Discover Where Top-Tier Films and Series are Shot in Our Country

Many international films are filmed here every year!

In 2024, foreign film production in the Czech Republic reached over CZK 5.5 billion, despite the disruptions caused by the Hollywood strikes. The previous year set a historical record at 9.2 billion crowns. What films were actually made in the Czech Republic? Where can you see famous actors when they’re not acting? And what movie filming spots can you visit to explore these iconic locations? Discover where to go when you’re bored and dive into our “Czech Republic on Film” series called “Little Czech Hollywood.”

The largest foreign film productions in the Czech Republic

In the past, films like Bond movies, Hellboy, and The Chronicles of Narnia were shot here, but now major streaming companies such as Netflix, Amazon, and Apple TV+ are leading the charge. And these big names aren’t holding back on their investments.
One highly awaited science fiction series, Blade Runner, was filmed from July to November 2024 at various locations, including a power plant in Mělník, the Mayrau mining museum, and in studios around Prague. Blade Runner 2099 had 93 shooting days in the Czech Republic, spending about CZK 1.8 billion on the project. This new series takes place fifty years after the events of the 2017 film directed by Denis Villeneuve, featuring stars like Michelle Yeoh and Hunter Schafer. The premiere is set for 2026.
You’ll also get to enjoy the third season of the adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s novels – The Foundation on Apple TV+. The first season was filmed in Malta, but for the second and third seasons, they discovered numerous beautiful spots in Prague, Central Bohemia, and Ústí nad Labem. Their budget surpassed CZK 800 million, and producer David S. Goyer praised the quality cooperation with Czech teams, which has long been extraordinary.

What filmmaking news did 2025 bring?

A German film promises a darker tone with the horror series City of Blood for Disney+, telling a story set in an alternative vampire version of Berlin, now brought to life on the streets of the Czech Republic. Filming took place in cities like Prague, Brno, Chomutov, Ústí nad Labem, and Benesov with a budget exceeding CZK 400 million, making it one of the biggest projects of 2024.
The Netflix historical romance series, The Empress, captures the story of Empress Sissi. Its second season moved from Germany to Croatia and included scenes shot at the beautiful Kačina and Jemniště chateaux, as well as on the charming streets of Kutná Hora. Out of 87 shooting days, 21 were filmed in our beautiful country, and it will be available on Netflix from November 2024.
Other notable projects include the action thriller Deliverance 2 featuring Chris Hemsworth, which had more than two billion crowns in production costs in the Czech Republic. There were also historical and contemporary films from German producers, like Brick, Rebel, and Messiah, along with the fairy tale Rosabelle. Whether it was sci-fi, romance, or detective stories, once again the Czech locations proved to be the perfect backdrop, ranging from the Middle Ages to a future full of dystopia.

Czechia on screen: A glorious past that continues

International film crews have been visiting the Czech Republic since the 1960s, but it has evolved into a major film destination over the last thirty years. Cities like Prague, Karlovy Vary, Český Krumlov, and Žatec have all been featured in films that have won Oscars or received enthusiastic reviews from audiences.
A standout example is Forman’s Amadeus, which transformed the Baroque elegance of Prague into the grandeur of Imperial Vienna. It showcased the stunning Estates Theatre, the charming Mala Strana, and the castle in Kroměříž, introducing these beautiful locations to viewers around the world. This Oscar-winning film was shot at many other attractive sites in the Czech Republic that remain popular tourist spots today.
Iconic locations also shared the spotlight in Casino Royale. The Bond film starring Daniel Craig featured scenes shot in Karlovy Vary, Loket, and Barrandov film studio. The Grandhotel Pupp was transformed into a casino, and Loket was depicted as a town somewhere in Montenegro. To this day, the town continues to be a favorite destination for fans of the Bond franchise.
Prague also serves as the main setting for the historical series Cizinka, where filming locations included Kampa, around the Charles Bridge, Vrtbov Garden, Nostický Palace in Lesser Town, and the library of Strahov Monastery, which was reimagined as King Louis XV.’s residence in Versailles. Similarly, the film Amundsen featured our city as historical Christiania, which is now known as Oslo.
Czech cities also portray darker narratives. For instance, the satirical war drama Jojo Rabbit was filmed in Žatec, Josefov, and Úštěk, creating a genuine atmosphere of Germany set during World War II, thanks to the narrow streets and authentic architecture.
A different kind of darkness was portrayed in the remake of the classic horror movie Nosferatu, which utilized the gothic beauty of Pernštejn Castle, the enchanting atmosphere of Prague’s Invalidovna, and the somber setting of Olšany Cemetery, where the filmmakers constructed a half-collapsed tomb.
Czech rock formations gained international fame through fantasy series like Carnival Row featuring Orlando Bloom and The Chronicles of Narnia. Locations like the Pravčická Gate and the Tisá rock formations transformed into magical landscapes, and you may recognize every stone if you visit them today. Don’t forget the comic book adaptation Hellboy, which primarily showcased industrial Prague, along with settings for Hannibal, Van Helsing, and Underworld.

