In 1970, a curmudgeonly history teacher at a New England boarding school remains on campus during Christmas break to supervise held over students, and ends up forming an unlikely bond with a brainy but damaged troublemaker.
Groton School Boat House, 282, Farmers Row, Groton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 01432, United States of America
Scene: (Barton Academy)
Fairhaven High School, 12, Huttleston Avenue, Fairhaven, Bristol County, Massachusetts, 02719, United States of America
Scene: (Barton Academy)
Ford Road, Old Deerfield Village Historic District, Deerfield, Franklin County, Massachusetts, 01342, United States of America
Scene: (Barton Academy)
St Mark's School, 25, Marlboro Road, Southborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts, 01772, United States of America
Scene: (Barton Academy)
Wakefield Bowladrome, 92, Water Street, Yale Avenue Historic District, Wakefield Junction, Wakefield, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 01880, United States of America
1, Lamplighter Way, Mount Hermon, Gill, Franklin County, Massachusetts, 01354, United States of America
Scene: (Barton Academy)
Worcester Common Garage, 3, Eaton Place, CitySquare, Central Business District, Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, 01608, United States of America
Scene: (Worcester Common)
35, Stirling Highway, Crawley, City of Perth, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
Scene: (Angus and Hunham at the cinema)
Downtown Crossing, Downtown Boston, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, 02102, United States of America
Alexander Payne’s warm, wintry comedy-drama about a grumpy teacher and the students stranded with him over Christmas was filmed at real New England prep schools – a patchwork of historic Massachusetts academies becoming the fictional Barton.
Where was The Holdovers filmed?
The Holdovers was filmed across Massachusetts – real prep schools like Groton, Deerfield and St Mark’s – as the fictional Barton Academy, with Boston.
Every location in The Holdovers, explained
1
Barton Academy – the prep schools
The fictional school combined real Massachusetts academies – Groton School, Deerfield Academy, St Mark’s and others.
2
Fairhaven and Deerfield
Further school scenes used Fairhaven High and the historic village of Deerfield.
3
Boston – the getaway
The Boston trip used the city, including the Orpheum Theatre.
4
The New England winter
The film’s snowy mood uses the towns and countryside of Massachusetts.
Planning a visit
The historic academies and towns of Massachusetts – from Groton to Deerfield – are real, accessible pieces of the film’s New England world.
The Holdovers Fun Facts
1
Real prep schools Barton Academy is a patchwork of real Massachusetts boarding schools.
2
A 1970s look The film was made to look and feel like a movie from the early 1970s.
3
Randolph won an Oscar Da’Vine Joy Randolph won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
4
A Payne-Giamatti reunion It reunited director Alexander Payne with Paul Giamatti.
5
A modern classic The film became an instant holiday favourite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was The Holdovers filmed?
Across Massachusetts – real prep schools like Groton, Deerfield and St Mark’s – as Barton Academy, with Boston.
Is Barton Academy real?
No – it’s a blend of several real Massachusetts prep schools.
Can you visit the locations?
Yes – the Massachusetts towns and Boston are accessible.
