Watching movies has been a favorite American pastime for generations.
From Gone with the Wind set in the deep south of Georgia, to thee Sound of Music among the hills of Austria, to the present day Black Panther set in Africa, films have the magical ability to let us see the world from the comfort of our own home.
But what if you could actually visit some of these iconic locations that helped to define the stories we fell in love with?
Well, read on to discover what countries from your favorite film should be next on your vacation itinerary!
1. Aquaman
Aquaman is the story of a rightful ruler looking to take Atlantis back from his evil stepbrother.
Opening late last year, the film wasn’t expected do well, but shocked the world when it grossed over $3 billion dollars globally.
While most of the film was shot with computer-generated imagery (CGI) in a studio in Australia, there are many beautiful and action-packed scenes shot in Canada, Italy, and Morocco.
One of the most climatic fighting scenes was filmed on location in Sicily.
Here the old stone ruins of ancient structures and apartment buildings with ceramic tile roofs are seen in the background.
Sicily has a lot of history and culture to enjoy—and it can all be done while dining on delicious cuisine in a breathtaking waterfront suite.
Hike the trails of the active volcano Mount Etna or visit the Valle dei Templi and embark on an archaeological dig that’s sure to make you feel like a true explorer.
And you will be happy to know that Sicilians love American tourists, as Proud American Traveler has previously shared with readers.
2. Mission Impossible: Fallout
In this latest Mission Impossible installment, Ethan Hunt of the Impossible Missions Force takes his tech-savvy crew to new and exciting places.
Each Mission Impossible film is set in exotic and romantic destinations, with the newest film in this thrilling franchise filmed in France, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Norway.
Many of the action scenes take place in the city of love, Paris. A dead giveaway is the Arc de Triomphe, one of the most famous monuments in Paris.
You may be wondering how Tom Cruise shot these epic action scenes in such a heavily crowded location. Well, 9Honey Travel reports that the crew had 90 minutes to shoot these scenes at the monument before it was reopened back to the public.
But if Cruise is anything in real life like he is in the movies, he probably performs well under pressure, so I’m sure 90 minutes was plenty of time to nail the perfect shot.
Of course, visiting Paris, France is on more “dream destination” lists than one can count—and for good reason.
So whether it’s to take a selfie in front of the Eiffel Tower, paint a portrait while overlooking the Pont des Arts, or view priceless relics at the Louvre, make Paris your next must-see destination.
3. Black Panther
Delivering a performance that made history, Marvel’s Black Panther became the first superhero movie to ever be considered for an Oscar.
Filmed in Africa, Argentina, and South Korea, there are many international highlights in this movie.
The most influential scene, which takes place at Warrior Falls, was filmed at Iguazu Falls in Argentina.
This natural wonder is as breathtaking as much of Argentina and you’d be remiss not to see it for yourself.
Witness a floating island at the national park of Esteros del Ibera, then experience the vivacious nightlife of Buenos Aires.
4. Avengers: Infinity War
In the super-hyped superhero film of epic proportions, you see your favorite comic book characters kicking butt before reaching the ultimate of all confrontations with Thanos.
Filming locations include countries all over the world like the United States, the United Kingdom, Philippines, Brazil, Scotland, and Iceland.
Each one of these international spots has so much to offer, it’s tough to recommend one above the other.
However, the final scene in this film leaves you with much to ponder as Thanos is seen in a beautiful green oasis of rolling hills covered in wildflowers.
Well this is a real place located in the Banaue Rice Terraces of Ifugao Province of the Philippines.
The Philippines is an extremely diverse country. Where else can you explore the rainforest, hike mountainous regions, row to an island, then end the day with friendly locals relaxing on the beach?
5. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Of course we have to end our list with this timeless action flick that has united generations of moviegoers all over the world.
Countless people have fantasized about being Indiana Jones and exploring exotic caves, discovering underground passageways, and daringly escaping death.
Up until its comeback in 2008 with Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, The Last Crusade was the highest grossing Indiana Jones film.
Throughout The Last Crusade, you have the privilege of witnessing locations such as the United States, Italy, Jordan, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
The most notable location in the film is the elaborate temple where the Holy Grail is housed.
This temple is located in Petra, Jordan and actually dates back to the first century. In fact, most ironically, it is called Al Khazneh—which translates to “The Treasury.”
You may have never thought of adding Jordan to your vacation list, but here you can swim in the Dead Sea, see ancient ruins at the capital, and even ride a camel in the desert.
So don’t just see the world on the big screen—vacation like a superhero and follow your favorite movies to the perfect getaway.
Please let us know in the comments section if you’ve ever visited an iconic site from the movies.
