The Academy has crowned the kings and queens (and princes and princesses) of Hollywood for another year.
And while the landscapes and skylines of the UAE were a notable absent on the red carpet and silver screen this year, the country is certainly no stranger to blockbuster films.
Here are some of the biggest movies to have been shot here in the UAE. Action!
6 Underground
Heartthrob and all-round hilarious bloke Ryan Reynolds can be spied strutting his stuff in Abu Dhabi in 6 Underground, in which he heads a vigilante squad that takes down crime lords. It’s a veritable game of bingo when it comes to spotting the sights of the capital, with Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Liwa Dessert, Aldar HQ, Etihad Towers, Jebel Hafeet and Louvre Abu Dhabi all getting starring roles.
Furious 7
Vin Diesel and The Rock cruising through the capital at wicked-fast speed in some of the slickest motors known to petrolheads? You have our attention. Though in its seventh instalment at this junction, the Fast & Furious franchise showed no signs of slowing down as it jumped supercars between Etihad Towers – and yes, you read that correctly. Check it out, marvel in the need for speed.
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol and Mission Impossible: Fallout
Tom Cruise scaling Burj Khalifa in Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol is an image that will be burned on to the retinas of any film buff worth their salt(ed popcorn). But it wasn’t just Dubai basking in the limelight, Abu Dhabi also get plenty of face time with the diminutive – yet still massive – star in the Fallout sequel.
Star Trek: Beyond
The UAE recently touched down on Mars, but it’s not the first time the country has been taken deep into space. Star Trek: Beyond utilised Dubai’s DIFC and other locations around the city as the inspiration for its futuristic cities. CGI makes it hard to spot, but if you look close enough, you’ll see a star was born.
Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
When Star Wars announced a third trilogy, fans across the world burst with excitement, and when we heard that Abu Dhabi would play a key role in the first installment we went into overdrive (or should that be hyperdrive?). Abu Dhabi’s Liwa Desert doubled as the desert planet Jakku in Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens where we first met Rey and BB8. The force is strong with this film.
Syriana
Syriana used a lot of locations to shoot, 16 in total, but Dubai featured more than once throughout the movie. Both the desert and Dubai city featured in the film doubling for other locations in the Middle East, so try and spot them when you watch this film – when you’re not staring at George Clooney that is.
The Kingdom
In typical Hollywood fashion, despite being set in Saudi Arabia, nearly the entire production of The Kingdom took place in Abu Dhabi. It’s be easy to miss, what with Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner and Chris Cooper hogging your gaze, but we can confirm the desert sequences all took place just around the corner.
War Machine
War Machine was the first Netflix original film to shoot here in the UAE when Brad Pitt and co came to Abu Dhabi back in 2016. The film is a star-studded affair too with Tilda Swinton, Topher Grace, Ben Kingsley and more, so, what are you waiting for?
Wall Street Money Never Sleeps
Wall Street is all about the big bucks, and when it comes to spending the mullah, Dubai always gives something a little extra. It’s why the cast of Wall Street Money Never Sleeps (in character, of course) spent plenty of time flashing the cash with the high rollers in our fair city. Take that to the bank.
For more of the latest movie news in the UAE click here.