Why are foreign film crews choosing to shoot in the Czech Republic? Incentives, skills, and new opportunities

Behind each camera cart and actor’s cup of coffee lies more than just the stunning beauty of the Czech landscape. It’s no surprise that so many international hits are filmed here. A vital factor contributing to this is the film incentives, which offer financial support to attract foreign productions to the Czech Republic.
Starting from January 2025, this initiative will be managed by the State Audiovisual Fund, which succeeds the original Cinematography Fund. It now has a doubled budget and has expanded to include more television and video game projects while offering an improved incentive structure. Productions will invest in services, rentals, and accommodations here, and the state will reimburse a portion of these expenses (up to 25%, and 35% for animation and digital works).
This practice is commonly found all over Europe. Because of it, stars like Michelle Yeoh, Chris Hemsworth, and Hunter Schafer have been drawn to work here, even if they are not performing at the Karlin Theatre.

Trace the footsteps of film stars on your journey through the Czech Republic

You can visit places where the carriages of Empress Sissi once traveled or where Knights Templar walked, where today you can experience the film sets firsthand. Whether you love Bond movies, fantasy series, war dramas, or romance films, the Czech Republic boasts numerous filming sites worth exploring.
Filming never stops – so while you’re in Žatec, Kroměříž, or Telč, you might come across a barricaded street with a sign that reads “ATTENTION, FILMING.” If that happens, just park in an older area, grab your phone, and wait around. You might just become an extra in a global blockbuster!

Where were popular older foreign films shot?

• • Some notable films filmed in the Czech Republic include the fourth segment of the Mission: Impossible series, Ghost Protocol, the thriller Child Number 44, the Oscar-winning biopic Edith Piaf, and the historical series Borgia, along with other significant titles. The Dobříš Castle served as a backdrop for The Three Musketeers, and the area around Milovice was the location for the Danish TV series 1864.

• • Prague has long attracted foreign filmmakers; it serves as a fantastic substitute for more expensive cities like Paris or London. Occasionally, the capital plays itself, as seen in the National Geographic Channel series Genius, where one episode focuses on Albert Einstein’s life in Prague. Additionally, a British-Czech period drama named Interlude in Prague was filmed here, portraying Mozart composing Don Giovanni in 1787. The German channel ZDF also filmed romantic drama Ein Sommer in Prag, featuring a heroine on the hunt for her old love, alongside the war drama Die Vergeltung, which tackled inhumane practices at a secret psychiatric hospital after World War II. This project filmed across Prague, as well as in Hradec Králové, Jaroměř, and Terezín.

• • Thirty years after its opening, the main tennis court on the island of Štvanice in Prague saw a transformation into Wimbledon for a few days. This iconic venue was among the chosen locations for filming Borg vs. McEnroe, which depicted the legendary 1980 final showdown. The film featured stars like Shia LaBeouf, known for films like Transformers and Indiana Jones, and Sverrir Gudnason as Björn Borg, alongside Stellan Skarsgård as Borg’s coach.

• • In Bohemian Paradise, stunning natural areas like Hrubá Skála and Prachovské skály were used to film the TV series Britannia for the UK’s Sky network. This historical epic set in ancient times took 145 shooting days in the Czech Republic, with exterior scenes and studio work featuring both Czech and international actors. Among the main roles was played by Kelly Reilly, known for the horror film Lake of Death. A giant replica of the famous Stonehenge was built in the Czech karst on meadows near Karlštejn. Additionally, the famous Czech Grand Canyon, where films like Lemonade Joe or the German-Italian movie The Arkansas Gold Diggers were once filmed, served as the historic headquarters of the ancient tribe depicted in the series.

• • Around five months of filming for the series Knightfall took place in the Czech Republic, which aired on the History Channel. Set between the 13th and 14th centuries, it portrays real events leading to the downfall of the Knights Templar. Filming locations included Točník Castle, Průhonice, Doksany, and the open-air museum in Řepora. Unexpectedly, a fire affected production schedules, which occurred due to a vast medieval town backdrop in Prague’s Barrandov district.

• • Czech locations were also chosen for Bollywood films; for instance, the romantic road movie The Ring featured Indian star Shah Rukh Khan as the lead. Additionally, filming for the Hong Kong action film Adventurers extended over thirteen weeks with French actor Jean Reno and his team, who traveled through the country, filming in places such as Karlovy Vary, Lednice, and Bouzov.

• • A few years ago, at Dr. E. Beneš Square, filmmakers created a Ferris wheel and amusement park setup in Liberec, signaling that something exciting was in the works. It was for Spider-Man: Far From Home, which became the first film in the franchise not to be set in New York City. In the film, Liberec stands in for Prague, and the iconic Neo-Renaissance town hall appears in one of the scenes as well. The city has been a favorite for filmmakers multiple times, including parts of Orlando Bloom’s Carnival Row shot at the train station.