This article looks at the 25 big budget film locations to visit in the world. If you wish to skip our detailed analysis of experiential travel and set jetting, you may skip ahead to 5 Big Budget Film Locations to Visit in the World.
Having withstood the challenges of COVID-19, the global tourism industry has now finally rejuvenated revenues and volumes back to pre-pandemic levels. UNWTO has predicted that 2024 will be the year in which tourism will surpass 2019 levels by 2%. However, traveling in 2024 isn’t just about visiting a relative or blowing off steam to recharge yourself for another grueling year in the bullpen. According to Flywire Corporation (NASDAQ: FLYW), tourists in 2024 are looking to ditch traditional travel itineraries in favor of personalized trips that deliver unique experiences, in a phenomenon referred to as experiential travel.
Experiential Travel
Flywire Corporation’s (NASDAQ: FLYW) survey of travel providers in Australia, Italy, Japan, and South Africa shows that 89% of providers surveyed have seen increased demand for experiential travel. Tourists are inclined towards experiential travel due to its propensity for providing meaningful travel experiences.
“Our research into travel providers around the world shows that as we head into 2024, consumers are likely to continue to prioritize investing in unique experiences… As travelers eschew traditional ‘off the shelf’ packages, providers are offering experiences that match travelers’ expectations for immersive, personalized trips.”
-Colin Smyth, VP and GM of Travel, Flywire Corporation (NASDAQ: FLYW).
In the effort to provide meaningful travel experiences, Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABNB) and Duolingo, Inc. (NASDAQ: DUOL) recently teamed up to launch a campaign based on trends noted in India. Per Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABNB) data, there has been a significant increase in travel interest from India’s Gen Z and Millennials towards destinations in Japan and Korea, with a 75% growth in searches for stays in Korea and 300% growth for Japan. These searches have a strong correlation with data collected by Duolingo, Inc. (NASDAQ: DUOL) showing that Japanese and Korean are emerging as some of the most popular languages learnt by Indian users. In response to these observations, the companies are collaborating to merge Duolingo’s language learning expertise with Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABNB) locally hosted stays.
“We are delighted to partner with Airbnb to bring an opportunity that blends learning and traveling in such a seamless manner, providing people with all the right tools to allow them to have an authentic experience and overcome language barriers during travel with ease.”
-George Audi, Global head of Business Development & Partnerships, Duolingo, Inc. (NASDAQ: DUOL).
Set Jetting
Increased interest in traveling to Japan and Korea isn’t a coincidence. It is fueled by trends such as destination dupes, sustainable tourism, and set jetting. Our articles on most underrated travel destinations in Asia and spectacular floating hotels around the world highlight how influential trends such as destination dupes and sustainable tourism are in driving tourism.
In addition to these trends, Expedia Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE) revealed in its “Unpack 24” report that set jetting, or planning trips inspired by TV shows and movies, is one of the top travel trends in 2024. According to Expedia Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE), more than half of travelers surveyed said they’ve researched or booked a trip to a destination after seeing it on a TV show or in a movie. Inspired by Squid Game, a production of Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX), South Korea was one of the top set-jetting destinations in the world, per Expedia Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE).
While set jetting may seem like a typical millennial excursion, its roots seep back all the way to the days of Michael Curtiz’s Casablanca (1942), even though the movie was shot entirely in California. Similarly, films like Sony Group Corporation’s (NYSE: SONY) Bullet Train (2019) are just one example in a long list of iconic big budget films, dating back to Godzilla (1954), which have inspired tourists to journey to the Land of the Rising Sun.
Lately, however, the passion for traveling to iconic film locations has been reinvigorated. Filming locations today range from production centers in LA to the dunes of Wadi Rum in Jordan, with governments across the world also realizing the potential in films to draw tourist dollars. According to a study by France’s National Center of Cinematography, four out of five foreign tourists to Paris got an urge to visit after seeing a movie or TV series filmed in the city. 49% of tourists who visited specifically because of a film or TV show revealed it was either due to Emily in Paris or Lupin, both of which are shows produced by Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX). In 2023, a travel startup named Dharma launched a tour inspired by Netflix, Inc.’s (NASDAQ: NFLX) Emily in Paris, offering a chance for avid fans to immerse themselves within the shoes of Emily Cooper.
Thus, if you’re looking to enrich your vacation with a trip to one of the most famous movie locations in the world, join us as we look at big budget film locations to visit in the world.
25 Big Budget Film Locations to Visit in the World
Methodology
To develop our list of big budget film locations to visit in the world, we began by combing through similar lists on the web. We compiled over 15 notable sources such as Travel & Leisure and Enjoy Travel, to develop a preliminary list of big budget film locations to visit in the world. Using these lists, we also developed a scorecard with 2 metrics.
