Europe's "secret Hollywood": Thousands of films are shot in this country

Fantasy, action, history: Germany's eastern neighbor offers the perfect conditions for filming films of all genres.

Location scouts are currently working inthe Czech Republic to find suitable filming locations for part three of "The Princess Diaries" starring Anne Hathaway. Fittingly, of course, in the country's diverse world of castles.

Prague is changeable. It can be mystical, historic, or modern. This is why the Czech capital is such a popular location for filming.

Source: Martin Rak Czech Digital Media

But it's not just the Czech Republic's many castles and palaces that are ideal locations for Hollywood films. The cobblestone streets of Prague's Old Town and the mystical landscapes of Northern Bohemia and Southern Moravia also attract filmmakers from all over the world, as do the spectacular rock formations of the Adršpach-Teplice Rock City.

The location scouts for "The Princess Diaries" aren't the first to discover the Czech Republic. Many films and TV series have been filmed there in the past.

But that's not the only reason the Czech Republic could be called the Hollywood of Europe. Prague is also home to the Barrandov Studios, one of the largest and oldest film studios in Europe. Roman Polanski's "Oliver Twist" was filmed here in 2005.

Over 5,000 films and series have been shot at the Barrandov Studios in Prague.

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So, Hollywood loves the Czech Republic. Why is that? Hardly any other European country offers such a variety of potential filming locations as the Czech Republic. The country is geographically advantageous, has long been relatively affordable, and boasts a wealth of historical charm. We present you the most popular filming locations in the Czech Republic.

Prague is a true chameleon. It's often used as a backdrop to mimic other cities like London, Paris, or old Vienna. Prague is a multitalented city.

France, Germany, Vienna: Prague is also often used as a backdrop for other cities and countries.

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The city can do it all: history, fantasy worlds, or even chases. Matt Damon, Tom Cruise, and Daniel Craig have starred in such scenes. In 2002, they appeared in "The Bourne Identity," in 2005, in "Mission: Impossible," and in 2006, in "James Bond: Casino Royale."

In 2010, Tom Cruise filmed the fourth part of “Mission: Impossible” in Prague – filming took place almost throughout the entire city.

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What is supposed to represent Miami in the "James Bond" film was filmed entirely in Prague. The scene in the luxury hotel in Venice also originates from Prague: The National Museum served as the hotel lobby. And the supposed Palace of Westminster in London is actually Prague's Strahov Monastery.

Daniel Craig as James Bond during the filming of “Casino Royale” in the old town streets of Prague.

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Prague was also the setting for the filming of "Spider-Man: Far from Home" in 2019. In 2022, the most expensive Netflix film of all time, "The Gray Man" starring Ryan Gosling, was shot in Prague. The tram action scene began on Republic Square and continued in front of the Rudolfinum. Incidentally, "The Gray Man" now ranks only second. The most expensive Netflix production today is "The Electric State."

In 2021, “The Gray Man” with Ryan Gosling was filmed in Prague – the most expensive Netflix production of all time.

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In 2017, the Prague district of Smíchov served as the backdrop for the historic Berlin hospital in the TV series "Charité." Parts of the mystery horror film "Van Helsing" starring Hugh Jackman, "Batman Forever," and "Hannibal Rising: The Complete Series" were also filmed in Prague.

“Van Helsing” with Hugh Jackman was filmed in Kunratice Castle.

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Prague was also the filming location for "Triple X" with Vin Diesel in 2002, "Hellboy" in 2004, and "The Illusionist" with Edward Norton in 2006. It was intended to imitate old Vienna. Prague was also the setting for the 2019 Amazon Prime series "The Carnival Row" and the Apple TV series "Foundation."

The 2016 war film "Anthropoid," starring Jamie Dornan, was partly filmed at the original locations, including the St. Cyril and Methodius Church near Karlsplatz, where the final battle between the Gestapo and the Czechoslovak paratroopers took place.

“Anthropoid” by British director Sean Ellis was filmed in Prague in 2015.

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Many films were shot after the turn of the millennium. But even more than 40 years ago, Prague was certainly attractive to filmmakers: In the 1984 film "Amadeus," the front door of number 7 on Hradčany Square served as the entrance to Mozart's residence.

