Get ready to be transported to a world of imagination and wonder! The world of fantasy movies has always been a source of inspiration and excitement, capturing our hearts with its captivating landscapes, mythical creatures, and larger-than-life heroes.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just looking for an escape from reality, these fantastical destinations will stir up something deep within you.
So buckle up, let your mind wander, and come with me on a journey to explore the most incredible, awe-inspiring fantasy movie locations you must visit!
1. Middle-earth (Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit)
Middle-earth, the fictional world created by J.R.R. Tolkien, was primarily filmed in New Zealand. The country’s breathtaking landscapes and stunning vistas provided the perfect backdrop for the movies.
Visiting Middle-earth in New Zealand is a must-do for fans of the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. The country is home to several tour companies offering guided trips to filming locations, including Hobbiton, where you can visit the hobbit holes and the Green Dragon Inn. Another popular stop is the stunning Tongariro National Park, which served as the backdrop for the fiery landscapes of Mordor.
In addition to visiting the filming locations, you can also explore the culture and history of New Zealand, which was an important part of the film’s production. The Maori people, the indigenous people of New Zealand, have a rich and unique culture, and their influence can be seen in many of the film’s designs and costumes.
2. Narnia (The Chronicles of Narnia)
The sets for The Chronicles of Narnia film series were designed and built to bring C.S. Lewis’s magical world of Narnia to life on the big screen. The sets were primarily created at the Wellington Film Studios in New Zealand and Leavesden Studios in England.
The iconic wardrobe that serves as the entrance to Narnia was created as a practical set. This allowed actors to walk in and out of it, just as in the book. The interiors of the wardrobe were designed to look like an old wooden cabinet, with fur coats and hats hanging inside.
Among the most memorable sets was the forest of Narnia, where the children first meet Aslan. The forest was created using a combination of live trees and extensive set decoration, with the addition of special effects to enhance the fantastical elements of the world.
The castle of Cair Paravel, the seat of the Narnian kings and queens, was another stunning set. It was designed to be grand and imposing, reflecting the importance of the rulers of Narnia in the film world. The castle was created using a combination of practical sets and computer-generated imagery, and it was used in several key scenes throughout the film series.
The White Witch’s palace was another impressive set, designed to reflect her character’s icy nature. The palace was created using a combination of practical sets and digital effects, and it was used in several pivotal scenes in the film series.
3. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Harry Potter)
The Harry Potter film series was primarily filmed at Leavesden Studios, near Watford in England. The studio is home to many of the interior sets used in the films, including Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Dumbledore’s office, and the Great Hall.
One of the most memorable outdoor locations used in the Harry Potter film series was Shell Cottage, the beach where Dobby died, in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
The beach, Freshwater West, is a stunning location with miles of sandy shoreline and towering cliffs. The beach has become a popular tourist destination for fans of the Harry Potter series and is a great place to explore the natural beauty of Wales.
In addition to Leavesden Studios and Freshwater West, several other locations in England and Scotland were used in the filming of the Harry Potter series.
This included Gloucester Cathedral, which served as the backdrop for the cloisters at Hogwarts, and the Black Lake at Goathland in the North York Moors, which was used as the location for the Hogwarts lake.
Visiting these locations is a must-do for fans of the Harry Potter series, as it allows you to step into the world of the films and experience the magic for yourself.
4. Pandora (Avatar)
“Avatar” was filmed primarily in New Zealand, with some additional filming taking place in the United States. The film’s stunning and otherworldly landscapes were created using a combination of live-action filming and computer-generated imagery.
One of the most memorable filming locations used in “Avatar” was the stunning Waitomo Caves in New Zealand, which served as the backdrop for the floating Hallelujah Mountains in Pandora. The Waitomo Caves are a popular tourist destination known for their stunning limestone formations and unique glowworm displays.
Visiting the filming locations used in “Avatar” is a must-do for fans of the film, as it offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of Pandora. The stunning landscapes and unique geological formations in New Zealand provide a breathtaking backdrop for exploring the world of the film.
