People these days don’t just watch movies but try to interact and be involved in them. And when it comes to an extraordinary cinema experience, it’s not just the script and the characters, the film locations also matter. If you’re one of those film geeks who loves every single detail of a movie, here are some great locations from famous movies that you can visit:
1. Iron Man (2008) – Blue Cloud Movie Ranch, California, USA
The Blue Cloud Movie Ranch in California is well known for being used in various TV and film projects, like Iron Man, Zero Dark Thirty and Arrested Development. It stands there abandoned with some great movie sets. Packing your bags already?
2. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) – Al Khazneh, Jordan
Although most of the scenes were shot on a film set when Indiana Jones laid the Holy Grail to rest in The Last Crusade, the exterior shots of the same were filmed at Al Khazneh. It is one of the most exquisite temples in Jordan and a popular destination among tourists.
3. The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit series – Matamata, New Zealand
If you want to experience Middle Earth from The Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit series, all you need to do is head towards the Hobbiton movie set in New Zealand. Believe me, it’s a must-see for LOTR fans!
4. Popeye (1980) – Village Malta
The colourful town pictured in the movie, Popeye, was specially built for it. Popeye Village is located on the Mediterranean island of Malta and is open to the public as an open-air museum and family entertainment complex.
5. The Pirates of the Caribbean Series- Wallilabou Anchorage
If you love the Pirates of the Caribbean series, then Wallilabou Anchorage is the place to go to. The place has a lot of props and buildings from the movies which is why it is visited by a great number of fans every year.
6. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (1966) – Tabernas Desert, Almeria, Spain
If you’re a fan of Spaghetti Western films like The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, Once Upon A Time in the West and For A Few More Dollars, then you should definitely visit the Tabernas Desert in Spain. It is one of the classic movie sets which was abandoned after the decline in popularity of such movies. However, its doors are still open for movie lovers.
7. The Star Wars Series – Tozeur, Tunisia
The desert planet of Tatooine shown in the Star Wars series is actually a movie set in Tunisia which is open to the general public. Here, you can still find Luke Skywalker’s home and the set of Mos Espa standing in their full glory. If you’re a Star Wars fan, this is one pilgrimage you should definitely make.
8. The Hunger Games (2012) – Henry River Mill Village, North Carolina
The slums of District 12 shown in the Hunger Games were shot at a real location called Henry River Mill Village. The village is an abandoned 1920s textile community and can be visited any time of the year.
9. 12 Monkeys (1995) – Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
This creepy location featured in the movie, 12 Monkeys, was actually a prison which once housed the American gangster, Al Capone. The place operates as a full-time museum where people are offered audio tours narrated by Steve Buscemi.
10. Hansel & Gretel (2013) – Witch Hunters Village in Augsburg, Germany
The medieval German town shown in the movie, Hansel & Gretel, is an abandoned yet picturesque movie set in a forest outside Berlin, Germany. It still stands there in great condition and is a must-visit place for movie buffs.
11. Schindler’s List (1993) – Krakow, Poland
As the remains of the real Plaszow labour camp were destroyed, the makers of Schindler’s list created a replica of the same. It is the only set which was specially built for Schindler’s List. So, what are you waiting for?
12. Big Fish (2004) – Montgomery, Alabama
Most of us do not know that the director of the movie, Tim Burton, actually had the entire town of Spectre built from scratch on an island along the banks of the Alabama river. This mysterious town still sits there and is open to the public for a small fee.
13. The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) – Görlitzer Warenhaus Department Store, Germany
The location used in the 2014 blockbuster,The Grand Budapest Hotel, is neither a hotel nor is it in Budapest. It is actually a shopping centre in Germany. Need I say more?
14. The Harry Potter Series – Christ Church, Oxford, England
The Hogwarts Great Hall in the Harry Potter Series was actually inspired by the Christ Church. Not just that, there are many other locations in Oxford which are used in the series. Now you know where to go in order to fulfil your Potter fantasies!
15. The X-Men Series – Casa Loma, Toronto
Located in Toronto, Casa Loma is one of the many locations which is depicted as the X-Mansion in the X-Men series. It was built over 100 years ago and now serves as a museum for tourists, waiting for your visit.