Lost In Translation: Tokyo
_Lost in Translation_ is a romantic comedy about the love story between a washed-up movie star and a lonely young woman. The story is set in Tokyo, the capital of Japan, and that’s also the place where the movie was shot.
Some of the scenes were shot in some of Tokyo’s most remarkable landmarks, such as Heian Shrine, Park Hyatt, Rainbow Bridge, Shibuya Crossing, and the Jogan-Ji Temple. If you travel to the most populated city on earth, make sure you visit all those sites!
Twilight: Washington
_Twilight_ is a romantic fantasy film about the relationship between a teenage girl and a man who is secretly a vampire. Released in 2008, the film stars heartthrob Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, and it became a great hit among teenagers.
The story is set in the town of Forks, but while most fans believe this town is completely fictional, it actually exists in real life. Forks is located in Clallam County, Washington, and ever since the release of the film, thousands of tourists travel to visit some of the film’s locations, such as Eerie Drive and Kalama High School.
Popeye: Malta
_Popeye_ is a musical comedy film based on the adventures of the famous sailor cartoon of the same name. Popeye lives in the coastal town of Sweethaven, which of course, is a made-up site. But can any of you guess where the film was shot?
This live-action movie was filmed in Malta, a small island and country located in the Mediterranean Sea. Make sure you visit the island’s 16th-century capital Malta La Valeta, which is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Doctor Strange: Kathmandu
_Doctor Strange_ is an American superhero film about a brilliant doctor who is drawn into the world of mystic and supernatural arts. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the film was shot in one of the most ancient and sacred cities in the world. Do you dare guess?
The movie was filmed in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Kathmandu is a 2,000-year-old city home to dozens of temples and street markets, many of which appear in the film. The picture above, for instance, shows Kathmandu’s iconic Durbar Square, one of the city’s three UNESCO Heritage Sites.
127 Hours: Utah
_127 Hours_ is a biographical drama film about a mountain climber who is trapped under a boulder while canyoneering alone. Starred by Hollywood legend James Franco, the film was a major success and received multiple Academy Award nominations.
The movie was filmed in Moab, Utah, while the canyon was filmed at the Blue John Canyon. Last but not least, the pool beneath the canyon was filmed at the Homestead Crater at the Homestead Resort and Spa, near Heber Valley.
Jaws: Massachusetts
Directed by Steven Spielberg and released in 1975, _Jaws_ is one of the most iconic thriller films in history. It tells the story of a small coastal town that is threatened by a killer white shark responsible for multiple deadly attacks. Can you guess where it was filmed?
The film was shot on an island known as Martha’s Vineyard, located in Massachusetts, USA. The opening scene where the blond woman is attacked was shot on South Beach, while the iconic scene where the young boy is attacked was filmed at Joseph Sylvia State Beach.
Out Of Africa: Kenya
_Out of Africa_ is a 1985 epic drama film that revolves around a passionate romance between a Danish plantation owner and a free-spirited game hunter. Starring Hollywood legends Meryl Streep and Robert Redford, the film received 7 Academy Awards.
Most of the scenes were shot in a coffee plantation located in Kenya. To be more specific, the plantation is found near the famous Ngong Hills, which are just 25 km from Nairobi. So if you ever happen to visit Kenya’s bustling capital city, don’t forget to visit these hills for yourself!
The Dark Knight: Hong Kong
_The Dark Knight_ is considered one of the greatest superhero films ever. But even though most of the film was shot in Chicago, one of the most iconic scenes was shot in the city of Hong Kong. Can you guess which scene we’re talking about?
One of the film’s most thrilling moments is when Batman has to jump from one building to the other on his way to find crime boss Lau. One of these buildings happens to be the second tallest skyscraper in Hong Kong, the International Finance Center.
Django Unchained: Louisiana
_Django Unchained_ is a Western film that tells the story of a freed slave who sets out to rescue his wife from a ruthless plantation owner. The story is set in the southern state of Mississippi, but most of the scenes were shot in Wyoming and California.
However, the movie’s most memorable scenes took place in the National Historic Evergreen sugar plantation, located in Wallace, Louisiana. Several of the plantation’s buildings were used for the film, including the main house and the slave cabins. This plantation can actually be visited, so what are you waiting for?
The Babadook: Australia
_The Babadook_ is a 2014 horror film about a widowed mother who struggles with her son’s fear of a monster who supposedly lurks in the house. It was the directorial debut for Jennifer Kent, who obtained several nominations and awards for her job.
Many people believe the film is American since it was a big hit in this country. However, the film is from Australia, and it was entirely filmed in Adelaide. Even though most of the film was shot inside Adelaide Studios, a few scenes were filmed in the city’s streets.
Gone With The Wind: California
_Gone With the Wind_ is an epic romantic drama film set in the American Civil War and Reconstruction era. Released in 1939, it won several Academy Awards – including Best Picture – and became the highest-grossing film at the time.
Although many of the scenes were filmed on a plantation in Georgia, others were shot on some of California’s most iconic landmarks. For instance, the famous barbeque scene at Twelve Oaks was shot at the Bush Gardens estate in Pasadena, while the scene in which Scarlet says “_she’ll never go hungry again_” was filmed in Northwest Los Angeles.
Mamma Mia: Greece
In 2008, Amanda Seyfried and Meryl Streep starred in a remake of the iconic musical _Mamma Mia_, and they sure made us laugh! The story is set on the fictional island of Kalokairi, and I’m sure that anyone who has seen the film has fallen in love with its beauty. Do any of you know the real name of the island?
The film was shot on a Greek island named Skopelos. Skopelos is located in the west of the Aegean Sea and forms part of the Thessaly region. It is larger than Mykonos and Santorini but way less famous. Next time you plan a visit to Greece, please add this to your bucket list!
Master And Commander & Galapagos Islands
_Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World_ is an epic war-drama film set in South America during the Napoleonic Wars. It received a whopping 10 Academy Award Nominations, of which it won 2. Most of the film was shot in one of the most remote and unusual places on earth. Do you dare guess?
The film was mainly shot in the Galapagos Islands, an archipelago famous for its diverse plant and animal life as well as its beautiful beaches. To be more specific, many of the jaw-dropping landscapes shown in the film belong to Bartolomé Island. Next time you visit South America, head towards Ecuador and book a flight to this natural marvel!
The Hurt Locker: Jordan
_The Hurt Locker_ is an American war film that depicts the obstacles and challenges faced by an army bomb squad during the Iraqi War. Not only did the film win the Academy Award for Best Picture, but its director Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman in history to receive the Academy Award for Best Director.
While the story is set in Iraq, the movie was mostly filmed in another Middle-Eastern country: Jordan. Allegedly, the film crew members had proposed to film the movie in Morocco, but Bigelow insisted on picking a place like Jordan in order to make the film appear more authentic.
Tomb Raider: Cambodia
_Lara Croft: Tomb Raider_ is an action-adventure film based on the iconic _Tomb Raider_ video game series. The character of Tomb Raider was portrayed by one of Hollywood’s greatest legends of all time, Angelina Jolie.
Most of the movie was filmed in Cambodia‘s most famous landmark, the Angkor Wat temples. These 12th-century Hindu temples are one of the world’s most impressive architectural wonders, so if you haven’t been there yet, what are you waiting for?
Rocky: Philadelphia
_Rocky_ is a 1975 drama and sports film about a small-time boxer who fights a heavy-weight boxing champion. One of the film’s most iconic scenes is when lead character Rocky Balboa runs up the stairs of a building and, facing backward, lifts his arms and clenches his fists in a triumphant victory pose.
While many of the iconic scenes included in this list were filmed in famous locations, this is an odd case in which the location became famous only because of the movie. The 72-step staircase belongs to the Philadelphia Art Museum, which became famous worldwide after the movie’s release.
Lord Of The Rings: New Zealand
Many people believe that the _Lord of the Rings_ trilogy is the greatest movie franchise in history. Let’s not forget that the final film in the trilogy – _Return of the King_ – set a world record after winning a whopping 14 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
But apart from its thrilling storyline, one of the most remarkable features of these films is their jaw-dropping landscapes. As many of you probably know, the three films were shot in director Peter Jackson’s native land, New Zealand.
Dr. No: Jamaica
Starring Sean Connery and released in 1962, _Dr. No_ is the first James Bond film ever made. If you’ve seen it, then you probably recall the beach scene featuring Sean Connery’s co-star, Ursula Andrews. Can you guess where it was shot?
This scene was filmed on The Laughing Waters, one of Jamaica’s most amazing beaches. If you ever plan a trip to the Caribbean, you should know that this beach is quite close to the port city of Ocho Rios, so that’s the place where you should visit.
Mad Max: Fury Road: Namibia
_Mad Max: Fury Road_ is a post-apocalyptic action film which is supposed to show what a futuristic version of Australia would look like in a desolate wasteland. But if you thought that the movie was filmed in Australia, you are mistaken.
Originally, the film was meant to be filmed in Australia, but as a result of never-ending rainfalls, the producers chose to shoot the movie in the Namib Desert, in Namibia. Other potential locations that they considered were the Atacama Desert in Chile and Chott el Djerid in Tunisia.
Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade: Jordan
_Indiana Jones_ is a film franchise based on the adventures of the fictional archaeologist Dr. Henry Walton “Indiana Jones.” Many critics and fans believe that the third film of the franchise, _Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade_, is the best one of all.
Even though the plot allegedly takes place in places such as Portugal and Utah, most of the films were shot in completely different sites. Most scenes were filmed in Jordan, including some of the country’s most striking landmarks, such as Petra. However, other scenes were shot in Spain, Italy, and West Germany.
Cast Away: Fiji
_Cast Away_ is a survival drama film about a FedEx employee who is stranded on an uninhabited island after his plane crashes in the South Pacific. Most of you probably remember Tom Hanks’ brilliant performance as well as the friendship he establishes with Wilson the volleyball, but do any of you remember the film’s location and landscapes?
All of the movie’s scenes were shot in Monuriki, an island that belongs to the Mamanuca archipelago, Fiji. This paradise island is uninhabited in real life too, and it’s barely 1 km long and 600 meters wide. You can visit it by booking a tour, but you should know that it’s pretty far off.
Avatar: China
_Avatar_ is considered to be the highest-grossing movie in history, having reached a whopping $2.78 billion at the box office. But even though part of the film is computer-animated, those misty green hills and valleys exist in real life. Can you guess where they can be found?
Most of the scenes were shot in Zhangjiajie, one of the most beautiful national parks in China. Ever since the release of the movie in 200, this forest park has become a major tourist hotspot. The site’s main landmarks include the Phoenix Ancient Town and the Wulingyuan Scenic Area.
Harry Potter: Alnwick Castle
Most people believe that the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is completely fictional, but this is not entirely true. In the first two films of the _Harry Potter_ franchise, the scenes that take place in Hogwarts were filmed in a real-life castle named Alnwick Castle, located in the English county of Northumberland.
Alnwick Castle was built in 1906, and it has become extremely famous ever since _The Sorcerer’s Stone_ and _The Chamber of Secrets_ were released. In fact, the castle now receives over 700,000 visits each year. Did you know that it was also used to shoot some scenes of the British TV show _Downtown Abbey_?