12 Iconic Movies Filmed in Malta: A 2026 Cinematic Travel Guide

Malta has earned the nickname "Mediterranean Hollywood" thanks to its cinematic mix of fortresses, golden bays, historic streets, and dramatic cliffs that can transform into ancient Rome, fantasy kingdoms, or war zones. With more than 250 international productions filmed here since the 1920s — including blockbusters like Gladiator, Troy, Game of Thrones, Jurassic World Dominion, and Napoleon — the islands are a dream destination for movie buffs and location scouts alike.

In 2025, Malta celebrated 100 Years in Film — a milestone marking a century of screen history. Today, the country remains one of Europe's top film destinations, attracting productions with budgets exceeding $100 million.

Whether you're a casual movie fan or a dedicated location scout, this guide covers every major film shot in Malta, where to visit the actual locations, and how to plan your own film tourism adventure.

Why Hollywood Loves Malta: The Perfect Film Destination

Malta's appeal to filmmakers is no accident. Here's what makes it a director's dream:

Year-Round Sunshine & Varied Landscapes

• Mediterranean climate means filming happens 300+ days per year with consistent lighting
• In a single day, you can move from medieval walled cities and baroque churches to rugged sea cliffs, sandy beaches, and crystal-clear coves
• Perfect for historical epics, fantasy worlds, and action thrillers shot back-to-back

Historic Architecture & Built Locations

• Fort Ricasoli – One of Europe's largest bastioned forts, transforming into ancient Roman arenas, medieval fortifications, or war-torn cities
• Valletta – UNESCO World Heritage walled city with baroque churches and palaces (stands in for Vatican, Rome, Jerusalem, and more)
• Mdina – 4,500-year-old "Silent City" with narrow medieval alleys (Game of Thrones' King's Landing)
• The Three Cities – Fortified harbourside towns with authentic 17th-century architecture

Compact Size & Logistical Advantage

• The entire island is just 246 km² — any location is reachable in 30-60 minutes
• No need for expensive multi-location shoots across different countries
• One crew can film "ancient Rome" in the morning and "medieval England" in the afternoon

World-Class Film Infrastructure

• Malta Film Studios – Established 1983, 80+ hectares of production facilities with water tanks, soundstages, and backlots
• Experienced local crews with decades of blockbuster experience
• Tax incentives for international productions (up to 40% rebate on qualifying expenses)
• English-speaking workforce eliminates communication barriers

The Major Films: Location Details, Production Stats & Filming Insights

GLADIATOR (2000) — The Benchmark Production

Production Stats:

• Budget: $103 million
• Director: Ridley Scott
• Cast: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen
• Filming Duration: 6 months in Malta
• Maltese Locations: 12+ sites across the island

Ridley Scott's Oscar-winning epic transformed Fort Ricasoli into the Colosseum and ancient Rome. The fortress's massive bastions became the arena where Russell Crowe's Maximus fought gladiators, and its interiors doubled as Roman palaces and dungeons.

Key Filming Locations:

Film Buff Tip: Walk along the Kalkara waterfront opposite Fort Ricasoli. The fortress's sea-facing bastions are exactly as they appear in the film's arena sequences. Visit at sunset for the most dramatic lighting — the same golden hour Ridley Scott favoured for his shots.

Behind-the-Scenes Trivia:

• The Colosseum was constructed as a full-scale set inside Fort Ricasoli — one of the largest temporary structures built for a single production at the time
• Over 3,000 extras were used for the arena battle scenes
• The production employed 40% of Malta's entire film crew workforce over 6 months

GAME OF THRONES: Season 1 (2011) — The Cultural Phenomenon

Production Stats:

• HBO Series (Season 1 heavily shot in Malta)
• Directors: Brian Kirk, Alan Taylor, and others
• Cast: Emilia Clarke, Jason Momoa, Peter Dinklage
• Malta Filming: 8 weeks
• Budget for Season 1: $60 million (Malta portion: ~$8-10M)

Malta became Westeros in the iconic HBO series' early episodes. The production used multiple Maltese locations to create the world of King's Landing and the surrounding Seven Kingdoms — introducing Malta to millions of fantasy fans worldwide.

