Famous movie filming locations around the world

This film set with round doors and grass-covered roofs was built for the adaptations of Tolkien's works. The hobbit dwellings in Matamata were originally constructed for The Lord of the Rings trilogy and were later rebuilt for The Hobbit films and maintained as a permanent attraction. The settlement includes 44 hobbit holes set into the rolling hills of the New Zealand countryside. Visitors can walk through the grounds, view the Party Tree, and visit the Green Dragon Inn, where beverages from the films are served.

This monumental Nabataean temple from the 1st century was carved into the rose-colored sandstone of the ancient city of Petra and gained worldwide recognition as a filming location in the third Indiana Jones film. The 130-foot (40-meter) facade features Corinthian columns and elaborate stone carvings, originally constructed as a royal tomb and later serving in the movie as the entrance to the Holy Grail's hiding place. The monument combines the architectural skill of the Nabataeans with the memorable film scene where Harrison Ford rides through the narrow Siq gorge before the view opens to reveal this rock-cut temple.

This country road lined with ancient beech trees in Northern Ireland served as the filming location for the Kingsroad in Game of Thrones. The trees were planted by the Stuart family in the 18th century and form a natural tunnel over the road, appearing several times in the first season of the series. The site attracts visitors from around the world who come to explore the distinctive setting from the show. The winding road stretches for about a quarter mile (approximately 400 meters) and has become one of the most photographed natural landmarks in Northern Ireland.

This fictional platform at King's Cross Station served as a filming location for the Harry Potter film series, where young wizards pass through a wall between platforms 9 and 10 to reach the Hogwarts Express. A luggage trolley partially disappearing into the wall now marks the spot where visitors can recreate the moment from the films. The installation is located in the station's departure hall and has become a popular attraction for fans of the book adaptations.

This uninhabited island in the Mamanuca archipelago served as the primary filming location for the 2000 movie Cast Away starring Tom Hanks. The island spans 247 acres (100 hectares) and lies about 12 miles (20 kilometers) west of Viti Levu. During production, various film sets were built on Monuriki, including the cave where the main character sought shelter. The palm-fringed beaches and turquoise waters of this island embodied the isolation of a castaway spending four years on a remote Pacific island. Today, visitors can explore the filming sites through guided boat tours and see the landscapes that became famous worldwide through the movie.

This medieval cathedral in the heart of Paris served as the central setting for the 1996 Disney film based on Victor Hugo's novel. Built in the 12th century, the Gothic structure with its characteristic towers, rose window, and gargoyles had already inspired Hugo's literary work in the 19th century. Notre-Dame Cathedral embodies French Gothic architecture and draws visitors who wish to discover both the architectural monument and the location where the story of the hunchback takes place. The facade with its detailed sculptures and the interior with its high vaults offer insight into medieval construction.

The former prison island in San Francisco Bay served as the main location for the 1996 action film starring Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage. The maximum security prison on Alcatraz Island operated from 1934 to 1963 and housed some of America's most notorious criminals before becoming a National Historic Landmark after its closure. The film production utilized the authentic prison cells, exercise yard, and distinctive buildings of the facility for action sequences. The island sits approximately 1.25 miles (2 kilometers) offshore and is now one of San Francisco's most visited tourist attractions. Visitors can take a ferry to the island and explore both the historic prison facilities and the film locations.

The desert landscape near Gabès served as the backdrop for Luke Skywalker's home world in the Star Wars saga. George Lucas selected this region for its barren dunes and traditional Berber settlements, which perfectly matched his vision of the remote desert planet. Several locations in the area, including the troglodyte dwellings of Matmata and the salt flats of Chott el-Djerid, were used for exterior shots in Episode IV and later films. Visitors can still see the distinctive dome structures that served as the Lars homestead, along with other structures built for the production that remain in the desert.

Salzburg served as the primary filming location for the 1965 movie The Sound of Music starring Julie Andrews. Production took place at various sites throughout the city, including Leopoldskron Palace, whose garden and lakeside terrace facade appear in the film as the rear of the von Trapp family villa. The Residenzplatz fountain, Felsenreitschule, and Nonnberg Abbey are among the other recognizable locations. The Mirabell Gardens, with their pergola and geometric flower beds, provided the setting for the "Do-Re-Mi" musical sequence. The film significantly contributed to establishing Salzburg as an international tourist destination, though it proved less popular in Austria itself than in other countries.

This Irish island in the Atlantic Ocean served as a filming location for several movies, including The Crying Game in 1992 and Leap Year in 2010. Inishmore, the largest of the three Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland, offers steep cliffs, rocky landscapes, and traditional stone walls that provide a dramatic backdrop attractive to filmmakers. The rugged coastal terrain and ancient archaeological sites of the island convey a sense of remoteness and enduring beauty that works well for productions requiring authentic Irish landscapes. The island's windswept terrain and historic stone forts add depth to scenes seeking to capture the raw character of Ireland's western edge.