The first metric was the frequency of destinations in our sources. The second metric was a ranking factor based on the average position of the destinations in their lists. This was calculated by first dividing the position of a destination in each list by the total number of destinations in the list. For lists that did not rank destinations, an average score of 0.5 was used. Our ranking factor was calculated as the average of these scores (across all sources) for a particular destination. By accumulating the frequency and ranking factors, we calculated our Insider Monkey scores. Once sorted in descending order, the first 20 destinations were selected as the big budget film locations to visit in the world.
By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.
Here are 25 Big Budget Film Locations to Visit in the World.
25. Melody Ranch, USA
Insider Monkey Score: 5.29
Related Movie/ Show: Django Unchained (2012) & One Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)
Melody Ranch in Santa Clarita, California is an iconic film location which has been featured in many Western classics over the years. The ranch hosts festivals and tours regularly, where people can roam the streets of Westworld or visit salons dressed as cowboys and cowgirls. There are plenty of opportunities to capture photos and learn trivia on some of your favorite films.
24. Gourdon, France
Insider Monkey Score: 5.35
Related Movie/ Show: Les Misérables (2012)
While most of the movie was shot in England, one particular sequence was filmed in the area of Gourdon in the South of France. Apart from visiting the village where Valijean found redemption, tourists can also enjoy the beautiful vistas of the French countryside.
23. Real Alcázar, Spain
Insider Monkey Score: 5.37
Related Movie/ Show: Game of Thrones
The palace of Real Alcázar in Seville is one of the best big budget film locations to visit in the world. It was the setting for scenes featuring House Martell’s Palace in Game of Thrones, and tourists can visit the palace gardens where the Kingslayer crossed paths with the Dornish Sand Snakes. Apart from pop cultural significance, Real Alcázar is also regarded as an architectural masterpiece, worthy of a visit for any vacationer.
22. Island of Ischia, Italy
Insider Monkey Score: 5.4
Related Movie/ Show: The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
Situated off the coast of Naples, the Island of Ischia was featured in The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999). The island gained a lot of attention from viewers due to its incredible landscape and continues to attract tourists from all over the world. Various places in the fictional town of Mongibello are present on the island, including the streets where the Festival of the Madonna was filmed.
21. Place de l’Estrapade, France
Insider Monkey Score: 5.58
Related Movie/ Show: Emily in Paris
Place de l’Estrapade is one of the most popular big budget film locations to visit in the world. The square was captured numerous times in the series as the site of Emily and Gabriel’s apartment. Tourists can also stroll down to Terra Nerra, which fans might recognize as being the restaurant Gabriel works at.
20. Mehrangarh Fort, India
Insider Monkey Score: 6.35
Related Movie/ Show: Dark Knight Rises (2012)
A trip to Mehrangarh Fort in Rajasthan might be alluring on its own. However, once you realize this is the destination where Christian Bale’s Batman made the ascent to escape from Bane’s pit and retake the mantle of the Dark Knight, you will find yourselves overcome with emotion. Apart from reliving the symphony of Deshi Basara, tourists can also tour the historic fort and experience the culinary delights of the streets of Jodhpur.
19. Shakespeare Avenue Stairs, USA
Insider Monkey Score: 6.48
Related Movie/ Show: The Joker (2019)
The Shakespeare Avenue Stairs in the Bronx are one of the most popular big budget film locations to visit in the world. These stairs were featured in Joaquin Pheonix’s Oscar winning portrayal of the clown prince of Gotham and have drawn comic fans ever since. The Shakespeare Avenue Stairs are often referred to as the Joker Stairs and are one of the most iconic film locations in recent history.
18. Lost City of Petra, Jordan
Insider Monkey Score: 6.56
Related Movie/ Show: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
There’s so much more to Petra than being a big budget film location. The city is a UNESCO heritage site which was featured in our list of Best Places for Adventure Travel in the World. However, set jetters may recognize it as the site of the Holy Grail in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Moreover, it is located next to the Wadi Rum, where films such as Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and The Martian (2015) shot their most scenic sequences.
17. Iguazù Falls, Argentina
Insider Monkey Score: 6.68
Related Movie/ Show: Black Panther (2018)
Located at the border of Argentina and Brazil, Iguazù Falls is a majestic collection of cascading waterfalls and one of the most picturesque big budget film locations to visit in the world. It was the site of the Warrior Falls in Black Panther (2018), where T’challa was coronated as the King of Wakanda. It was also featured in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008), and much like the film, tourists can sail to the base of the falls.
16. Görlitz, Germany
Insider Monkey Score: 7.38
Related Movie/ Show: The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
The town of Gorlitz is the backdrop to some of the most famous Hollywood movies. Its medieval streets and blend of Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Gothic architecture have captured the attention of filmmakers and tourists alike. The European Film Commission Network awarded Görlitz as the Best Filming Location of the Decade in 2017, courtesy of The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), making Görlitz one of the best big budget film locations to visit in the world.