Key Filming Locations:

Game of Thrones Moments to Locate:

1. The King's Landing main gate — Mdina's ancient city gate (looks identical to Season 1 today)
2. King's Landing alleyways — Mdina's narrow medieval streets
3. Drogo's wedding tent backdrop — the Azure Window site at Dwejra, Gozo (arch now collapsed)
4. Harbour scenes — Grand Harbour, Vittoriosa waterfront
5. Red Keep exterior — Fort Ricasoli (viewable from water)

Film Buff Tip: Spend a full day in Mdina retracing Game of Thrones footsteps. Many café and shop owners remember the production and can point out specific filming spots. Visit at dusk for lighting that matches the series' cinematography perfectly.

Behind-the-Scenes Trivia:

• The production took over Mdina for 3 weeks, making it a temporarily closed film set
• Local actors and extras numbered over 2,000 across all Malta shoots
• The Azure Window became Malta's most photographed location after GoT aired — until its sudden collapse in a storm in 2017

TROY (2004) — Epic Warfare on Mediterranean Shores

Production Stats:

• Budget: $175 million (one of the most expensive films of 2004)
• Director: Wolfgang Petersen
• Cast: Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Diane Kruger
• Filming Duration: 6 months
• Maltese Locations: 8+ sites

For Troy, Malta's northern coastlines and dramatic turquoise bays stood in for the legendary city itself. Battle scenes were filmed across multiple locations, with the Blue Lagoon and Mellieħa Bay becoming the ancient Aegean Sea.

Key Filming Locations:

Film Buff Tip: Take a boat tour from Mellieħa to the Blue Lagoon. The turquoise waters are almost unchanged since 2004. Many boat tours offer film location commentary. Visit in May or June before peak summer crowds make photography difficult.

Behind-the-Scenes Trivia:

• The production used over 5,000 extras across Malta for the epic battle sequences
• A custom-built replica Trojan horse was constructed at Malta Film Studios
• Underwater sequences were filmed in the calm waters of the Blue Lagoon using stunt divers

THE DA VINCI CODE (2006) — Conspiracy Across Malta's Sacred Sites

Production Stats:

• Budget: $125 million
• Director: Ron Howard
• Cast: Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Ian McKellen
• Malta Filming: 4 weeks

In The Da Vinci Code, Malta stepped in for Vatican City, Rome, and other European religious landmarks. Valletta's baroque churches were transformed into Vatican sets, and the historic city's architecture perfectly mimicked Renaissance Rome.

Key Filming Locations:

Film Buff Tip: Visit St. John's Co-Cathedral early in the morning before tourists arrive. The baroque interiors are even more impressive than they appear on screen.

Behind-the-Scenes Trivia:

• Tom Hanks spent 2 weeks filming in Malta's churches
• Many scenes were filmed between 6 PM and midnight to avoid disrupting regular church services
• The baroque interiors required minimal set dressing — the architecture itself was the star

POPEYE (1980) — The Film Set That Became a Theme Park

Production Stats:

• Budget: $49 million
• Director: Robert Altman
• Cast: Robin Williams, Shelley Duvall
• Filming Duration: 5 months
• Current Status: Operating theme park & tourist attraction

Unlike most film locations that are dismantled after shooting, Popeye Village in Anchor Bay, Mellieħa was left standing and today functions as a quirky, family-friendly theme park — one of the most recognisable preserved film sets in the world.

What You Can Do at Popeye Village:

• Walk through the colourful wooden buildings from the 1980 film
• See original props and dressing rooms
• Eat at themed restaurants inside the village
• Swim in the natural saltwater pool adjacent to the set
• Watch live family shows and entertainment
• Experience golden-hour sunset views with the village silhouetted against the cliffs

Practical Visit Info:

Behind-the-Scenes Trivia:

• The entire village was built from scratch in 6 months specifically for this production
• Robin Williams improvised many scenes; locals still tell stories of his humour on set
• The village was originally going to be dismantled post-production — preserved as a tourism landmark instead
• Today it attracts 200,000+ visitors annually

Other Major Blockbusters With a Maltese Backdrop

JURASSIC WORLD DOMINION (2022)

• Budget: $165 million | Director: Colin Trevorrow
• Malta Filming: 8 weeks
• Key Locations: Valletta (urban chase sequences), Fort Ricasoli (action sequences), Malta Film Studios (green-screen), Comino (coastal creature scenes)

Watch for Valletta's distinctive limestone streets in the urban dinosaur chase sequences — they look almost identical to the real thing.

