Morocco has been a favorite filming destination since Casablanca (which, ironically, wasn’t actually shot there!). It’s easy to see why filmmakers are drawn to Morocco. The country is incredibly unique, with ancient medinas, colorful markets, deserts, and mountain villages. In these movies, sometimes Morocco plays itself, while other times it stands in for somewhere else entirely, but it always makes for an unforgettable backdrop.
1. The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller begins in Marrakech, giving Morocco a big role during the first part of the movie. James Stewart and Doris Day’s characters enjoy the city while on vacation with their little boy. Suddenly, they become caught up in an international conspiracy. Several scenes were filmed around Jemaa el-Fnaa, Marrakech’s famous central square, as well as in the city’s old medina. Bustling streets, chaotic markets, and traditional architecture make Morocco impossible to overlook during the opening of the movie.
2. Gladiator (2000)
Morocco stood in for Rome in some of the most memorable scenes in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator. The historic fortified village of Aït Benhaddou, located beside what was once a caravan route between Marrakech and the Sahara, was used for Maximus’ gladiator scenes. The production even built a massive arena for the movie’s battles. This area was the perfect location to shoot such a historical movie, due to its clay buildings, desert mountains, and incredibly old kasbahs.
3. Babel (2006)
Unlike many Hollywood movies filmed in Morocco, Babel actually allows the country to play itself. The Moroccan part of the story takes place in a remote community in the Atlas Mountains. Here, two young brothers accidentally set one of the movie’s most important storylines into motion. Filming took place around the village of Taguenzalt, showing off mountainous terrain, simple homes, and winding roads. These locations show the less touristy side of Morocco with more rural landscapes.
4. Sex and the City 2 (2010)
Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda are taking an extravagant trip to Abu Dhabi, but this Middle Eastern city was actually recreated in Morocco. The north African country provided many of the locations, including its brightly colored markets, luxury hotels, and enormous desert landscapes. The upscale hotel scenes were filmed at the Amanjena resort, just outside Marrakech. The city’s medina stood in for the busy souks of Abu Dhabi. Anyone hoping to see the glamorous side of Morocco will find it throughout the movie.
5. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)
Morocco is the setting for some of the biggest action sequences in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation. During the portion of the movie set in Casablanca, Ethan Hunt must break into a heavily secured facility. The action later moves to Moroccan highways and mountainous roads. Audiences get to see areas around Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains. This movie has a good combination of modern city scenery and dusty rural roads and desert.
6. The Blue Caftan (2022)
The Blue Caftan is a quieter look at Morocco than the big Hollywood productions on this list. The story is set in Salé, the historic city across the Bou Regreg River from Rabat. It centers on a traditional caftan shop in its old medina. We see so much that is unmistakably Moroccan, like narrow passageways, old storefronts, tiled homes, and Moroccan craftsmanship. In this one, Morocco isn’t just standing in as an exotic backdrop. It’s offering a glimpse of everyday, hardworking life in the country.
7. The Mummy (1999)
Although The Mummy is set in Egypt, many of its desert shots were actually filmed in Morocco. The production used locations around Marrakech in addition to the dramatic desert scenery around Erfoud, which is right near the edge of the Sahara. The fictional ancient city of Hamunaptra was built near Erfoud. Rocky mountains and stretches of desert really made for some spectacular scenery. Morocco’s landscapes help create the old-school adventure feel the film is known for.
8. Hideous Kinky (1998)
Set in the 1970s, Hideous Kinky follows a young British mother and her two daughters. The trio travel throughout Morocco in hopes of finding a different way of life. Much of the story happens in Marrakech, with scenes highlighting the medina, crowded streets, and the city’s unique reddish-pink architecture. The family also leaves the city and goes into Morocco’s villages and countryside. As the characters wander and explore, the audience discovers Morocco right alongside them.