The most popular filming locations in the world

Petra stands as one of the world's most iconic historical sites. The massive, intricately carved temple facade is truly breathtaking, so much so that it caught Hollywood's attention for the famous adventure film featuring archaeologist Indiana Jones. This location serves as the centerpiece of the 1989 action movie 'The Last Crusade,' where Indiana Jones embarks on a quest for the Holy Grail. And what could be a better setting than Petra for such a discovery?

5 / 31 Fotos

Iguazu Waterfalls, Argentina and Brazil -

There have been 25 productions filmed in this massive waterfall, including 2018's 'Black Panther' and 2008's 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.'

6 / 31 Fotos

Astoria, New York City -

Another popular filming location in NYC, Astoria has been the backdrop of productions like 'Goodfellas' (1990), 'Scent of a Woman' (1992), and even 'Orange is the New Black.'

7 / 31 Fotos

Powerscourt Estate, Enniskerry, Ireland -

This lush, green estate with a picturesque waterfall has been featured in 26 films, including 1992's 'Far and Away,' starring then-married Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise.

8 / 31 Fotos

Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, California -

Home to the best views in LA, the observatory now boasts a lengthy list of 170 filming credits, including films like 'Jurassic Park' (1993) and 'La La Land' (2016).

9 / 31 Fotos

Karnak Temple, Luxor, Egypt -

This ancient Egyptian complex has appeared in 29 films, including 1977's 'The Spy Who Loved Me.'

10 / 31 Fotos

University of California, Los Angeles, California -

In the past century, over 280 titles have used UCLA's campus for filming, making the school a prime location for Hollywood productions.

11 / 31 Fotos

Alexanderplatz, Berlin, Germany -

More than 30 films have been shot here, including 2004's 'The Bourne Supremacy,' which shows Matt Damon meeting Julia Stiles beneath the square's world clock.

12 / 31 Fotos

Praha hlavní nádraží, Prague, Czech Republic -

So far, 35 films have used Prague's main railway station for filming, including 2006's 'The Illusionist' and 'Casino Royale' that same year.

13 / 31 Fotos

Williamsburg, New York City -

This Brooklyn neighborhood is another popular NYC filming location. Past productions include 'Don't Say a Word' (2001) and 'Sherlock Holmes' (2009).

14 / 31 Fotos

Atacama Desert, Chile -

Reportedly the driest place on Earth, 50 movies have been shot here. It has served as a substitute for Mars, and it was also used in 2004's Che Guevara biopic, 'The Motorcycle Diaries.'

15 / 31 Fotos

St. Mark's Square, Venice, Italy -

The town's main square has been used in over 50 movies, including 2019's 'Spider-Man: Far From Home' for a battle between the hero and a water monster.

16 / 31 Fotos

Big Bear Lake, California -

According to IMDb, there have been 334 movies filmed so far with locations in the area. It has been the backdrop for films like 'City of Angels' (1998) and 'Magnolia' (1999).

17 / 31 Fotos

Harlem, New York City -

Harlem and its streets have served as the backdrop in a long list of memorable films, from classic blaxploitation flicks like 'Shaft' (2000) to recent Oscar nominees such as 'West Side Story' (2021).

18 / 31 Fotos

Old Royal Naval College, London, UK -

This World Heritage Site is one of the UK's most sought-after film locations. It has been the backdrops for many of the biggest films in recent years including major blockbusters like 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' (1994), 'The King's Speech' (2010), and 'Les Misérables' (2012).

19 / 31 Fotos

Venice Beach, California -

Venice Beach in Southern California is the most filmed beach in the US. Series like 'Baywatch' and movies like 'Barbie' (2023) and 'The Big Lebowski' (1998), have all used it as filming location.

20 / 31 Fotos

Coney Island, New York City -

One of NYC's most iconic destinations for summer fun, you've probably seen Coney Island in a number of productions, including 'Brooklyn' (2015) and 'Wonder' (2017).

21 / 31 Fotos

Cabo de Gata, Almería, Andalusia, Spain -

Dubbed "Europe's only desert," over 100 films have been shot here, with many productions using the location as a stand-in for the American West in the '60s and '70s Spaghetti Westerns.

22 / 31 Fotos

Piccadilly Circus, London, UK -

With its distinctive illuminated signs, the famous intersection has been featured in a number of films, such as 'Bridget Jones' Diary' (2001) and 'The Dark Knight' (2008).

