I’m a self-proclaimed movie buff and found the 8 best movies shot in Dubai.
Binge-watching Dune recently had me questioning whether the stunning landscapes were real or crafted by artificial intelligence. To my surprise, I discovered that much of the film was shot in Dubai.
This fact sent me down a rabbit hole, exploring other movies that beautifully showcase this vibrant city. From its futuristic skyscrapers to breathtaking desert vistas, Dubai has become a cinematic gem, and I can’t wait to share my discoveries with you!
Join me as we watch the top films that capture Dubai’s unique beauty. Grab your popcorn, settle in, and embark on a cinematic journey through Dubai.
1. Happy New Year
Media credit: bollywoodmusicvideo
Date Released: 2014
Director: Farah Khan
The Bollywood film Happy New Year is a perfect mix of action, comedy, and drama. It’s about a group of underdogs led by Charlie, played by Shah Rukh Khan. And get this: They plan to pull off their scheme by entering a high-stakes dance competition in Dubai.
The film captures the essence of Dubai with its stunning visuals of the luxurious Atlantis, The Palm Hotel, and the iconic Palm Jumeirah. The setting adds so much to the story; the dance and heist scenes against this backdrop are thrilling to watch.
While critics had mixed opinions about the movie, it was a huge hit at the box office, earning over ₹350 crore worldwide. Plus, the music and choreography were top-notch, and some songs became super popular.
2. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
Media credit: thestyleisnotenough
Date Released: 2011
Director: Brad Bird
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol is an incredible action movie starring Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt. The plot is intense – Hunt and his team get framed for a terrorist attack, and they have to go rogue to clear their names and stop a nuclear catastrophe.
The film was a huge hit, making over $694 million worldwide. But you know what’s amazing about it? The scenes were shot in Dubai, especially at the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.
Cruise climbs the exterior of the skyscraper in a jaw-dropping stunt. There’s this heart-stopping moment when his suction gloves malfunction while he’s infiltrating a high-security server room on the 130th floor.
It’s no wonder Cruise got major props for his daring stunts, and the film even got nominated for a Visual Effects Society Award. It’s just one of those movies that keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time!
3. Star Trek – Beyond
Media credit: startrekmovie
Date Released: 2016
Director: Justin Lin
Star Trek Beyond is the 13th film in the Star Trek series. It follows the crew of the USS Enterprise as they venture into uncharted space. Things get intense when they encounter this ruthless new enemy, Krall, played by Idris Elba.
Dubai served as the backdrop for the fictional Starbase Yorktown. They used iconic locations like the Jumeirah Lakes Towers and the Dubai International Finance Centre.
The crashed spaceship scenes were filmed at these sites, creating a visually stunning representation of an advanced metropolis. They even transformed the Grandstand at Meydan Racecourse into the interior of Yorktown’s bar.
It made over $343 million worldwide and was recognized for its diverse cast. It even got nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film.
4. Syriana
Media credit: iconicfilmstyle
Date Released: 2005
Director: Stephen Gaghan
Syriana is an intense political thriller that digs deep into the global oil industry, covering topics like power, corruption, and the human cost of political maneuvering.
The story weaves together different plotlines, following a CIA operative (played by George Clooney), an energy analyst (Matt Damon), and a Pakistani migrant worker, all caught up in a dangerous game involving oil contracts, terrorism, and political intrigue.
What’s cool is that the movie was filmed in some iconic locations in Dubai, like the fancy Burj Al Arab Hotel, where some intense meetings take place. It’s interesting how they contrast the hotel’s luxury with the harsh realities of the oil trade.
They also showcase Dubai’s desert landscapes during key moments, which adds a whole other layer to the story. Dubai becomes a character, emphasizing its growing importance in global energy politics.
Syriana received critical acclaim and even won George Clooney an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. It’s like this bold commentary on real-world geopolitics and the moral gray areas of seeking power and profit. I’d definitely recommend checking it out!
5. Vanguard
Media credit: one.film1
Date Released: 2020
Director: Stanley Tong
This awesome action-adventure film, Vanguard, stars the legendary Jackie Chan. The story is about an international security company called Vanguard and its mission to protect a Chinese businessman from a terrorist group.
They captured stunning scenes of Dubai’s iconic landmarks, such as Dubai Studio City, Downtown Dubai, and City Walk. There’s this intense chase scene with gold cars at a second-hand car dealership and a thrilling showdown in a shopping mall.
Even though it didn’t win any major awards, people loved it for its entertainment value and for showcasing Dubai’s modern landscape on the big screen. It’s a great movie that delivers all the thrilling action you’d expect from a Jackie Chan film.
6. Fast & Furious 7
Media credit: fastandfuriousmovies_
Date Released: 2015
Director: James Wan
Fast & Furious 7 is a high-octane action film that follows Dominic Toretto and his crew facing a new enemy, Deckard Shaw. The plot revolves around the team trying to get their hands on a powerful surveillance program while dealing with personal losses and threats from Shaw.
One of the most iconic scenes in the movie is when Dom and Brian steal a Lykan HyperSport and do an insane car jump between skyscrapers in Dubai. It is mind-blowing to see them crash through windows from one tower to another.
The public loved this movie, and it made over $1.5 billion worldwide, which is crazy! Critics and fans praised it for its action and the touching way it honored Paul Walker. It even won the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Action Movie.
7. The Misfits
Media credit: misfitsthefilm
Date Released: 2021
Director: Renny Harlin
The Misfits is a heist action film about this master thief, Richard Pace, who gets involved in a big gold heist led by a group of unconventional criminals called “The Misfits.”
They’re trying to steal gold laundered by a corrupt prison owner to stop it from funding terrorist activities. The cool thing is that the filming occurred in the UAE, with some scenes shot at iconic locations like Atlantis and The Palm in Dubai.
Pierce Brosnan even shared some behind-the-scenes stuff on social media. It’s neat how the movie showcases Dubai’s stunning architecture and integrates its unique culture into the storyline, making the whole heist even more interesting.
But here’s the thing: The movie got mixed reviews. It was criticized for portraying certain political themes, with some calling it propaganda against Qatar.
I liked how the movie blended action and suspense while showing Pace’s internal struggle as he deals with his criminal past and the moral implications, especially when his daughter gets involved in the heist.
8. Dune
Media credit: dunemovie
Date Released: 2021
Director: Denis Villeneuve
This list wouldn’t be complete without Dune, which sent me down to this Dubai movie rabbit hole. The film is an adaptation of Frank Herbert’s epic science fiction novel.
I was impressed by how the movie portrayed the harsh landscapes of Arrakis, especially the scenes filmed in Abu Dhabi’s Liwa Oasis and the Rub’ al Khali desert.
The breathtaking backdrop of rolling dunes and rocky terrains perfectly captured the essence of this alien world. It’s amazing that the production team spent over 11 days filming in these deserts, using practical effects to enhance the film’s authenticity.
The film received widespread acclaim for its ambitious storytelling, visual effects, and Hans Zimmer’s evocative score. It even won six Academy Awards at the 94th Oscars, including Best Cinematography and Best Production Design awards.