There are many instances where television has brought to life a particular setting that transports audiences into a world so vivid and alive, that they feel like characters themselves.Whether it is a town cloaked in mystery and terror, or a quiet village pulsing with surprising amounts of political tension, some towns have a lasting and powerful impact on viewers, defining the genre and mood for a series’ present and future.
Standing among some of the most unforgettable are series that owe much of their popularity to the world they’re set in. Towns like King’s Landing inGame of Thronesare more than just a place within the iconic story—they’re also an embodiment of what the series may represent. Other towns, like South Park and Springfield, have been with fans so long that it has become a memorable part of history. This list features fictional locations that earned their place in television history—young and old.
10Riverdale
‘Riverdale’ (2017–2023)
The town of Riverdale hosts a lot ofcrime and drama.TheRiverdaleseries is a modern dark adaptation of the classic hit Archie, which follows a group of teens as they navigate their supposedly normal lives within the town of Riverdale, amidst the trials of adolescence, mystery, personal drama, and criminal activities.
Fans are captivated by the sometimes spooky scenery of the iconic town.Riverdale is a seemingly idyllic small town that masks a heaping amount of dark secrets. The seriesRiverdaleis an entertaining mix of romance, drama, and mystery that is set against the backdrop of what should be just another quintessential small town—but it’s so much more, raising its status to icon levels in pop culture.
9The Hidden Leaf Village (Konohagakure), Land of Fire
‘Naruto’ (2002–2007)
The Hidden Leaf Village is known for housing some of the most famous shinobis. The Hidden Leaf serves as an iconic setting in the beloved anime seriesNaruto, which chronicles the journey of the young ninja, Naruto Uzamaki (Junko Takeuchi), who is striving desperately to become the Hokage of his village.
The Hidden Leaf Villageholds a rich history, featuring touching moments of romance, incredible action, and most notably, insane amounts of acts of terrorism.This town has been destroyed time and time again by the most powerful and vicious of villains. But in the same breath, the Hidden Leaf has been protected, rebuilt, and honored. Fans find themselves in love with the iconic town, as it is the heart of the cherishedNarutoseries, which represents unity and incredible resilience.
8South Park, Colorado, USA
‘South Park’ (1997–present)
South Park, Colorado is a seemingly quiet and quaint town in the crude and chaotic seriesSouth Park, that is home to four very mischievous boys—Stan Marsh (Trey Parker), Kyle Broflovski (Matt Stone), Eric Cartman (Trey Parker), and Kenny McCormick (Matt Stone)— and their daily misadventures.
Featuring memorable locations like Tom’s Rhinoplasty, South Park Elementary, and the local diner, South Park is the setting for a lot of outrageous events that often reflect real-world controversies, ranging from politics to religion.TheSouth Parkseries delivers a town that remains memorable to its viewers due to its clash between the bizarre and the mundane.The town’s absurdity reflects aspects of the real world in a way that is both hilarious and intriguing, earning it a well-deserved icon status among the rest on this list.
South Park
7Tree Hill, North Carolina, USA
‘One Tree Hill’ (2003–2012)
Tree Hill of theOne Tree Hillseries, which follows the intertwined lives of half-brothers Lucas Scott (Chad Michael Murray) and Nathan Scott (James Lafferty),stands as a character itself, embodying small-town charm that brings nostalgia and comfort to its fans.
While fans adore theOne Tree Hillseries for itsheartfelt storytelling, the setting of Tree Hill elevates the show’s entertainment value tremendously.From the town’s basketball court, which symbolizes its love for the sport, to Tree Hill High, which is the backdrop for several past experiences—including personal revelations and championship games—Tree Hill embodies that tight-knit community that fans so love, showcasing an intimate setting that delivers on the series’ emotional depth.
One Tree Hill
6Sunnydale, California, USA
‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (1997–2003)
The beloved supernatural series,Buffy the Vampire Slayer, delves into the extraordinary life of high school student Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar), the chosen one fated to fight demons, vamps, and other supernatural obstacles—all set against the seemingly peaceful backdrop of Sunnydale, California.
