7 Inspiring TV and Movie Locations to Explore in 2024
From dancing through the streets of Paris to witnessing epic battles in the Abu Dhabi desert, this year's cinematic favorites span the globe, showcasing breathtaking and dramatic settings on our screens. What better way to honor 2024's top TV shows and films than by following their journeys on your next trip?
Visiting locations we've seen on screen—often referred to as 'set-jetting'—has become a beloved way to choose unique travel spots. For example, Salzburg, Austria, has long attracted fans of The Sound of Music, while Prince Edward Island, Canada, remains a top destination for enthusiasts of Anne of Green Gables.
This year's hottest pop culture trends are following suit. Here are some of our top picks to ensure you're ready for your moment in the spotlight on your next vacation.
Get ready to see more of Paris in1. Emily in Paris
Filming locations: Paris, Rome
Available on: Netflix
Just days after the flame of the Paris Olympics dims, the French capital will once again light up our screens as the highly anticipated fourth season of Emily in Paris premieres with part one on August 15, followed by part two on September 12.
While specifics about the new season, filmed on location earlier this year, have been kept secret, previous seasons showcased beloved Parisian landmarks. The inaugural season highlighted the City of Light as a key character, featuring historic sites like Pont Alexandre III and Palais Garnier, along with modern attractions such as the immersive exhibit L'Atelier des Lumières. It even gave a fresh twist to spots like Montmartre's Place Dalida, famously associated with a mattress company campaign on Instagram.
In the second season, Emily enjoyed meals at the rooftop restaurant Tortuga Galeries in Lafayette Paris Haussmann and Le Café Marly overlooking the Louvre, while also exploring Père Lachaise Cemetery and Marché d'Aligre. The third season brought us to iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Musée d'Orsay.
While the crew ventured beyond the city in season 2 to St-Tropez and in season 3 to Provence, this time they’re rumored to travel even further. Series star Lily Collins hinted, 'Don't be surprised to find her on a Roman holiday.' Whether Collins' April 28 post in front of the Colosseum was a filming moment or a personal trip remains to be seen, but the Italian capital is sure to bring heightened drama and stunning views for the upcoming season.
2. Bridgerton
Filming locations: Oxfordshire, Bourne, Bedfordshire, and London in England
Where to watch: Netflix
Regardless of which Bridgerton sibling takes center stage, every season of this Shondaland drama guarantees two things: passionate encounters and stunning landscapes.
While previous seasons have featured iconic British locales like Bath's Royal Crescent and Hampton Court Palace in southwest London, the third season prominently showcases various sites in Oxfordshire. Blenheim Palace, a historic castle over 300 years old located just outside Woodstock, offers a Bridgerton Trail tour to explore its many filming locations, including scenes from the spin-off Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Additionally, Kingston Bagpuize House serves as the estate of the Baron of Kent and is open to visitors on select days. Near Bourne, Grimsthorpe Castle, which dates back to the 13th century, portrays Lord Hawkins' residence, while Wrest Park in Bedfordshire is depicted as the Fuller family home. Several grand balls were filmed back in London, including Queen Charlotte's ball at Hampton Court Palace and the Full Moon Ball at Osterley Park and House. For more locations, check out our Bridgerton filming location story.
3. Challengers
Filming locations: Boston; Norton and Bedford, Massachusetts
Where to watch: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and more
In the world of tennis, love can mean nothing—or it could be everything. This sport-themed romantic drama starring Zendaya found its perfect setting in Boston, showcasing its prestigious neighborhoods like Back Bay. Experience the luxurious lives of characters Tashi and Art as they check into one of the most sought-after locations at the corner of Newbury and Arlington Sts, the Newbury. This elegant five-star hotel, which began its journey almost a century ago as a Ritz Carlton, continues to offer upscale accommodations just across from Boston's Public Garden. Be sure to visit the rooftop restaurant Contessa for stunning views and a taste of squash carpaccio.
