It’s great to see a film that transports you to some far-off place, which makes up for the great film locations. Whether it’s a beautiful beach, an isolated island, or a mysterious mountain, we all have felt the longing to disappear into the scenery. So, obviously there are some movies where that location is made with help from a soundstage crew. Some others are filmed on location, but they’re made to look a little different. Let’s explore 10 of these incredible film locations that actually do exist.
10 Incredible Film Locations You Never Knew Were Real
Star Wars: A New Hope
Episode 4 of the Star Wars franchise was shot in the deserts of Tunisia. These scenes were when R2-D2 and C-3PO are wandering around the sand dunes in Nafta.
12 Monkeys
This disturbing post-apocalyptic flick was filmed in Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia. One of the oldest prisons, it is now abandoned and partly a museum. It provided a perfect but dismal background.
Mamma Mia
Kalokairi was the name of the fictional island where the characters were in the summer. In reality, the location shoot was split between the stunning Greek Islands of Skiathos and Skopelos.
The Hunger Games
DuPont State Forest provided much of the background for when Katniss was involved in fighting for her family’s honor. The rough terrain and overgrown foliage were ideal for setting the scene. This is definitely an incredible filming location.
Troy
This historical epic tale was shot in Malta. Known for its gorgeous and unique architecture and crystal clear waters, Malta was an ideal and striking place for film locations.
Skyfall
This James Bond movie was shot on location in the Eminönü District of Istanbul, Turkey. The markets there had plenty of built-in extras on location.
Golden Eye
The fight between Bond (Pierce Brosnan) and Trevelyan (Sean Bean) was filmed over the huge Arecibo radio satellite dish. This now decommissioned and destroyed satellite dish provided an incredible filming location.
The Great Gatsby
Gatsby’s mansion was not really on Long Island; it was filmed in a castle estate on the other side of the world. Sydney’s International College of Management’s St. Patrick’s Seminary easily doubled as Jay Gatsby’s beautiful and sprawling abode.
Lost in Translation
Filmed almost exclusively in Japan, this Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson movie was taped primarily in the Shinjuku district. This location was where the Park Hyatt hotel was, as well.
Amadeus
With beautiful towns and concerts, the story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart unfolds in Vienna, Austria. This isn’t the case – it’s filmed in Prague, Czech Republic. The Mala Strana proved to be a perfect setting for its architecture and winding thoroughfares.
A Few Final Thoughts
These are the movies we see that leave us wanting more. It might be the scenery, it might be the characters or storyline, or it could be the film locations. The particular places where these movies are filmed add depth and believability to the story.