Not only that, by visiting the filming locations, you can also explore the culture and history of New Zealand, which played an important role in the production of “Avatar.” The Maori people, the indigenous people of New Zealand, have a rich and unique culture, and their influence can be seen in many of the film’s designs and costumes.
5. Asgard (Thor)
The sets for the Asgard scenes in the Thor film series were primarily filmed at the Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, England. The studio was chosen for its large sound stages and its history as a film studio, which made it an ideal location for creating the stunning and intricate sets needed for the film’s depiction of the world of Asgard.
The sets used in the Thor films were designed to be grand and imposing, reflecting the importance of Asgard in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The palace of Asgard, which served as the home of Thor and his family, was a key set in the films, and it was designed to be both beautiful and functional, with intricate details and a regal atmosphere.
Along with the most memorable sets was the Bifröst Bridge, which served as the entrance to Asgard and was used in several key scenes throughout the film series.
The bridge was created using a combination of practical sets and digital effects, and it was designed to look like a powerful and ancient structure that connected Asgard to the other realms.
Along with the sets at Elstree Studios, several outdoor locations in England and Iceland were used in the filming of the Thor films, including the rugged and breathtaking landscapes of Iceland, which were used to create the realm of Jotunheim.
6. Wonderland (Alice in Wonderland)
The sets for the Wonderland scenes in the 2010 film “Alice in Wonderland” were primarily filmed at the Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California.
The studio was chosen for its large sound stages and its history as a film studio, which made it an ideal location for creating the whimsical and fantastical sets needed for the film’s depiction of Wonderland.
The sets used in the film were designed to be colorful and imaginative, reflecting the quirky and fantastical nature of Wonderland. The Red Queen’s castle, which served as the main set in the film, was a key location, and it was designed to be both beautiful and functional, with intricate details and a regal atmosphere.
A memorable set was the Cheshire Cat’s lair! This was used in several key scenes throughout the film. The lair was created using a combination of practical sets and digital effects, and it was designed to look like a mystical and mysterious location that embodied the Cheshire Cat’s mischievous personality.
The beautiful landscapes of the Redwood National Park in California were used to create the Wonderland forest in “Alice in Wonderland,” in addition to the sets at Sony Pictures Studios and other outdoor locations in England and California.
7. Atlantis (Stargate: Atlantis)
The sets for the underwater world of Atlantis in the Disney animated film “Atlantis: The Lost Empire” were primarily created using computer-generated imagery (CGI) and hand-drawn animation techniques.
The film was made at the Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California, and it utilized the latest technology and animation techniques to bring the world of Atlantis to life.
Although the sets for Atlantis were not physically constructed, the film’s creators took great care to create a believable and immersive underwater world, incorporating details such as realistic underwater environments and fluid dynamics to create a sense of weightlessness and movement.
The film’s depiction of Atlantis was inspired by various sources, including ancient myths and legends and modern theories about lost civilizations and underwater archaeology. The result is a stunning and imaginative world that transports viewers to a magical underwater realm.
8. The Shire (Lord of the Rings)
The Shire scenes in the “Lord of the Rings” film trilogy were shot in several locations throughout New Zealand. The country was chosen for its diverse landscapes, which provided the perfect backdrop for the various regions of Middle Earth depicted in the films.
The Shire, which served as the home of hobbits, was filmed in Matamata’s rolling hills and lush green fields in the Waikato region of New Zealand. The filmmakers used the area’s natural beauty to create the idyllic and picturesque landscape of the Shire, characterized by rolling hills, lush green fields, and charming hobbit holes.
To enhance the authenticity of the Shire, the filmmakers used a combination of practical sets and digital effects, including detailed hobbit holes and gardens, to create a believable and immersive world that would transport audiences to the heart of Middle Earth.
Conclusion
Visiting movie locations is an awe-inspiring and thrilling adventure for fans of all genres. It’s a chance to step into the worlds of our favorite films and immerse ourselves in the magic of cinema.
