8 Blockbuster Hollywood Movies Shot in Dubai Locations

Posted On 14-Aug-2023

Learn about the locations, timings, and other details of prominent movie filming locations in Dubai. The wealthy city transforms into a multicultural and energetic urban core. One of the seven states that make up the UAE, this area is home to approximately 200 distinct ethnicities.

Visitors may expect a memorable and lasting experience in Dubai, where options and imagination abound. Additionally, you'll find breathtaking views whether you're on the Creek's banks or at the top of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.

Ultimate Eight Blockbuster Movies in Dubai

Movies Shot in Dubai

Hollywood has taken notice of Dubai as a wonderful location for filmmaking since it offers both mesmerizing cityscapes and stunning stretches of dunes. More than 50 films have been filmed here thus far.

Also Read: Sunbathing in UAE

Check out this list of prominent Hollywood films that were filmed in Dubai if you're interested in which of your favorite local landmarks have captured the public's attention.

Here is a thorough list of eight top-tier blockbusters that were filmed in the United Arab Emirates!

  • Star Trek – Beyond in 2016
  • 6, Underground in 2019
  • Syriana in 2015
  • Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol in 2011
  • Fast & Furious 7 in 2015
  • Vanguard in 2020
  • The Misfits in 2021
  • Dune in 2021

1. Syriana in 2015:

Dubai was immortalized as a trailblazing refuge for Hollywood's lens because of Syriana's mesmerizing desert panoramas. It is unfolded against the stunning background of its parched expanse. The stars of this movie, Matt Damon and George Clooney, expertly weave together a tapestry of stories that are inextricably connected to the Middle East's oil trade.

This acclaimed geopolitical masterwork dives into the complex dance of petroleum politics. A convoluted waltz that coordinates the fortunes of several souls and crucial factors. The majority of the production was shot in Dubai, and certain sequences vibrate with energetic intensity. As they depict the emirate's harsh topography and glittering dunes in all their glorious splendor.

2. Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol in 2011

No mosaic in the expansive fabric of Dubai's cinematic past could be considered complete without the inclusion of this adrenaline-fueled Mission Impossible chapter. Tom Cruise orchestrates a gravity-defying ballet as he descends the dizzying 163-story pinnacle of the Burj Khalifa. An architectural behemoth that stands sentinel in the center of Downtown Dubai, a masterful recreation of his renowned Ethan Hunt persona. This famous monolith, which Emaar Properties created as a true masterpiece, is first on the list of memorable locations from motion pictures.

The fearless actor performed the death-defying gambit that has come to be known as the iconic "Mission Impossible Dubai" feat. It took place at an incredible height of about 1,700 feet! However, the scope of Dubai's cinematic landscape goes well beyond this dizzying display. But it also includes famous monuments like the Palm Jumeirah, the elegant Armani Hotel, and the lavish Zabeel Saray.

3. Fast & Furious 7 in 2015

Fast & Furious 7, an electric symphony of speed, unfolds a mesmerizing tableau of Abu Dhabi'ssplendors. It is painting each place like a brushstroke of heart-pounding delight on a high-octane canvas. In a ballet of defying gravity against a backdrop of modern architectural wonders. Also, watch as a sleek sports car soars across the mirrored facade of Jumeirah at Etihad Towers. The story continues as opulent speedsters create pathways over the Liwa Desert's fiery-hued dunes in a magnificent display of human might and the grandeur of nature.

The Fast & Furious cast climbs the sumptuous grand staircase of Emirates Palace in a crescendo of audacity. Besides, it performs a sweeping ballet of elegance and action fused in an alluring embrace.

This chapter creates an unbreakable legacy of unforgettable action moments that carve themselves into the annals of cinema lore. Despite the sadness brought on by the tragic passing of the co-star Paul Walker.

Amid echoes of resiliency, the movie's release unfolds like a worldwide sensation, with its April 1, 2015, premiere ending in a booming crescendo of success. However, it was amassing an astounding AED 5.5 billion in worldwide box office receipts—a distinction resplendent on the mantle of cinematic accomplishments.

4. Star Trek – Beyond in 2016

Do Dubai's magnificent structures also ring with a tangible sense of futurism in addition to their resonant echoes of modern grandeur? This idea resonates strongly with Jeffrey Chernov, the mind behind Star Trek. It was keen eye reveals the city to be a true canvas of aspirations for the future.

Dubai shows up as a true crucible of invention, driving itself to the pinnacle of avant-garde urban environments. While the utopian vision of The Jetsons remains a tantalizing mirage. The cosmic return of this film to the big screen is orchestrated by this cinematic odyssey, a lavish jewel in the Star Trek constellation.

The journey carves its story arcs among Dubai's gilded tapestry under the stern leadership of actor Chris Pine. It was illuminating the opulent residence of the Enterprise, the prestigious Yorktown headquarters.

In the 13th installment of this renowned franchise, Dubai is transformed into an astral stage. A cosmic amphitheater where JLT's beachfront is decked out in futuristic splendor the Meydan racecourse reverberates. With the cadence of cosmic strides, and the iconic Burj Al Arab rises as a sentinel of stellar aspirations.

5. 6 Underground in 2019

6 Underground, the most costly film produced by Netflix to date, spent six weeks being shot in Abu Dhabi in November 2018. They also shot in several well-known tourist locations throughout the globe. The movie debuted in December 2019 and stars Ryan Reynolds. The crew visited California, the Middle East, and Hong Kong, but Abu Dhabi was also used for some of the filming.

The Liwa Desert, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, and the Aldar Headquarters, the first circular skyscraper in the world, are just a few of the locations you'll see in the video.

Abu Dhabi has now hosted more than 85 significant film projects, including 6 Underground, and is emerging as a hub for the industry. This is the second Netflix movie to be filmed in Abu Dhabi, following. The first Netflix movie to be filmed in Abu Dhabi was Brad Pitt's "War Machine" in 2015. This is the second time.

6. Vanguard in 2020:

You're taken on a wild ride in Stanley Tong's suspenseful action film Vanguard, which stars Jackie Chan. It reveals beautiful locations from all over the world, including a future cityscape.

The movie, which was filmed in Dubai in 2019, features footage from a variety of locations, including Downtown Dubai, the imposing Burj Khalifa, and The Dubai Mall.

The plot centers on an accountant who is evading a violent organization; his only chance of survival lies with Vanguard, a covert security firm directed by Tang Haunting (played by Jackie Chan).

7. The Misfits in 2021

The action-packed heist film The Misfits, starring Piers Brosnan and the entire cast, spent many weeks filming in Abu Dhabi back in 2019. The majority of the action takes place in the Middle East and follows Brosnan's brilliant architect character. He gets caught up in a significant gold theft. The Misfits was then screened in theatres.

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8. Dune in 2021

Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, and Jason Momoa were among the notable actors who traveled to Abu Dhabi to film scenes for a film adaptation of the 1965 science fiction novel by Frank Herbert.

Arrakis, the harsh made-up planet where the Dune story is set, was replaced by the spectacular red-hued sands of the Abu Dhabi desert. The majority of the breathtaking sequences were shot in Jordan's magnificent Wadi Rum region, with a few more taking place in Hungary. On October 1, 2021, the first movie of the series will be released worldwide.

Wrap-Up:

We hope our information on popular filming locations in the UAE was useful. For more interesting blog pieces, follow the Dubai Desert Safari Offer on social media. Also, keep in mind that you can arrange your trip to Dubai using our website for Dubai Tour Packages.

We are prepared to create a unique Dubai package for you once it is safe to resume exploring because we are aware of the difficulties posed by the lockdown.

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