Movies Filmed in Hungary

Black Widow (2021) – The story begins with Natasha and Jelena reuniting after many years in Budapest. Shortly after their meeting, an intense street shootout unfolds in one of downtown’s most picturesque areas, the 5th district. Iconic locations such as Keleti Station, Budapest’s largest railway hub, the Citadella on Gellért Hill near the Danube, and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences feature prominently in the film’s high-energy scenes. In addition to these real locations, many sequences were also filmed at Korda Studios in Etyek.

Gemini Man (2019) – Producers Jerry Bruckheimer and David Benioff were so captivated by Budapest that they rewrote parts of the script, replacing scenes originally set in Paris with Hungary’s capital. Since Budapest plays itself in the film, its iconic landmarks take center stage, making the city instantly recognizable—something that wouldn’t have been possible had it doubled as Moscow or Paris. Notable locations include Vajdahunyad Castle, the Széchenyi Bath, the Buda Castle District, Gellért Hill, and the Chain Bridge.

Spy (2015) – While Budapest is renowned for its versatility in doubling as other cities, this film demonstrated its ability to shine as itself. The movie’s most intricate chase scene was filmed along Alkotmány, Vécsey, and Báthory Streets. Additionally, the showdown scene took place in the control room of the Kelenföld Power Plant, a stunning industrial monument that provided a unique and memorable setting.

Red Sparrow (2018) – Although the original novel is set in Helsinki and Moscow, the film was shot in Hungary, thanks to its diverse and high-quality locations. As producer David Ready noted, Hungary offered a "gold mine of beautiful locations" along with excellent production and crew facilities. In the film, the heroine’s spy training scenes take place at the historic castle in Dég, located in the Hungarian countryside. The opulent party scene was filmed in the main hall of Budapest’s closed airport terminal, while the ballet sequence was set in the Hungarian State Opera.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) – Based on John Le Carré’s novel, this Cold War spy film was primarily shot in Hungary, with Budapest standing in for Prague. Director Tomas Alfredson chose Budapest for its ability to better evoke the novel’s atmosphere. Key locations featured include the Párizsi Udvar, Nyugati Train Station, the streets around Keleti Train Station, and one of Budapest’s most iconic landmarks, the Fisherman’s Bastion (Halászbástya).

Atomic Blonde (2017) – Spy movies never go out of style, and this action-packed thriller was filmed in Budapest, which doubled for Berlin, London, and Paris. The city remains an ideal location for 1980s settings, as several neighborhoods have retained their historic charm and have undergone little modernisation, unlike many other European capitals.

Dune I-II (2021, 2024) – With one of the largest budgets of its time, this franchise was filmed almost entirely in Hungary, apart from a few scenes shot in the Jordanian desert. Multiple Hungarian soundstages, including Hungexpo and Origo Studios, hosted the production. The availability of high-quality facilities, skilled Hungarian professionals, and favorable tax incentives also drew the production of the Dune: Sisterhood series to Hungary.

Borderlands (2024) – This film was shot entirely at Stern Film Studio and completed in just three months. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the production remained on schedule and wrapped as planned.

The Continental: From The World of John Wick (2023) – Apart from a few scenes, this production was shot entirely in Hungary. The primary locations included Origo Film Studios and Stern Studio, along with various abandoned buildings, such as the “Socialist Circle Hall” and the Tőzsdepalota.

Blade Runner 2049 (2017) – In 2016, Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling spent about six months in Hungary filming Blade Runner 2049. While much of the production took place in studios, notable on-location shots include the Tőzsdepalota (the former stock exchange building) near Szabadság Square, which also once served as the headquarters of Hungarian Television.

The King (2019) – The creators of this historical drama, starring Timothée Chalamet and set in England, chose Hungary for its beneficial tax incentives and ability to accommodate large numbers of extras. The film’s complex battle scenes were shot at real Hungarian locations, including Szilvásvárad, Páty, and the 19th-century Komáromi Fortress.

