Morocco is worldly renowned for its gorgeous coastlines and stunning exotic souks and medinas.
The historical landmarks of the country coupled with its eclectic cultural background make it a much sought after touristic destination.
Though that’s not the only reason people from all over the world visit Morocco for.
In fact, the dramatic natural lighting, the enchanting backdrops, the affordable budget, and the diverse landscapes make Morocco, and particularly the city of Marrakech, with its sandy deserts, a highly appealing filming location.
So here’s our pick of the top movies filmed in Marrakech, Morocco.
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The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
We start this list with a bang. Alfred Hitchcock, the master of suspense and England’s most renowned director films the opening scene of his drama mystery in Bab Doukkala.
The man who knew too much features several historical landmarks in the charming city of Marrakech.
The bus in the opening scene drives throughout the old medina and into Bab El Khemis, a bustling flea market teeming with trinkets, artisanal crafts, and hidden treasures.
The spy thriller makes a tremendous display of Djemaa El Fna’s numerous attractions, from snake charmers and healers to food stalls and storytellers.
The movie is centered around an American physician (played by James Stewart) and his wife (played by Doris Day).
The couple is headed to the luxurious Mamounia hotel in Marrakech to spend what’s supposed to be a nice holiday.
However, they end up entangled in a kidnapping and assassination attempt on a foreign Prime Minister.
Hideous Kinky (1998)
Hideous kinky is based on Esther Freud’s semi-autobiographical book of the same title. The movie is directed by Scottish director Gillies Mackinnon and stars Kate Winslet.
The famous actress plays the role of a young mother who moves from London to Morocco with her two daughters in the 1970s.
The three characters share a ‘home’ in what is known as a foundouk, a low rent hotel in Marrakech.
Through this drastic move, they expect to find freedom, spirituality, and love.
Things that the dreary lifestyle of England could not provide.
The story is told from the perspective of Bea, Julia’s eight-year-old daughter. The girls’ daily adventures feature a number of scenes filmed in Kaat Bennahid neighborhood in Marrakech.
Gladiator (2000)
This movie wasn’t filmed in the heart of Marrakech. However, it made the list since it was filmed in a desert that’s a 3-hour drive away from the city.
The citadel of Ait Ben Haddou is one of the most popular filming destinations in all of Morocco.
Gladiator’s director Riddley Scott chose this specific location to bring to life the glory and gore of Ancient Rome.
The epic Russell Crowe perfectly reiterates the protagonist’s role in an unforgettable performance that won him an Academy Award for Best Actor in 2001.
The same region has also served as a backdrop for several scenes in the major universal production of the incredibly popular tv show Game of thrones.
Alexander (2004)
Director Oliver Stone’s epic historical drama was also filmed in the outskirts of Marrakech, as well as several other locations in Morocco, Malta, and Thailand.
The movie follows the life of Alexander the Great from his early days to his reign as King of Macedonia.
The palace grounds are filmed in the splendid gardens of the lavish Mamounia hotel in Marrakech.
While the scenes featuring the Hindu Kush were filmed in a built set located in the Atlas Mountains, a short drive outside Marrakech.
The city of Essaouira has also provided the film crew with many picturesque and scenic backgrounds for essential scenes in the movie.
For instance, the shot focusing on the horse market, where Alexander manages to tame Bucephalus was filmed near Essaouira.
While the battle of Gaugamela was shot in the deserts of Marrakech.
The movie presents a solid cast starring Colin Farrell, Anthony Hopkins, Angelina Jolie, Jared Leto, and Val Kilmer.
Babel (2006)
Less than 200 kilometers away from Marrakech, parts of the psychological drama Babel were filmed in the Hollywood of Africa, aka Ouarzazate, and in a small Berber village called Taguenzalt located in the foothills of the Atlas mountains.
The movie is a multi-narrative drama following a diverse ensemble of characters and their prospective lives in Morocco, the United States, Mexico, and Japan.
This international co-production directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu follows multiple stories enacted by an eclectic cast including Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Driss Roukhe, Adriana Barraza, Rinko Kikuchi, and Kōji Yakusho.
The movie won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture in the Drama category and was nominated for seven Academy Awards.
Sex and the City 2 (2010)
Though set in Abu Dhabi, the majority of the second movie of Sex and the city was filmed in Morocco.
If you’ve traveled to Marrakech, you might have noticed how familiar a lot of the scenes’ backdrops look.
The movie starts with the Marrakech Menara airport and then moves to the vibrant souks of Marrakech’s old medina.
The Taj Palace hotel in Palmeraie makes an appearance, as well as the gorgeous Amanjena hotel, located just outside of Marrakech.
While the desert scenes were all shot in the scenic Erg Chebbi’s sandy dunes and the magnificent Sahara desert.
Mission Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)
The fifth installment of the widely popular Mission Impossible franchise was largely filmed all across the Moroccan kingdom.
Many of the film’s scenes were shot in the Marrakech stadium, the Marrakech highway, as well as the curved edges of the Atlas Mountains near the city.
The action spy movie starring Tom Cruise as IMF agent Ethan Hunt features many suspenseful chases and pursuit scenes filmed in the Kasbah of the Udayas in Rabat, the confined streets of Derb Sultan in Casablanca, the monumental mosque of Hassan II, as well as the A7 highway of Casablanca-Agadir.