Where was Paul Blart: Mall Cop filmed? All filming locations explored

Paul Blart: Mall Cop is a 2009 comedy film directed by Steve Carr, starring Kevin James in the titular role. Though most of the scenes were shot at Burlington Mall, Burlington, the film was mostly shot across Massachusetts. This mall on Boston's outskirts was used to show the fictional West Orange Pavilion Mall, where the protagonist, a security guard, works.

The story follows Paul Blart, an overweight, hypoglycemic man who dreams of joining the New Jersey State Police but becomes a mall security guard after failing the police exam.

Blart, with his apparently poor performance, is thrown into action when a group of thieves hostages at the mall including his daughter Maya and his love interest Amy. The film deftly follows Blart as he battles the burglars using unusual strategies to save the day.

---

All filming locations of Paul Blart: Mall Cop

Paul Blart: Mall Cop was filmed in various Massachusetts locations, with Burlington Mall at 75 Middlesex Turnpike serving as the main site. Its spacious hallways, lively stores, and large parking areas made it a perfect fit for depicting the fictional West Orange Pavilion Mall in New Jersey, especially for the film's high-tech scenes.

Another significant filming location for Paul Blart: Mall Cop was South Shore Plaza in Braintree, Massachusetts. This mall was used to shoot several key scenes, including the elevator sequence where Blart encounters the criminals. The plaza, a renowned shopping complex including more than 200 establishments, provided the filmmakers ample room to capture expansive crowd sequences.

Apart from the stores, the production crew made use of several Massachusetts sites. The scenes involving the arrival of the SWAT team and Blart's attempt to apprehend the criminals took place, for example, at Peabody's Northshore Mall.

The mall's roomy design allows for dramatic action scenes where Blart single-handedly confronts the thieves. The climax airport chase scene was shot at Hanscom Field Airport in Bedford, Massachusetts. Blart confronts Veck Simms, the gang leader, in this sequence as he tries an escape.

The sequences portraying Blart's residence were shot at 34 Keith Street in West Roxbury, a tranquil residential area in Boston. This setting established an enchanting and tranquil setting for the sequences depicting Blart's personal life, presenting a striking juxtaposition to the tumultuous events at the mall.

The mall setting provides a unique environment where Blart’s skills as a security guard are put to the test, and the location plays a significant role in the unfolding of the story. With each corner of the mall offering a new obstacle, Blart’s journey becomes more intense and humorous, with the location adding to the overall charm of the movie.

The use of real-life malls such as Burlington and South Shore helped create an immersive experience for viewers. Audiences could recognize the familiar setting of a suburban shopping mall, making the absurdity of the plot even more amusing.

The familiarity of the location enhanced the comedy, as Blart’s actions were set against a backdrop that many viewers could relate to.

From the food court to the escalators, every scene felt grounded in the everyday mall experience, making Paul Blart: Mall Cop a unique entry in the action-comedy genre.

Paul Blart: Mall Cop was shot at several Massachusetts sites, mostly at Burlington Mall. Additional prominent sites are Hanscom Field Airport, Northshore Mall, and South Shore Plaza. The suburban mall environment of the film was created in great part from these filming locations, which also greatly influenced the comic and action-packed storyline of the movie.

Paul Blart: Mall Cop is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.