23 / 31 Fotos

Greenpoint, New York City -

The northernmost neighborhood in Brooklyn has been featured in a number of productions, including 'The Yards' (2000) and 'The Visitor' (2007).

24 / 31 Fotos

University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada -

UBC is one of the most filmed universities in the world, with more than 165 films and TV shows made there. You may recognize this location from 'She's The Man' (2006) and 'Fifty Shades of Grey' (2015).

25 / 31 Fotos

Bronson Canyon, Los Angeles -

Over 280 films have been shot at Bronson Canyon, including 1956's 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' and the 1956 John Wayne Western 'The Searchers.'

26 / 31 Fotos

Times Square, New York City -

It's pretty apparent that the big apple is the world's most cinematic city. The iconic Times Square has been the setting in films like 'The Devil Wears Prada' (2006) and 'Burn After Reading' (2008).

27 / 31 Fotos

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park, Agua Dulce, California -

Several 'Star Trek' episodes and films have been shot in this park's rocky cliffs. Over 250 movies have filmed scenes here, including 1997's 'Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.'

28 / 31 Fotos

Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, California -

Credited for being in 31 different movies, notable films shot here include 'Mulholland Drive' (2001), 'Borat' (2006), 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' (2019).

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Central Park, New York City -

With over 500 movies shot in Central Park, this green space is the world's most popular filming location. Likely the first film to be shot in the park was a 1908 silent production of 'Romeo and Juliet' by Brooklyn-based studio Vitagraph.

Sources: (New York Post) (The Independent) (CNN)

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Ait Benhaddou, Morocco -

This fortified clay village has been the setting of 21 films. It's the location where Russell Crowe shouts "Are you not entertained?" in the 2000s 'Gladiator.'

Shutterstock

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Greenwich Village, New York City -

Having appeared in flicks like '13 Going on 30' (2004) and the iconic 'Sex and the City,' this iconic neighborhood has been looked at by moviemakers by all angles.

Shutterstock

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South Bank, London, UK -

Home to the London Eye, Tate Modern, and Globe Theatre, London's South Bank has featured in over 72 films since 2002, including 'About a Boy' (2002) and James Bond's 'Spectre' (2015).

Shutterstock

3 / 31 Fotos

Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia -

While 21 films have been shot here, Angelina Jolie's 2001 film 'Lara Croft: Tomb Raider' was reportedly the first feature to be shot here since the '60s.

Shutterstock

4 / 31 Fotos

Petra, Jordan -

Getty Images

5 / 31 Fotos

Iguazu Waterfalls, Argentina and Brazil -

There have been 25 productions filmed in this massive waterfall, including 2018's 'Black Panther' and 2008's 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.'

Shutterstock

6 / 31 Fotos

Astoria, New York City -

Another popular filming location in NYC, Astoria has been the backdrop of productions like 'Goodfellas' (1990), 'Scent of a Woman' (1992), and even 'Orange is the New Black.'

Shutterstock

7 / 31 Fotos

Powerscourt Estate, Enniskerry, Ireland -

This lush, green estate with a picturesque waterfall has been featured in 26 films, including 1992's 'Far and Away,' starring then-married Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise.

Shutterstock

8 / 31 Fotos

Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, California -

Home to the best views in LA, the observatory now boasts a lengthy list of 170 filming credits, including films like 'Jurassic Park' (1993) and 'La La Land' (2016).

Shutterstock

9 / 31 Fotos

Karnak Temple, Luxor, Egypt -

This ancient Egyptian complex has appeared in 29 films, including 1977's 'The Spy Who Loved Me.'

Shutterstock

10 / 31 Fotos

University of California, Los Angeles, California -

In the past century, over 280 titles have used UCLA's campus for filming, making the school a prime location for Hollywood productions.

Shutterstock

11 / 31 Fotos

Alexanderplatz, Berlin, Germany -

More than 30 films have been shot here, including 2004's 'The Bourne Supremacy,' which shows Matt Damon meeting Julia Stiles beneath the square's world clock.

Shutterstock

12 / 31 Fotos

Praha hlavní nádraží, Prague, Czech Republic -

So far, 35 films have used Prague's main railway station for filming, including 2006's 'The Illusionist' and 'Casino Royale' that same year.

Shutterstock

13 / 31 Fotos

Williamsburg, New York City -

This Brooklyn neighborhood is another popular NYC filming location. Past productions include 'Don't Say a Word' (2001) and 'Sherlock Holmes' (2009).

