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Movie Locations Report

Where are the most popular movie locations around the world?

The location of a movie plays a vital role in shaping the story. It can help set the mood and scene, establish authority, and add to the movie's aesthetic appeal. Filming at real locations and landmarks is not only cost-effective compared to building elaborate sets, but it can also help symbolize the theme and genre of the movie. 

That’s why we wanted to know the most cinematic locations around the world. Using IMDb’s advanced search, we’ve revealed the US, the UK, and the world’s most cinematic cities, landmarks, and filming locations.

California has been named the most ‘cinematic’ state in the US, with over 382,000 movies being set in the Golden State

The US is considered the capital of the movie industry and the birthplace of several genres. But which US states are the most cinematic?

  1. California - 382,496 movies

The US state featured in the most movies is California, appearing in over 380,000 movies. Not only is California the home to Hollywood where classic American movies were filmed, but there are also multiple movies set in the Golden State, including Jackie Brown, La La Land, and Die Hard. 

California has a long history in the movie industry. In 1911, Nestor Studios became the first studio based in Los Angeles, and by the 1920s, Fox Studios, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros, RKO Pictures, and MGM joined them.

  1. New York - 294,885 movies

New York is second in popularity, with almost 300,000 movies featuring the Big Apple. New York also has a long history in cinema. The first movie shot in New York was a silent movie released in 1901, ‘What Happened on 23rd Street, New York City’. 

New York has wealth, many movie studios, and an iconic landscape that attracts several moviemakers. It even has a movie Tax Credit program, which means studios could be eligible for a 30% tax credit for post-production expenses, encouraging directors to shoot their movies here. New York’s most popular movies include Taxi Driver, King Kong (1933), Ghostbusters, and Saturday Night Fever. 

  1. Tennessee - 114,078 movies

The top three is concluded by Tennessee, which has been featured in over 100,000 movies. Tennessee offers gorgeous scenery and famous landmarks and, like New York, provides tax incentives for movie makers. Some of Tennessee’s most popular movies include 21 Grams, The Green Mile, and Cast Away.

New York City features in more movies than anywhere else in the US

The US has several scenic and iconic cities that are perfect for storytelling. We wanted to know which US cities are the most cinematic. 

  1. New York City, New York - 273,569 movies

New York City is the US city home to the most movies, featuring in over 270,000 movies. Skyscrapers and landmarks dominate its skyline, including the Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty. New York City's most famous movies include American Psycho, Goodfellas, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s.  

  1. Los Angeles, California - 231,337 movies

Los Angeles is second, appearing in over 230,000 movies. Its warm climate, diverse landscapes, and gorgeous scenery make it a prime filming location in the US. Mulholland Drive, Pulp Fiction, and Speed are notable movies set in Los Angeles. 

  1. Memphis, Tennessee - 107,347 movies

Memphis completes our top three, featuring in over 100,000 movies. Memphis has a long history and culture in entertainment, known as the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll and home of the blues. Local businesses and residents also support the movie industry, creating a welcoming environment. Among Memphis’ most iconic movies are Walk The Line, The Firm, and Mystery Train. 

Hollywood Boulevard is the most cinematic landmark in the US

The US is home to a wide variety of iconic landmarks, but which of these are the most cinematic?

  1. Hollywood Boulevard, California - 5,532 movies

Hollywood Boulevard takes the top spot, featuring in 5,532 movies. Hollywood has played a significant role in the movie industry for decades. Thanks to its climate, diverse scenery, and access to talent, it was the headquarters for multiple movie studios in the early 20th century. 

Hollywood Boulevard includes significant attractions such as the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Ovation Hollywood shopping and entertainment complex. Hollywood Boulevard features in Scarface, The Green Mile, and Pretty Woman. 

  1. Capitol Hill, Washington D.C. - 2,152 movies

Capital Hill was the second most movieed landmark, with scenes in 2,152 movies. It is a neighborhood in Washington, D.C., overlooked by the United States Capitol, which sits on the highest point of the hill. Capitol Hill is often featured in movies about government threats, including Four Hours at the Capitol, 79 Minutes: The Breach of the Capitol, and 2001: A Space Travesty. 

  1. Central Park, New York - 1,065 movies

Central Park, featured in 1,065 movies, takes third place. Central Park is a beautiful and universal symbol of New York City, a place that represents opportunity. New York is also incredibly scenic during winter, making it a perfect setting for Christmas movies, including Elf, Home Alone 2, and When Harry Met Sally. 

London is the most filmed city in the UK

The UK is one of the top countries for movie productions. But where are they being filmed? Below, we’ve revealed all. 

  1. London - 77,498 movies

London was the UK city to appear in the most movies, featuring in more than 77,000 movies. England’s capital is a brilliant filming location, as its combination of historic buildings and modern architecture makes it versatile no matter the genre. 

London features heavily in several Harry Potter and James Bond movies. It’s also the backdrop for several romantic comedies, including Bridget Jones’ Diary, Love Actually, and Notting Hill. 

  1. Manchester - 22,710 movies

In second place is Manchester, which has been featured in 22,710 movies. Manchester's combination of industrial buildings and modern architecture allows moviemakers to recreate any desired setting. 

