It’s no surprise that in recent years the United Kingdom has served as the host to some of the largest and most high profile film productions. This breathtaking setting makes possible stories across galaxies, times, and legendary realms. Filmmakers are still drawn to the distinctive aesthetics and financial advantages UK locations provide. Productions such as Jurassic World Dominion, The Batman, and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny have all been made successful due to Britain’s breathtaking backdrops. Universal Pictures brought big savings to the UK, in the shape of the £89 million saved by making Jurassic World Dominion here. This ruling reaffirms the economic benefits of using local locations.
These on-location shoots throughout England and Scotland have created the most iconic Harry Potter movie backdrops. For instance, Star Wars: The Force Awakens was shot at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, a site synonymous with blockbuster filmmaking. The studio’s massive facilities and highly trained, unionized workforce have combined to make it a top draw for big productions.
Scotland’s largest city achieved a stunning turnaround. It turned into a bustling representation of 1960s New York for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. This urban setting was utilized for a pivotal parade scene, capturing a moment of nostalgia as Apollo astronauts returned home.
“It looks great as Gotham, who would’ve thought of all the cities in the world, Glasgow as Gotham?” – Robert Pattinson
Other places like Liverpool and London were used to recreate the legendary Gotham City in The Batman as well. To create that metropolis, Director Matt Reeves wanted to instill the city with a rich, Gothic atmosphere.
“I wanted this to feel like a Gothic American city, but one that you’d never been to,” – Matt Reeves
In Liverpool, filmmakers found an ideal substitute for 1920s New York while working on Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The city’s historical architecture lent itself well to the film’s period setting, showcasing how UK locales can double for other cities.
Warner Bros Studios in Leavesden, Hertfordshire, constructed a vibrant pink paradise for the production of Barbie, further demonstrating the flexibility of UK studios in meeting diverse creative visions.
Across Manchester, significant scenes for the Spider-Man spin-off Morbius were filmed in the Northern Quarter, while Captain America: The First Avenger transported viewers back to 1940s Brooklyn using various locations within the same city.
Glasgow’s George Square, which stood in for Philadelphia in the opening scenes of World War Z, made the eerie, war-torn tableau quite convincing. This kind of versatility is a great example of how filmmakers can create unique narratives with the assets right in their backyard.
In addition to these well-known titles, other films like Jurassic World Rebirth, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, and A Quiet Place: Day One have chosen UK settings for their stories. Each production joins an ever-expanding roll call of scene-stealing cinematic forays that have taken advantage of the UK’s striking and varied terrain.
The financial aspects cannot be overlooked. The UK offers attractive tax breaks. These advantages add up to a financial no-brainer for studios to film on location rather than more expensive locales. As actor Brian Cox succinctly pointed out,
“The reality is films go where they can afford.”
The UK is experiencing something of a boom in film production. Studios and filmmakers are discovering wonderful new possibilities in cities from coast to coast. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning and Back in Action are among the latest films to capitalize on this trend.
Behind the breathtaking visuals we see on screen, these productions are creating thousands of jobs and generating millions in tourism dollars for local economies. The influx of film crews often stimulates business in surrounding areas, with restaurants, hotels, and shops benefiting from heightened activity.
An increasing number of movies are now selecting the UK as their production base. This is a trend that’s bound to continue. That mix of financial incentives and unique locales has made the UK a desirable spot for upcoming productions.