Midsommar (2019) – Although set in Sweden, this horror-drama was filmed in a clearing near the Farkashegy Airfield in Budakeszi, just a 30-minute drive from Budapest. Since the story takes place entirely in broad daylight, the production required two months of shooting. Hungary was chosen not only for its advantageous tax incentives but also for its natural features, which perfectly matched the film’s requirements.

Robin Hood (2018) – This action-packed reboot, starring Taron Egerton and Jamie Foxx, was filmed in Hungary over three months. Locations included the MaFilm Studios in Fót and an abandoned Soviet-era factory featuring an enormous red hall.

The Witcher (2019) – The first season of The Witcher was filmed not only at MaFilm and Origo Film Studios in Budapest but also at numerous real-world locations. Notable sites include the 19th-century Komárom Fortress, Vajdahunyad Castle, and the Open Air Museum in Szentendre. While the team initially came to Hungary for its castles, they discovered additional natural settings that inspired scenes in the series. These include Csákberény, where the first episode’s battle was filmed, and the Szelim Cave, which served as the dragon’s lair.

FBI: International (2021-) – In this CBS production, Budapest serves as the base for the FBI’s international headquarters. The action-packed series also features scenes shot in Szeged and Székesfehérvár, cities in Hungary’s countryside. Iconic Budapest landmarks, such as the newly renovated Chain Bridge, the Kelenföld Power Plant, and the Fisherman’s Bastion, appear prominently throughout the show.

The Last Kingdom (2015-2022) – “I think what Hungary brings to us is this sense of another world,” said Nigel Marchal, the executive producer of the series, when describing their experience filming in Hungary. Spanning five seasons, the series was almost entirely shot in Hungary, with a custom-built village in Etyek serving as the primary filming location. Additionally, historically significant real-world sites, such as Dobogókő, a town 700 meters high in the Visegrád Mountains, appear in the series, adding depth to its setting.

Raabta (2017) – After three months of searching, Dinesh Vijan and Bhushan Kumar found their ideal shooting location: Budapest. The Indian film crew spent two months filming in the city, with Budapest playing itself. As director Dinesh Vijan noted, “I loved this city the first time I saw it and even more after shooting there.” The romantic drama prominently features Budapest’s stunning Danube River and its iconic bridges, including the Chain Bridge and the Liberty Bridge.

The Heaven None Missed 2 (2017) – This film, considered one of Indonesia’s best in 2017, was shot in Budapest and nearby Szentendre, a charming town just a few kilometers from the capital. The movie showcases numerous significant landmarks, such as Heroes’ Square, Fővám Square, and Városliget. The production’s two-week shoot began at the Liberty Bridge, which co-producer Hendrayadi described as “an iconic structure, so it had to be our first location.”

Alien: Romulus (2024) – Scheduled to premiere in August 2024, this sci-fi horror film was entirely shot at Origo Studios. Due to the high level of confidentiality surrounding the project, few details about the film are currently available.

The Martian (2015) – While most scenes in The Martian were filmed at Korda Studios, the movie also features exterior locations such as the futuristic Palace of the Arts, the Bálna, and Budapest’s largest market and exhibition space, the Hungexpo. The shoot lasted 70 days, with 50 of those days spent in the studio. Work was conducted across all soundstages, including the massive 6000m² Superstage, where a Mars set was constructed using 4000 tonnes of red sand. An enormous wind machine created the film’s intense Martian sandstorms.

Mars (2016-2017) – Filming for Mars began in May 2016 at various locations, including the Planetarium at Gödöllő University, the Bálna, and the Budaörsi Airport. Scenes set on the spaceship were filmed on meticulously designed sets built at Origo Studios. The Mars base was crafted with extraordinary attention to detail, featuring elements found in a real spacecraft: a diner, changing room, corridors, a bedroom, and a cockpit.