Many of the hardcourt scenes were shot at Wheaton College, located about 40 miles southwest in Norton, where the campus' Haas Athletics Center; Chapel Field; and Chase and Emerson dining halls also featured prominently. Country club scenes were filmed at Wedgewood Swim and Tennis Club in Bedford, roughly 20 miles northwest of Boston.
Italy takes center stage in this Netflix series4. Ripley
Filming locations: Italy, New York
Where to watch: Netflix
This eight-episode series, inspired by the 1955 novel and the 1999 film The Talented Mr. Ripley, traversed nearly 200 locations across Italy. Featuring stunning backdrops, it filmed in Rome, Venice, Naples, Capri, and Palermo. Creator Steven Zaillian and production designer David Gropman explored the entire Amalfi Coast, traveling from Salerno to Sorrento to discover the ideal setting for the character Dickie Greenleaf.
'Many places had become too modern or gentrified for a story set in the 1960s, but we stumbled upon a charming village called Atrani, with about 800 residents, which was just right,' Zaillian shared with Netflix. The village's Piazzetta Umberto and the post office were among the featured locations. (Check out our article on Italian filming locations.)
Back in the US, scenes for this period drama were filmed in New York's Chinatown, along with a West Village antique shop and Brooklyn's Navy Yard.
New York City provides the backdrop for5. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Filming location: New York City
Where to watch: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and more.
Set four decades after the original Ghostbusters, the fifth installment, Frozen Empire, pays homage to both its iconic predecessors and Manhattan itself. The main branch of The New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue at 42nd St, which opened the 1984 classic, plays a significant role in the 2024 reboot. Also returning is Tribeca's Ladder Company 8, an operating fire station that has become a favorite among film enthusiasts.
Watch for scenes shot in Washington Square Park, City Hall, and St Mark's Place (notably the shop at 33 St Mark's Place). The crew also ventures outside the borough to feature Coney Island. Dedicated fans can even reserve a private Ghostbusters-themed tour with On Location Tours. One thing is certain: if anything strange happens in any New York City neighborhood, you know who to call!
The team behind6. Dune: Part 2
Filming locations: Abu Dhabi, Jordan, Namibia, Italy, Hungary
Where to watch: Max, Apple TV, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more. This grand sci-fi sequel required a myriad of passport stamps for its diverse filming locales, featuring a cast that includes Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet, Austin Butler, and Florence Pugh as it journeys across continents from Europe and Africa to Asia.
Notably, the cast and crew returned to Abu Dhabi, spending a month amid the sand dunes near the Liwa Oasis. 'Abu Dhabi is breathtaking on its own with its undulating landscapes,' remarked star Rebecca Ferguson in a video shared by the Abu Dhabi Film Commission.
The isolated regions of Jordan around Dabet Hanut served as the Cave of Birds and the Reverend Mother's chapel, while Namibia features in a pivotal scene secretly filmed with Anya Taylor Joy. Altivole, Italy, came into focus as the Brion tomb set the stage for the gardens on the Imperium planet of Kaitain. The team’s headquarters were in Budapest, Hungary, splitting time between Origo Studios and Hungexpo.
7. The Fall Guy
Filming location: Sydney
Where to watch: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and more.
Sydney's iconic vistas served as the backdrop for much of the action in Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt's The Fall Guy. High-speed chase scenes zoomed through downtown, while Sydney Harbour's landmarks, including the Sydney Opera House, Dawes Point Park, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, each enjoyed their moment in the spotlight. Production even paused activities on the renowned bridge, for which Gosling later expressed his apologies to the city.
While some scenes were filmed at Disney Studios Australia, located just south of Sydney in Moore Park, Gosling was also seen shooting in the Kurnell suburb at Boat Harbour. Despite his star status, the Barbie alum embraced family time during breaks, reportedly taking Eva Mendes and their kids to the Scenic World adventure park in the Blue Mountains north of Sydney.
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