Until fairly recently, Bulgaria was one of Europe’s most underrated filming locations. It is now a major European production hub, particularly because of Nu Boyana Film Studios. The country has developed a reputation for standing in for other locations. Filmmakers have taken advantage of Bulgaria’s versatility, filming ancient monasteries, mountains, Black Sea coastline, and historic cities. With the help of Nu Boyana Film Studios, everything from medieval castles to snow-capped mountains has been transformed into different regions of the globe. These movies were all shot in Bulgaria, though you probably didn’t know it.
The Way Back (2010)
The Way Back is a survival drama about a group of prisoners who escape from a Soviet labor camp. They then try to walk thousands of miles to freedom. Director Peter Weir actually shot much of the movie in Bulgaria, using the country to stand in for Siberia. It features mountain ranges and wilderness areas that help create the feeling of an incredibly arduous journey. Specific Bulgarian locations included Vakarel and Prohodna Cave. This film does an excellent job of showing off Bulgaria’s rugged natural beauty.
The Expendables 2 (2012)
After The Expendables 2 filmmakers chose to shoot in Bulgaria, the country became a surprisingly popular filming location for action movies. Although much of the movie takes place in Nepal and Albania, the production was filmed mostly in Bulgaria. The movie used various locations, including the capital city of Sofia and surrounding areas. It also featured Plovdiv, Bansko, Plovdiv Airport, and Devetashka Cave. While the movie is best known for its over-the-top action and famous cast, the fast-paced story unfolds against Bulgaria’s historic buildings, cities, and countryside.
300: Rise of an Empire (2014)
Although the story is set in ancient Greece, 300: Rise of an Empire was filmed mainly in Bulgaria. The production used the massive Nu Boyana Film Studios in Sofia, now one of Europe’s largest film studios. It relied heavily on studio work, constructed sets, green screens and visual effects to create its ancient world. Bulgaria’s production facilities and natural scenery made it an ideal location for a movie filled with large-scale battles, elaborate sets, and massive armies.
Rambo: Last Blood (2019)
Sylvester Stallone returned to his role as John Rambo for Rambo: Last Blood. Bulgaria played an important role in the movie, despite the story taking place mainly in Arizona and Mexico. Filmmakers found that Bulgarian locations were well suited to stand in for the American Southwest. Rambo’s Arizona ranch was actually constructed in the Vitosha area, while Sofia’s Nu Boyana Film Studios was used for other major scenes. Bulgaria’s mountains, forests, and sprawling landscapes were surprisingly convincing as the American countryside. For this one, Bulgaria essentially transformed into a place thousands of miles away.
The Grey Zone (2001)
This drama about the Holocaust was filmed partly in Bulgaria. The country’s well preserved older buildings make it an effective filming location for period pieces, and filmmakers used locations that could recreate the look of World War II Europe. Instead of playing itself, Bulgaria was transformed into Nazi-occupied Poland. While the movie focuses on heavy subject matter, it highlights the historical beauty of Bulgaria.
Automata (2014)
This science fiction movie features Antonio Banderas and takes place in an unnamed post-apocalyptic city in the year 2044. The movie was filmed in Bulgaria, where filmmakers took advantage of both the country’s studios and its varied landscapes. The movie’s futuristic world was created using a mix of real locations and visual effects. The finished product looks nothing like the Bulgaria most tourists would expect to see.