This 12th-century Cambodian temple complex served as a filming location for the 2001 movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider starring Angelina Jolie. The production used the root-covered ruins of Ta Prohm and the galleries of the main temple to create a mysterious setting. Angkor Wat attracted numerous visitors following the film's release who wanted to explore the scenes of chase sequences and puzzle-solving moments. The temple connects religious heritage with modern popular culture and demonstrates how historical sites can serve as backdrops for contemporary adventure films.

The canals of Venice served as filming locations for Casino Royale (2006), where James Bond navigates through the city's waterways, and The Italian Job (2003). The network of historic waterways with their bridges and palaces provided filmmakers with an authentic Venetian backdrop for action sequences and dramatic scenes. These filming locations demonstrate how directors used the characteristic canals to establish the settings of their films.

Dealey Plaza served as the filming location for the reconstruction of the Kennedy assassination in Oliver Stone's film JFK. The director used the historic site in Dallas to recreate the events of November 22, 1963. The plaza, including the former Texas School Book Depository building and Elm Street where President John F. Kennedy was shot, allowed Stone to bring authenticity to his cinematic investigation of the circumstances surrounding the assassination. Released in 1991, the film used the actual location of the events to explore controversial theories about the President's murder.

The Transylvanian Alps served as the setting for Francis Ford Coppola's 1992 adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula. This mountain range with its forested slopes and misty valleys embodied the dark tone of the novel and helped bring the gothic world of the legendary vampire count to life on screen. The region provided filmmakers with authentic medieval landscapes that matched the story of the immortal count from Transylvania, connecting the literary classic with its geographical roots.

This 386-foot (118-meter) monolith serves as the central location in Spielberg's film about contact with extraterrestrial beings. Devil's Tower became the meeting point between humans and aliens in 1977's 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind.' The distinctive volcanic formation in Wyoming draws film enthusiasts who wish to relive the scenes where Richard Dreyfuss's character becomes obsessed with this geological landmark and ultimately witnesses a spectacular landing.

The Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles has served as a filming location for major motion pictures for decades. Opened in 1935, this astronomical museum on Mount Hollywood appeared in Rebel Without a Cause, the 1955 James Dean film where the observatory became the setting for the famous knife fight scene. Sixty years later, filmmakers returned for La La Land with Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, and the Observatory provided the backdrop for one of the most memorable dance sequences in the movie. The building's distinctive Art Deco architecture and its position overlooking Los Angeles have made it a favored filming location that demonstrates the connection between the real landmark and its cinematic portrayal.

This baseball field was built in 1989 for the film Field of Dreams and sits among cornfields in Iowa. The playing field retains its original bleachers and is now a publicly accessible site where visitors can play baseball. The surrounding cornfields are part of the landscape featured in the film. The field spans two adjacent properties and was preserved after filming as an attraction for movie fans. Visitors can explore the outfield and experience the same setting as the characters in the film.

Forks High School served as a filming location for the Twilight saga and is located in the Olympic rainforest of Washington State. The red brick building became a recurring setting in the vampire film series, where important scenes between the main characters took place. The school is situated in the small town of Forks, which gained worldwide recognition through the films. Visitors can view the building from the outside and experience the misty environment of the region that shaped the somber tone of the film series.

Glacier National Park appeared in the opening scenes of Dances with Wolves, filmed along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. This mountain road crosses the park through alpine valleys and forests. The park's terrain includes mountain peaks, lakes, and glaciers. The film used this setting to represent the American frontier in the 19th century. The Going-to-the-Sun Road is a 50-mile (80-kilometer) route that crosses the park from east to west.

This Atlantic coast island served as the filming location for Steven Spielberg's 1975 thriller Jaws. The production used several beaches and harbor areas across the island to represent the fictional town of Amity Island. Many scenes were filmed at Joseph Sylvia State Beach, where the crew captured the famous beach sequences. Edgartown Harbor and other coastal sections of Martha's Vineyard provided the setting for the story about a police chief, a marine biologist, and a shark hunter pursuing a great white shark. The island continues to attract film enthusiasts who visit the locations where the movie was shot.

These rock formations appeared in numerous Star Trek episodes. The tilted slabs represented the surfaces of alien planets in the series. Vasquez Rocks consist of sandstone layers thrust upward by tectonic forces about 25 million years ago. The distinctive rock slabs, rising up to 150 feet (46 meters), provided filmmakers with a cost-effective and accessible backdrop for science fiction productions. Beyond Star Trek, these rocks have been featured in numerous westerns and other television series.

