There Will Be Blood primarily takes place in the early 20th century American West and is set around the oil boom in the fictional town of Little Boston, California. Filming locations for the movie include:
- Marfa, Texas
- Los Angeles, California
- El Mirage Dry Lake, California
- Greystone Park & Mansion in Beverly Hills, California
- Lompoc, California
- Santa Clarita, California
- Shafter, Texas (for the mining scenes)
- Thornewood Castle in Lakewood, Washington (used as the mansion exterior)
The story itself spans from the late 19th century into the 1920s, largely depicting the intense oil exploration and exploitation period primarily set in Southern California.