Shutterstock

14 / 31 Fotos

Atacama Desert, Chile -

Reportedly the driest place on Earth, 50 movies have been shot here. It has served as a substitute for Mars, and it was also used in 2004's Che Guevara biopic, 'The Motorcycle Diaries.'

Shutterstock

15 / 31 Fotos

St. Mark's Square, Venice, Italy -

The town's main square has been used in over 50 movies, including 2019's 'Spider-Man: Far From Home' for a battle between the hero and a water monster.

Shutterstock

16 / 31 Fotos

Big Bear Lake, California -

According to IMDb, there have been 334 movies filmed so far with locations in the area. It has been the backdrop for films like 'City of Angels' (1998) and 'Magnolia' (1999).

Shutterstock

17 / 31 Fotos

Harlem, New York City -

Harlem and its streets have served as the backdrop in a long list of memorable films, from classic blaxploitation flicks like 'Shaft' (2000) to recent Oscar nominees such as 'West Side Story' (2021).

Shutterstock

18 / 31 Fotos

Old Royal Naval College, London, UK -

Shutterstock

19 / 31 Fotos

Venice Beach, California -

Venice Beach in Southern California is the most filmed beach in the US. Series like 'Baywatch' and movies like 'Barbie' (2023) and 'The Big Lebowski' (1998), have all used it as filming location.

Shutterstock

20 / 31 Fotos

Coney Island, New York City -

One of NYC's most iconic destinations for summer fun, you've probably seen Coney Island in a number of productions, including 'Brooklyn' (2015) and 'Wonder' (2017).

Shutterstock

21 / 31 Fotos

Cabo de Gata, Almería, Andalusia, Spain -

Dubbed "Europe's only desert," over 100 films have been shot here, with many productions using the location as a stand-in for the American West in the '60s and '70s Spaghetti Westerns.

Shutterstock

22 / 31 Fotos

Piccadilly Circus, London, UK -

With its distinctive illuminated signs, the famous intersection has been featured in a number of films, such as 'Bridget Jones' Diary' (2001) and 'The Dark Knight' (2008).

Shutterstock

23 / 31 Fotos

Greenpoint, New York City -

The northernmost neighborhood in Brooklyn has been featured in a number of productions, including 'The Yards' (2000) and 'The Visitor' (2007).

Shutterstock

24 / 31 Fotos

University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada -

Shutterstock

25 / 31 Fotos

Bronson Canyon, Los Angeles -

Over 280 films have been shot at Bronson Canyon, including 1956's 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' and the 1956 John Wayne Western 'The Searchers.'

Shutterstock

26 / 31 Fotos

Times Square, New York City -

It's pretty apparent that the big apple is the world's most cinematic city. The iconic Times Square has been the setting in films like 'The Devil Wears Prada' (2006) and 'Burn After Reading' (2008).

Shutterstock

27 / 31 Fotos

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park, Agua Dulce, California -

Several 'Star Trek' episodes and films have been shot in this park's rocky cliffs. Over 250 movies have filmed scenes here, including 1997's 'Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.'

Shutterstock

28 / 31 Fotos

Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, California -

Credited for being in 31 different movies, notable films shot here include 'Mulholland Drive' (2001), 'Borat' (2006), 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' (2019).

Shutterstock

29 / 31 Fotos

Central Park, New York City -

Sources: (New York Post) (The Independent) (CNN)

Shutterstock

30 / 31 Fotos

The most popular filming locations in the world

Archaeologists discover ancient tombs at Petra, the iconic filming site of the ‘Indiana Jones’ movie

25/11/24 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Sets

A lot of the scenery we see in movies today is computer-generated, but there's no substitute for real life. And when you have an archaeologist eager for adventure and the treasures of the ancient world, what better location to begin your search than Petra, Jordan?

Overlooked by Indiana Jones, a team of archaeologists has made a discovery of immense historical importance. Pearce Paul Creasman and his team of archaeologists found a tomb at the Khaznah monument that holds at least 12 human skeletons and artifacts estimated to be at least 2,000 years old. The chamber contained fully intact skeletal remains and grave goods made from bronze, iron, and ceramics. The intact burial discovered under the Treasury provides unique insights into the lives of the Nabataeans, ancient Arabian nomads who thrived in their desert kingdom from the 4th century BCE until 106 CE.

Eager to discover more iconic sites from beloved movies? Click through the gallery to discover them!