The setting of a film is more than just something to look at on screen; the backdrop can help tell the story, push the narrative along, and even become part of the plot itself. While some movies and TV shows rely entirely on studios and CGI to create their settings, others will film on location – and that means that anywhere you go in the world you will be able to visit an iconic film location. In this article, we will look at some of the best (and coolest) places that you can visit which have been immortalized on film.
Harry Potter
One of the main filming locations of this amazing movie series is a tourist attraction in itself – the Warner Brothers Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter. Located just outside the city proper in Leavesden, you can go and see some of the iconic interiors such as the Great Hall, the Gryffindor Common Room, and Dumbledore’s office, whilst learning more about how they created the series.
Other impressive filming locations include Kings Cross Station in London, where you can find Platform 9 ¾ if you look hard enough. The Hogwarts Express travelled across the Glenfinnan Viaduct in Scotland, and you can take a steam train journey along the route or just find a spot to take the perfect picture nearby. Much of the exterior shots of Hogwarts came from Salisbury Cathedral, as well as the dreaming spires of Oxford University (specifically Christ Church College). The infamous Bodleian Library also features, which you may recognise from The Golden Compass, X-Men, and inspector Morse, too.
Lost
The crash site of Oceanic flight 815 was a deserted, remote beach – and it was filmed at Mokule’ia Beach in Oahu, Hawaii. The first season of the series was filmed from there, and visitors can also take tours to see Dharma village and Jacob’s lighthouse. Perfect for both sunseekers and diehard fans of the long running series.
Game of Thrones
Portraying a fantasy world that is closer to medieval times than modernity in terms of technology in today’s world might seem like a daunting task, but HBO’s showrunners were not afraid to think outside the box when it came to finding the right locations to shoot the vast continent of Westeros. From the cold North and beyond the wall to the deserts, grasslands, and rocky coastlines, this is one TV series that went almost global. Northern Ireland became the grass sea of the Dothraki plains, and Ballintoy Harbour was the perfect place to represent the rocky, rugged, and desolate Iron Islands. Kirkjufell in Iceland was one of the most northern locations, used as the location beyond the wall where Daenerys and her dragons swooped in to the (almost) rescue in Season 7. Most people will associate Kings Landing – where much of the storytelling took place – as Dubrovnik in Croatia. Visitors can see iconic buildings like the Great Sept of Baelor as well as the palace gardens and the market scenes here.
Jurassic Park
A quick hark back to Hawaii, where the area of Kauai was used as the initial view we see of Isla Nubar as our protagonists first approach the doomed island. Tropical greenery paired with azure waters seem like the ideal place to grow your dinosaurs.
Lord of the Rings
Most people recognise the importance of the Lord of the Rings to the tourism in New Zealand. Matamata became Hobbiton, where we first meet the people who need second and third breakfasts (and have those adorable hairy toes). The Woods can be found in Wellington, if you are brave enough to look, and the desolate land of Mordor features the Tongariro National Park. Honourable Mentions Of course, there are some filming locations that are iconic, if not as impressive:
Monte Carlo – James Bond Ait Ben Haddou, Morocco – The Mummy, Kingdom of Heaven, Gladiator Asteria, Oregon – the Goonies 90 Bedford Street, New York City – Friends Albuquerque, New Mexico – Breaking Bad Doune Castle, Scotland – Monty Python and the Holy Grail (was also Winterfell in the pilot of Game of Thrones) Bayon Temple, Cambodia – Lara Croft Stairs to the Philadelphia Museum of Art – Rocky Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas – Rain Man