In Captain America: The First Avenger, Manchester’s northern quarter was transformed into 1940 New York due to its prehistoric architecture and towering buildings. Tolkien, Sherlock Holmes (2009), and A Monster Calls were other popular movies that featured Manchester.

  1. Leeds - 14,414 movies

Our top three conclude with Leeds, which has been featured in over 14,000 movies. In 2018, Channel 4 moved its headquarters to Leeds, and many other production companies followed. 

Yorkshire was also one of the top destinations across the UK’s five main broadcasters, proving that the region is growing to be one of the UK’s filming hubs. In 2021, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning shot scenes in North Yorkshire. 

The UK’s most cinematic landmarks 

The UK is full of iconic landmarks. That’s why we wanted to know which of the UK’s landmarks featured the most in movies. 

  1. Tower Bridge - 285 movies

Tower Bridge is the UK’s most movie-famous landmark, featuring in 285 movies. This listed building is one of London’s most iconic landmarks, perfect for on-screen action. 

Due to its long-standing history, it can be used in several settings and eras, making it an incredibly versatile landmark. It’s featured in Spiderman: Far From Home, Hellboy (2019), Paddington 2, and The Mummy Returns.

  1. King’s Cross Station - 211 movies

King’s Cross Station takes second place, featuring in 211 movies. In the first three Harry Potter movies, King’s Cross Station features as an essential part, with Platform 9 ¾ acting as the gateway for the Hogwarts Express. Each year on September 1st, Kings Cross station displays Platform 9 ¾ on its departures board, attracting tourists and Harry Potter fans worldwide. 

  1. Tower of London - 178 movies

Finalizing our top three is the Tower of London, which has appeared in 178 movies and is a UNESCO World Heritage site that has existed for centuries. It’s an iconic part of the London skyline and offers a scenic view of the River Thames. It featured in scenes from Spiderman: Far From Home, The Muppets (2014), and Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation.

Whilst the UK and the US are two of the most active countries for producing movies, several cities worldwide offer great opportunities and scenery for shooting movie scenes. Below are the most movie-worthy cities outside of the UK and the US. 

  1. Madrid, Spain - 54,950 movies

Taking the top spot is Madrid, featuring in almost 55,000 movies. Madrid has been a popular filming location for decades, and between the 1950s and 1960s, it was a favorite in Hollywood. 

Madrid boasts an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, meaning fewer interruptions during filming. The Bourne Ultimatum, Spartacus, and Terminator: Dark Fate are among the many movies the capital of Spain features.

  1. Tokyo, Japan - 36,620 movies

Tokyo is the second most filmed city, featuring in 36,620 movies. It is an energetic, modern city often used for futuristic movies. Tokyo’s modernity comes from its architecture and focus on technology. 

Japan's capital also has various landscapes, making it a versatile city to shoot. Some popular movies that feature Tokyo include Kill Bill: Volume 1, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, and Blade Runner. 

  1. Sydney, Australia - 35,859 movies

Sydney concludes our top three, appearing in more than 35,000 movies. Due to its natural beauty and iconic landmarks, Sydney is a familiar city for film. 

Sydney is home to major movie studios, such as Fox Studios Australia, and its government offers incentives for international productions. Mission: Impossible 2, The Fall Guy, and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, all shot scenes in this iconic Australian city.

Sydney Opera House is the most cinematic landmark, outside of the US and UK

Landmarks are synonymous with the country and city that they’re in. They are often beautiful and iconic and symbolize excitement and opportunity. Below, we’ve revealed the landmarks that appear in movie scenes. 

  1. Sydney Opera House, Australia - 161 movies 

The Sydney Opera House has been shot in the most movies, appearing in over 160 films. The Sydney Opera House is a world-famous icon and UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s an excellent setting for cinema as it offers a sense of escapism due to its beauty and warm weather. 

This symbol of Sydney has been included in various movies, including Anyone But You, Pacific Rim: Uprising, and Sunshine. 

  1. Eiffel Tower, France - 158 movies

In second place is the Eiffel Tower, featured in 158 movies. The Eiffel Tower is one of the world's most iconic and picturesque landmarks. It’s also considered a symbol of love, which is why it has been featured in many romantic movies, including Before Sunset, Midnight in Paris, and Amélie.

  1. Louvre Museum, France - 110 movies

We stayed in Paris to complete our top three, with the Louvre Museum featured in 110 movies. The Louvre's pro-movie policy makes it very supportive of movie productions. Its historical setting also suits several periods. Some popular films used to shoot scenes at the Louvre include The Da Vinci Code, Red Notice, and Wonder Woman. 

Methodology

For all data, we used IMDb’s advanced search to find the number of movies with scenes at our locations. 

We used the top 30 most populated UK cities from World Population Review to get our seeding list for UK Cities.

We used Get By Bus to find a list of filming locations in the UK to get our seeding list for UK Landmarks

We used the top 30 most populated US cities from World Population Review to get our seeding list for US cities.

We used World’s Best Cities to create our seeding list of cities outside the US and UK.

We used The Culture Trip, The Independent, and NFI to get a list of filming locations and landmarks in the US. 

We used Stefs Events to get our seeding list of the famous landmarks worldwide outside the US and UK.