We all love the much-needed escapism of a trip to the cinema. Reclining into the immersive experience of a surround sound film, strawberry slush in hand. But why stick to the big screen when you can experience it first hand?
The beautiful UAE region has been the filming location of many a Hollywood movie, and you can visit the filming locations of some of your favourite film moments in person. Did someone say summer road trip?!
Dune (2021) and Dune: Part Two (2024)
We all loved the Dune movies (Timothee and Zendaya?! Sign us up!) but did you know that both featured multiple filming locations here in the UAE? The Liwa Oasis in Abu Dhabi was the central setting, serving as desert planet Arrakis. Director Denis Villeneuve thought the ‘epic scale’ was perfect for setting all of those sandworm scenes and Paul’s journey across the desert. The Empty Quarter was also used as a backdrop for Arrakis scenes as well, where temps reached up to 120 degrees when shooting!
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Another big Hollywood blockbuster that optimised the beautiful Liwa Oasis and Liwa Desert was Star Wars: The Force Awakens to portray the home planet of Rey, Jakku. The production team constructed sets right there in the desert, bringing in props and even the Millenium Falcon.
Fast & Furious 7 (2015)
An emotional rollercoaster due to Paul Walker’s passing this movie is love letter to the unique setting of the UAE. Most famously, Dom and Brian drive the Lykan Hypersport car out of the side of one skyscraper and crash through two others, which IRL are located near the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. The much-loved Liwa Desert is used for off roading scenes, and there are multiple driving scenes which feature the Abu Dhabi skyline and the city from above. For somewhere a little more luxurious, you can head to the Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, to relive the big party scene of the movie in one of the most beautiful 7-star hotels in the world.
Fun fact: The Lykan Hypersport that featured in the skyscraper-jumping scene is a real car (reportedly worth a cool 11 million AED), built by W Motors, a company originally based in Lebanon.
F1: The Movie (2025)
Whilst this movie was fantastic for many reasons (hello, Brad Pitt!), this Formula One feature film featuring Brad and Damson Idris filmed at the Yas Marina Circuit during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix alongside all of the FI names you know and love. F1 has received worldwide acclaim for being one of the most realistic F1 films to date – we love to see it!
Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)
Director Christopher McQuarrie really knew what’s up when it comes to the UAE, saying “Of the many challenges we’ve faced on our journey, none will be greater than outshining the gifts Abu Dhabi has given us”. The crew filmed back in February and March of 2021, and had the unique experience of filming in the Midfield Terminal Building at Abu Dhabi International Airport, before it had ever opened to the public. So, next time you’re rushing for a matcha before your gate closes, see if you can spot the spots where Tom Cruise’s suspensive chase scenes were shot. The crew also filmed on board an Etihad 787 Dreamliner, in part of a collaboration with Etihad Airways.
Vanguard (2020)
Featuring the one-and-only Jackie Chan, Vanguard was filmed on location here in the UAE, almost exclusively in Dubai. The crew started working in March 2019 and shot here for around thirty days. The production of the movie had support from the Dubai Film and TV Commission, and over five hundred locals featured as extras throughout the movie!
Downtown Dubai features throughout the movie, as does the Burj Khalida, serving as the perfect location for that crazy car chase scene. City Walk and Nad Al Hammar were also both used for filming car chase content, due to their blend of upscale pedestrian vibe and industry elements.
Dubai Study City was utilised for some of the interior and off-location scenes. As a purpose-built production hub, the location was perfect for allowing the team to create bespoke urban locations, and conduct stunt staging too.
Fun fact: Those Dubai Police supercars that Jack Chan uses for his stunts are actually legit Dubai Police cars! But don’t worry – CGI was heavily used; no police cars were harmed in the making of the movie!
The Misfits (2021)
There’s maybe a reason that this movie sits at the bottom of the round up, and it isn’t a save-the-best-until-last situation. Despite its mega-star line up (Jamie Chung, Hermione Corfield, Nick Cannon and literal James Bond Pierce Brosnan), this movie was a huge commercial flop. Against a reported budget of 92 million AED, the movie only grossed a reported 6 million AED. The movie was nominated for three awards. The only problem is they were Golden Raspberries…
That said, the movie showcases some of the most beautiful locations across the region. Scenes set in Brosnan’s luxury hotel, were set in the Conrad Abu Dhabu Etihad Towers, where you can immerse yourself with stunning views over the Gulf, or check out one of their 12 award winning restaurants and bars. Other scenes feature the beautiful Louvre Abu Dhabi, and of course the Liwa Dessert for that effective sandstorm scene. The team also filmed in Dubai, at the Atlantis the Palm for some scenes.
Don’t let the critics make your decision – give it a whirl and see what all the fuss is about! And, if the plot does fall short, you can at least enjoy that mesmerising UAE scenery.