15. Savoca, Italy
Insider Monkey Score: 7.55
Related Movie/ Show: The Godfather (1972)
Although Marlon Brando’s Vito Corleone came from the village of Corleone in Sicily, Francis Ford Coppola had to shoot most of the Sicilian sequences in the town of Savoca. Many of this area’s russet-red buildings, lush hillsides, and beautiful vistas were featured in the movie when Michael Corleone fled New York City and remained in exile under the protection of Don Tommasino.
14. Dunn’s River Falls, Jamaica
Insider Monkey Score: 7.63
Related Movie/ Show: Dr. No (1962)
The first rendition of James Bond, which revolutionized the genre of spy thrillers, featured many different locations from the Island of Jamaica. However, one particularly picturesque spot in the movie was shot in the jade pool at the base of Dunn’s River Falls, a cascading 55-meter-high waterfall. The scene featured both Sean Connery and Ursula Andress as they are chased by Dr No’s men. Apart from its beauty and significance as an iconic film location, it was the site for the Battle of Las Chorreras in 1657.
13. Alnwick Castle, UK
Insider Monkey Score: 8.47
Related Movie/ Show: Harry Potter Franchise
While many Potterheads flock to sites such as King’s Cross Station, some of the most iconic moments in the series were filmed at Alnwick Castle in Northumberland. It was the site where Harry would ride a broomstick for the first time, outwitting Draco Malfoy in the process. It also featured when Harry and Ron would fly a Ford Anglia into the Whomping willow. It also appeared in several other scenes throughout the series, making it one the best big budget film locations to visit in the world.
12. Chatsworth House, UK
Insider Monkey Score: 8.5
Related Movie/ Show: Pride and Prejudice (2005)
Fans of English dramas such as The Crown and Downtown Abbey are often left disappointed when they visit Lancaster House in London, only to be refused entry to the mansion. However, for a more memorable immersion into classical English fictions, fans can visit Chatsworth House near Bakewell. Fans might recognize it as the home of Mr. Darcy in the 2005 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Chatsworth House offers many tours, meaning tourists can explore the interior of the residence which served as Pemberley.
11. Angkor Thom, Cambodia
Insider Monkey Score: 8.61
Related Movie/ Show: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)
The ancient city of Angkor Thom in Cambodia was once the capital of the Khmer Empire. It is also the site where Angelina Jolie’s Lara Croft journeyed to visit the Tomb of the Dancing Light. The Bayon Temple and the ruins of Ta Prohm were featured in the film and have drawn hordes of tourists ever since, making it a must-see big budget film location to visit in the world.
10. Bruges, Belgium
Insider Monkey Score: 8.79
Related Movie/ Show: In Bruges (2008)
The city of Bruges captured the attention of many audiences when it was featured in the comedy thriller In Bruges (2008). The Gothic brickwork architecture of Bruges was the backdrop for many scenes in the movie, and fans can relive their favorite moments in the movie, satisfying their appetite for wanderlust in the process. Since 2000, the Historic Centre of Bruges has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the best medieval big budget film locations to visit in the world.
9. Ait Ben Haddou, Morocco
Insider Monkey Score: 9.33
Related Movie/ Show: Gladiator (2000), Game of Thrones, etc.
The town of Ait Ben Haddou is an iconic film location which has been featured in a vast number of box office hits. It was the site where Russell Crowe’s Maximus shewed his status as a Gladiator. It was featured as the city of Yunkai where Daenerys Targaryen liberates slaves from the wise masters in the Game of Thrones. The fortified village has also appeared in blockbusters such as Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Prince of Persia (2010), and Kingdom of Heaven (2005), making it one of the best big budget film locations to visit in the world.
8. Hôtel Sidi Driss, Tunisia
Insider Monkey Score: 9.58
Related Movie/ Show: Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) & Star Wars: The Attack of the Clones (2002)
A long time ago in a galaxy far far away, Luke Skywalker spent his days building model spaceships in the Lars Homestead on Tatooine. The actual home, which also appeared in the prequel series, is a hotel named Sidi Driss in Matamata, Tunisia. The underground film set has been aptly named the Star Wars Hotel and manages to draw padawans from all over the world.
7. Katz’s Deli, USA
Insider Monkey Score: 9.61
Related Movie/ Show: When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Katz’s Deli in New York is one of the city’s most famous spots to enjoy pastrami on rye. The bustling delicatessen has been featured in many films and shows over the years, none more iconic than When Harry Met Sally (1989). It is one of the most iconic big budget film locations to visit in the world, and a brilliant way to enjoy an authentic New York experience.
6. Salzburg, Austria
Insider Monkey Score: 9.74
Related Movie/ Show: The Sound of Music (1965)
The musical drama based on the story of the Von Trapp Family features many landmarks from the city of Salzburg. Fans can visit places such as the mansion which appeared as the home of the Von Trapp family, the amphitheater which appeared during the music festival, and many other iconic backdrops for songs in the movie. Today, Salzburg serves as one of the best big budget film locations to visit in the world.
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Disclosure: none. 25 Big Budget Film Locations to Visit in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey.