20 Famous Movies and TV Shows Shot in Rome
Last Updated: Jan 22, 2024
Reading Time: 11 minutes
By: Shaun
Rome is not only the capital of Italy but also the capital of cinema and television. The Eternal City has been the setting for countless movies and TV shows, from ancient epics to modern comedies, from romantic dramas to thrilling mysteries. Whether you are a fan of cinema or television, you can find something to suit your taste and interests in Rome.
In this article, we will explore 20 of the most famous movies and TV shows shot in Rome and how they showcased the city’s beauty, history, and culture. We will also tell you what locations in Rome they used. We will list the productions in reverse order, starting with the latest blockbusters and some epic classic masterpieces. Get ready for a voyage lasting over eight decades of film and television magic.
20 Movies and TV Shows Shot in Rome
1. Fast X (2023)
Colosseum By Day | Image by Pascal Wiemers on Pixabay
If you are a fan of the Fast and Furious franchise, you might be wondering where the thrilling car chase scenes in Fast X were filmed. Well, buckle up, because the movie takes you on a tour of some stunning locations in Rome that served as the backdrop for the movie.
Without spoiling too much of the movie, it starts with a convoy of trucks driving around the Fontana dell’Acqua Paola fountain in Trastevere, a charming neighbourhood in central Rome. The trucks then head to the Altar of the Fatherland, the Teatro Marcello, and the Roman Forum, where they are intercepted by a flashy Lamborghini. The chase continues through the Umberto I Bridge, the Spanish Steps, and the Colosseum, where the trucks release a massive metal ball bomb that bounces after Dom and his crew.
The movie also features scenes from the Via Cristoforo Colombo, the Lungotevere, the Via dei Fori Imperiali, and the area around the Castel Sant’Angelo.
2-3. The Young Pope (2016–2019) and The New Pope (2020)
Sistine Chapel | Image by Sistine Chapel on Pixabay
Switching styles completely, The Young Pope is a drama series starring Jude Law as Lenny Belardo, a young and unconventional American pope who takes charge of the Catholic Church. The series was created by Paolo Sorrentino, who also wrote and directed the Oscar-winning film La Grande Bellezza.
The sequel series, once again created by Paolo Sorrentino, was called The New Pope]( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7157248) this time starring John Malkovich as John Paul III, a conservative and mysterious pope who succeeds Lenny Belardo after he falls into a coma.
Both productions used some of the most authentic settings possible for such productions, such as the St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican, but also other locations in Rome such as Villa Medici, Villa Pamphili, Piazza di Spagna, and Villa Borghese.
4. Suburra: Blood on Rome (2017–2020)
This Netflix series starred Alessandro Borghi as Aureliano Adami, a gangster who is involved in a power struggle between different factions in Rome. The series was based on a novel by Giancarlo De Cataldo and Carlo Bonini and was a prequel to the 2015 film Suburra.
Suburra: Blood on Rome was filmed mostly in Rome, where it depicted the dark and violent underworld of the city, involving politicians, criminals, and the Vatican. The series was praised for its realism, acting, and soundtrack.
5. John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)
Roman Forum | Image by pascal OHLMANN on Pixabay
Keanu Reeves returned as everyone’s favourite dog-loving assassin in John Wick: Chapter 2. This time around, he is forced out of retirement by a former associate who wants to take control of an international assassins’ guild.
The flick was partly filmed in Rome, where John travels to fulfil his debt, and featured some of the most spectacular locations in Rome, such as the Baths of Caracalla, the Piazza di Spagna, and the Roman Forum. The movie also included some scenes inside the Vatican City and its secret passages.
6. Zoolander 2 (2016)
Villa Borghese | Image by Emanuele on Flickr
One of Ben Stiller’s most famous characters returned as Derek Zoolander in this sequel to the original 2001 movie. Zoolander 2 follows the titular character, a former supermodel who comes out of retirement to stop a conspiracy that targets celebrities. The movie was a parody of spy movies and fashion industry clichés and featured many cameo appearances from famous actors and models.
Zoolander 2’s funniest scenes were shot in Rome, such as Zoolander’s visit to Valentino’s headquarters at Palazzo Mignanelli, his runway showdown with Hansel at Cinecittà Studios, and his encounter with Sting at Villa Borghese.
7. The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015)
This adaptation of a 1960s action comedy show starred Henry Cavill as Napoleon Solo and Armie Hammer as Illya Kuryakin and was directed by Guy Ritchie. The film follows two spies from opposite sides of the Cold War who team up to stop a nuclear threat.
While The Man from U.N.C.L.E. was only partly filmed in Rome, some of the most stylish scenes were filmed here, such as Solo’s chase by Kuryakin along the Tiber River, their infiltration of a fashion show at Piazza di Spagna, and their escape from a car factory at Ostia.
8. Spectre (2015)
Tiber River with Vatican in the Background | Image by Nicholas Hartmann on Wikimedia Commons
James Bond could not miss making a visit to the eternal city, and so he does in Spectre, with Daniel Craig portraying everyone’s favourite MI6 spy.
Spectre was the 24th installment of the Bond franchise and was partly filmed in Rome, where some of the most exciting scenes took place, such as Bond’s car chase along the Tiber River, his fight with a henchman on a helicopter above St. Peter’s Square, and his encounter with Monica Bellucci at her villa near the Appian Way.
Spectre eventually won an Oscar for Best Original Song for “Writing’s on the Wall” performed by Sam Smith.
9. The Great Beauty (2013)
With its original title, La Grande Bellezza, this film went on to win the hearts of everyone at the Oscars, winning the award for Best Foreign Language Film.
The film stars Toni Servillo as Jep Gambardella, a writer who reflects on his life and the meaning of beauty in Rome. The movie was an homage to Fellini’s La Dolce Vita and portrayed Rome as a city of contrasts, where ancient and modern, sacred and profane, sublime and grotesque, coexist.
It was filmed in some of the most stunning locations in Rome, such as the Janiculum Hill, the Aventine Hill, the Palazzo Spada, and the Parco degli Acquedotti.
10. To Rome with Love (2012)
Il Vittoriano in Piazza Venezia | Image by Paolo Costa Baldi on Wikimedia Commons
This Woody Allen’s comedy anthology has four stories which take place in Rome. To Rome with Love was Allen’s tribute to the city and its culture and featured some of its most famous actors, such as Roberto Benigni, Penélope Cruz, and Alessandra Mastronardi.
The film was shot in some of the most charming locations in Rome, such as the Piazza Venezia, the Piazza del Campidoglio, and the Trastevere neighbourhood. The movie was a box-office success but received mixed reviews from critics.
11. Eat Pray Love (2010)
This romantic drama starred Julia Roberts as Elizabeth Gilbert, a woman who embarks on a journey of self-discovery after a divorce. The movie was based on Gilbert’s memoir and was divided into three parts: Eat (Italy), Pray (India), and Love (Indonesia). The movie was filmed in various locations around the world, including Rome, where Gilbert spent four months indulging in food, wine, and friendship.
Eat Pray Love featured some of the most delicious scenes of Rome, such as Gilbert eating pizza at Pizzeria da Michele, gelato at San Crispino, and pasta at Ristorante Santa Lucia. The movie also showed some of the most beautiful sights of Rome, such as the Piazza Navona, the Campo de’ Fiori, and the Villa Borghese.
12. Angels & Demons (2009)
St. Peter's Basilica | Image by Peter Sampson on Flickr
Angels & Demons is the sequel to The Da Vinci Code and stars Tom Hanks once again as Robert Langdon, a symbologist who tries to stop a secret society from destroying Vatican City. The movie was like its predecessor an adaptation of a Dan Brown’s bestselling novel.
The movie was filmed mostly in Rome, where it used some of the most famous landmarks of the city, such as St. Peter’s Square, Castel Sant’Angelo, Piazza del Popolo, and Santa Maria della Vittoria. The movie also featured some scenes inside the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.
13. The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003)
Hilary Duff stars as the titular character in The Lizzie McGuire Movie, a high school student who goes on a class trip to Rome and meets a pop star who looks like her.
The movie showcases some of the most popular attractions of the city, such as the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and Piazza Navona. The movie also included some musical numbers, such as “What Dreams Are Made Of” and “Volare”.
14. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
Spanish Steps | Image by Petra on Pixabay
1999 is regarded by many as one of the best years in cinema history, and a great example of the films that came out this year is none other than The Talented Mr. Ripley. This psychological thriller starred Matt Damon as Tom Ripley, a con artist who assumes the identity of a wealthy playboy played by Jude Law.
The movie is set mostly in Italy, where Ripley follows his target and becomes entangled in his life. The movie was filmed in various locations across the country, including Rome, where some of the most memorable scenes took place, such as Ripley’s encounter with Law at the Spanish Steps.
