The movie Roofman (2025) is a crime drama / true-story / dark comedy directed by Derek Cianfrance and co-written with Kirt Gunn. The film stars Channing Tatum, Kirsten Dunst, Peter Dinklage, LaKeith Stanfield, and Juno Temple, among others. The story is based on the real life of Jeffrey Manchester, a man who robbed restaurants by entering through their roofs and later hid inside a Toys “R” Us for months.
Jeffrey Manchester, once an Army Reserve officer, faces struggles as a father. He turns to crime by breaking into McDonald’s restaurants through their roofs to steal money. After being caught and escaping prison, he secretly hides in a Toys “R” Us for six months. During this time he forms relationships and tries to stay hidden while his past is closing in.
The film is set for theatrical release on October 10, 2025, in the United States. It is distributed by Paramount Pictures.
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When and Where Was Paramount Pictures’ Roofman Filmed?
| Film Name | Roofman (2025) |
|---|---|
| Genres | Crime / Drama / True Story / Dark Comedy |
| Filming Locations | Charlotte, North Carolina area, USA |
| Filming Dates | October 24, 2024 – December 12, 2024 |
| Cinematography by | Andrij Parekh |
| Release Date | October 10, 2025 |
Principal photography began on October 24, 2024 and wrapped up on December 12, 2024. The shoot largely took place in Charlotte, North Carolina and nearby towns. Some scenes used real local landmarks and buildings in the region.
Charlotte / Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
Much of Roofman was filmed in and around Charlotte, North Carolina. The production used public parks, local courts, jails, and community areas to give authenticity to scenes.
The city of Charlotte is deeply tied to the real Jeffrey Manchester’s story—he carried out many of his crimes in that region and, after escaping prison, eventually hid inside retail buildings in Charlotte.
Freedom Park in Charlotte is listed among the shooting locations.
Gaston / Gastonia, North Carolina
The film also shot in Gaston County / Gastonia, a nearby city west of Charlotte. Many of Manchester’s real crimes occurred in Gastonia and the surrounding counties, so the production used the area for authenticity.
Mecklenburg County Jail North; Gaston County Courthouse
Scenes involving incarceration or the legal system were filmed at real county buildings. Among them are Mecklenburg County Jail North and Gaston County Courthouse.
Other Noted Sites / Local Transformations
Local reports say that the production turned an old Burger King in Waxhaw into a McDonald’s set for some scenes.
Some street closures and scenes were shot in the South End neighborhood of Charlotte, including around South Clarkson Street and West Summit Avenue.
Other indoor or storefront scenes, like those in a Toys “R” Us or retail setting, were likely built or adapted in local Charlotte area buildings to match the story.
Behind the Scenes of Roofman
To make your search for Roofman filming even more interesting and enjoyable, we shared a behind-the-scenes photo here.
The film stars and fans also shared some behind-the-scenes glimpses on their social media accounts, Instagram:-
The filming of Roofman offered an exciting look into how the production recreated Jeffrey Manchester’s unbelievable true story. Channing Tatum, who plays the main role, was seen filming across several Charlotte neighborhoods, including South End and Freedom Park. Locals spotted the crew transforming familiar streets and stores into early-2000s settings to match the time period of Manchester’s crimes.
Director Derek Cianfrance wanted to keep the movie as real as possible, which is why most of the film was shot on location in Charlotte instead of studio sets. The crew even used real buildings connected to the true events, such as old retail stores and local jails, to capture the authentic look and feel of the story.
During production, residents shared photos and videos on social media showing Channing Tatum interacting with fans between takes. Several behind-the-scenes moments also showed the actors rehearsing scenes inside a recreated Toys “R” Us store—one of the key places in the film.
According to the filmmakers, the goal was to make Charlotte feel like its own character in the movie. By filming where the real events happened, the team gave Roofman a genuine and grounded tone that connects closely with Jeffrey Manchester’s real-life experiences.
For more information about other shooting locations, stay tuned to this post. We will add more…
Is There a Trailer Available for Roofman?
Yes — the official trailer for Roofman (2025) is available on YouTube. You can watch it here:-
FAQs
Q1: Where was Roofman filmed?
A1: Most of Roofman was filmed in Charlotte, North Carolina, with additional shooting in Gaston / Gastonia and at local county buildings.
Q2: What scenes of Roofman were filmed at Freedom Park?
A2: Freedom Park was used for outdoor scenes—likely for casual public space shots to reflect everyday life in Charlotte.
Q3: When did Roofman filming begin and end?
A3: Filming began on October 24, 2024 and concluded on December 12, 2024.
Q4: Are Roofman filming locations open to the public now?
A4: Many of the sites are public (parks, streets), so you can visit them, though some court or jail facilities may have restricted access. Also, the city has changed since 2004, so not all locations will look exactly the same as in the film.
Roofman leaned heavily into the actual geography of Jeffrey Manchester’s story by shooting in and around Charlotte, North Carolina and Gastonia. Filming used real parks, jails, courthouses, and retail spaces (or adapted ones) to give the film a strong sense of realism tied to the true events. The filming schedule spanned October to December 2024, and the movie was released on October 10, 2025, via Paramount Pictures.