The Blockbuster Productions Route

From epic battles to heartfelt dramas, Northern Ireland’s landscapes have taken centre stage in some of the world’s biggest films and series. Across coastlines, castles and charming towns, blockbuster productions have captured the region’s dramatic beauty. Whether you’re tracing the steps of dragons at the Giant’s Causeway or uncovering cinematic secrets at Castle Ward, these suggestions offer a glimpse into the real-life settings behind the silver screen. Discover where Hollywood meets heritage, and experience the magic that continues to draw filmmakers - and visitors - to Northern Ireland.

Explore Northern Ireland’s Blockbuster Film Locations

Stop 1. Netflix - Lift | Bangor

Netflix’s sleek heist thriller Lift, starring Kevin Hart, touched down in Bangor with a blend of high-octane action and scenic backdrops. The waterfront and sounding area doubled as international locations, showing off Northern Ireland’s versatility. Bangor’s unique offering has also brought in High-Rise, The Lost City of Z, Here Before, The Bookshop, The Invisibles and Line of Duty.

Nearby check out: Scrabo Tower, North Down Museum, Crawfordsburn County Park

Stop 2. Universal Pictures - Dracula Untold | Mount Stewart

Universal Pictures reimagined the Dracula legend with Dracula Untold, using the grandeur of Mount Stewart to evoke gothic drama and medieval myth. Luke Evans stars as the tortured Vlad, whose fate intertwines with the supernatural. Mount Stewart’s stately interiors and expansive gardens have also featured in Dalgliesh, The Frankenstein Chronicles, Christopher and His Kind and The School for Good and Evil.

Nearby check out: Grey Abbey, Echlinville Distillery, WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre

Stop 3. Paramount Pictures - Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves | Carrickfergus

Paramount Pictures brought fantasy adventure to life with Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, filming in and around Carrickfergus. Starring Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez and Hugh Grant, the film combines humour, heart and high-stakes heroics against the historic Carrickfergus Castle and harbour, which set the stage for swashbuckling quests and magical showdowns. It’s a location rich in cinematic texture, also appearing in Robot Overlords, Pixie, The Secret, Paula, Line of Duty, Hunger and Mrs Wilson.

Nearby check out: Whitehead Railway Museum, Andrew Jackson Cottage and US Rangers Museum, Carrickfergus Museum

Stop 4. HBO - Game of Thrones® | Castle Ward

No screen tour is complete without a stop at Game of Thrones® iconic Westeros, and Castle Ward is where it all began. Starring Sean Bean, Michelle Fairley and Sophie Turner, the HBO mega-series transformed the estate into Winterfell, home of the Stark family. Its historic courtyards and lush grounds have also starred in The Frankenstein Chronicles, The Lost City of Z, Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, The Journey, Tom Jones and Your Highness.

Nearby check out: Audley’s Castle, Down Cathedral, Saul Church, Inch Abbey

Stop 5. Universal Pictures - Mickybo & Me | Tyrella Beach

Universal Pictures heartfelt tale Mickybo & Me captures childhood friendship against the backdrop of 1970s Belfast and the windswept beauty of Tyrella Beach. Its cinematic sand dunes have also hosted gritty productions like The Northman, Pixie, Privates, The Frankenstein Chronicles and Bad Day for the Cut, a quiet location with big screen energy.

Nearby check out: The Saint Patrick Centre, Dundrum Castle, Downpatrick & County Down Railway Museum

Stop 6. Universal Pictures - The Northman | Lough Neagh & Toome Canal

The Northman, from Universal Pictures, unleashed Norse vengeance along the misty banks of Lough Neagh and the winding Toome Canal. Alexander Skarsgård leads the brutal saga alongside Nicole Kidman in a land shaped by myth and blood. These and other locations in the area have also served as settings for Game of Thrones®, Death and Nightingales and The Last Rifleman.

Nearby check out: The Sperrin Sculpture Trail, Springhill House, Seamus Heaney HomePlace

Stop 7. Disney - Artemis Fowl | Portrush

Disney’s Artemis Fowl reimagines the beloved fantasy novel with sweeping aerial views of Portrush. Starring Colin Farrell, the coastal town’s cliffs and beaches provided bold visuals for this high-tech tale of magic and espionage. Portrush has also featured in Derry Girls, Cold Feet and in Season 2 of Krypton, proving its popularity for stories both grounded and otherworldly.

Nearby check out: Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Portstewart Strand, Giant’s Causeway

Stop 8. Universal Pictures - How to Train Your Dragon | Dunseverick Castle

Dunseverick Castle served as a real-life filming location for Universal Pictures live-action How to Train Your Dragon, with Gerard Butler reprising his role as Stoick the Vast providing a dramatic backdrop for Hiccup’s adventures on the Isle of Berk. The ruins of this ancient promontory fort feature in key shots, making it a must-visit spot for fans eager to step into the film’s world. The cliff-top ruins add raw drama to the landscape and have also featured in The Dead from the Sea.

Nearby check out: Giant’s Causeway, Old Bushmills Distillery, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

Stop 9. Universal Pictures - Your Highness | Giant’s Causeway

Universal Pictures fantasy-comedy Your Highness, starring Danny McBride and Natalie Portman, embraced Northern Ireland’s mythical landscapes with aerial scenes showcasing the Giant’s Causeway. This UNESCO World Heritage Site can also be seen in Dracula Untold, Hell Boy II: The Golden Army, Your Highness, Cold Feet and How to Train Your Dragon, its hexagonal stones as iconic as they are ancient.

Nearby check out: Dunluce Castle, Whitepark Bay, Old Bushmills Distillery

Stop 10. Netflix - The School for Good and Evil | Ulster Folk Museum

A twisted fairytale, Netflix’s, The School for Good and Evil filmed scenes at the atmospheric Ulster Folk Museum. The immersive set of historical buildings brought otherworldly depth to this story of magical destinies. The museum has also featured in Derry Girls, World on Fire, Dave Allen at Peace, The Frankenstein Chronicles, The Woman in White, Mrs Wilson, Making of Dads Army, The Truth of Murder, Penance, The Bookshop and Four Letters of Love, a favourite among period dramas and fantasy productions alike.

Nearby check out: Helen’s Bay Beach, Ulster Transport Museum, Scrabo Tower

Step into the story and see Northern Ireland through the lens of your favourite films and shows - where every cliff, castle, and cobbled street tells its own tale. Follow the trail of movie magic, explore iconic backdrops, and create your own unforgettable moments along the way.