NAPOLEON (2023) — Ridley Scott Returns to Malta

• Budget: $200 million (Scott's most expensive film to date) | Director: Ridley Scott
• Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Vanessa Kirby
• Malta Filming: 10 weeks at 8+ sites
• Key Locations: Valletta (Napoleonic-era street scenes), Mdina (military headquarters), Fort Ricasoli (large-scale battle sequences), Comino's Blue Lagoon (naval scenes)

Behind-the-Scenes Trivia: Ridley Scott's return to Malta 23 years after directing Gladiator here. Over 3,000 extras used across all filming days, with the production spending an estimated €15-20 million in Malta.

WORLD WAR Z (2013) — Zombie Apocalypse in Valletta

• Budget: $190 million | Director: Marc Forster | Cast: Brad Pitt
• Key Locations: Valletta's streets (overrun-city sequences), Fort Ricasoli (military bunker scenes), Grand Harbour waterfront (evacuation scenes)

The iconic shot of zombies overwhelming Valletta's fortifications used the real limestone walls as apocalyptic boundaries.

ASSASSIN'S CREED (2016) — Video Game Comes to Life

• Budget: $125 million | Director: Justin Kurzel | Cast: Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard
• Key Locations: Fort Ricasoli (parkour sequences, rooftop chases), Valletta (period street scenes), Mdina (medieval action), Malta Film Studios (Animus scenes)

The film's rooftop chase sequences used real parkour performers on actual Fort Ricasoli and Valletta architecture — no CGI on location.

CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (2013) — Maritime Thriller

• Budget: $55 million | Director: Paul Greengrass | Cast: Tom Hanks
• Key Locations: Malta Film Studios water tanks (ship hijacking sequences), Grand Harbour (maritime scenes), open Mediterranean waters (high-speed boat chases)

MONSTER HUNTER (2020)

• Budget: $60 million | Director: Paul W.S. Anderson | Cast: Milla Jovovich
• Key Locations: Valletta streets (post-apocalyptic sequences), Fort Ricasoli (creature encounters), Comino's coastal areas (otherworldly landscapes)

ALSO FILMED IN MALTA:

• Munich (2005) – Steven Spielberg spy thriller; Malta harbours and streets doubled for multiple Mediterranean locations
• The Passion of the Christ (2004) – Mel Gibson's epic; Valletta's baroque churches and Malta Film Studios used extensively
• The Living Daylights (1987) – James Bond classic; scenic coastal scenes
• Count of Monte Cristo (2002) – Adventure epic shot largely on the island

The Ultimate 3-Day Film Location Itinerary

DAY 1 – Valletta & Grand Harbour

Films: Gladiator, Game of Thrones, World War Z, Napoleon, Assassin's Creed, The Da Vinci Code

Morning (9 AM - 12 PM):

• St. John's Co-Cathedral – The Da Vinci Code filming location (€10 entrance; 1-1.5 hours)
• Upper Barrakka Gardens – Establishing shots from multiple films; overlooks Grand Harbour (free; best photography at 11 AM)

Afternoon (1:30 PM - 5 PM):

• Grand Harbour boat tour – See Fort Ricasoli from the water as it appeared in Gladiator, Troy, and GoT (€8-12 per person; 45 mins; film location commentary on most tours)
• Three Cities ferry – Cross to Vittoriosa and explore the harbour-front promenades used in multiple films (€0.50 each way)

Evening (5 PM - 8 PM):

• Return to Upper Barrakka Gardens at sunset — golden hour photography of Fort Ricasoli
• Dinner in Valletta

Day 1 Budget Estimate: €30-50 per person (excluding meals)

DAY 2 – Mdina, Rabat & Comino

Films: Game of Thrones, Troy, Jurassic World Dominion

Morning (9 AM - 12 PM):

• Travel from Valletta to Mdina (30-min drive or bus; bus €2, taxi €20-30)
• Walking tour of Mdina — Game of Thrones' King's Landing (free to walk streets; €10 for museums; 2-3 hours)
  • Key spots: main gate, Cathedral Square, narrow alleyways used in chase scenes, bastions with city views

Afternoon (1:30 PM - 5 PM):

