Courthouse Square

A backlot built for An Act of Murder that became the home of Hill Valley and Kingston Falls.

Courthouse Square is a backlot located at the Universal Studios Lot in Universal City, California. This set comprises several facades forming an archetypal American town square with a courthouse as its centerpiece. Originally built for the 1948 film An Act of Murder, the location later served as downtown Hill Valley in the Back to the Future trilogy and Kingston Falls in the Gremlins series. The set has been severely damaged by fire several times, including in 1957, 1990 and 2008.

Quick Facts

Location: Universal Studios Lot in Universal City, California
Central building: Courthouse

Lore & Background

The history of this location is defined by its transformations across decades. Prior to the Back to the Future series, the area was known as Mockingbird Square owing to its role in the film To Kill a Mockingbird. The set suffered severe fire damage in 1957, in 1990 and again on June 1, 2008. During the 2008 incident, a three-alarm fire destroyed parts of the backlot, including the King Kong attraction and New York Street. It was reported that Courthouse Square was destroyed, though the Courthouse facade and the town facade to the north remained standing. These reconstructions allowed the set to continue serving as the backdrop for productions ranging from recent films like Ted (2024) and MaXXXine (2024).

Reader's Guide

Visitors to the Universal Studios Lot in Universal City, California, can view Courthouse Square on the backlot tour. This set is notable for its dual history as both Mockingbird Square and Hill Valley. When exploring the area, look for the central courthouse facade which has survived multiple fires, including the major incident in 2008 where the surrounding New York Street was destroyed but this specific structure remained intact. The square has been redressed countless times, appearing in productions from An Act of Murder (1948) to Fallout (American TV series) (2026). While the set underwent reconstruction after fires in 1957, 1990, and 2008, it continues to serve as a primary filming location for major franchises and television series.