For cinephiles and armchair travelers alike, Netflix has become a treasure trove of cinematic journeys, transporting audiences to distant lands without ever leaving the couch. From the sun-drenched streets of Mexico City to the rugged landscapes of New Zealand, the streaming giant’s original productions are as much about their settings as they are about their stories. Here, we embark on a virtual expedition to uncover the real-world filming locations behind nine of Netflix’s most celebrated originals—each a masterclass in visual storytelling that doubles as an invitation to explore.
The Timeless Elegance of Roma’s Mexico City
Alfonso Cuarón’s Roma is a love letter to 1970s Mexico City, a sprawling metropolis where every cobblestone and corner store tells a story. The film’s black-and-white cinematography captures the city’s architectural grandeur—from the iconic Casa Loma in the Roma Norte neighborhood to the bustling Mercado de Sonora, where Cleodegaria “Cleo” Gutiérrez works. The Playa Mirador in Acapulco, where the family vacations, offers a stark contrast to the urban chaos, its turquoise waters a fleeting escape from life’s hardships. For travelers, Roma Norte’s cafés and bookstores now feel like sets plucked from the film, while the Zócalo and Palacio de Bellas Artes provide a tangible link to the city’s layered history.
The Wild West Meets the Silver Screen in The Power of the Dog
Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog transforms the American West into a character as brooding and enigmatic as its protagonists. Filmed in the Otago region of New Zealand, the movie’s sweeping landscapes—rolling hills, dense forests, and the hauntingly beautiful Lake Pukaki with its glacial hues—could easily be mistaken for Montana or Wyoming. The Earnslaw Burn Station, where the brothers’ ranch is set, is a rustic homage to the Old West, while the Arrowtown and Arrow River evoke the gold rush era. For those seeking a cinematic pilgrimage, New Zealand’s rugged beauty offers a dual experience: the thrill of standing where Benedict Cumberbatch’s Phil Burbank once roamed, and the quiet awe of a landscape untouched by time.
The Trenches of All Quiet on the Western Front: A Haunting Return to the Front
Edward Berger’s adaptation of All Quiet on the Western Front
Edward Berger’s harrowing adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque’s classic plunges viewers into the mud and mayhem of World War I’s Western Front. Filmed in the Czech Republic, the movie’s trenches and battlefields were meticulously reconstructed in the Milovice Training Area, a former Soviet military base near Prague. The Bohemian Switzerland National Park and its labyrinthine sandstone formations serve as a stark backdrop to the film’s climactic sequences, where nature’s indifference mirrors the futility of war. For history buffs, the Museum of the Great War in Péronne, France—though not a filming location—offers a poignant companion piece, while the Czech Republic’s Terezín Memorial provides a sobering reminder of the war’s human cost.
The Neon Glow of The Irishman’s New York City
Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman is a sprawling elegy to mid-century America, its New York City a character as complex as its mobsters. The film’s opening sequence, set in a 1950s diner, was shot in Astoria, Queens, where the Bohemian Hall Beer Garden still stands as a relic of the era. The Ritz Diner in the Bronx, another filming location, embodies the gritty charm of post-war America, while the Brooklyn Navy Yard—now a hub of industrial chic—serves as the backdrop for pivotal scenes. For those chasing the film’s neon-lit nostalgia, a stroll through Little Italy or a drink at the Fraunces Tavern in Manhattan feels like stepping into a Scorsese film, where every alleyway whispers of past sins.
The Enigmatic Beauty of The Crown’s Buckingham Palace and Beyond
Netflix’s regal drama The Crown is a visual feast, its opulent interiors and stately exteriors transporting viewers to the heart of the British monarchy. While Buckingham Palace itself is a set, the Eltham Palace in London—once a medieval royal residence—served as the stand-in for the Queen’s childhood home. The Clarence House, where Prince Charles and Camilla reside, and the Westminster Abbey, where royal weddings unfold, are real-world landmarks that bring the series to life. For travelers, a visit to Sandringham Estate in Norfolk offers a glimpse into the Windsors’ private world, while the Tower of London provides a darker counterpoint to the series’ grandeur.
The Mystical Allure of The Witcher’s European Landscapes
Based on Andrzej Sapkowski’s beloved novels, The Witcher is a fantasy epic that feels rooted in the folklore of Central Europe. Filmed across Spain, Hungary, and the United Kingdom, the series’ medieval castles and mist-shrouded forests are a feast for the eyes. The Burgos Cathedral in Spain doubles as the Temple of the Eternal Fire, while the Tatra Mountains in Poland—though not a filming location—capture the same rugged beauty as the show’s landscapes. In Hungary, the Eger Castle and Tata Castle stand in for the fictional Redania, their Gothic spires evoking a world of magic and intrigue. For fantasy lovers, these locations offer a chance to walk in the footsteps of Geralt of Rivia, where every stone and shadow feels like a page from the books.
The Futuristic Dystopia of Altered Carbon’s San Francisco
Set in a cyberpunk future where consciousness is transferable, Altered Carbon reimagines San Francisco as a neon-drenched metropolis of towering skyscrapers and underground dens of vice. While the show’s futuristic cityscape is largely digital, its real-world inspirations are rooted in the Financial District and Chinatown of present-day San Francisco. The Transamerica Pyramid, a symbol of the city’s ambition, looms over the skyline, while the Ferry Building and Pier 70 offer glimpses of the industrial grit that fuels the show’s aesthetic. For fans of cyberpunk, a visit to the Museum of Modern Art’s digital art exhibits or a nighttime walk through SOMA (South of Market) can evoke the same sense of wonder and unease as the series itself.
The Untamed Wilderness of The Revenant’s Canadian Badlands
Inspired by the true story of Hugh Glass, The Revenant is a visceral odyssey through the untamed wilderness of the American frontier. While the film’s primary filming locations were in Canada—specifically Kananaskis Country and Fortress Mountain in Alberta—the landscapes feel like a primordial North America, where the line between man and nature is razor-thin. The Bow Valley Parkway and Lake Louise offer a tamer but no less breathtaking alternative to the film’s brutal terrain. For adventurers, the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper provides a route through some of the continent’s most dramatic scenery, where the echoes of Glass’s struggle still linger in the wind.
The Cosmic Wonder of Away’s Space and Earth
Netflix’s Away is a sci-fi drama that blends the vastness of space with the intimacy of human relationships. While the International Space Station (ISS) is a set, the show’s Earthbound scenes were filmed in Toronto, Canada, with the Toronto Reference Library standing in for mission control. The Canadian Space Agency’s headquarters in Longueuil, Quebec, and the David Florida Laboratory in Ottawa—where satellites are tested—offer a glimpse into the real-world science behind the fiction. For those inspired by the show’s blend of technology and emotion, a visit to a planetarium or a stargazing session in a remote location can recapture the same sense of awe that the series evokes.
