Windswept landscape of Mesquite Flat Dunes, Death Valley National Park that straddles eastern California and Nevada, filming location for Top Gun: Maverick. Photo Credit: istock.
The 95th Academy Awards’ Holiday Hotlist
Movies are intended to tell a story that inspires, and often they inspire some serious wanderlust. An important part of a movie’s success lies in the filming’s location which contributes significantly to the setting and plot. Movies with interesting locations draw more viewers and add to the realism of the film.
As the 95th Academy Awards are right around the corner, we made a list of all of the Best Picture nominees of 2023 and their respective filming locations, so that you can visit these stunning spots on your next trip.
1. Everything Everywhere All At Once
With a whopping 11 nominations, Everything Everywhere All at Once is a modern-day epic of an unlikely hero traversing the multiverse. The frontrunner might be jam-packed with mind-bending effects, but the bagel portal is real—well, sort of. Jobu Tupaki’s villanous lair was actually filmed in Vibiana, a former Catholic church in downtown Los Angeles, that has since been reimagined into a special events space. Other filming locations of Everything Everywhere All at Once include 400 National Way, Anza-Borrego State Park, Elysian Park, Font’s Point, Los Angeles, Mateo St & 7th St, San Fernando, San Fernando Majers Coin Laundry and Simi Valley.
2. All Quiet on the Western Front
All Quiet on the Western Front (originally known as Im Westen nichts Neues) is a German war drama movie that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 12, 2022, and was digitally released on October 28, 2022, by Netflix. The film has been nominated for 9 Academy Awards, including “Best International Feature Film”, “Best Motion Picture of the Year”, and “Best Adapted Screenplay”. All Quiet on the Western Front was shot in various countries: the Czech Republic, Belgium, and Germany. Filming took place at Barrandov Studios in Prague.
3. Avatar: The Way of Water
“Avatar: The Way of Water” is one of 10 Best Picture nominees this year. It is a 2022 American epic science fiction film directed and produced by James Cameron and is the sequel to Avatar (2009) and the second installment in the Avatar film series. The majority of the Hollywood science fiction film Avatar: The Way of Water was shot in New Zealand, where the first part of the movie was also filmed. The director and writer of the film, James Cameron, chose to return to this lush country to recreate the same landscapes of forests and mountains covered in grass. New Zealand was also an ideal location due to its abundance of rivers and lakes, which were perfect for filming water scenes. Additionally, some parts of the filming process took place at the MBS Media Campus in Southern California, where James Cameron aimed to power the entire production through the installation of solar panels costing $5 million.
4. The Banshees of Inisherin
The Banshees of Inisherin, which boasts no fewer than nine nominations, including best picture and best actor, is a 2022 black tragicomedy film directed, written, and co-produced by Martin McDonagh. The Banshees of Inisherin was actually filmed on Inis Mór, one of Ireland’s western Aran Island that sits at the mouth of Galloway Bay. As for the head-butting buddies’ go-to bar? Director Martin McDonagh reportedly had the pub built from scratch on Achill Island.
5. Elvis
Elvis is rocking eight nominations at the 95th Academy awards. Though Elvis chronicles the talented (and often tragic) life of the late King of Rock, the Baz Luhrmann masterpiece was actually not filmed at Presley’s former residence. Instead, Graceland was recreated for filming in Queensland, Australia. Don’t worry: You can save the trip down under and tour the legendary estate in Memphis. “Elvis” is nominated for eight Oscars, including for cinematography, costumes, editing, production design, sound, and makeup and hairstyling.
Also Read: News at 9: All the food and drink the 2023 Oscar nominees will dine on
6. The Fabelmans
Loosely based on Steven Spielberg‘s childhood and formative years as a filmmaker, ‘The Fabelmans’ is a coming-of-age drama movie co-written and directed by him and is nominated for best original screenplay, best director and best picture at the 2023 Oscars. The Fabelmans was filmed in California, New York, Arizona, and New Jersey, specifically in Los Angeles County, Moorpark, New York City, and Phoenix. Some of the iconic locations include: Universal Studios, The Orpheum Theatre, Malibu Beach, and Santa Clarita in Los Angeles.
7. TÁR
The Cate Blanchett-led psychological drama follows musician Lydia Tár all around Germany, but if you want to take a break from brutalism, the opening scene was filmed at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall in New York City. ‘Tár’ was also filmed in Germany particularly in Berlin, and Dresden and also in Southern Asia. The film has been nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress for Cate Blanchett, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing.
8. Top Gun: Maverick
“Top Gun: Maverick” opened in May 2022, earning $126 million its first weekend, and has since taken in nearly $1.5 billion at the global box office, leading all films released in 2022. “Top Gun: Maverick” is nominated for six Academy Awards, including best picture, adapted screenplay, sound and visual effects. You don’t have to have your pilot’s license to visit this Top Gun: Maverick locale. Executive producer Tommy Harper told Decider that the majority of movie was filmed in California, including a lot of the flight footage in the Golden State’s Death Valley. Since the northern part of the Mojave Desert is accessible by foot, might we recommend an action-packed hike?
Must Read: Exploring Nevada | Filming Location for Top Gun: Maverick’s Climax
9. Triangle of Sadness
This pitch-black satire by Ruben Östlund (“Force Majeure”) is the Swedish director’s first English-language film and won the Palme D’Or at Cannes last year. Triangle of Sadness is nominated for three Academy Awards, including two for Östlund (for direction and original screenplay). If you want to satisfy a bout of wanderlust, take a cue from Triangle of Sadness. The satire boasted spectacular views of Greece, including some special shots on Chiliadou Beach. No spoilers, but let’s just say we hope your trip is better than the movie’s cruise.
10. Women Talking
Based on the novel by Miriam Toews, “Women Talking” centers on the women of a cloistered religious community who have been sexually abused. ‘Women Talking’ is nominated for two Oscars at this year’s Academy Awards – Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay for writer-director Sarah Polley. The movie was filmed entirely in Ontario, specifically in the Greater Toronto Area.
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