Gembrook South was among the picturesque Victorian locales used by the filming crew.

Screening nationally in cinemas from Thursday Where the Wild Things Are is directed by Spike Jonze, who scoured the world to look for the ideal settings for his creative and visually striking production.

After an 18-month search Jonze chose more than 11 locations across regional Victoria.

Among them were Mount Burnett Road in Gembrook South and the Gilwell Park Scout Camp.

These two areas were used to create enchanting forest and village settings used to film for about four months in 2006.

Film Victoria chief executive officer Sandra Sdraulig said support from regional councils and the community was critical in securing the production for Victoria.

She said the proximity of diverse locations to a major city with world-class stages was very attractive to Jonze and he is reported as saying "Melbourne is perfect".

"If you've read the book then you'd know just how visually enchanting, haunting and spectacular the locations for this film needed to be," Ms Sdraulig said.

"The production required access to forests, beaches, cliff tops, oceans and quarries, all within a short drive from Melbourne's CBD.

"This, coupled with our excellent services, crews, financial incentives, film-friendly regional councils and relaxed lifestyle sealed the deal."

Ms Sdraulig said production of the film injected an estimated $57 million into the state economy with more than 670 jobs created and flow-on effects for industries such as tourism.

"Victorians should be very proud of their contribution to the film's success. It's a visual delight and a real credit to not only our screen industry practitioners but also our regional councils and communities."

Where the Wild Things Are is an adaptation of the classic Maurice Sendak tale about a boy who creates his own magical world inhabited by wild creatures and is then crowned their ruler.

The film has enjoyed huge box office success in the US.