I’ve always been curious about where they filmed Friday.
When I first watched it in the ’90s, those South Central LA streets felt so real and lived-in. That’s because Ice Cube shot it in the actual neighborhood where he grew up.
I started digging into the filming locations, and honestly, it’s cool to see how much of the movie was shot on real streets. Not on some Hollywood backlot, but in genuine LA neighborhoods.
So I’m sharing what I found. Let me show you the exact spots where Craig and Smokey spent that memorable day.
Where Was Friday Filmed?
Friday was shot right here in Los Angeles, California. The crew didn’t head to some random city or build fake sets. They used real neighborhoods that Ice Cube knew well.
Most of the filming happened in three areas. West Athens got the most screen time. Gardena also shows up in several scenes. And of course, South Central LA plays a big role since that’s where Ice Cube actually grew up.
What I find interesting is how they mixed things up. Some scenes used actual homes where people lived. The streets you see are real streets in these neighborhoods. But they did build a few studio sets for certain indoor shots.
This mix of real locations and sets gave the movie that authentic feel we all remember.
About the Movie Friday (1995)
Lets have a look at the quick facts:
|
Category |
Details |
|
Director |
F. Gary Gray |
|
Writers |
Ice Cube & DJ Pooh |
|
Main Cast |
Ice Cube (Craig), Chris Tucker (Smokey), John Witherspoon (Craig’s dad) |
|
Filming Approach |
Shot in real South Central LA neighborhoods for authenticity |
Ice Cube insisted on using actual streets and homes instead of Hollywood sets.
He wanted the movie to feel genuine, not like some fake version of his community. That choice gave Friday the real vibe that still resonates with fans today.
Main Friday Filming Locations in Los Angeles
Let me show you the real LA spots where they filmed Friday. These are actual addresses you can visit today.
Craig Jones’ House (Most Famous Location)
Address: 1418 W 126th St, Los Angeles, CA
This is the most iconic spot from the movie. Craig and Smokey sat on that front porch for most of their scenes.
The porch is where everything happened. Deebo rolled up here. Stanley complained about his stereo. All the best moments went down on those steps.
Fans still visit this house to take photos. The current residents have dealt with curious visitors for nearly 30 years. It’s one of the most recognizable homes in comedy movie history.
Smokey’s House
Address: 1433 W 126th St, Los Angeles, CA
Smokey’s house sits right across the street from Craig’s place. Remember the scene where Smokey wakes up and heads over to the porch? That’s this house.
What makes this location special is the real connection. This was actually DJ Pooh’s childhood home. He co-wrote the movie, and they filmed at the house where he grew up.
That’s why the neighborhood feels so authentic. These weren’t random houses the location scouts found. DJ Pooh literally brought the crew to his old street and said, “Let’s film here.”
Mrs. Parker’s House
Address: 1423 W 126th St, Los Angeles, CA
This is where Craig had that awkward flirting moment with Mrs. Parker. You know the scene. She’s watering her lawn, and Craig tries his best to make a move.
The house is also on 126th Street, just a few doors down from Craig’s place. The crew used this same block for multiple scenes throughout the movie.
It kept things simple for production. They could film different parts of the story without moving the equipment far. Plus, it made the neighborhood feel like a real community where everyone lived close together.
Street & Driving Scenes in Friday
The movie included several driving and street scenes. These shots showed the real neighborhood vibe and daily life in South Central.
Craig and Smokey Driving Scene
Location: S Normandie Ave & W 121st St, West Athens
This is where they filmed Craig and Smokey cruising through the neighborhood. The intersection sits in West Athens, showing off real South Central LA streets.
The daytime shots here gave viewers an authentic look at the area. You see actual storefronts, regular cars parked along the curbs, and people going about their day.
This wasn’t some cleaned-up Hollywood version of the neighborhood. The crew filmed real life as it happened. That’s what made these driving scenes feel so genuine.
The location choice helped ground the whole movie in reality. When Craig and Smokey drive around, you’re seeing the actual streets where people in that community lived and worked.
Why Friday Used Real Neighborhoods
Ice Cube grew up in South Central LA. He wanted to show his actual community on screen, not some fake Hollywood version.
Most ’90s hood films focused on violence and tragedy. Ice Cube wanted something different. He knew his neighborhood had humor, not just hardship.
People laughed together. Neighbors talked on porches. Daily life had funny moments that never made it into movies.
Filming in real locations helped show that side of the community. Sometimes life was just two friends on a porch, cracking jokes and getting through the day.
Fun Facts About Friday Filming Locations
- “Bye, Felisha” was born here: That throwaway line Ice Cube said on the porch became one of the most quoted phrases in pop culture. Nobody expected it to blow up like it did.
- Deebo’s scenes made him iconic: Tiny Lister filmed his intimidating Deebo moments right on 126th Street. His character became so recognizable that people still yell “Deebo!” when they see him.
- The porch is a pilgrimage site: Fans travel from all over just to sit on Craig’s front steps. It’s become an unofficial LA landmark for ’90s comedy lovers.
- Real neighbors watched the filming: Actual residents of 126th Street came out to watch. Some of them ended up as extras in background shots throughout the movie.
- The block hasn’t changed much: If you visit today, the houses look almost the same as they did in 1995. It’s like stepping back into the movie.
Conclusion
I get why fans still visit these locations decades later. Friday wasn’t just filmed in South Central LA. The neighborhood became part of the story itself.
Those real streets and porches gave the movie its heart. When Ice Cube decided to film where he actually grew up, he showed us something honest. A side of the community that rarely made it to the big screen.
That’s why people still drive down 126th Street to see Craig’s house. They want to connect with a movie that felt real then and still feels real now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the movie Friday filmed?
Friday was filmed in real South Central Los Angeles neighborhoods, mainly in West Athens and Gardena. Most scenes were shot on W 126th Street using actual homes where people lived.
Can you visit Craig’s house from Friday?
Yes, Craig’s house is located at 1418 W 126th St in Los Angeles. The home is still privately owned, so you can see it from the street but please respect the residents’ privacy.
Is Smokey’s house real or a set?
Smokey’s house at 1433 W 126th St is a real home. It was actually DJ Pooh’s childhood house, which is why he chose to film there for the movie.
Why did Ice Cube film in real neighborhoods?
Ice Cube wanted to show an authentic view of South Central LA. He grew up in these neighborhoods and wanted the movie to reflect real community life, not Hollywood stereotypes.
What other movies were filmed in the same area?
Several hood films from the ’90s used South Central LA locations. Boyz n the Hood, Menace II Society, and the Friday sequels all filmed in similar neighborhoods around Los Angeles.
