Scenery cheat sheet in the United States
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Picture this: you’re an astronaut who’s just crash-landed somewhere in the United States. Your GPS is busted, your phone is dead, and your only frame of reference is… movies? Fear not, space traveler! Thanks to the genius minds at XKCD, we now have the ultimate cheat sheet for navigating the USA using nothing but your encyclopedic knowledge of film locations.

This isn’t your average map of the United States. Oh no, this is a crash course in pop culture geography that’ll have you giggling and nodding in recognition. Let’s take a whirlwind tour through this cinematic landscape:
- The Pacific Northwest: Home to sparkly vampires and BDSM enthusiasts (we’re looking at you, “Twilight” and “50 Shades of Grey”).
- California: Split between “The Goonies” territory and “Every movie with a big budget, explosions, or someone who says ‘Cool!'” Seems accurate.
- The Southwest: A playground for “Roadrunner cartoons” and “That movie about wine & talking” (Sideways, anyone?).
- The Midwest: From “The Wizard of Oz” to “Fargo,” this region’s got range!
- The South: A mishmash of “Forrest Gump,” “Gone with the Wind,” and “All Dogs Go to Heaven.” Now that’s what I call diversity.
- The Northeast: Home to city slickers, mobsters, and the occasional pet zombie (thanks, “Pet Sematary”).
This map of the United States isn’t just a geographical guide; it’s a treasure trove of movie trivia. It’s the perfect tool for:
- Geoguessr enthusiasts looking to level up their game
- Aspiring filmmakers scouting for the perfect “generic city” location
- Anyone who’s ever wondered where exactly Napoleon Dynamite’s adventures took place
So next time you’re watching a movie and can’t quite place the setting, whip out this handy map. You’ll be navigating the silver screen version of the United States like a pro in no time.
And remember, if you ever find yourself lost in the middle of nowhere USA, just look around and ask yourself: “What movie does this remind me of?” You might not find your way home, but you’ll certainly have a good laugh trying.
For those of you who prefer your maps a little more… conventional, check out these excellent options on Amazon: