Malta has been ancient Rome, King’s Landing, Troy and nineteenth-century Europe. It has hosted dinosaurs, gladiators, Brad Pitt, Russell Crowe and Robin Williams and sometimes it has even been allowed to play itself.
The Maltese Islands have a long history as an international filming destination, with Screen Malta highlighting their historic backlots, water facilities and ability to double for locations ranging from southern France to the Middle East.
So, how many of these did you already know were filmed here?
1. Gladiator
For many people, Gladiator remains the film most closely associated with Malta’s international screen industry.
Ridley Scott’s 2000 epic, starring Russell Crowe, used Malta to help recreate ancient Rome. Fort Ricasoli became a major production base, with production designer Arthur Max explaining that its old stone walls provided the setting needed to construct a Roman backlot.
It is one of those films that becomes slightly different once you know Malta: suddenly, ancient Rome starts looking strangely familiar.
2. Game Of Thrones
Before Game of Thrones became a worldwide television phenomenon, Malta helped create Westeros.
Mdina, Rabat and Fort Manoel were among the Maltese locations used in the series, while the Mdina Gate famously appeared as an entrance to King’s Landing. Screen Malta also lists Fort Ricasoli and San Anton Palace among locations connected with the production.
For Maltese viewers, watching the early episodes can quickly turn into a game of spotting familiar places behind the politics, dragons and swords.
3. Jurassic World Dominion
Yes, Malta officially entered the Jurassic universe.
Jurassic World Dominion filmed on the islands, with Valletta among the locations connected with the production. Unlike many films that use Malta to represent somewhere else, the movie’s action actually takes place in Malta — meaning those dinosaurs really are supposed to be running through Maltese streets.
Probably not the kind of Valletta traffic anyone had prepared for.
4. Troy
Brad Pitt and Eric Bana were also here for Troy.
The 2004 historical epic filmed scenes in Malta, with Screen Malta identifying Fort Ricasoli, the Blue Lagoon and Golden Bay among the locations used for the production.
Malta’s coastline and large historic fortifications helped turn parts of the islands into the world of Homer’s Trojan War.
So if parts of ancient Troy ever looked vaguely Mediterranean to you, there was a good reason.
5. World War Z
Malta’s screen history is not limited to swords, sandals and historical epics.
Brad Pitt returned to a very different kind of production with World War Z. Screen Malta includes the blockbuster among the productions filmed in Malta and specifically features it as part of its Valletta Film Trail.
It is another example of Valletta’s unusual screen CV: the same capital that can fit comfortably into historical films has also worked for a massive modern zombie blockbuster.
6. Napoleon
Ridley Scott came back to Malta for another historical epic with Napoleon, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby.
Screen Malta lists Mdina and Mellieħa among the filming locations used for the 2023 production, with Malta helping recreate parts of nineteenth-century Europe.
It is a role the islands have become particularly good at: give a production limestone, fortifications and historic streets, and Malta can seemingly travel several centuries backwards without going anywhere.
7. Popeye
Long before Malta became a regular destination for major modern productions, Robin Williams arrived to make Popeye.
The 1980 musical was filmed in Mellieħa, where an entire fictional village called Sweethaven was constructed for the production. The unusual part is that the set never disappeared. It survives today as Popeye Village, turning a movie set into one of Malta’s best-known attractions.
That means you can still physically walk through a Hollywood set built more than four decades ago.
Few filming locations leave behind a souvenir quite that large.
8. Gladiator II
And then Malta went back to ancient Rome.
More than two decades after the original Gladiator, Ridley Scott returned for Gladiator II. Screen Malta confirmed that filming took place at Fort Ricasoli, among other Maltese locations, and even opened part of the film set to the public in January 2024 after filming.
The return was particularly fitting: one of the locations associated with Malta’s rise as a major international filming destination was once again being transformed for the same film franchise.
Malta’s Greatest Screen Trick Is Disappearing
What makes Malta interesting as a filming location is not simply the number of famous productions that have come here.
It is how rarely international audiences realise they are looking at Malta.
Mdina can become King’s Landing. Fort Ricasoli can become ancient Rome. Golden Bay and the Blue Lagoon can help create Troy. Valletta can welcome zombies one year and dinosaurs another.
Screen Malta itself promotes the islands for their ability to double for places ranging from southern France to the Middle East, while its historic backlot has hosted productions including Gladiator, Game of Thrones and Napoleon.
