10 Movie Filming Locations I Need To Visit In My Lifetime

Movies transport the audience to spectacular and surreal places around the world and beyond, but some are actually real. If you have ever watched a film and thought about how expansive, immersive, or spectacular the setting was, the next thought that follows is that it is simply a movie and, so, not real. However, many of the most iconic and mind-blowing scenes in films have at least a foundation in the real world that is then used and adapted for the big screen.

Regardless of whether a film is fantasy, sci-fi, or a rom-com, resourceful location scouts explore some of the most beautiful spots in the world to find the right spot to film. I know that personally, there have been several times when I watch a movie and the scenery is simply stunning, and I wish it was a real place that I could visit, and after a little research, it turns out many of these places do exist. From Lord of the Rings to Avatar, the world may appear magical and unreal, but these places exist right here on Earth.

10 Skopelos, Greece – Mamma Mia!

Starting off simply, Mamma Mia! may not be a fantasy film set in another realm, but this romantic comedy musical does offer a look at a paradise on Earth. The film is set on a remote Greek Island, surrounded by clear blue water and some of the most beautiful Mediterranean buildings in film. Having visited Greece in the past, I can confidently say that the islands live up to the idyllic images presented in the movie.

However, Greece is actually composed of about 6,000 islands, with only a handful being occupied. The island where Mamma Mia! was filmed is called Skopelos, and it’s a popular destination for couples. While the country may have many islands to choose from, it would be a dream to go and visit Skopelos and have a romantic holiday with my wife just like Sophie, although, maybe with a lot less drama.

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9 Petra, Jordan – Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade

Moving into a world that is slightly more fantastic, Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade follows an adventuring archaeologist played by Harrison Ford. The movie was filmed across numerous locations around the globe, but for the scenes that see Indy exploring ancient ruins while searching for the Holy Grail, he explores some spectacular sites. In particular, the temples and tombs which date back as far as 300 B.C. are etched into the side of mountains.

These sites are found in Petra, Jordan, and they are steeped in even more rich history than the film explores. However, on top of Petra being so beautiful and enchanting with ancient architecture, it’s right in the heart of the ancient world with plenty of other incredible sites to explore within a short radius. Exploring these ruins and the surrounding area, it would be easy to feel like I am in my own Indiana Jones adventure.

8 Matamata, New Zealand – The Lord Of The Rings

Next up, this choice is one that is likely among the most popular picks on anyones wishlist for movie sets to visit, but it had to be included because it is just so magical. Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings movies create a spectacular fantasy world based on the novels by J.R.R. Tolkien. As the Fellowship travels through green and lush shires, and into the fiery Mount Doom, the world appears to be beyond reality.

However, these films were famously filmed around New Zealand and have since generated an incredible amount of tourism for the country, with keen fans wanting to explore real-life Middle-Earth for themselves. For any keen fans, including myself, visiting the shire is as simple as booking a once in a lifetime trip to the incredible Matamata, New Zealand, where tourists can explore the still-standing sets of Hobbiton and walk among the Hobbits.

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7 DuPont State Recreational Park, North Carolina, United States – The Hunger Games

Stateside, there are some incredible locations to visit and explore as well. The Hunger Games may depict a dystopian world where people are clearly separated into districts while the wealthy live comfortably in the Capitol, but it also featured some beautiful scenery as a backdrop to some of the most intense scenes. When Katniss and Peeta make the long trek from District 12 to the Capitol, they find themselves the unfortunate tributes for the latest annual Hunger Games.

Along with 22 other tributes from the other districts, they are dropped into a custom-built arena where they must fight to the death. As traumatizing as that may be, the world designed by the games maker, Seneca Crane, is truly breathtaking, and curious fans will be delighted to know it’s real. DuPont State Recreational Park and the forest in North Carolina were the sites where some of the most dramatic scenes in the movie were filmed.

6 Tataouine, Tunisia – Star Wars

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, Star Wars changed the landscape of films and sci-fi forever when the first movie dropped in 1977. This iconic film franchise presented an extraordinary world that existed in the far reaches of space, but the real world inspiration is considerably closer. While the movie opens with the sandy planet of Tatooine, and the cave dwellings where many of the locals reside, these scenes were actually filmed in the similarly named Tataouine in Tunisia.

