Wales’ stunning landscape includes three National Parks, epic mountains and a spectacular coastline with sandy beaches and rugged cliffs. A lot of our locations have featured in Hollywood films. Some choices may be a surprise as Wales is sometimes chosen as an alternative for other countries with equally stunning backdrops. We have included a selection of our favourite films with the trailer so that you can decide what you would like to add to your movie night watch list.
First Knight
Starring: Sean Connery, Richard Gere, Julia Ormond
Set way back in Arthurian Britain, this is the story of the love triangle between Guinevere, Lancelot and King Arthur.
Locations: Harlech, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Trawsfynydd
Half Light
Starring: Demi Moore
Moore stars in a mysterious film in which her character gets involved in a ghost story.
Locations: Llanddwyn Island and Llanbadrig Church, Anglesey / Porth Dinllaen, Llŷn Peninsula.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and 2
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Alan Rickman, Helena Bonham Carter, Bill Nighy.
The final film in the Harry Potter series. Seaside scenes in the book relate to a fictional village where Harry, Ron and Hermione take shelter in Shell Cottage – a big cottage made out of shells.
Location: Freshwater West beach, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
James Bond films
There are a number of James Bond films with scenes filmed in Wales:-
- Quantum of Solace (2008) – Llyn Peris, Snowdonia National Park
- Die Another Day (2002) – Penbryn Beach (closing scene)
- The World is Not Enough (1999) – Snowdonia National Park
- From Russia With Love (1963) – Snowdonia National Park
King Arthur
Starring: Clive Owen, Stephen Dillane, Keira Knightly, Ioan Gruffydd
Set around 400AD, Arthur has to carry out one last dangerous task before he is set free after many years forced into military service for the Roman Army.
Location: Llandeusant - Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
Starring: Charlie Hunman, Astrid Berges-Frisbey, Jude Law
An alternative version of the tale of King Arthur and Excalibur, the mystical sword.
Location: Capel Curig, Snowdonia National Park
Robin Hood
Starring: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett
This adaptation of Robin Hood was directed by Sir Ridley Scott. The filming in Wales was part of the finale and includes a major battle scene with boats and horses.
Location: Freshwater West beach, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
Snow White and the Huntsman
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron and Chris Hemsworth
In a twist to the fairy tale, the Huntsman who was ordered to take Snow White into the woods to be killed, winds up becoming her protector and mentor in a quest to vanquish the Evil Queen.
Location: Marloes Sands, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
The Edge of Love
Starring: Mathew Rhys, Cillian Murphy, Kiera Knightley, Sienna Miller.
The story concerns the famous Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, (Rhys) his wife Caitlin McNamara (Miller) and their married friends, the Killicks (Knightley and Murphy).
Locations: Tenby, Lampeter, Laugharne, New Quay, Betws-y-Coed and Gwili Railway.
The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain
Starring: Hugh Grant, Tara Fitzgerald
A romantic comedy set during the First World War. A mapmaker upsets a village when he announces that their landmark is too short to be called a ‘mountain’ and is in fact a hill.
Locations: Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant and Llansilin, Mid Wales
The Secret Garden
Starring: Colin Firth, Julie Walters
An orphaned ten year old girl discovers a fairy-tale garden that holds many mysteries at her strict uncle’s estate. The film is based on the classic novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
Location: Bodnant Garden
Tomb Raider 2 – Lara Croft and the Cradle of Life
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Chris Barrie, Gerard Butler, Ciaran Hinds.
Lara Croft fights to save the orb from falling into the hands of an evil scientist.
Locations: Llyn Gwynant and the slate quarries of Snowdonia.
Wonder Woman 1984
Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig.
This sequel to the 2017 superhero blockbuster fast-forwards to the 1980s where Wonder Woman must face a new set of foes.
Location: Swallow Falls in Betws-y-Coed, Snowdonia National Park.
If you require more information on Film and TV locations in Wales contact traveltradewales@gov.wales