• Ferry to Comino (€5 return; ~30 mins)
• Blue Lagoon – Troy & Jurassic World filming location; swim, snorkel, photograph
• Best in May-June and Sept-Oct; shoot before 4 PM for best light

Day 2 Budget Estimate: €25-40 per person (excluding meals)

DAY 3 – Mellieħa, Anchor Bay & Popeye Village

Films: Troy, Popeye (1980), Monster Hunter

Morning (8 AM - 10 AM):

• Travel to Mellieħa in northern Malta (45 mins from Valletta; bus €3, taxi €30-40)
• Mellieħa Bay beach – Sandy shores used in Troy's beach scenes (free; lifeguards in summer)

Mid-Morning (10 AM - 12 PM):

• Popeye Village – The preserved 1980 film set turned theme park (€10-15 adults; 2-3 hours)
  • Walk through all 19 colourful buildings, watch live performances, swim in the natural pool
  • Photography tip: visit after 4 PM for better light and fewer tourists

Evening (5 PM onwards):

• Golden hour photography at Popeye Village — sunset views with the village silhouetted against the cliffs are spectacular

Day 3 Budget Estimate: €30-45 per person (excluding meals)

Total 3-Day Film Tour Budget: €85-135 per person (excluding meals and accommodation)

Guided Film Location Tours

Prefer not to plan your own? Several local operators offer dedicated film location tours:

Many tours can be booked through Viator, Klook, or GetYourGuide.

Seasonal Tips for Film Location Visits

Photography Tips

1. Shoot during golden hour (1 hour before sunset) — matches professional film cinematography lighting
2. Visit early morning (7-9 AM) — before tourist crowds, better light angle on stone architecture
3. Bring water & sunscreen — no shade on many Maltese film locations
4. Check camera policies — some churches charge extra for tripod photography

What's Changed Since Filming?

• Azure Window, Gozo — Collapsed in 2017. The Game of Thrones wedding backdrop no longer exists, but Dwejra's surrounding cliffs remain stunning and accessible.
• Fort Ricasoli — Ongoing restoration work means access may be limited. Check ahead before visiting.
• Malta Film Studios — Still operating with active productions. Public access is limited unless on an organised tour.
• Valletta — Largely unchanged; medieval streets preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Practical Information

Accessibility: Many film locations involve walking on uneven stone surfaces. Wear sturdy shoes. Some locations (Popeye Village, Fort Ricasoli viewpoints, Mdina) have 100+ steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you actually visit Fort Ricasoli where Gladiator was filmed? Direct access is limited and often controlled by Malta Film Studios. However, you can see it clearly from Grand Harbour boat tours and from the Kalkara waterfront promenade — the same angles used in the films.

Is the Azure Window really gone? Yes. The iconic arch collapsed in a storm in 2017. The surrounding Dwejra cliffs and caves remain accessible and spectacular for photography.

Can you swim at the Blue Lagoon? Yes. The Blue Lagoon (Comino) is a public beach and one of Malta's most popular swimming spots. It's accessible by ferry from Mellieħa or public boat tours.

Are current films still shooting in Malta? Yes. Major productions continue to film regularly. Check local news or the Malta Film Commission website for information on active productions.

How long does it take to see all major film locations? A proper film location tour requires 3-4 days minimum to cover Valletta, Mdina, Blue Lagoon, and Popeye Village. A quick highlights tour can be done in 1-2 days.

What's the best film to watch before visiting Malta? Start with Gladiator (2000) — it uses the most Maltese locations and gives you the best visual reference for what you'll see. Follow up with Game of Thrones Season 1 and Troy.

Malta's Film Industry in 2026 & Beyond

Malta Film Commission reports 6+ major international productions in development for 2026-2027. Streaming services including Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime are increasingly using Malta as a European filming hub, with production spending forecast to exceed €100 million annually.

For visitors, this means more film-themed experiences, more organised location tours, and a growing cultural identity around film tourism that makes Malta an increasingly exciting destination for movie lovers.

Your Malta Film Location Watch List

Watch these before you visit:

1. Gladiator (2000)
2. Troy (2004)
3. Game of Thrones, Season 1 (2011)
4. The Da Vinci Code (2006)
5. Popeye (1980)
6. World War Z (2013)
7. Assassin's Creed (2016)
8. Jurassic World Dominion (2022)
9. Napoleon (2023)