While New York and London lead the way, Madrid and Argentina surprisingly rank high as popular filming locations.
With the Oscars taking place this weekend, the real scene-stealers are not just the actors and directors. Stunning landmarks all around the world also bring their movie magic to life.
In the lead-up to the 97th Academy Awards, new research from film location experts Giggster has revealed the all-time most filmed landmarks in the US, the UK and beyond.
From the California coast and downtown London to Sydney’s soaring heights and Rome’s ancient Colosseum, these locations have lured filmmakers for more than a century, providing the backdrop for some of cinema’s most unforgettable moments.
Far from being just famous settings for the silver screen, they are also popular tourist destinations in their own right, drawing visitors eager to experience these iconic backdrops firsthand and walk in the footsteps of movie legends.
What destinations have featured in the most films?
Unsurprisingly, the world’s most filmed locations are in Hollywood’s home state.
California has appeared in more than 380,000 movies. Not all of them were set in Hollywood, either. From indie darling ‘Sideways’, which highlights the Santa Barbara wine country, to Alfred Hitchcock’s San Francisco-based thriller ‘Vertigo’, California has provided a backdrop to countless Oscar-winning or shortlisted films.
In both the US and the world, New York comes in at number two, with more than 294,000 films set in the Empire State. Most, including seminal films such as ‘Taxi Driver’ and the original ‘King Kong’, feature New York City itself – a full 273,569 of them, in fact.
Outside the US – excluding India’s Bollywood, which did not appear in the research – the UK ranks number two for filming locations. London tops the list with nearly 77,500 movies, more than triple the 22,710 filmed in Manchester, the second most popular filming destination in the UK.
Landmarks in Sydney, Paris and Italy take centre stage
The world’s most filmed landmark outside of the US and UK isn’t the Eiffel Tower or the Roman Colosseum. It’s Australia’s Sydney Opera House.
The Sydney landmark has appeared in over 160 movies. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has served as a backdrop in films ranging from romantic comedies to action-packed thrillers, including ‘Anyone But You’ and ‘Pacific Rim: Uprising’.
A close number two? That would be the Eiffel Tower, which has featured in 158 movies. Synonymous with love and adventure, this global icon can be seen in countless romantic classics, including ‘Midnight in Paris’ and ‘Amélie’.
Filmmakers are not only captivated by the Eiffel Tower, though. The Louvre Museum (ranked third with 110 films) and the Arc de Triomphe (tenth place with 73 films) further cement the French capital’s reputation as a filmmaker favourite – a sentiment shared by the 50 million annual visitors to the French capital.
But Italy boasts the highest number of most-filmed landmarks. The country counts six locations on the list, including the Colosseum – immortalised in ‘Gladiator’ – the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the ruins of Pompeii. That makes it a perfect destination for anyone looking to maximise their set-jetting potential in a single trip.
The world’s most filmed destinations
Giggster’s research features several film location surprises. For example, Madrid has appeared in the most movie scenes, excluding American and British destinations.
Perhaps thanks to its mix of historical architecture and 300-plus sunny days a year, the Spanish capital has appeared in nearly 55,000 films, including ‘The Bourne Ultimatum’ and ‘Spartacus’.
On a national scale, Argentina takes the top spot as the most filmed country, featuring in more than 112,000 movie titles. From the rugged landscapes of Patagonia to the bustling streets of 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 2025’s Best Picture nominees filmed?
The frontrunner, romantic-comedy ‘Anora’, largely showcases Brooklyn, including unmistakable locations such as Coney Island, but Las Vegas also features in several scenes.
‘The Brutalist’, starring Adrien Brody, was shot in Budapest and Tuscany.
Although Bob Dylan is most often associated with New York, his biopic – ‘A Complete Unknown’, starring Timothée Chalamet – was shot in neighbouring New Jersey.
‘Conclave’, a political thriller about the papal selection – and a popular dark horse for Best Picture – was shot in Rome and features a replica of the Sistine Chapel.
Planning your next trip around your favourite movie? Consider a train journey taking in Europe’s most cinematic sights.