Viewers have lauded Sunnydale’s deceptive appearance, alluring fans to dig for the sinister truth that lies beneath its peaceful surface. Famed landmarks of the series, like the Bronze, a local club, and Sunnydale High School serve as a backdrop for normal daily teen antics and iconic battles.Sunnydale earns its rank on this list of iconic fictional towns for offering viewers a setting that consistently provides supernatural challenges, uniquely blendinglurking perilwith suburban tranquility masterfully.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
5Mystic Falls, Virginia, USA
‘The Vampire Diaries’ (2009–2017)
This iconic fictional town is actually home to many supernatural creatures who may or may not live in perfect harmony.The Vampire Diariesis a supernatural drama centering on Elena Gilbert’s (Nina Dobrev) life as she becomes entangled in a complex love triangle with hot vampire brothers, Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder).All thedrama, romance, and dangerous twistsof their story unfold in the mysterious town of Mystic Falls, Virginia.
Host to some of the most enthralling characters viewers will ever meet, Mystic Falls acts as a protagonist itself, being rich with haunting history and secret societies.The town holds icon status for not only featuring the beloved Mystic Grill—a real-world location fans can actually experience—but also for what it represents: a time when fans were bereft with the choice of which vampire brother they would eventually marry.
The Vampire Diaries
4Hawkins, Indiana, USA
‘Stranger Things’ (2016–present)
Hawkins, Indiana serves as a terrifying setting for thesci-fi horrorseriesStranger Things. The town is home to many absurd things, including children with psychic abilities, too-brave and fiercely loyal youths, terrorizing organizations, and, of course, an alternate dimension filled with terrifying monsters.
As a fan-favorite town that no one truly wants to live in, Hawkins features extraordinary and downright bizarre events, a total juxtaposition to its quintessential small-town atmosphere.Landmarks in the town of Hawkins, like Hawkins National Laboratory and Season 3’s Starcourt Mall, have become iconic amongStranger Thingsfans, for acting as the setting for a number of unforgettable and intense moments.
Stranger Things
3Springfield
‘The Simpsons’ (1989–present)
The Simpsonsis a long-running animated series that has provided audiences with hilarious moments with its satirization of various aspects of society, television, and American culture. The series showcases the lives of the Simpsons family—Homer (Dan Castellaneta), Marge (Julie Kavner), Bart (Nancy Cartwright), Lisa (Yeardley Smith), and Maggie—in the cherished fictional town of Springfield.
Springfield’s fame stems from its basic American town appearance that is home to eccentric inhabitants, and quirky town attributes.The town is ever-expanding, allowing for endless possibilities withinThe Simpsonsseries.Springfield, as an iconic town, has practically become ingrained in pop culture as it hosts equally, or more so,iconic characters, marking it as an easy addition to this list.
The Simpsons
2King’s Landing, Crownlands, Westeros
‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)
Schemes, treachery, and murder are the highlighted features in a place like King’s Landing.TheGame of Thronesseries is an incrediblefantasy dramathat delves into the lives of the noble families who would do just about anything for power in the world of Westeros.
King’s Landing serves as a focal point in theGame of Thronesseries, as the capital of Westeros.The setting may be artfully beautiful in its architecture and rich history, but King’s Landings is the host to many, many dark acts.Trending landmarks, like the Great Sept of Baelor and the Red Keep, are central to many pivotal moments that left fans gasping for more from the intense series. King’s Landing earns its high rank on this list for simply representing the absolute ruthless epicenter of ambition and power in Westeros.
Game Of Thrones
1Fromville
‘From’ (2022–present)
Now, here is a place audiences won’t ever die to go.Fromis a brillianthorror-thriller, that follows the lives of individuals trapped in an inescapable and unnamed town the fans of the series have deemed “Fromville.”The inhabitants of the town must not only find a way to escape, but they must also avoid the nocturnal creatures that emerge from the surrounding forest.
“Fromville” easily takes the cake as one of TV’s scariest towns.The setting is known for its eerie atmosphere that often plays tricks on its viewers' minds. The town’s enigmatic history, combined with its feature of man-eating monsters, amplifies tensions within theFromseries, leaving viewers engaged and feeling absolute dread for what comes next within the iconic town. Ranking the highest on this list of the most iconic fictional towns on television, “Fromville” earns its place for its mysterious history, oppressive and terrifying environment, and ability to evoke intense emotional responses from its audience.
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