Prague is also of interest to German productions: The 2022 German anti-war film "All Quiet on the Western Front" was shot in Prague and the surrounding area. Incidentally, the film won four Oscars.

The Adršpach-Teplice Rock City is the largest rock labyrinth in Europe – and the location of major films.

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The Czech Republic is home to Europe's largest rock city. It's no wonder it's also of interest to Hollywood. In the first installment of "The Chronicles of Narnia" from 2005, the magical gate to Narnia didn't open in a fantasy world.

The Pravcicka Gate in the Adrspach-Teplice Rock Town is a spectacular rock formation.

Source: Martin Rak: Czechia Digital Media Library

It stands among the unique rocks of the Adršpach-Teplice Rock City. In the film, the Pevensie siblings walked through the gate. In the Adršpach-Teplice Rock City, you can walk through it yourself.

Hluboká Castle in South Bohemia is one of the most visited castles in the Czech Republic.

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The legendary Hluboká Castle, with its playful turrets and manicured gardens, served as a filming location for “Shanghai Knights” with Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson in 2003 and for “Underworld: Blood Wars” with Kate Beckinsale in 2016.

For “Van Helsing,” Pernštejn Castle was quickly transformed into a Transylvanian castle.

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The majestic castle has already served as the setting for two films: "Wanted" with James McAvoy in 2008 and "Van Helsing" with Hugh Jackman in 2006. For these films, the Czech fantasy castle was transformed into a Transylvanian castle.

Krivoklát Castle was built in the twelfth century.

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Křivoklát Castle near Prague is one of the oldest castles in the Czech Republic. Angelina Jolie and James McAvoy visited here in 2008 for the filming of "Wanted." And a little earlier, in 2005, another film was shot in the royal castle: "The Brothers Grimm: A Tribute to the Unborn," starring Matt Damon and Heath Ledger.

The Czech city of Karlovy Vary is famous for its status as a spa resort. But that's not all: Many films have also been shot here. For example, the Grandhotel Pupp served as the filming location for the Hotel Splendide in "James Bond: Casino Royale."

The Grandhotel Pupp in Karlovy Vary played a key role in the James Bond film “Casino Royale”.

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You can visit the hotel in real life. A highlight for James Bond fans: Behind an elevator door is Becher's Bar, designed in the style of 007. There, you can sip the Vesper cocktail created for the "Bond" film. Daniel Craig can also be seen in the film at the Kaiserbad and the Mühlbrunn Colonnade.

Jackie Chan also roamed the streets of Carlsbad in the film "Shanghai Knights." Queen Latifah, on the other hand, traveled to Carlsbad to relax in "One Last Holiday."

In July 2025, actor Michael Douglas was a guest at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival.

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Every summer, the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival brings stars from all over the world to the Czech Republic. In recent years, Michael Douglas, Julianne Moore, and Ewan McGregor have visited Karlovy Vary.

The Velka Amerika gorge was once a quarry where limestone was mined.

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One of the most mystical places in the Czech Republic are the former Amerika quarries. Some call them the "Czech Grand Canyon." The landscape forms a veritable labyrinth of disused limestone quarries, crystal-clear lakes, and mysterious tunnels.

The America Canyon is now also called the “Grand Canyon of the Czech Republic”.

Source: IMAGO/Pond5 Images

They look like they're from another world. That's precisely what makes them such a popular filming location. Films like "Babylon AD" with Vin Diesel (2008) and "Medieval" (2022) with Michael Cain and Til Schweiger were filmed in the disused quarries.

The interior of the Archbishop's Castle in Kremsier is so magnificent that it has served as a film set for several films and series.

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It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And a movie star. Kroměříž Castle served as a filming location for the TV series "The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones" and "The Three Musketeers ." The Oscar-winning film "Amadeus" was also filmed here – primarily in its magnificent interiors.

Bouzov Castle in Moravia is a particularly popular filming location for fairy tales.

Source: IMAGO/Hanna Wagner

The Moravian castle looks as if it dates back to the Middle Ages. In fact, it was rebuilt in the Romantic style 130 years ago. Bouzov Castle was the filming location for several scenes in the series "The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones." "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen," starring Sean Connery, was also filmed here in 2003. What will the next Hollywood production be?

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