Where your favorite geeky movies were filmed

Have you ever wondered where your favorite movie was filmed? Many times, we see the beautiful scenery and cool sets, but then don’t give a second thought to the places where the movies happened.

However, if you want to know a little more about some of the filming locations for the most popular movies out there, read on.

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

George Lucas’ “Star Wars: A New Hope” was filmed in many different areas. The fourth moon of Yavin actually took place in Tikal National Park in Guatemala. Tatooine was filmed mostly in Tunisia. Mos Eisley was filmed in Ajim, Jerba, Tunisia.

The Lars family homestead, however had two filming stations –- Chott el Djerid, Nefta, Tunisia and Sidi Driss Hotel, Matmata, Tunisia. Some of the franchise’s more devoted fans have even been known to take vacations out to these areas, undoubtedly in hopes of getting a glimpse of leftover set pieces.

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Peter Jackson’s “Fellowship of the Ring” boasts extraordinarily beautiful scenery, because the entire film was shot in different parts of New Zealand. For example, the Ford of Bruinen was filmed in Tarras, Wanaka, Orago, New Zealand, as well as Queenstown, Orago, New Zealand. Hobbiton was located in Hinuera Valley, Matamata, Waikato, New Zealand. Even the studio was in New Zealand.

Forrest Gump

The filming of “Forest Gump” stayed inside of the United States. The majority of the film was located in South Carolina, near Beaufort. The park bench scenes were filmed in Savannah, Georgia. There also were a few scenes shot in Washington, D.C, such as when Gump meets Richard Nixon and when they’re at the Washington Monument.

Inception

One of the most popular movies of 2010, Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” was notorious for being filmed all over the pace. Many of the filming locations were in California, including buildings in Los Angeles, Malibu, and a studio in Burbank. However, filming also took place in Fortress Mountain, Kananaskis Country, Alberta Canada and Kananaskis Village, Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada. On top of that, there were many locations used in Paris, France and some in Tokyo, Japan. The University College in London and Tangiers, Tangier-Tetouan, Morocco also had a few shots in the movie.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

While the majority of the “Harry Potter” movies were filmed in the United Kingdom, there are bits that are filmed elsewhere. “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” is similar to the rest of the series; the majority of the filming takes place throughout the UK. England and Scotland have the majority of the filming credits. However, this movie also gives a filming credit to Turkey.

The Count of Monte Cristo

Although IMDB gives 17 filming credits to this movie, they are all in two countries. “The Count of Monte Cristo” was filmed in Ireland and Malta. Between the two, there was enough beauty and variance that the filmmakers were able to get everything they needed for the movie. The studio where the movie was filmed was Ardmore Studios on Herbert Road, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland.

From one state to several countries, each of our favorite movies are filmed in many locations. What other movies would you like to see on this list?