You know that feeling when you're watching a Christmas movie and the town looks just a little too perfect? Like, almost suspiciously cozy. That’s exactly what happened when people started streaming the Lindsay Lohan and Ian Harding holiday flick. Everyone wanted to know where Our Little Secret filmed because that snowy, upscale vibe felt both exclusive and strangely familiar.
It wasn't shot in a studio backlot in Burbank.
Actually, the production headed north. Way north. Most of the movie was captured in New Jersey, specifically around the posh areas of Bergen County. If you’ve ever driven through towns like Alpine or Englewood during the holidays, you’ll recognize that specific brand of "old money winter" that the movie leans into so heavily.
The Main Estate: Where Most of Our Little Secret Filmed
The heart of the movie is that massive, sprawling mansion where the two exes are forced to spend the holidays together. It’s supposed to feel like a pressure cooker of awkwardness, but it’s hard to feel too bad for them when they’re surrounded by marble and high-end crown molding.
The production team used a real private estate for the bulk of these scenes.
While the exact address is usually kept quiet to protect the homeowners, the crew spent significant time in Englewood, New Jersey. This town is a goldmine for filmmakers because it has these massive, historic homes that don't require much "dressing up" to look like a millionaire's retreat. The architecture there is very specific—a mix of Tudor revival and colonial styles that screams East Coast holiday.
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Honesty, shooting on location like that makes a huge difference. You can tell when a house is a set because the ceilings look weirdly flat or the lighting feels artificial. Here, the natural light coming through those massive Jersey windows gave the film a warmth that’s hard to fake.
Why Bergen County?
Logistics play a huge role in where movies end up. New Jersey has become a massive hub for film production lately, mostly because of the tax incentives, but also because of the proximity to New York City. For a movie like this, you need a place that feels secluded but has the infrastructure to support a full film crew.
- Tax Credits: New Jersey offers a "film-ready" tax credit that makes it significantly cheaper than shooting in Manhattan.
- The Look: You get actual snow (sometimes) and that crisp, biting air that makes the actors' breath visible.
- Talent: Most of the crew can commute from NYC, keeping costs down while maintaining high production value.
Finding the Small Town Charm
Beyond the big house, the movie needed those classic "main street" vibes. While some holiday movies head to Vermont or Utah, Our Little Secret filmed several exterior shots and "town" sequences in neighboring areas that offer that quintessential suburban-meets-upscale look.
There’s a specific scene involving a shopping trip that feels very much like the boutique-heavy streets of Ridgewood or Tenafly. These towns are famous for their walkable downtowns and local shops that look like they were designed specifically for a Hallmark or Netflix Christmas special.
It’s interesting.
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Most people assume these movies are filmed in Canada. Vancouver and Montreal are the usual suspects for "Anytown, USA" in the winter. But by staying in Jersey, the movie captured a slightly grittier, more authentic Atlantic coast winter vibe. The trees look different. The light has a different quality in the late afternoon. It’s less "mountain resort" and more "suburban elite."
The Challenges of a "Winter" Shoot
Here is the secret most people don't realize about where Our Little Secret filmed: it wasn't always freezing.
Film schedules are weird. Often, these "December" movies are shot in the late winter or even early spring. This means the production design team has to work overtime. We’re talking about massive amounts of "blanket snow" (which is basically white felt or batting) and snow machines that spray a biodegradable foam.
If you look closely at some of the outdoor shots where the characters are walking near the driveway, you might notice the "snow" looks a little too consistent. That’s the giveaway. Real snow is messy and gray at the edges; movie snow is blindingly white.
Setting the Scene
- Interior Design: The production designers leaned into a "Classic Christmas" palette—lots of deep greens, burgundies, and warm gold.
- The Wardrobe: Because they were filming in New Jersey, the clothes had to match the climate. You see a lot of heavy wool, cashmere, and actual winter gear that people in the Tri-State area actually wear.
- Lighting: To get that "discovery" feel, the cinematographers used warm filters to contrast with the cold blue tones of the Jersey winter nights.
Is the Town Real?
In the movie, the setting is a fictionalized version of a high-end suburb. It’s meant to be any wealthy enclave where everyone knows everyone else’s business. By using locations in Bergen County, the director tapped into a real-world culture of privacy and prestige.
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The "secret" in the movie title isn't just about the relationship; it’s about the layers of social expectations in these kinds of towns. Shooting in a real house instead of a soundstage helps the actors stay in that headspace. You can’t fake the echo of a real grand hallway or the way a heavy wooden door sounds when it shuts.
What to Check Out Next
If you’re a fan of the filming locations, you should actually take a drive through the Palisades Interstate Park or visit the downtown areas of Englewood and Ridgewood. You’ll see exactly why the location scouts picked this spot. It’s got that "old world" charm that feels expensive but cozy.
To get the most out of your "location scouting" at home:
- Watch the background: Look for the specific stone work on the houses; that’s a trademark of New Jersey Dutch Colonial and Tudor styles.
- Notice the trees: You’ll see a lot of oak and maple, typical of the Northeast, rather than the evergreens you’d see if they had filmed in the Pacific Northwest or Canada.
- Check the credits: Look for the New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission logo at the end. It’s a badge of honor for the local economy.
The next time you’re watching, pay attention to the transition shots. Those quick clips of the snowy streets and the glowing shop windows are the real stars of the show, proving that you don't need a North Pole set to create a believable Christmas world. You just need a really good house in Jersey and a lot of fake snow.