The film drew inspiration from the location, and especially the Ksour, which literally translates to castles, that appeared throughout. These caves and intricate structures were actually created primarily to store grain, but some were used by the Berbers of the 14th and 15th centuries to reside. Knowing that this alien world is actually real is incredibly exciting and definitely on my bucket list of places to visit.

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5 Kualoa Ranch, Hawaii – Jurassic Park

Once again returning to Earth and within the United States, an iconic spot from numerous films is deserving of a spot on this list. While watching Jurassic Park, it’s easy to get lost in the world of dinosaurs brought back to life, but the park where they reside is almost equally stunning. As it turns out, the real life location is known as Kualoa Ranch, and it’s one of the most popular spots to record expansive, paradisiacal films.

George of the Jungle, Jumanji, Godzilla, Lost and 50 First Dates are just a few of the movies that made use of this spectacular setting. Hawaii may be a dream vacation for many, but for any movie buffs, Kualoa Ranch is a must on any list of famous filming locations. Just watch out for stray dinosaurs lurking in the forest.

4 Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China – Avatar

While James Cameron’s Avatar takes place on an alien world, with the alien Na’vi living among a world of plants and animals that exist completely outside our own reality, the movie did draw inspiration from the real world. Surprisingly, this even includes one of the most otherworldy and jaw-dropping settings in the movies, the floating Hallelujah Mountains. While the real-world counterparts don’t float, they are equally stunning.

The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in China is one of the major influences for the Avatar Hallelujah Mountains, and the park has even named one of their incredible mountainous pillars after the film in honor of their connection. The area is composed of numerous incredibly tall towers of quartz and sandstone that stand at around 1,000 meters tall while remaining incredibly narrow. Looking at these pillars immediately brings to mind the Hallelujah Mountains from Avatar, and visiting the site would likely feel like stepping out of this world and straight into Pandora.

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3 Trang An & Tam Coc, Vietnam – Kong: Skull Island

kong skull island

Having heard numerous incredible things about the landscape and beautiful views to be seen in modern day Vietnam, it makes perfect sense that the idyllic rolling hills and winding rivers of the country have made their way into modern films. While watching Kong: Skull Island, it’s easy to get lost in the incredible world that is home to the monumental ape who stars in the film. Fortunately, the setting for Kong: Skull Island is rooted in reality.

Trang An and Tam Coc are two sections that are popular for tourists to go on boat trips along the Ninh Binh river. Both are also settings which appeared in Kong: Skull Island, and each offers an incredible and unique experience that would be difficult to find anywhere else in the world. The incredible mountain ranges, architecture, caves and plant life all make these scenic routes spectacular. It isn’t Skull Island, but in some ways, it’s better without the giant aggressive beasts.

2 Valldal Valley, Norway – Ex Machina

Many of the above locations have been incredibly remote and peaceful locations, but taking things to another level is the Valldal Valley in Norway. This incredible location is located on a mountain range in an authentic Nordic fjord. While the movie Ex Machina used the remote location to evoke a sense of being isolated, the valley is a stunning setting that appears incredibly enticing to those who may be of a more introverted disposition.

In addition, this beautiful area is one of the largest natural areas where wild berries grow, such as strawberries. Honestly, the idea of getting cosy atop this beautiful mountain range and being able to take time out to simply write and enjoy the quiet sounds spectacular, and it’s one of the dreamiest spots on my list of film locations to visit.

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1 West 167th, The Bronx, New York – Joker

Finally, the last place on my list is one that may be surprising considering everything that came before, but as a huge fan of superhero movies, and someone who has always wanted to visit New York, West 167th Street in the Bronx is high on my list. Not only is this the iconic spot where Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck dances down the steps in the Joker movie, but it’s also the birthplace of comic book legend Stan Lee.

The Bronx and New York as a whole feel like a beating heart for superhero stories, as the places where so many of these stories are set, and where the heroes set up a headquarters. Every corner has a detail like the steps that is worth taking the time to slowly explore and embrace. And how fun would it be to record the Joker’s iconic dance strolling down those same steps.