As the Oscars ceremony approaches this weekend, the true stars aren’t limited to just the actors and filmmakers. Iconic global landmarks add their own touch of cinematic enchantment to the mix.
As the 97th Academy Awards approaches, new findings from film location specialists at Giggster have unveiled the perennially favored filming spots across the United States, the United Kingdom, and around the world.
Spanning from the shores of California and central London to the towering landscapes of Sydney and the historic ruins of Rome’s Colosseum, these settings have captivated directors for over a hundred years, serving as the stage for many of film history’s most iconic scenes.
Distant from merely serving as renowned locations in film productions, these places are also favored travel spots that attract tourists keen on personally encountering these legendary scenes and following the paths trodden by cinematic icons.
Which locations have appeared in the highest number of movies?
Not surprisingly, the destinations appearing in the highest number of films are located in California, where Hollywood resides.
California Appearing in over 380,000 movies isn’t just about Hollywood. Films like 'Sideways,' which celebrates the vineyards of Santa Barbara County, and Alfred Hitchcock's suspenseful tale 'Vertigo' set against the backdrop of San Francisco, showcase how California has been featured in numerous award-nominated or winning productions.
In both the United States and globally, New York ranks second place, featuring over 294,000 movies situated in the Empire State. Among these, the majority—precisely 273,569—are set explicitly in New York City, notable examples being 'Taxi Driver' and the classic 'King Kong.'
Beyond the United States — and apart from India’s Bollywood, which was not included in this study — the UK stands as the second highest country when it comes to film shooting sites. At the top of this ranking is London, featuring approximately 77,500 productions, significantly over three times the amount recorded in Manchester, making it the next favored location within the UK with around 22,710 recordings.
Notable landmarks in Sydney, Paris, and Italy steal the spotlight
The most photographed monument globally, excluding locations in the US and UK, isn't the Eiffel Tower Or think of the Roman Colosseum. In Australia, it’s the iconic Sydney Opera House.
The iconic Sydney site has been featured in more than 160 films. UNESCO World Heritage Site has been featured as a setting in movies spanning various genres, from romance-comedy films like 'Anyone But You' to action-thrillers such as 'Pacific Rim: Uprisings'.
The second most prominent spot goes to the Eiffel Tower, appearing in 158 films. This worldwide symbol of romance and exploration appears frequently in numerous classic love stories such as 'Midnight in Paris' and 'Amélie'.
Film creators are not solely drawn to the Eiffel Tower; the Louvre Museum (which ranks third with 110 movies) and the Arc de Triomphe (occupying tenth place with 73 films) also solidify Paris’s status as a beloved destination for filmmakers. This preference aligns with the tastes of the city’s 50 million yearly tourists.
However, Italy leads with the greatest number of frequently filmed landmarks. The nation has six sites on the list, which includes the Colosseum - made famous in 'Gladiator' - the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the ruins of Pompeii This makes it an ideal location for those wanting to maximize their set-jetting opportunities in just one vacation.
The world’s most filmed destinations
Giggster’s research includes multiple unexpected filming locations. For instance, Madrid Has featured in the highest number of movie scenes, apart from those set in American and British locations.
Maybe owing to its blend of historic buildings and more than 300 sunny days annually, Madrid has been featured in approximately 55,000 movies, such as 'The Bourne Ultimatum' and 'Spartacus'.
On a national scale, Argentina claims the leading position as the most depicted nation in movies, appearing in over 112,000 film titles. Spanning from the harsh terrains of Patagonia to the busy avenues of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires , its diversity has attracted the producers of films such as ‘Evita’, the Eva Perón biopic, and ‘Seven Years in Tibet’, a movie about the Dalai Lama starring Brad Pitt.
Where were the nominees for the Best Picture at the 2025 Academy Awards filmed?
The lead romantic comedy 'Anora' primarily takes place in Brooklyn, featuring recognizable spots like Coney Island, though Las Vegas is also prominently showcased in multiple scenes.
'The Brutalist,' featuring Adrien Brody, was filmed in Budapest and Tuscany.
Even though Bob Dylan is frequently linked to New York, his biographical film titled 'A Complete Unknown,' featuring Timothée Chalamet, was filmed in adjacent New Jersey.
'Conclave,' a political suspense film centered around the process of electing a new pope—and a strong contender for Best Picture—was filmed in Rome and includes an exact replica of the Sistine Chapel.
Thinking about planning your upcoming vacation inspired by your favorite film? Think about considering a destination from it. train journey capturing Europe's most film-worthy views.
0 Comments