Dubai’s dramatic skyline, futuristic architecture, luxury resorts, and vast desert landscapes have made it one of the world’s most sought-after filming destinations. Over the years, the city has appeared in Hollywood blockbusters, Bollywood hits, and award-winning dramas, often playing everything from a futuristic space station to a fictional Gulf kingdom.
Dubai’s landmarks have appeared in everything from Hollywood action franchises to Bollywood spectacles, giving audiences around the world a glimpse of the city’s striking skyline, luxury destinations, and dramatic desert scenery.
Here are some of the biggest movies filmed in Dubai and the locations you can still visit today.
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)
No film is more closely associated with Dubai than Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. The movie cemented the city’s place in cinematic history thanks to Tom Cruise’s breathtaking climb up the Burj Khalifa, which remains one of the most famous stunts ever performed on screen.
The production spent several weeks filming across Dubai, using landmarks throughout the city to create some of the movie’s most memorable sequences.
The standout moment sees Ethan Hunt scaling the exterior of the Burj Khalifa while suspended hundreds of metres above the ground. Cruise famously performed much of the stunt work himself, making the sequence even more remarkable.
Other scenes include high-speed chases through Downtown Dubai, dramatic sandstorm sequences, and luxury hotel interiors filmed at some of the city’s most prestigious properties.
Star Trek Beyond (2016)
When filmmakers needed a futuristic city that looked like it belonged centuries ahead of our time, they chose Dubai.
The city’s modern skyline became the foundation for Yorktown, a massive space station in the Star Trek universe. Instead of creating every scene digitally, the production used Dubai’s existing architecture and enhanced it with visual effects.
Several recognisable locations appear throughout the film. The striking towers of DIFC, the futuristic design of Meydan Racecourse, and the skyscrapers along Sheikh Zayed Road all helped create the futuristic environment.
The result is a version of Dubai that feels both familiar and completely otherworldly.
Syriana (2005)
Long before Dubai became a regular destination for major film productions, Syriana helped introduce the city to Hollywood filmmakers.
The political thriller starring George Clooney and Matt Damon used Dubai’s luxury hotels, desert landscapes, and older neighbourhoods to portray various locations across the Middle East.
One of the most recognisable filming locations was the Burj Al Arab, where several key political and business meetings take place. The movie also utilised stretches of desert roads and traditional urban districts around Dubai Creek and Al Karama.
Unlike later productions that highlighted Dubai’s futuristic image, Syriana focused on contrasting wealth, power, and life across different parts of the region.
Kung Fu Yoga (2017)
The action-adventure film starring Jackie Chan made full use of Dubai’s luxury lifestyle, modern skyline, and famous attractions.
One of the movie’s most memorable scenes features an extravagant supercar chase through Downtown Dubai, complete with luxury vehicles and Dubai Police supercars.
The production was also filmed at Atlantis, The Palm, where action sequences unfold against the backdrop of the resort’s famous aquarium. Other scenes were shot around Business Bay, Dubai Marina, and Al Marmoom.
The film offers a fun mix of action, comedy, and some of Dubai’s most recognisable locations.
Happy New Year (2014)
One of Bollywood’s biggest productions, Happy New Year, transformed Dubai into the setting for a high-energy musical heist adventure.
Starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, the film was shot extensively at Atlantis, The Palm, which serves as the primary backdrop for much of the story.
The resort’s grand interiors, beachfront settings, and event spaces appear throughout the movie. The Dubai Mall and Dubai Ice Rink also feature in several sequences.
For Bollywood fans, many of the locations remain instantly recognisable and continue to attract visitors hoping to experience the settings from the film.
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010)
Oliver Stone’s sequel to the classic Wall Street used Dubai to symbolise the rise of global wealth and modern financial power.
While much of the movie takes place in New York, Dubai appears during sequences designed to showcase the scale and influence of international finance.
Aerial views of Downtown Dubai and the newly opened Burj Khalifa helped create a visual contrast between traditional financial centres and rapidly growing global hubs.
Though Dubai’s role in the film is smaller than in some of the other productions on this list, its appearance reinforces the city’s reputation as one of the world’s leading business destinations.
FAQs
Which movie features Tom Cruise climbing the Burj Khalifa?
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011) features Tom Cruise climbing the exterior of the Burj Khalifa in one of the most famous action sequences ever filmed.
Can you visit the filming locations from these movies?
Yes. Most of the locations featured in these films are real places that can be visited, including the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Marina, Atlantis, The Palm, DIFC, and Downtown Dubai.
Which Bollywood movies were filmed in Dubai?
Some of the most notable Bollywood films shot in Dubai include Happy New Year and Kung Fu Yoga, which featured extensive filming across several famous city landmarks.
Was Star Trek Beyond really filmed in Dubai?
Yes. Many scenes representing the futuristic Yorktown space station were filmed at locations across Dubai, including DIFC, Meydan Racecourse, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, and Sheikh Zayed Road.
What is the most famous movie filmed in Dubai?
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol is widely regarded as the most famous movie filmed in Dubai due to its iconic Burj Khalifa climbing sequence.
Are there film studio facilities in Dubai?
Yes. Dubai is home to major production facilities, including Dubai Studio City, which has hosted international film and television productions.
