The trend of traveling to movie locations has long been established around the world. In 2024–2025, world cinema will be full of popular films, including Squid Game 2, Planet of the Apes: The New Kingdom, White Lotus, and Substance. Let’s talk about the favorite countries of world cinema. Russians can reach some of them by direct flights.
Cinema is a great source of inspiration for exciting journeys. You can watch films about adventures in different countries and want to follow in the footsteps of the heroes (see the list of films at the end of the review).
Or you can watch cult films of any genre and travel to the countries and locations where they were filmed. We opted for the latter and compiled a list of countries where new films have been shot that are likely to become hugely popular.
SPEED RACE: SEASON 2, SOUTH KOREA
After the Korean series Squid Game was released in 2021 and gained immense popularity around the world, interest in Korean culture grew exponentially. Many wanted to visit the locations where the show about brutal survival competitions took place. The first season of the series remains the most popular project in Netflix history.
The long-awaited sequel to the South Korean show hit screens on December 26, 2024, and is already breaking viewing records. Entire groups of fans of the series from all over the world are already gathering on social media to travel together to South Korea to visit the locations featured in the film.
As in the first part, the main filming location was the South Korean capital, Seoul.
Incheon International Airport, Hangangjin and Oksu subway stations were used as filming locations in Seoul. The characters also appeared in the Cheong district, home to many of South Korea’s cultural attractions, such as the N Seoul Tower, the Bank of Korea Money Museum, the oldest bank building in the country, and others.
The modern Mapo district of Seoul and the famous Sogang Bridge (connecting the Mapo and Yeongdo districts) over the Han River also appear in the series.
Another famous location that appears in the series is the large Seoul Grand Park amusement park. It has several recreation areas, mesmerizing landscapes, the large Seoul Zoo, a children’s park, an amusement park, and the National Museum of Modern Art.
WHITE LOTUS AND GRANDMA MILLION, THAILAND?
Thailand has long been famous as a favorite location for world cinema. Various locations in this country regularly become scenes and settings for blockbuster films.
In 2024, quite a few films shot in Thailand were released. Among them are, for example, “Squid Game: Reboot,” a cartoon from the creators of Shrek, “The Big Bird Escape,” and the film “Fast & Furious in Pattaya.”
The film “Grandma Millionaire” deserves special attention. This Thai comedy-drama was released on April 4, 2024, and became the highest-grossing film in Southeast Asia in 2024 and one of the most successful in the world. The film won the hearts of audiences and was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Foreign Language Film category, becoming the first Thai film to be shortlisted among 15 films.
The film was shot in Bangkok, in Talat Phlu, a traditional Chinese community located in one of the capital’s Chinatowns. The film features houses, the Talat Phlu market, Wat Chantharam Worawihan temple, and more.
Another bright star on the Thai cinema scene is the world-famous series The White Lotus. The third part of this social satire was filmed in Thailand and will be released on February 16, 2025.
This time, guests of the fictional White Lotus hotel will reveal new sides of themselves in Samui (location: Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui), Phuket (Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas), and Bangkok. Here we talked about the Samujana villas on Koh Samui, which will appear in the third season of “The White Lotus.”
Cult Movie Locations Worth Adding to Your Travel List
From the neon-lit streets of Seoul to the lush resorts of Thailand, cult movie locations have become some of the most sought-after travel destinations in the world. The release of Squid Game Season 2 reignited global fascination with South Korea, drawing fans to sites like Hangangjin station, Seoul Grand Park, and the Mapo district. Meanwhile, the third season of White Lotus turned Koh Samui and Phuket into bucket-list names overnight. Visiting these places is no longer just sightseeing. It is stepping into a story.
From Screen to Reality: Planning Your Film-Inspired Journey
Australia has quietly become a powerhouse for cinematic backdrops too. Planet of the Apes: The New Kingdom made use of Sydney’s urban landscapes and the rugged terrain of New South Wales, including the haunting Helensburgh railway tunnel and the cliffs of Yellow Rock. These settings remind travellers that some of the world’s most extraordinary scenery is already out there, waiting to be explored. Whether you follow the footsteps of a fictional character or simply chase the landscapes that moved you on screen, film tourism turns any trip into something far more personal.
“PLANET OF THE APES: THE NEW KINGDOM,” AUSTRALIA
In 2024, a new installment of the cult classic Planet of the Apes was released – Planet of the Apes: Kingdom.
The plot of the film unfolds several generations after the events of War for the Planet of the Apes. Now apes have become the dominant species, and humans are forced to live in the shadows.
The film was shot in Australia. To create a dynamic and stunning backdrop for the unfolding narrative, the filmmakers used iconic Sydney landmarks, from bustling city streets to quiet suburbs, as well as beautiful natural locations in New South Wales.
The film features the picturesque town of Helensburgh, as well as the 50-year-old abandoned Helensburgh railway tunnel.
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The film also features the diverse landscapes of Moore River National Park, the stone cliffs of Yellow Rock, and more.
To conclude, we have compiled a list of foreign films that inspire travel:
- Lost in Translation
- Into the Wild
- Around the World in 80 Days
- Wild
- The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
- Roman Holiday
- 1492: Conquest of Paradise
- Eat, Pray, Love
- Seven Years in Tibet
- The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
- Nomadland
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