Lights, Camera, Action: Hollywood Movies That Were Filmed in the UAE

Over the last few decades, the United Arab Emirates has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from a massive desert to one of the most dynamic and cosmopolitan hubs in the world. Once known for its harsh landscapes and humble beginnings, the UAE is now synonymous with luxury, innovation, and global tourism. This rapid development has drawn people from every corner of the globe, whether they come seeking business opportunities, lavish leisure experiences, or rich cultural exchanges.

Beyond its appeal to travelers and entrepreneurs, the UAE has also captured the attention of Hollywood’s top filmmakers. With its towering skyscrapers, gorgeous desert landscapes, and futuristic cityscapes, the UAE has become a perfect backdrop for filmmakers to shoot visually stunning and diverse movies. This unique combination of natural beauty and futuristic architecture has made the Emirates a sought-after location for directors looking to bring their cinematic visions to life. Whether it’s an action-packed thriller, a sci-fi epic, or a high-speed car chase through luxury streets, the UAE offers a stunning backdrop that adds visual depth and authenticity to films.

From the sprawling metropolis of Dubai to the tranquil, breathtaking deserts of Abu Dhabi, the UAE has become a favorite playground for filmmakers who want to showcase the seamless blend of tradition and modernity. If you’re a movie buff, you might be surprised to learn just how many Hollywood blockbusters have been filmed in the UAE.

Here are some of the top Hollywood movies that brought the UAE’s incredible landscapes to the big screen!

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011)

Easily one of the most iconic examples of Hollywood utilizing Dubai’s urban grandeur is Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. After all, who can forget when stunt legend Tom Cruise dangled from the Burj Khalifa? Back in 2011, Cruise brought the IMF to Dubai. In this fourth installment of the iconic series, we follow Ethan Hunt after a failed mission in Russia leaves him and his team scrambling to clear their names and prevent a nuclear disaster.

Of course, the centerpiece of the movie is when Ethan Hunt scales the world's tallest building in a thrilling and heart-pounding sequence. As we know, Tom Cruise does all of his stunts, meaning that all that tension we're experiencing is completely authentic, with Cruise actually risking his life for the film. The film also captured the beauty of DIFC and the Palm Jumeirah.

Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1 (2023)

It seems like Tom Cruise took a liking to the UAE after Ghost Protocol – how could he not? Cruise returned to the country to film the seventh installment of the MI series: Dead Reckoning. This installment features several breathtaking sequences filmed in Abu Dhabi, continuing the tradition of high-stakes action and stunning visuals.

In this film, Ethan Hunt finds himself against the biggest threat yet – a nuclear AI gone sentient. On his mission to acquire all the keys needed to destroy the AI, he has a quick stop at the Abu Dhabi International Airport! The key scenes in the airport were even shot at the new Terminal A, which was still unopened at the time, making it even more exciting for viewers.

Dune (2020) & Dune Part Two (2024)

If you visit the Liwa Oasis in Abu Dhabi, you may notice some similarities to the planet of Dune, Arrakis. That's because they actually filmed there! In the critically acclaimed 2020 and 2024 films, director Denis Villeneuve utilized the stunning desert landscape of Liwa Oasis to bring the fictional world of Arrakis to life.

Although a large portion of the movie was filmed in Jordan, Liwa Oasis provided the perfect backdrop for key scenes, showcasing its vast sand dunes and unique terrain. The unique geography and natural beauty of Liwa Oasis perfectly captured the essence of Arrakis, creating a visually stunning and immersive experience for viewers. Of course, you don't need to worry about running into any giant sandworms when visiting Liwa – the landscape isn't that immersive.

Star Trek Beyond (2016)

While watching Star Trek Beyond, you might have noticed a familiar titled Metro Station. The 13th installment in this beloved series immediately turned to Dubai to represent its futuristic city. As Chris Pine himself put it:

I woke up this morning, opened up the blinds and looked out...It looks like whatever tomorrow will be. It’s future land.

The city’s sleek, modern architecture, particularly the urban marvels of Downtown Dubai and Business Bay, provided the perfect setting to create the fictional Yorktown Starbase. The seamless blend of reality and CGI turned Dubai into a spectacular otherworldly metropolis, transporting viewers into a futuristic realm unlike anything seen before. Even on fictional planets, Dubai is still considered the pinnacle of luxury!

6 Underground (2019)

Starring Ryan Reynolds and Dave Franco, 6 Underground is one of the most expensive Netflix Originals ever made, with a budget of over 150 MILLION dollars. Of course, with that budget, there's only one place to go!

The film used the UAE as one of the key filming locations, recording in over 24 locations around the country. Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Dubai, you name it! The movie a group of people who fake their deaths and form a vigilante team to overthrow a ruthless dictator. With its high-adrenaline chases, explosive set pieces, and impressive landscapes, the UAE’s locations contributed greatly to the film’s high-energy aesthetic.

Not only were famous UAE landmarks shown, including The Louvre and Jebel Hafit, but the UAE military worked very closely with the cast, even offering aircrafts and soldiers as extras.

Furious 7 (2015)

One of the most beloved Fast & Furious films, Furious 7, mostly takes place in the Emirates. With a budget of over 250 million dollars, it's one of the most expensive movies ever made – and it's clear why. In contrast to the worn-out Toyotas and Chevrolets in the first Fast & Furious, the team gets an upgrade in the UAE. Aside from the Bugattis and Ferraris, the exotic cars featured in Furious 7 include a Lykan HyperSport, which is one of the most exclusive supercars in the world!

One of the most notable scenes in the movie is when Vin Diesel and Paul Walker drive a Lykan HyperSport straight out of the window of one of the Etihad Towers into the other.

With fight scenes that involve skydiving cars and high-speed chases through the streets of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the movie truly takes the Fast & Furious franchise to a whole new level of excitement and luxury.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

This film is THE most expensive movie ever made, with a budget of a whopping 450 million dollars! Not only is it the most expensive, but it's also one of the highest-grossing movies in the world. In a similar fashion, it was also mostly filmed in the UAE.

Director J.J. Abrams decided that Rub’ al Khali, one of the largest uninterrupted sand masses, was the perfect spot to film Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It seems like the force is strong in the Emirates. When asked about filming in Abu Dhabi, Abrams said:

Filming in Abu Dhabi was an incredible thing. Star Wars is a Western and a fairy tale, and shooting in Abu Dhabi was just that!

Syriana (2005)

Starring George Clooney and Matt Damon, this Oscar-winning drama featured Dubai as the backdrop for the film's complex and politically charged storyline. This film was one of the very first to showcase the city and introduce it to the Hollywood world.

Focusing on the oil industry in the Middle East, the corruption of the CIA, and the personal struggles of the characters, Syriana delves deep into the interconnected web of power and greed. The film's intricate plot and stellar performances by its cast earned it critical acclaim and awards and also solidified Dubai as a cinematic location worth exploring.

Some other films that had some cameos from the UAE include:

Geostorm – Unfortunately, our beloved Burj Khalifa was taken down by a giant tsunami in this 2017 film.
Sonic The Hedgehog – During his high-speed chase, Sonic makes a quick stop at the deserts of Abu Dhabi.
Independence Day: Resurgence – In a brief scene, the Burj Khalifa is seen floating and crashing into London following the alien invasion. The Burj has been through so much in Hollywood.
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps – In this 2010 sequel, Dubai is featured in a quick montage showing off Michael Douglas's luxurious lifestyle.