Was your favourite Hollywood movie shot in Abu Dhabi?
Have you seen a film that looked oddly familiar? Maybe somewhere that looks like that building you drive by on your way to work? Well, if you live in Abu Dhabi, chances are your hunch might be right. Many top studios have ventured to the UAE’s capital in the recent past. The list of Hollywood movies shot in Abu Dhabi is ever-growing. Let’s take a look.
TOP HOLLYWOOD MOVIES SHOT IN ABU DHABI
A liberal visa policy, an all-embracing culture, availability of top professionals, relevant technology, relatively low production costs, stunning deserts and futuristic architecture make Abu Dhabi the perfect place to make a film.
Here’s a lowdown of the most popular Hollywood movies shot in Abu Dhabi.
DUNE AND DUNE PART 2
Both parts of Dune, were partly shot in Abu Dhabi. The all-star cast included Timothée Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Zendaya, Jason Momoa and Josh Brolin.
The desert of Abu Dhabi was used as the inhospitable planet called Arrakis. The golden sand dunes made for the ideal backdrop and the movie’s creative team was able to use the natural setting to perfection. Eagle-eyed viewers would identify Empty Quarter and Yas Island.
Other parts of the film were shot in Jordan and Hungary.
6 UNDERGROUND
Parts of the big-budget Netflix film Underground starring Ryan Reynolds was shot in Abu Dhabi. If you’re a local, you’ll be able to recognise ALDAR Headquarters, Liwa Desert and the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Other cast members you can watch revelling in Abu Dhabi include Mélanie Laurent, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Ben Hardy, Adria Arjona and Dave Franco.
Among the Hollywood movies shot in Abu Dhabi, this might be the one with the biggest budget!
MISFITS
If Abu Dhabi residents watch the film Misfits closely, they can easily pick out scenes with Abu Dhabi Corniche and Etihad Towers in the backdrop. This film was also an Emirati-Hollywood joint production.
Alongside legendary Pierce Brosnan, the cast included Tim Roth, Jamie Chung and Nick Cannon. Importantly, some pivotal roles were essayed by Emirati and Arab actors like Rik Aby, Ali Aburayya, Mohamed Hafez (popularly known as Feez) and Majed AlZubaidi.
Pierce Brosnan’s presence in one of the Hollywood movies shot in Abu Dhabi will be a source of pride for many UAE cinephiles.
WAR MACHINE
In another Netflix production, the stellar cast of War Machine spent 22 days shooting in Abu Dhabi. Around twenty locations were used, including the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Some part of the movie was also shot in Ras Al Khaimah.
If you were in Abu Dhabi in 2017, you might have had a chance to run into Brad Pitt in a café or a restaurant. Well, yes, perhaps in guise, but a true fan wouldn’t be fooled.
FAST & FURIOUS 7
Given the number of great cars you see on the roads of Abu Dhabi every day, Fast & Furious was a natural fit. Admittedly, there was a slight difference – the sheer madness and devil-may-care attitude of the people handling the wheels, of course.
There are many recognisable Abu Dhabi locations in the film, including Liwa Desert dunes and the Emirates Palace.
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT
UAE Air Force Jets, the vast Abu Dhabi desert and Tom Cruise added up to create some of the most memorable scenes from this incredible film. The Top Gun star became the first actor to perform the high altitude, low opening (HALO) parachute jump. Jumping from 25,000 feet whilst moving at 200 mph. An oxygen mask was required for the stunt, and the man himself called it one of his “most dangerous stunts yet.”
This one is perhaps among the most popular Hollywood movies shot in Abu Dhabi.
STAR WARS EPISODE VII – THE FORCE AWAKENS
For many films in need of creating a fictional new planet, the vastness of the Abu Dhabi desert provides a natural canvas. The creative teams can shape things as they please and get the right look for the film. This is undoubtedly the case with Star Wars Episode VII – The Force Awakens, where Liwa desert formed the breathtaking landscape for Rey’s home planet, Jakku.
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 7: DEAD RECKONING PART 1
Many would remember the filming in Abu Dhabi of Mission Impossible 7: Dead Reckoning Part 1. Abu Dhabi Airport is where the filming of one of the most popular franchise took place. The bustling terminal and the sleek buildings were perfect for this high-stakes action thriller.
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG
Among the Hollywood films shot in Abu Dhabi, this one is slightly different, being an animated film. The film crew shot some backgrounds and explosion in the Liwa desert, which were used as a double for surrounding Egypt’s pyramids and sphynx.
THE KINGDOM
Remember the Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Garner starrer “The Kingdom”. The action thriller was set in Saudi Arabia; however, some scenes were played out in Emirates Palace and the deserts of the UAE capital. Film geeks will recall this film with some nostalgia as it was one of the earliest Hollywood movies filmed in Abu Dhabi.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHICH POPULAR FILMS WERE SHOT IN DUBAI?
Apart from the Hollywood movies shot in Abu Dhabi, there are some incredible movies filmed in Dubai. These include the likes of Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Syriana and more.
WHICH MOVIES ARE RELEASING IN UAE CINEMAS THIS MONTH?
Planning a visit to the cinemas this month? Check out our list of the movies releasing in the UAE to pick out your favourite. For the ultimate experience, visit the best cinemas in Abu Dhabi.
This concludes our list of the top Hollywood movies shot in Abu Dhabi. There are some massive blockbusters in there with legendary cast members. Similarly, Bollywood film shooting in Abu Dhabi has also become prevalent in recent years.
With every passing year, the number of Hollywood movies filmed in Abu Dhabi has gone upwards. You can expect the trend to continue, with big production houses using different parts of the UAE as their central locations!
