics happen right in the corridors you can still walk today.
Brodie and T.S. spend the entire movie roaming these halls.
Watch for the comic book store scenes and the fashion show setup. All of it was shot inside Eden Prairie Center.
The arrest and escape scene toward the end? That happened here too. Security guards chase the characters through the actual mall layout.
How the Mall Has Changed
The building has gone through major renovations since 1995. New stores replaced the old ones. The interior design looks completely different now.
Some sections were rebuilt entirely. The comic book store location no longer exists.
The corridors have new flooring and lighting. But the basic structure remains. You can still recognize the general layout if you know the film well.
Address and Visiting Info
8251 Flying Cloud Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
The mall is open to visitors during normal business hours. You can walk through and spot where your favorite scenes happened.
Just remember it’s an active shopping center, so be respectful of other visitors and store employees.
Minneapolis, Minnesota Filming Spots
Beyond the main mall, several other Minneapolis locations appear in the film.
Governors Ball (Extended Cut Only)
The extended version includes a formal event scene. This was filmed at The Blake School, a private institution in Minneapolis.
Address: 511 Kenwood Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55403
This scene doesn’t appear in the theatrical release. If you only watched the standard version, you missed this location entirely.
Brodie’s House Exterior
Brodie’s home shows up briefly in the film. The crew shot the outside of a house on Valley View Road.
Address: 4808 Valley View Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55416
This is a private residence. You can drive past and see the exterior, but please respect the homeowners’ privacy.
New Jersey Filming Locations
Kevin Smith’s home state makes several appearances, especially in the extended cut.
Driving to Brandi’s House
One extended cut scene shows characters driving through Leonardo, New Jersey. The specific address is on Leonard Avenue.
Address: 58 Leonard Ave, Leonardo, NJ 07737
Kevin Smith fans know this location well. It appears in several View Askewniverse films. This spot became a favorite for exterior shots in Smith’s work.
The “Dirt Mall” / U.S. 1 Flea Market
The flea market scenes happened at a real outdoor market on Route 1. Characters visit this location in a memorable sequence.
Address: 17 US-1, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Bad news for location hunters: this flea market was torn down years ago. Nothing remains of the original structure. The site has been redeveloped completely.
Universal Studios Backlot
The wedding sequence was shot at Universal Studios in California. Specifically, the crew used Singapore Lake for this scene.
This backlot location has appeared in countless films and TV shows over the decades. It’s not open to regular public access, but Universal Studios tours sometimes pass by the area.
Location: Singapore Lake, Universal Studios, Universal City, CA 91608
Additional Production Notes
Some interior scenes were filmed on soundstages instead of real locations. The crew built sets for specific shots that needed controlled lighting and sound.
Pickup shots happened after primary filming wrapped to fill in gaps and add extra material.
The theatrical and extended versions use different locations for some sequences. Brandi’s house changed between cuts. The Governors Ball only exists in the extended version.
New Jersey locations appear more prominently in the extended cut, while the theatrical version relies more heavily on Minnesota and California.
Fun Facts About Mallrats
Here are some interesting behind-the-scenes details about the film and its production.
- The film flopped in theaters but became a cult classic after hitting video stores. Fans rented it repeatedly and found their audience at home.
- Mallrats connects directly to Clerks and other View Askewniverse films. Jay and Silent Bob appear throughout Smith’s interconnected movie world.
- The production faced serious budget constraints throughout filming. Smith had to make compromises on scenes and adjust plans constantly.
- Dialogue changed during shooting to work better with available locations. The script evolved as practical filming challenges came up.
- Crews worked around mall store hours and shopper traffic. This tight schedule added pressure to finish scenes quickly.
- People still quote lines and visit filming locations decades later. The movie’s cult following remains strong in the fan community.
- The View Askewniverse created a shared world across Smith’s work. Mallrats sits right in the middle of this interconnected story.
Conclusion
I’ve visited Eden Prairie Center myself, and walked those halls where Brodie and T.S. arguing about relationships felt surreal. These Mallrats filming locations remain accessible to fans who want to see where Kevin Smith created his second film.
Eden Prairie Center stands as the main pilgrimage site, even after renovations. The View Askewniverse lives on through these real places you can still visit today.
Have you been to any of these locations? Drop a comment below and share your experience, or check out my other guides to classic film locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was most of Mallrats filmed?
Eden Prairie Center Mall in Minnesota served as the primary location. Some additional scenes were shot in New Jersey and California.
Can I visit the Mallrats mall today?
Yes, Eden Prairie Center remains open as an active shopping mall. The interior looks different after renovations, but you can still walk through during business hours.
Why are there different locations in each cut?
Kevin Smith filmed extra scenes for the extended version that weren’t in theaters. He also replaced certain shots between versions, changing which houses and streets appear.
Is the flea market from Mallrats still there?
No, the U.S. 1 Flea Market in New Brunswick was demolished years ago. The site has been completely redeveloped.
What other Kevin Smith movies share these locations?
Several addresses appear across multiple View Askewniverse films. The Leonard Avenue house in New Jersey shows up in other Smith projects.
