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.
At the top of Scrabo Hill, overlooking Strangford Lough and the whole of North Down, is Scrabo Tower. The tower, which was built in 1857, is one of Northern Ireland’s best known landmarks and the views from the top are spectacular.
Visit North Down Museum to explore the fascinating saga of the North Down area from the Bronze Age to the present day. The Museum takes you on a journey through Early Christian heritage and the Vikings to Scottish Settlers and the Victorians.
With tranquil walks through peaceful meadows and wooded glens and a stunning waterfall, Crawfordsburn Country Park provides a relaxing natural retreat.
Mount Stewart is a stunning estate in the beautiful scenic area of Strangford Lough. The Formal Gardens are ranked as one of the top ten in the world and the within the house there are collections of national and international significance.
Grey Abbey, a Cistercian Abbey church and its living quarters were founded in 1193 by Affreca wife of John de Courcy, the Anglo-Norman invader of East Ulster.
Discover how Echlinville Distillery captures the flavour, colour and mouthfeel of their spirits, before settling down to relax and enjoy them in the bar.
WWT Castle Espie is an extraordinary day out for the whole family. Escape the everyday, reconnect with nature, and experience the wonder of wetlands on the picturesque shores of Strangford Lough. Visit Castle Espie all year round and discover new trails, activities and wildlife highlights every time!
Whitehead Railway Museum will take visitors on a journey through time - see the large stock fully restored heritage Irish railway steam and diesel locomotives, vintage carriages coupled with state of the art interactive touch displays.
Located less than a mile from Carrickfergus town centre, the Andrew Jackson Cottage is a traditional thatched Ulster –Scots farmhouse built in 1750s.
Local museum interpreting the long and distinguished history of the town and surrounding area, with artefacts of treasure excavated in Carrickfergus. There are multi-media and audio-visual presentations.
Discover a place of contrasts and creativity at Castle Ward, an eccentric 18th century mansion and estate looking out over the tranquil waters of Strangford Lough in County Down where visitors can explore cultivated gardens, sheltered woodland and the shoreline.
The castle dates probably from around the 15th century, but the early history is unknown. This site was used for filming a scene for Game of Thrones®.
Down Cathedral, a Cathedral of the Church of Ireland with magnificent stain glass windows, box pews and beautiful organ case was built in 1183 as a Benedictine Monastry. The patron saint, Patrick is believed to be buried in the nearby graveyard.
Two miles outside Downpatrick is the replica of St Patrick's first church in Ireland. Close by, on the crest of Slieve Patrick is a massive statue of St Patrick. Bronze panels illustrate scenes from the life of Ireland's Patron Saint.
Located on the north bank of the Quoile River, Inch Abbey was founded by John de Courcy in atonement for his destruction of Erenagah Abbey.
Tyrella beach and conservation area is a small, enclosed dune complex within Dundrum Bay. It is a wide, flat, sandy beach two kilometres long and backed by 25 hectares of mature dunes in a conservation area.
The Saint Patrick Centre is the only permanent exhibition in the World about Ireland’s Patron Saint. The History of Ireland starts here in Patrick’s words, which guide you through our amazing multimedia exhibition. Located 2 Hours north of Dublin and 35 minutes south of Belfast beside Saint Patrick’s Grave with a fantastic Craft Store and incredible Garden Cafe. This needs to be your first stop in Ireland.
Believed to have been built in or around 1177, Dundrum Castle was built by John De Courcy as part of his coastal defence after he invaded Ulster. Dundrum Castle is located on a wooded hill north-west of Dundrum village near Newcastle.
Travel back to the past with real vintage steam trains through St. Patrick's Country, over the River Quoile and under the graceful Down Cathedral to peaceful ruins of Inch Abbey.
A 2km long walk to the shores of Lough Neagh, along the banks of Toome Canal.
Step back to 1912 as you experience the Lenox-Conyngham home on the morning they left to board Titanic. See the exhibition, featuring pieces from the Titanic era, including 11-year-old Eileen Lenox-Conyngham’s letter, written on Titanic headed paper.
Seamus Heaney HomePlace takes you on an inspiring journey through the life and work of one of Ireland’s greatest writers. Situated between his two childhood homes at Mossbawn and The Wood, and only a few hundred yards from St Mary’s Church, Bellaghy, which he chose as his final resting place, HomePlace is at the heart of the area that inspired so much of the poet’s work.
Carrick-a-Rede is one of Northern Ireland’s most loved attractions, cared for by the National Trust. Enjoy the stunning views along the Causeway Coastal Route; known for its incredible scenery and natural beauty.
Between Portstewart and the mouth of the River Bann lies the golden sands and domineering sand dunes of Portrush Strand Beach. This area of natural beauty and of scientific interest is owned and managed by the National Trust.
Flanked by the wild North Atlantic Ocean and a landscape of dramatic cliffs, the Giant's Causeway is a geological wonder and home to a wealth of history and legend. The 40,000 basalt stone columns left by volcanic eruptions 60 million years ago, has captured the imagination of all who see it.
Dunseverick Castle is situated in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, near the small village of Dunseverick and the Giant's Causeway.
In 1608, in Bushmills, a legend was born. In that year, King James I granted a very particular licence to this small village, just a few miles inland from Ireland’s rugged north coast. The licence gave Bushmills the right to distil whiskey. Today, Bushmills is home to the oldest licenced whiskey distillery in the world.
Dunluce Castle is located dramatically close to a headland that plunges straight into the sea, along the North County Antrim coast.
The spectacular beach forms a white arc between two headlands on the North Antrim coast. In this secluded location, even on a busy day there is a refuge for quiet relaxation.
Refresh the connection at Ulster Folk Museum, a place where traditions and heritage skills are preserved and celebrated to help shape future generations.
Beautiful sandy beach with excellent facilities, all within twenty minutes drive of Belfast.
Celebrate the history of invention and innovation through engineering, design, and technology at the Ulster Transport Museum. Check out the famous DeLorean, a Ferguson tractor and the motorbikes of some of Northern Ireland's biggest road racing legends!
At the top of Scrabo Hill, overlooking Strangford Lough and the whole of North Down, is Scrabo Tower. The tower, which was built in 1857, is one of Northern Ireland’s best known landmarks and the views from the top are spectacular.