The Stanley Hotel, built in 1909, is a historic property where Stephen King spent one night. This stay inspired the author to write his novel The Shining. The hotel sits in the Rocky Mountains and served as the model for the fictional Overlook Hotel in King's story about a caretaker who descends into madness while working at a remote mountain hotel during winter. The Colonial Revival structure has welcomed visitors for over a century, combining its historic architecture with its literary significance as the birthplace of one of the most famous horror novels in American literature.

These cliffs rise 700 feet (214 meters) above the Atlantic and served as the filming location for the chase sequence in The Princess Bride. The cliffs are among the tallest coastal formations in Ireland and were selected by the production team for their sheer vertical drop. The director used the natural setting of the rock faces to heighten the tension of the scene where Inigo Montoya and Fezzik pursue the Man in Black.

This observation tower rises 38 meters (125 feet) tall and features a spiral staircase with 164 steps. The column appears in the film The Goonies (1985) as a central location where the young protagonists search for clues to the hidden treasure of One-Eyed Willie. Filming utilized both the exterior view of the tower and its surroundings to capture important scenes in the story. The structure from the 1920s stands on Coxcomb Hill and offers views over the Columbia River mouth from its observation platform. For film fans, this tower is a place where they can revisit the settings of the adventure film.

The Hanalei Pier on Kauai's north shore served as a filming location for the 1958 musical film South Pacific directed by Joshua Logan. The 340-foot (104-meter) pier extends into Hanalei Bay and was featured in several scenes of the movie, which was based on the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical of the same name. The pier allows visitors today to walk out over the water with views of the green mountain ranges of the Na Pali Coast. The structure has been rebuilt multiple times after damage from storms and flooding, with the current version dating from 2017.

Holmesburg Prison was built in 1896 and operated as a detention facility in Philadelphia until 1995. The prison, with its imposing architecture, served as a filming location for the movie Law Abiding Citizen starring Gerard Butler. The facility displays typical features of late 19th-century American prison architecture, including high walls and cell blocks. The film used the authentic environment of this former detention center to tell the story of a man rebelling against the justice system.

This 280-acre (113-hectare) man-made lake served as the backdrop for several dance scenes in the 1987 film Dirty Dancing. The reservoir in the North Carolina mountains was created in the 1920s by damming the Rocky Broad River and provided the setting for key moments in the film, including the famous practice scene in the water between Baby and Johnny. The lake sits among forested mountain slopes and formed the natural backdrop for the fictional Kellerman's resort where the story takes place. Visitors can explore the locations where Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze filmed their dance sequences and experience the same mountain landscape that gave the film its distinctive setting.

Silvercup Studios opened in 1983 in a former bakery building in Queens, becoming one of the largest film and television production facilities on the East Coast of the United States. The studios contain 23 soundstages of varying sizes along with comprehensive production facilities. Major television series including The Sopranos, Sex and the City, and 30 Rock were filmed at these studios. The distinctive rooftop sign visible from Manhattan across the East River has become a recognizable landmark. The facility also houses postproduction services and continues to operate as an active production center for film and television projects.

This coastal section along the Malibu cliffs served as the exterior filming location for the Stark mansion in Iron Man. The scenes show the distinctive property perched on the rocks above the Pacific Ocean, where Tony Stark advances his inventions. Point Dume provided the dramatic cliffs and expansive ocean views that suited the residence of the billionaire inventor. The filming location conveys the connection between the fictional high-tech villa and the real California coastline, emphasizing the modern design and exposed position of the building.

Piazza Navona in Rome served as a filming location for the movie Angels & Demons directed by Ron Howard. This baroque square with its three fountains, including the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, appears in several scenes of the film based on Dan Brown's thriller. The production used the historic architecture and the characteristic elongated shape of the piazza, which was built on the foundations of the ancient Stadium of Domitian. The film scenes feature the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone and the surrounding palazzos that have defined the appearance of the square for centuries.

This 15th-century chapel appeared in the film The Da Vinci Code and features detailed stone carvings and geometric patterns on its walls and pillars. Rosslyn Chapel was founded in 1446 by William Sinclair and is known for its intricate stonework, including the famous Apprentice Pillar with spiral decorations. The film helped increase interest in this medieval structure, which combines religious and symbolic representations in its architectural design. Located about 7 miles (11 kilometers) south of Edinburgh, the chapel draws visitors who want to experience both the cinematic connection and the historical craftsmanship.

The landscape around Narsarsuaq served as a filming location for Greenlandic scenes in the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. The area sits at the head of the Tunulliarfik Fjord and offers views of glaciers, ice fields, and arctic vegetation. The settlement was an important American military base during World War II and now serves as a starting point for hikes to nearby glaciers and historical Norse ruins. The film production used the natural contrasts between grass-covered valleys and surrounding ice masses to portray the protagonist's journey through remote landscapes.