10 Jaw-Dropping Locations You Should Visit Before They Become Movie Backdrops

Ever found yourself watching a movie, eyes glued to the screen, thinking, "Wow, where is that place, and how fast can I get there?" Yep, we’ve all been there. Some movie locations are so breathtakingly beautiful that they feel like they’re straight out of a fairy tale or, in Hollywood’s case, a billion-dollar blockbuster.

But here’s the thing: the best locations? They’re often still “off the radar.” Lucky for you, that means fewer tourist hordes, less congestion, and a more authentic experience. And if you get there before the Hollywood scouts do, you might just beat the crowds.

Consider this your golden opportunity to visit these locations before they’re sold out to the next Avengers spin-off. Don’t worry, we’ll keep it between us, just a handful of movie-loving adventurers about to stumble into the next great film location. Let’s go location scouting together, shall we?

1. Socotra Island, Yemen – A Real-Life Sci-Fi Planet

It’s like the universe got a little bored with Earth and decided to sprinkle a bit of "Tatooine meets Pandora" on a remote island. Socotra’s alien landscape is home to the iconic Dragon’s Blood Tree, which looks like something from a CGI-heavy sci-fi film. Oh wait, it hasn’t been in one yet?

The winding white sand beaches and jagged mountains scream “Oscar-worthy.” Think Star Wars meets Avatar. Visit before the film crews show up—and possibly plant an extraterrestrial village in the process.

Best scene it could pull off: The protagonist stranded on an alien planet.

2. Chefchaouen, Morocco – Fifty Shades of Blue

Picture this: a quiet, enchanting mountain town where every single building is painted in some shade of blue. Welcome to Chefchaouen, where the skies, walls, and even the roads look like they were dipped in a painter’s palette. No, it’s not Photoshopped—it’s very, very real.

Why hasn’t Hollywood descended upon this blue-washed dreamscape? Who knows, but when they do, we’re betting it'll be in an artsy indie film or an intense espionage thriller. You know, the type where an international spy vanishes in the blue haze, blending into the vibrant surroundings.

The best scene it could pull off is an introspective love story or an international espionage thriller.

3. Ha Long Bay, Vietnam – Nature’s Floating Movie Set

You've seen enough fake CGI islands floating on the water, right? What about some real ones? Ha Long Bay’s emerald waters and jagged limestone pillars rise majestically from the sea, setting the perfect stage for an epic adventure film. Think Pirates of the Caribbean meets Game of Thrones—minus the zombie pirates (hopefully).

And while the inevitable Hollywood epic is still in production limbo, you can charter a boat, drift among the misty isles, and pretend you’re on a quest to recover ancient artifacts or fight off mythical sea creatures.

Best scene it could pull off: Battle of mythical proportions involving ancient water gods.

4. Patagonia, Chile – Ice Kingdom With A Side of Epicness

Patagonia is what happens when nature hits the “drama” button too many times. Stark glaciers, towering mountain ranges, and winds that could strip the ego from an influencer. Patagonia is the obvious next stop if The Lord of the Rings crew ever gets tired of New Zealand.

You, however, can beat them to it. Picture yourself hiking through jagged peaks that scream "epic hero's journey" without having to compete with gaffers, boom mics, and rogue hobbits.

Best scene it could pull off: A slow-motion hero shot against a stunning icy backdrop.

5. Wadi Rum, Jordan – Mars on Earth

Wadi Rum is so good at pretending to be Mars that filmmakers keep coming back for more. Ridley Scott’s The Martian? Shot here. That crimson desert landscape, with its towering cliffs and bizarre rock formations, might as well have been shipped in from another galaxy.

Yet, even with all the film attention, it’s still vastly underappreciated by travelers. You could take a 4x4 tour, feel like you’ve left Earth behind, and spend the night under an explosion of stars. Just keep an eye out for stranded astronauts or wandering droids.

Best scene it could pull off: Space saga or gritty desert battle.

6. Faroe Islands – Epic Fantasy World Waiting To Happen

Imagine a place where every clifftop, waterfall, and rolling green field screams “epic quest.” The Faroe Islands—nestled somewhere between Iceland and Norway—are all this and more. Think about it: medieval fortresses, knights in shining armor, dragons swooping through the mist… oh wait, none of that is real? Well, it feels real here.

This archipelago is basically waiting for Hollywood to come in with their CGI dragons. But until then, you can explore a place that feels more Game of Thrones than King’s Landing ever did.

Best scene it could pull off: Dragon battles over mist-covered mountains.

7. Plitvice Lakes, Croatia – A Waterfall Wonderland

At this point, Croatia has been claimed by Game of Thrones more times than it’s been by the people who actually live there. But here’s the secret: while Dubrovnik gets all the attention, the Plitvice Lakes are where the magic really is. It’s like a paradise of cascading waterfalls, turquoise lakes, and lush forests.

One can almost imagine an epic showdown between warring fantasy clans here. Go before it becomes the inevitable backdrop for a battle between elves, orcs, and whatever other mythical creatures need a new home.

Best scene it could pull off: A magical realm where water sprites battle for dominance.

8. Banaue Rice Terraces, Philippines – The Real-Life Hanging Gardens

Ever heard of the Banaue Rice Terraces? Probably not. And that’s exactly why it’s time to visit. These stunning agricultural wonders date back over 2,000 years and seem straight out of a fantasy novel. A high-flying drone shot capturing the rolling terraces disappearing into the clouds? Pure cinematic gold.

These terraces are just waiting for their moment of fame—maybe in a film where a lost civilization builds them to communicate with the gods. Yeah, that sounds about right.

Best scene it could pull off: A lost civilization uncovered in a sweeping adventure epic.

9. Lofoten Islands, Norway – Postcard-Perfect Arctic Magic

The Lofoten Islands look like someone tried to merge Frozen with a Viking epic. Jaw-dropping fjords, quaint fishing villages, and the Northern Lights? Hollywood’s going to have a field day. It’s basically Norse mythology brought to life, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Marvel decided to park Thor’s hammer right here for the next flick.

Before that happens, you can hike its wild trails, take a dip in its icy waters, or just stand in awe of the kind of rugged beauty that makes you question why you even bother with Instagram filters.

The best scene it could pull off is the Viking saga mixed with a supernatural twist.

10. Karakoram Highway, Pakistan – Road Tripping With A Side Of Extreme

Ever wanted to take the most dangerous road trip imaginable? Say hello to the Karakoram Highway. Twisting its way through the mountains of Pakistan, this highway connects Islamabad with China and takes you through some of the most mind-blowing scenic places on Earth. The dramatic peaks of the Karakoram Range are so intense, they make the Rockies look like molehills.

Imagine the ultimate high-stakes car chase scene. Or, you know, a humble road trip movie with the kind of tension that only comes from wondering if you’ll make it around the next bend.

Best scene it could pull off: High-octane car chase or gritty survival film.

Wrapping It All Up

There you have it—ten locations that are just begging to be on the silver screen, but for now, they’re all yours to explore. No Hollywood blockbuster budgets required (although a decent camera wouldn’t hurt). Get there before the film crews do, and you’ll have the bragging rights of discovering these epic destinations before they go viral.

And hey, who knows—maybe one day you’ll watch a movie and say, “Oh, I was there before it was cool!”