
For the unversed, the Marvel Cinematic Universe might look like just an assembly of superheroes fighting aliens and saving the planet. But devoted fans know well that the essence of these movies lies in the complex themes of love, redemption, and what it means to be a true hero. The long saga of these movies has been ruling our hearts and our screens for over a decade, and despite their use of CGI and green screens, they have left us with some incredible shots of gorgeous real-life locations, adding more depth to the situation.
True devotees have already scoured these popular spots which range from restaurants and universities to passing through natural wonders and airports. Are you too familiar with these top 10 filming locations?
When the God of Thunder, Thor, tasted his first almost-life threat in Thor: The Dark World
in 2013, he fell into the greenery-filled campus of the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich.
Another location site visited this one from Patriot Games, starring Harrison Ford. The terrorist attack scene was shot at the Old Royal Naval College doubling for central London. Lots of other movies shot here including The Wolfman, Thor 2, Les Miserables & the new Napoleon film. pic.twitter.com/ihmz8YG0gU
— Paul Dudbridge (@hanoverpictures) September 26, 2023
The action-filled finale of the second Thor
movie was shot in this university, which also saw Jane Foster saving the day, while Thor locked horns with Dark Elf Malekith and his army of invaders. While actor Chris Hemsworth is rumored for a send-off,
his second Thor
movie is a classic watch.
The college happens to be a favorite location for filming other top productions and served as the background for the TV series Bridgerton
, which used the college’s grounds for scenes in the Regency era.
2. Iguazú Falls – Argentina/Brazil Border
For Black Panther,
the Warrior Falls served as the sacred site where characters dueled in ritual combats for the crown of Wakanda. Surprisingly, the fight scenes with T’Challa and others were shot in an Atlanta studio, and the waterfall footage was captured at Iguazu Falls.
#Bales2023FilmChallenge
June 20 : Movie Filmed in Argentina
Black Panther (2018)
Iguazú Falls pic.twitter.com/T7MqpNtTJL— Ingo Schildmann (@ingoschi) June 19, 2023
Also known as Iguaçu Falls, it is a series of waterfalls located on the border between Argentina and Brazil that form the largest waterfall system in the world, with over 275 separate waterfalls. A natural phenomenon, it is also a popular tourist destination.
3. Atlanta Marriott Marquis – Atlanta, Georgia, USA
When Loki ended up with the TVA, it was not just him, the audience was too left in awe with the TVA Building which was actually filmed at Marriott Marquis, located in Atlanta, Georgia.
#Loki & #MissMinutes TVA is based on a real place, Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel 😯 pic.twitter.com/1ithDxkebB
— Memefied (@bememefied) June 17, 2021
The tall 50-story building is a 4-star hotel and also the 14th tallest skyscraper in all of the Big Peach. According to the website, House Beautiful
you might also catch a glimpse of it in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1.
4. Bourne Wood – Farnham, Surrey, UK
Situated above a large heathland clearing, offering panoramic views of the surrounding pine forests and hills, the Bourne Wood has been featured in multiple MCU films, including Captain America: The First Avenger,
Avengers: Age of Ultron
, and Thor
.
According to their website, the woods have served
as the perfect locations for many other international blockbuster movies, including Gladiator, Warhorse,
and Ridley Scott’s Napoleon
. Owned by the Forestry Commission as a national forest, it has a dedicated filming location.
5. Fort Bard – Aosta Valley, Italy
Avengers: Doomsday
might bring a new set of enemies
, but for the original Avengers, Hydra was a big problem. For Avengers: Age of Ultron
, the opening scenes of the Hydra base were filmed at Fort Bard, Italy.
adding a spot to the list, the Fort of Bard in Aosta Valley (Northern Italy Alps) was where the initial scene of Avengers: Age of Ultron took place! been there when i was little, really cool place pic.twitter.com/P1MKUnvCyk
— Alex🇮🇹🔆🏳️🌈 (@g4ppy_h) March 22, 2024
The fort also hosted Pietro and Wanda Maximoff, Baron von Strucker’s operations, and its related town was used to represent the fictional Eastern European country of Sokovia.
6. Muir Woods National Monument – California, USA
A popular tourist destination known for its giant redwoods, the Muir Woods also attracted the attention of Marvel movie makers, who shot two of their movies—Ant-Man
and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
in the place.
Muir Woods National Monument, Marin County, California pic.twitter.com/yOGdhGrdsj
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) March 23, 2025
This primeval forest is both refuge and laboratory, deepening the human relationship with the living landscape, and, according to the National Park Services, has been federally protected as a National Monument
since 1908.
7. Liège-Guillemins Railway Station – Liège, Belgium
In Guardians of the Galaxy,
when Peter Quill tries to sell a mysterious orb on Xandar, capital of the Nova Empire, an epic fight in Xandar Plaza ensues. It was filmed at the Liège-Guillemins Railway Station, Belgium.
This scene from Guardians Vol. 1 hits a LOT harder after seeing Rocket’s backstory in #GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3 pic.twitter.com/nTEXKQVhAw
— Zach Pope (@popetheking) May 5, 2023
Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, it is made of vaulted glass and a steel canopy and has been transformed with a major art exhibition by Daniel Buren. Its futuristic architecture offers fans a glimpse into the cosmic side of the MCU.
8. Leipzig/Halle Airport – Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
is the new decade MCU definer
, but 10 years ago, it was another movie. One of the most defining and establishing moments of the franchise came in Captain America: Civil War
when the Avengers divided into two sects and fought against each other for what they believed was right. The very iconic airport fight scene was filmed at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Saxony, Germany.
scarlett johansson as natasha romanoff black widow thrown away by elizabeth olsen as wanda maximoff scarlet witch during the airport battle in captain america civil war pic.twitter.com/NrBraZX3Yc
— mcu reactions & clips (@reactmcu) October 21, 2022
It is Germany’s 11th-largest airport, and as of 2019, the airport was the second-busiest in Germany after Frankfurt Airport. The fight sequence filmed there brought much glory to the movie as the audiences witnessed a never-before-seen fight among Earth’s mightiest heroes. However, some of the scene was also filmed in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, too.
9. Manchester’s Northern Quarter – Manchester, UK
The story of Steve Rogers originated during the First World War, and to represent this bygone era, Dale Street in Manchester’s Northern Quarter doubled as 1940s Brooklyn in Captain America: The First Avenger.
Captain America: The First Avenger was released on this day 13 years ago. pic.twitter.com/ScFT2ruY3u
— cinesthetic. (@TheCinesthetic) July 22, 2024
The area’s historic architecture made it an ideal stand-in for Steve Rogers’ hometown. Moreover, the area’s architecture is often used in film and TV to double for New York or Manhattan.
10. Exeter College – Oxford, London
In the first
Doctor Strange,
sorcerer Kaecilius enters Kamar-Taj to steal several pages of
the Book of Cagliostro. The Zealots are confronted by the Ancient One. They engage
in a battle inside the Mirror Dimension, which was shot in Oxford, England,
inside the chapel of Exeter College.
Plan Your Journey to Marvel FIming Locations
Embarking on
a journey to these real-life Marvel filming locations offers fans a unique
opportunity to connect with the MCU in a tangible way. Whether you are retracing
the steps of your favorite heroes or simply exploring new destinations, these
spots promise unforgettable experiences. Ready to
prove your Marvel fandom? Pack your bags and step into the scenes that brought
your favorite stories to life.
Read More: Marvel Fans Cry of ‘Betrayal’ as ‘Thunderbolts’* Cast Changes Movie Title Days After Its Hit Release
Have you
visited these filming locations yet or are they on your bucket list? Share with
us in the comments below.