The film was shot in New York City and its surroundings; individual scenes, such as the exterior of the Pentagon, were filmed at real buildings.

Filming Locations:

The Pentagon

In the Movie

Scene where John's first visit to the Pentagon. He deciphers an encoded Russian transmission.

In Reality

The scene was filmed over the real Pentagon building; interior scenes were shot on a studio set.

Princeton University

In the Movie

Scene where John Nash arrives at a picnic organized in honor of the new incoming class of students at the university.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at the real Princeton; the building with two towers in the background is the Mathey College dormitory hall.

University Hall

In the Movie

Scene where Nash talks with a professor while walking through the university.

In Reality

The scene was filmed This is an open corridor in Rockefeller College, Princeton University.

Princeton University

In the Movie

Scene where John Nash's student and faculty life unfolds in the elite university campus, including his arrival and walks through the quadrangles, academic conversations with colleagues, and teaching moments that immerse the character in a prestigious mathematical environment.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at Princeton University, a large Ivy League campus known for its Collegiate Gothic architecture, well-maintained courtyards, and historic academic buildings that perfectly match the visual representation of elite mid-century university life and formal academic settings. This location beautifully conveys the atmosphere of a prestigious institution, ideal for recreating scenes of that era.

St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery

In the Movie

Scene where John Nash and Alicia's relationship strengthens through a key church moment that benefits from the real, active parish setting in Manhattan, providing a grounded atmosphere and authentic backdrop for personal commitment and family life.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery, a historic church complex in Manhattan with a recognizable facade and long-standing presence in the neighborhood. This location is ideal for scenes requiring an authentic, traditional New York religious interior or exterior, conveying a sense of historical depth. The location adds drama and authenticity to the storylines, creating a unique backdrop.