We wanted to highlight some of the standout locations that have contributed to Oscar-winning movies, and take a look at how you can visit them yourself. We’ve gone back over the last five decades and picked out the winners with stand-out locations.
1970s
The Godfather – Sicily
Sicily and features stunning areas that you can visit including Bar Viteli and Taormina, both in Savoca – and the scenes that are set in Corleone were actually shot in Savoca too.
Rocky – Philadelphia
Most of the movie was filmed in Philadelphia – and few movies are so associated with a location as Rocky is with the now-infamous Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
1980s
Chariots of Fire – UK
Set in Broadstairs, Kent, which was where a lot of the movie was filmed but some scenes were also filmed in St Andrews, Scotland, at the other end of the UK. Another scene was filmed down the road in the Assembly Hall, Edinburgh and then Cambridge also featured in the movie instead of Eton.
E.T. the Extra Terrestrial – California
was based in California and the famous forest scene was filmed in Redwood National State Park, which is home to some of the tallest trees on Earth. The main house is in San Gabriel Mountains, and you can find it in Tujunga, California.
1990s
Jurassic Park – Hawaii
Won three Oscar awards in 1993, one being best visual effects. A lot of the movie was filmed in Kauai, Hawaii. Locations that you can visit on the island include Manawaiopuna Falls, the Na Pali Coast, and Mount Wai’ale’ale.
Braveheart – Scotland
was mostly filmed in Scotland, and features a lot of the picturesque Highlands. Loch Levin and Glencoe are just some of the locations well worth a visit. However, it wasn’t all filmed in Scotland; Trim Castle in Ireland also made the movie.
2000s
Lord of the Rings – New Zealand
The Fellowship of the Ring features a small town called Hobbiton. Although it conjures up the English countryside, it was actually purpose-built in New Zealand, and you can now do a set tour.
Memoirs of a Geisha – Japan
The beautiful scenery in Japan is well worth a visit. Even though most of the movie was filmed on sets in the US, director Rob Marshall knew the only way to showcase the beauty, culture and history of Japan was to film on location. Some of these locations include Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Kiyomizudera Temple and Okazakiriecho.
2010s
The Theory of Everything – Cambridge UK
Was set and filmed at Stephen Hawking’s hometown of Cambridge. Take a stroll over Kitchen Bridge to experience where Stephen and Jane shared a slow dance.
The Mad Max – Namibia
The Mad Max reboot was meant to be shot in Broken Hill, Australia, similar to the earlier films, but due to a few years of heavy rainfall filming moved to Namibia and the Skeleton Coast in Africa – and both are great for an adventure holiday!
