Netflix’s Don’t Say Good Luck is a coming-of-age musical dramedy directed by Julia Hart. The movie stars Sunny Sandler, Melanie Lynskey, Max Greenfield, Stephanie Beatriz, Bebe Neuwirth, Steve Buscemi, Jack Champion, and Scarlett Estevez.
The story follows Sophie Birenbaum, a high school student who gets the lead role in her school musical. Just as she gets ready for the spotlight, her family faces a painful change when her mother’s cancer returns. The movie mixes family drama, music, friendship, and the ups and downs of growing up.
Here is everything you need to know about the Don’t Say Good Luck filming locations.
Sophie Birenbaum is excited to play the lead in her high school musical. But her happy moment soon becomes harder when her mother’s cancer returns. Sophie must balance her dream of performing with the problems her family is facing.
Don’t Say Good Luck was released on August 14, 2026, by Netflix.
Table of Contents
When and Where Was Don’t Say Good Luck Filmed?
| Film Name | Don’t Say Good Luck |
|---|---|
| Genres | Coming-of-age, Musical, Drama |
| Filming Locations | New Jersey, USA |
| Main Filming Base | Jersey City, New Jersey |
| Filming Dates | July 2, 2025 – September 12, 2025 |
| Cinematography by | Bryce Fortner |
| Release Date | August 14, 2026 |
| Streaming Service | Netflix |
Don’t Say Good Luck was filmed across New Jersey. Production began on July 2, 2025, and wrapped on September 12, 2025.
Jersey City was used as the main production base. The crew also filmed in places such as Ridgewood, Cranford, Paramus, and Livingston. These locations helped create the movie’s school, home, neighborhood, and shopping scenes.
Principal photography on Don’t Say Good Luck began on July 2, 2025, and finished on September 12, 2025.
Most of the production took place in New Jersey. Jersey City was the main production base, while locations in Ridgewood, Cranford, Paramus, and Livingston were used for different parts of the story.
The movie then went through post-production before its Netflix release on August 14, 2026.
📍Ridgewood High School, Ridgewood, New Jersey
Ridgewood High School was one of the key filming locations for Don’t Say Good Luck. The school stood in for the fictional Westridge High School, where Sophie spends much of her time.
Several important school moments were filmed here, including scenes connected to the musical and Sophie’s life as a student. The school’s classic look and large campus helped create a real high school setting for the story.
Ridgewood High School is located at 627 East Ridgewood Avenue in Ridgewood, New Jersey. Its traditional school design also fit the warm and realistic feel of the movie.
📍Cranford, New Jersey
Cranford was another important filming location for Don’t Say Good Luck. The production filmed around Maple Street, which was used for neighborhood scenes.
Several private homes in the area were also used for scenes involving the Birenbaum family. The town’s quiet streets, older homes, and small-town feel gave the movie a natural suburban setting.
During filming, local residents also spotted members of the production and cast around town. The area helped make Sophie’s family life feel like a real New Jersey neighborhood.
📍Maple Street, Cranford, New Jersey
Maple Street in Cranford is also listed as a filming location for the movie. The street was used for neighborhood footage during production.
The area offered the filmmakers a simple suburban look that matched the Birenbaum family’s home life. Its residential setting helped create the everyday world around Sophie and her family.
📍Paramus Park Mall, Paramus, New Jersey
The production also filmed at Paramus Park Mall. Scenes were filmed inside the Macy’s store at the mall.
The shopping center gave the movie a different look from the school and residential locations. It added a busy commercial setting to the story and helped expand the film’s New Jersey locations.
📍Nana’s Deli, Livingston, New Jersey
Nana’s Deli in Livingston was one of the early filming locations reported for Don’t Say Good Luck.
The local Jewish deli was changed for the production and used as a movie location. Its neighborhood setting helped the filmmakers create another natural New Jersey location without making the film feel overly staged.
Livingston’s quiet streets and local businesses made it a good match for the movie’s family-focused story.
📍Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City served as the main filming base for Don’t Say Good Luck. While specific scenes are not all publicly identified, the city was an important part of the production.
The crew used Jersey City along with nearby New Jersey towns to create the different settings needed for the movie. This included school, family, neighborhood, and commercial scenes.
Don’t Say Good Luck Behind the Scenes
The New Jersey production also attracted attention from local residents. During filming in Cranford, people reported seeing Adam Sandler, who was involved with the movie as a producer through Happy Madison Productions.
The production used real schools, homes, streets, and local businesses to give the movie a natural look. This helped the fictional world of Sophie Birenbaum feel like a real New Jersey community.
Behind-the-scenes photos and filming updates were also shared online during production.
Is There Any Trailer Available for Don’t Say Good Luck?
Yes. The official trailer for Don’t Say Good Luck is available ahead of the movie’s Netflix release. The trailer gives viewers a look at Sunny Sandler as Sophie Birenbaum, along with Melanie Lynskey and the rest of the cast.
You can watch the trailer on YouTube here:
Don’t Say Good Luck was released on August 14, 2026, via Netflix.
FAQs
Q1: Where was Don’t Say Good Luck filmed?
A1: Don’t Say Good Luck was filmed across New Jersey, including Jersey City, Ridgewood, Cranford, Paramus, and Livingston.
Q2: Which school was used in Don’t Say Good Luck?
A2: Ridgewood High School in Ridgewood, New Jersey, was used as the fictional Westridge High School in Don’t Say Good Luck.
Q3: Was Don’t Say Good Luck filmed in Cranford?
A3: Yes. Don’t Say Good Luck filmed in Cranford, New Jersey, including areas around Maple Street and several residential locations.
Q4: Was Don’t Say Good Luck filmed at a real deli?
A4: Yes. Nana’s Deli in Livingston, New Jersey, was used as one of the filming locations for Don’t Say Good Luck.
Q5: When was Don’t Say Good Luck filmed?
A5: Filming for Don’t Say Good Luck began on July 2, 2025, and ended on September 12, 2025.
Q6: When did Don’t Say Good Luck release on Netflix?
A6: Don’t Say Good Luck was released on Netflix on August 14, 2026.
Q7: Who stars in Don’t Say Good Luck?
A7: Don’t Say Good Luck stars Sunny Sandler, Melanie Lynskey, Max Greenfield, Stephanie Beatriz, Bebe Neuwirth, Steve Buscemi, Jack Champion, and Scarlett Estevez.
Q8: Who directed Don’t Say Good Luck?
A8: Don’t Say Good Luck was directed by Julia Hart, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Laura Hankin and Jordan Horowitz.
Don’t Say Good Luck was filmed mainly across New Jersey, with Jersey City serving as the main production base. Ridgewood High School, Cranford, Paramus Park Mall, Nana’s Deli in Livingston, and other local areas helped create the movie’s realistic school and family settings.
With its mix of music, family, and coming-of-age drama, the film uses these real New Jersey locations to give Sophie’s story a warm and believable setting.
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