17 films that brought fame to the locations they were shot in

Movies have a way of captivating the audience. They become so enthralled by the characters, the fashion followed in the movie, the music score, and even the setting that they often like to experience them in real life. Movies are notably famous for making particular locations a hit amongst their fans, and people visit these places to reminisce about their favorite scenes. Here is a list of 17 movies that made a particular location famous.

17) Everett Theatre, Delaware - Dead Poet’s Society

The famous play scene in the movie Dead Poets Society, featuring Neil Perry, was shot in the Everett Theatre in Middletown, Delaware. The scene features Neil Perry playing the role of Puck in Shakespeare's famous play – A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Fans of the movie visit this theatre to renew their connections to this wonderful movie about self-discovery and individuality. It has successfully contributed to tourism and legacy in the state of Delaware.

16) Amsterdam, New Zealand - Fault in Our Stars

The Romantic Drama Film - The Fault in Our Stars, based on a famous novel by John Green, was filmed in Amsterdam. Already a popular tourist destination, this film elevated the city into a cultural phenomenon. The movie has left a cultural impact and boosted tourism here. Some of the places from Amsterdam it featured included places like Annie Frank House, a bench near Leidsegracht Canal, and Hotel De Filsoof.

15) Stairs in Georgetown, Washington DC - The Exorcist

The iconic 1973 film – The Exorcist is a very horror-inducing film. In a very climactic death scene of the film, we see Father Karras sacrificing himself by throwing himself down a set of stairs. This particular scene makes the stairs a symbol of emotional sacrifice and horror. This 75 stone steps since then has become quite popular with visitors coming to click pictures and has even featured many screenings of the movie.

14) Varda Viaduct, Turkey - Skyfall

Actor Daniel Craig has been notoriously popular for his James Bond films. He has been part of a series of James Bond films, but none as popular as the 2012 film – Skyfall. The movie utilized the beauty of Turkey in its shooting, and in a crucial scene, a fight atop a moving train, it featured the Varda Viaduct. Varda Viaduct is a Railway bridge featuring the Taurus Mountains in its backdrop. Since then, people who visit Turkey have often visited Adana province to click a picture featuring this bridge popularised by the film.

13) Old Charleston, Naval Shipyard, South Carolina - The Notebook

The Notebook, featuring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, is considered one of the best romantic movies ever made. The film was majorly shot in the aesthetic town of Charleston in South Carolina. Especially the area near the Old Charleston Naval Shipyard. Many scenes, including the workplace scene, Allie’s Summer House, and others, were shot in this town with its historic and rustic charm. Till date, fans go to this place, inspired by the movie, to experience the beauty of the movie setting.

12) Skopelos, Greece - Mamma Mia!

The musical - Mamma Mia! is famous for its setting against the calm blue waters and stone houses of Greece. The film is set on the island of Skopelos and beautifully portrays the charisma of the Aegean Sea and the island's scenic beaches. The movie perfectly presents the Greek atmosphere with cobblestone streets and whitewashed buildings. The movie resulted in a significant tourism boom on the island, and people enthralled by the setting of the movie went to experience it in real life.

11) Highclere Castle, England - Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey was a TV series so famous that it was also adapted into many movies. The series and the film are set in Highclere Castle in Hampshire, England. Downton Abbey is about a group of aristocratic families and their servants living in the Edwardian era of England. The castle perfectly displays the architecture of British aristocracy, and fans often visit it to experience the beauty and immerse themselves in the classy British heritage.

10) Hobbiton in Matamata, New Zealand - The Lord of the Rings

The famous The Lord of The Rings Trilogy was filmed in the picturesque village called Matamata, New Zealand. In this village, a permanent set was made which features hobbit holes. Set in the green and lush rolling meadows, these sets truly provide an immersive experience and have not only added to the authenticity of the film but also led to a tourism boom in New Zealand. In fact, they have gained such recognition that New Zealand is now considered synonymous with the Middle Earth portrayed in the movie.

9) Lake Como, Italy - Star Wars: Attack of the Clones

Did you know that it is Star Wars: Attack of the Clones in 2002, which made Lake Como, Italy, a symbol of Romance? Lake Como, with its beautiful and serene setting, features as the background to the love story of Anakin and Padme. Since then, Lake Como has become a symbol of elegance, beauty, and love, with many weddings taking place at this particular venue.

8) Angkor Wat, Cambodia - Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

Angkor Wat is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, featuring Angelina Jolie, was filmed here. This temple is grandeur and is adorned with ancient corridors and mysterious carvings. It perfectly adds to the adventurous tone of the movie with its overgrown trees. After the film was released, people started visiting this temple in Cambodia quite a lot. It has helped increase awareness about Cambodia's culture and heritage.

7) Katz’s Deli, New York - When Harry Met Sally

New York has featured a number of films. Most of the time, the unique places depicted in the movie turn into cultural icons. One such cultural icon title was bestowed upon the restaurant – Katz Delicatessen on 205 E Huston Street. The film When Harry Met Sally in 1989 featured many scenes in this restaurant, making it a must-visit for people who enjoy romantic comedies combined with food.

6) Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Beverly Hills - Pretty Woman

The movie Pretty Woman made the Beverly Wilshire Hotel a symbol of luxury. The film featuring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts is set in this hotel and features a high society lifestyle of elites living in Beverly Hills. The hotel gives a fairytale-like transformation to the movie, and many important scenes, like the balcony scene, were filmed here. Because many tourists visit this hotel, inspired by the film, the hotel has started offering a package called – Pretty Woman for a Day, which helps fans experience the scenes in the movie to the fullest.

5) Little Italy, New York City - The Godfather

The mafia movie The Godfather is considered one of the best films in cinematic history. Little Italy is a neighborhood in New York City with narrow streets, storefronts, and a community featuring Italian American life. To add authenticity to the Corleone Family, the film was shot in this neighborhood and experienced a tourism boom, with people visiting after the movie was released to infuse themselves in this immersive culture and enter the world of the film.

4) Forks, Washington - Twilight

The film Twilight is about a group of Vampire families who want to live in a cloud-covered rainy city to avoid sunlight, which illuminates them and makes them recognizable. Because of this – Forks, Washington, in the Olympic Peninsula, was chosen. The film made this small town a novelty. The increase in tourism was so much that it helped the local economy thrive. In fact, the town has started celebrating Twilight Day, which includes a plethora of events.

3) Island of Kauai, Hawaii - Jurassic Park

Hawaii, with its multiple islands, has become a very famous cinematic location. One of the most prominent films to be shot here was Jurassic Park in 1993. The Manawaiopuna waterfall in the film is particularly famous now because of the movie. The diverse rainforest and mountains of the island are very aptly added to the prehistoric landscapes required for the movie, and film fans often visit and explore this natural beauty.

2) Notting Hill, London - Notting Hill

Notting Hill in London is a neighborhood adorned with charm and vibrancy. Many specific locations in this area were chosen in the film of the same name, including a blue door on Westbourne Park Road, Portobello Road market, and a bookshop on Blenheim Carter Street. The movie has romanticized this neighborhood so much that whenever people visit London, they make it a point to get a picture clicked in this picturesque Street.

1) King's Cross, London - Harry Potter

Almost everybody knows about the importance Harry Potter films has given to the King Cross station. This book about the Wizarding World portrays platform 9 3/4 Quarters as the entrance to the magical world of Harry Potter. It is a portal through a brick wall. Because of the wide popularity of the film, as a tribute, the station has actually created a platform 9 3/4 and added a lot of other attractions. This place is filled with children and adults alike, trying to fulfill their dream of trying to enter the portal, which can lead them to a world of magic.