Movie locations that took our breath away in 2016

With twists of moral crusades and Eastern mysticism, the big action takes place in the Kathmandu Valley with the bustling commercial hub of Thamel and the gold-tipped stupas of Swayambhunath as a backdrop. The UNESCO-attested Pashupatinath Temple also featured heavily.


(Image: Glamour Nepal)

The visceral and raw western, frontier vibe come alive amongst the peaks of Kananaskis Country which is part of the Canadian Rockies, near Calgary. Other scenes were shot at the Indian reserve at Stoney Nation and the Fortress Mountain Resort, just down the road from the beautiful Banff ski resorts.

(Image: Atlasofwonders)

An acclaimed, modern-day western that premiered at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, the film was set in West Texas but largely filmed in New Mexico. Scenic shots were filmed in the Alamogordo Valley, where the shifting dunes of the White Sands National Monument meet the cacti-spotted cottonwoods and plains of the Rio Grande rift.

(Image: Collider)

This was filmed mostly in the North Island Volcanic Plateau and the Waitakere Ranges near Auckland. The Plateau is where you’ll find the gushing geysers and mud pools of the Taupo Volcanic Zone and the outdoorsy town of Rotorua, with the Hobbiton movie set close by.

(Image: Stuff.co.nz)

The backcountry featured in this sci-fi western includes the breathtaking vistas of the quintessential American west - hoodoos, canyons and red-hued tabletop mountains. Most notable locations include Fisher Valley and Castle Valley, northeast of Moab. The first is famed for the rugged Fisher Tower; tall pillars of rock that look a little like creatures and strange objects.

(Image: Outside Magazine)

Mother nature is harsh and beautiful in this quiet, rural region - visit the breathtaking Goðafoss, a 12 meter dramatic waterfall and watch the awesome Northern Lights dance across the sky. Eyjafjördur Fjord carves its way inland from the sea, and the coastal city of Akureyri is filled with cozy cafes and seafood eateries.

(Image: IndieWire)

With the somewhat haunting atmosphere of New England, filming was undertaken in the towns of Gloucester and Salem. It’s an historical area and Gloucester exudes an authentic artsy vibe and is filled with galleries. On the town’s outskirts is the awesome Hammond Castle.

(Image: Salem News)

Filmed just outside of Dublin, Donabate, a small coastal town in Fingal was the backdrop for this 18th century romance, with its hearty country pubs and stunning cliff walks. Newbridge Estate was the primary filming location with its Georgian architecture, regal gardens and the ancestral home of the Cobbe family. It’s also where the famed Cobbe portrait of Shakespeare was found - said to be the last remaining image of the bard.

(Image: eZine)

Possibly one of the most location-filled films on the list, La La Land featured a whopping 60 individual filming locations to breathe a real sense of authenticity into the movie. The reasonably far flung reaches of the Hollywood Hills and Santa Monica Mountains were included which ensures a good view of the famed Hollywood sign. Cultural centre Pasadena and the striking Colorado Street Bridge also feature.

(Image: Curbed LA)