The movie was nominated for five Oscars, including Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Jude Law’s performance.
15. Hudson Hawk (1991)
Hudson Hawk starred Bruce Willis as Eddie Hawkins, a cat burglar who is forced to steal three priceless artefacts that can turn lead into gold. The movie was a spoof of heist movies and adventure movies and featured some absurd humour and musical numbers.
The flick and parts filmed in Rome, which included scenes like Willis’s escape from the Vatican Museum, his encounter with a nun at Santa Maria Maggiore, and his fight with a butler at Villa Giulia.
16. The Godfather Part III (1990)
Teatro Del Opera | Image by Carlo Dani on Wikimedia Commons
The Godfather Part III was the long waited conclusion to Francis Ford Coppola’s acclaimed film series about the Corleone family. The movie starred Al Pacino as Michael Corleone, who tries to legitimise his business and reconcile with his family.
The Godfather Part III was partly filmed in Rome, where some of the key scenes took place, such as Michael’s meeting with Cardinal Lamberto at Castel Sant’Angelo, his assassination attempt at Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, and his daughter’s death at Palazzo Farnese. The movie was nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Picture.
17. The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965)
This biographical drama starred Charlton Heston as Michelangelo and Rex Harrison as Pope Julius II, who commissioned him to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. The movie was mostly filmed at Cinecittà Studios, where a full-scale replica of the chapel was built.
However, some scenes of The Agony and the Ecstasy were actually filmed at the real Sistine Chapel with special permission from the Vatican. The movie was nominated for five Oscars, including Best Art Direction and Best Original Score.
18. Cleopatra (1963)
Cinecitta | Image by Agostino Zamboni on Wikimedia Commons
This epic historical drama stars Elizabeth Taylor as the legendary queen of Egypt and Richard Burton as her lover, Mark Antony. Cleopatra was one of the most expensive and lavish productions ever made, with a budget of $44 million (equivalent to $370 million today).
The film was also filmed at the Cinecittà Studios, where a replica of Alexandria was built. The movie also used some real locations in Rome, such as the Baths of Caracalla and the Roman Forum. The movie won four Oscars, including Best Cinematography.
19. La Dolce Vita (1960)
La Dolce Vita is undeniably a masterpiece by Federico Fellini, which depicts the decadent and glamorous life of a tabloid journalist played by Marcello Mastroianni, who wanders around Rome looking for love and meaning.
The production is famous for its stunning cinematography, its surreal scenes, and its unforgettable image of Anita Ekberg bathing in the Trevi Fountain at night. The movie won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and an Oscar for Best Costume Design.
20. Roman Holiday (1953)
Trevi Fountain | Image by Ademar Gomes on Flickr
We couldn’t finish off this list without mentioning the movie that is pretty much a postcard of post-war Rome. Roman Holiday is a classic romantic comedy starring Audrey Hepburn as a European princess who escapes from her royal duties and falls in love with an American journalist played by Gregory Peck.
The movie was filmed entirely on location in Rome and featured some of the most iconic landmarks of the city, such as the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, and the Mouth of Truth. The movie won three Oscars, including Best Actress for Audrey Hepburn.
Conclusion:
Whether you are a fan of romantic, comedy, drama, action, or historical productions, you can find a movie or a TV show that used Rome as its backdrop, as the city has a lot of history, culture, and beauty, which makes it a perfect backdrop for cinematic stories.
We hope that through the joruney’s cinematic and TV history, we have wetted your appetite to visit this fascinating city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Rome a popular location for filming?
Rome is a popular location for filming because it offers a rich historical and cultural backdrop, a variety of architectural styles, and a vibrant atmosphere.
What are some of the challenges of filming in Rome?
Some of the challenges of filming in Rome, like many other major cities, include obtaining permits, dealing with traffic and crowds, respecting the local laws and customs, and finding suitable accommodation and catering.
How can I visit some of the filming locations in Rome?
You can visit some of the filming locations in Rome by joining a guided tour, using a map or an app, or exploring on your own. Some of the most iconic locations are the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and the Vatican.
What are some of the famous actors and directors who have worked in Rome?
There are too many to list, but some of the most famous are Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck, Marcello Mastroianni, Federico Fellini, Russell Crowe, Matt Damon, Jude Law, Ridley Scott, Tom Hanks, and Ron Howard.
