If there’s anything a movie can do, it’s transport you. Suddenly, you’re no longer in the comfort of your living room or local movie theater. Cinema can take you to other realms entirely, from a winter wonderland to a tropical paradise.
That movie magic takes a lot of work, from set design to period-accurate costuming to diligent make-up artists, and deciding where to shoot a movie is also a crucial component. Choosing a location that can effectively translate the heart of the story will make or break the quality of a film.
From the enchanting waters of “The Little Mermaid” (which was actually filmed in Sardinia) to the UFO-friendly plains in Jordan Peele’s “Nope,” (The Agua Dulce Desert,) there are so many corners of the world that have unknowingly played backdrop to your favorite movies.
The Most Common Film Locations
While there’s a diamond to be mined no matter where you go, there are certain cities with a kind of scenery and essence that make it a favorite for film sets. Here’s a list of cities most commonly used as sets for cinematic blockbusters.
- New York City, New York
- Los Angeles, California
- Paris, France
- Rome, Italy
- London, England
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Vancouver, Canada
- Tokyo, Japan
- Barcelona, Spain
- Chicago, Illinois
- Hong Kong, China
- Toronto, Canada
- Boston, Massachusettes
- San Fransisco, California
Some hot spots not mentioned may also have been home to your favorite movies, from “Black Panther” in Atlanta to “Rocky” in Philadelphia. Because of the country’s stunningly beautiful green landscapes, film crews are also often opting to use Ireland’s green plains and islands.
Similarly, movies like “Thor: The Dark World, Batman Begins,” “Star Wars,” and “Interstellar” all took place in Iceland’s breathtaking landscape, equipped with mountains, glaciers, green fields and cold beaches.
Visiting Your Favorite Film Location
From visiting moments from “The Hangover 2” in Bangkok to going on your own “Eat, Pray, Love” tour, hitting up your favorite movie spots can take you to places you never imagined. Some cities even have pre-planned tours for fans to experience the ultimate movie immersion experience. For example, many private companies offer “Sex in the City” bus tours that take you around New York City hotspots featured in the films. Similarly, you can embark on a week-long tour around different cities in Spain and experience Westeros from “Game of Thrones” in real life, sans the dragons.
Many studio lots in Los Angeles will also allow you to visit during active hours, from Warner Bros to Sony Pictures. Not only can you peek into history while standing where classic films you’ve loved all your life were filmed, but you may even possibly catch a glimpse of a blockbuster being made in real-time.
Choosing comfortable accommodation is crucial when traveling to your favorite movie hotspots, as you’ll most likely want to do some sightseeing outside of your fan experience. You’ll want to choose a location that is as walkable as possible, within close proximity to your desired hotspots and safe for a solo traveler if you’re embarking on this adventure alone. If visiting a film location with friends, you may even consider splitting an Airbnb home amongst yourselves, which can be a cost-effective way to navigate lodging.
Once you’ve made sure all your travel documents are up to date, verified the current level of safety for whichever city you’re visiting, and booked your stay, planning your itinerary is crucial. Besides visiting your movie spots, as well as popular tourist destinations, you’ll want to allot time for resting and refueling, especially if you’re doing a lot of walking or navigating a foreign country. Wear comfortable footwear, have snacks on hand and map out all your stops of the day, before leaving your hotel or accommodations.
Film Locations To Visit
Need some inspo on where to go? From cities that brought our favorite fantasy worlds to life, to landscapes that made us fall in an even deeper love with Mother Nature, here are some destinations that served as home to your favorite movies.
Films With Fictional Settings
While we’d all love to visit Oz, Wakanda, or Gotham City, the closest we’ll get is the cities their respective movies were filmed in. Bringing an alien world to Earth is no easy feat, and these backdrops fed the fantasy perfectly.
- Hungary: “Eragon,” “Dune,” “The Witcher”
- Ireland: “Game of Thrones,” “Star Wars,” “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,”
- New Zealand: “Lord of the Rings,” “The Chronicles of Narnia,” “King Kong”
Films With Urban Cityscapes
Cities like New York have served as the backdrop of countless films, from romance to action to drama. There’s nothing like following life in the concrete jungle and can make visiting these cities in real life all the more alluring.
- San Francisco: “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” “Blue Jasmine”
- Chicago: “Sixteen Candles,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” “The Dark Knight”
- New York City: “Sex in the City,” “Taxi Driver,” “Do The Right Thing”
Film With Romantic Scenery
When you’re galavanting around a city like Paris or Rome, it’s hard not to fall in love. From the scenic coastlines to the cobblestone streets, these locations were the real stars of your favorite romantic movies.
- Italy: “The Little Mermaid,” “White Lotus,” “The Lizzie McGuire Movie”
- Greece: “Mamma Mia!” “Before Midnight,” Hercules”
- France: “Midnight in Paris,” “French Kiss,” “Moulin Rouge!”
Film With Natural Landscapes
Mother Earth has so many different shades of beauty, it’d take a lifetime to admire it all. Luckily, movies give us a chance to see as much of it as possible from the comfort of our homes.
- South Africa: “1923,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “10,000 BC”
- England: “Into the Woods,” “Calvary,” “Ammonite”
- Bali: “Eat Pray Love,” “Ticket To Paradise,” “Alex Cross”
Film With Action Sets
When it comes to shooting action films, finding enough space for drawn-out sequences is a critical component. The scenery has to be engaging yet forgiving, and these locations were the perfect choice.
- California: “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Nope,” “The Fast and The Furious”
- Canada: “Godzilla,” “Twilight,” “Blade”
- Las Vegas: “Lethal Weapon 4,” “Iron Man, “Rocky Balboa”
