The UAE has quietly built one of the most impressive Hollywood filming resumes in the world. From Tom Cruise scaling the Burj Khalifa to the Empty Quarter doubling as a distant planet, here are 16 major films that used the Emirates as their backdrop.
Why Hollywood Keeps Coming Back to the UAE
The UAE offers something very few places on earth can match: a futuristic city skyline, vast open desert, world-class studios, and a production-friendly environment, all within close proximity of each other.
That combination has attracted some of the biggest names in cinema and some of the largest budgets in Hollywood history. The list keeps growing.
6 Underground (2019)
Michael Bay brought his signature explosive style to Abu Dhabi for this Netflix blockbuster starring Ryan Reynolds. Al Reem Island served as a primary location, with Aldar Headquarters, Louvre Abu Dhabi, and Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain all featuring in the film’s high-energy action sequences.
Dune Trilogy (2021 to 2026)
Few films feel more naturally suited to the UAE than the Dune series. Abu Dhabi’s Empty Quarter provided the sweeping desert landscape for the planet Arrakis across all three films in the franchise. Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and Jason Momoa all filmed in the region, with the dramatic dunes creating one of modern cinema’s most memorable visual worlds.
F1 (2025)
The UAE’s motorsport credentials take centre stage in F1, starring Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, and Javier Bardem. Key scenes were filmed at Yas Marina Circuit, Zayed International Airport, and twofour54 Studios in Abu Dhabi. The film follows a former racing prodigy who returns to Formula 1 to help save a struggling team.
Furious 7 (2015)
The Fast and Furious franchise arrived in the Emirates with Furious 7, and Abu Dhabi delivered the glamour the series is known for. The film features luxury cars and skyline shots across some of the capital’s most recognisable locations, including Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, Emirates Palace, and Yas Marina Circuit.
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011)
Tom Cruise’s Burj Khalifa stunt remains one of the most iconic moments ever filmed in Dubai. The sequence, which saw Cruise scale the world’s tallest tower, helped cement Dubai’s place in blockbuster history. The film also used locations across Deira, Satwa, and Meydan Racecourse.
Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning (2023)
Image: Abu Dhabi Media Office/Website
The Mission Impossible franchise returned to the UAE for Dead Reckoning, filming in Abu Dhabi once again. Scenes were shot at Zayed International Airport and Yas Marina Circuit, with the country’s modern architecture providing the backdrop for another round of globe-trotting action.
Now You See Me 3 (2025)
Image: The National/Website
Abu Dhabi plays a major role in the third instalment of Now You See Me. The Louvre Abu Dhabi features in a dramatic sequence, Yas Island provides the backdrop for a high-speed chase, and Abu Dhabi Police supercars tear across the Sheikh Zayed Bridge. A scene between Jesse Eisenberg and Rosamund Pike was also filmed at Yas Marina Circuit.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Director J.J. Abrams turned Abu Dhabi’s desert into the planet Jakku for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The Empty Quarter, Al Wathba Fossil Dunes, and the Al Dhafra region were all used to create the remote desert world where Rey’s journey begins.
Star Trek Beyond (2016)
Dubai’s futuristic skyline was a natural fit for Star Trek Beyond. Filming took place across Burj Al Arab, Al Mas Tower in DMCC, Meydan, and Dubai Studio City. The city later hosted the film’s red carpet premiere, with the production team deciding that a city so central to the film deserved to be the launch location.
Syriana (2005)
One of the earliest major Hollywood productions filmed in the UAE, Syriana used the country’s desert landscapes to support its story about oil, power, and politics in the Middle East. Starring George Clooney, the film earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
The Misfits (2021)
Pierce Brosnan filmed The Misfits primarily around the Etihad Towers complex in Abu Dhabi, with additional scenes at Louvre Abu Dhabi and Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai. One scene was even filmed inside Brosnan’s hotel room after weather conditions disrupted outdoor shooting.
Vanguard (2020)
Jackie Chan brought his action credentials to Dubai for Vanguard, filming across Downtown Dubai, Dubai Studio City, and City Walk. The film features several high-impact sequences set against the city’s skyline and later screened at Dubai Opera.
War Machine (2017)
Brad Pitt filmed War Machine in the UAE, with Abu Dhabi stepping in to represent Afghanistan. Scenes were shot at ADNEC in the capital, while additional footage was captured in Ras Al Khaimah.
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010)
While the film was primarily shot in the United States, the production headed to Dubai to capture some of its most luxurious scenes, using the city to depict the elite lifestyle of its central characters.
The Kingdom (2007)
Long before Hollywood began filming in Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi stepped in to represent Riyadh in this thriller starring Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Garner. The film was based on a real-life bombing at an American facility in the Saudi capital, and Emirates Palace was among the key filming locations.
Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War (2026)
John Krasinski brings Jack Ryan to Dubai in the feature-length continuation of the hit Prime Video series. Filming wrapped in Dubai in February 2025, with scenes understood to include DIFC and The Link at One Za’abeel, the striking sky concourse suspended 100 metres above the ground.
