The acclaimed new horror film Hokum hit cinemas a few days ago, with scenes filmed in the landscapes of Al Ain’s Remah desert in Abu Dhabi. The production adds yet another global spotlight to the UAE, which continues to position itself as a rising hub for major international film shoots.
But the movie is far from the first Hollywood project to be filmed in the region. With the buzz around Hokum continuing to build, here’s a look at other Hollywood films that have also used the UAE’s striking landscapes and futuristic skyline as their backdrop.
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)
Tom Cruise’s jaw-dropping Burj Khalifa stunt is still one of the most unforgettable movie moments ever shot in Dubai. In Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, he quite literally takes action cinema to new heights by scaling the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.
The production spent around three weeks in Dubai, turning the city into a high-octane playground for espionage chaos. Alongside the now-legendary climb, the film also delivers a wild, dust-choked sandstorm chase that sweeps through the desert like something out of a fever dream.
Furious 7 (2015)
The Fast & Furious 7 franchise finally made its high-octane debut in the United Arab Emirates, and Abu Dhabi didn’t hold back on the spectacle. True to the series’ signature blend of speed and excess, the city brought its own layer of luxury, turning sleek supercars and skyline views into part of the action itself.
From the glittering heights of Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers to the opulence of Emirates Palace and the adrenaline-ready tracks of Yas Marina Circuit, the capital becomes more than just a backdrop; it’s part of the film’s pulse. With sophistication, speed, and skyline drama stitched into every frame, Furious 7 turns Abu Dhabi into a playground built for luxury.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Star Wars: The Force Awakens brought a galaxy far, far away straight to Abu Dhabi, filming key Jakku desert scenes in the vast sands of the Rub’ al Khali in May 2014.
With its endless golden dunes and cinematic scale, the location proved to be the perfect stand-in for a desert planet on the edge of the galaxy: no CGI required, just pure desert drama. Director J.J. Abrams clearly knew what he was doing because when it came to choosing a backdrop, the Force was definitely strong with this one.
Star Trek Beyond (2016)
Star Trek Beyond found its perfect futuristic match in Dubai, where the city’s skyline doubled effortlessly as a vision of the future. Filming stretched across some of its most recognisable landmarks, from the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab to the sleek Almas Tower, as well as locations like Meydan and Dubai Studio City.
Producer Jeffrey Chernov praised the city’s “world of the future” energy, and clearly meant it, so much so that Dubai didn’t just host the production, it also rolled out the red carpet for the film’s premiere. When a city already looks like a sci-fi set, it only makes sense to celebrate a sci-fi film there, too.
6 Underground (2019)
6 Underground turns Abu Dhabi into a full-blown action playground, with Al Reem Island front and center in its high-speed chaos. Starring Ryan Reynolds, the Netflix blockbuster leans all the way into the capital’s futuristic vibe, using its wide-open roads and bold skyline as the backdrop for some seriously explosive set pieces.
From masked operatives scaling the striking Aldar HQ, to the sunlit shimmer of the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s iconic dome, the film jumps between some of the city’s most eye-catching landmarks. Add in blazing action set against the skyscrapers of Al Reem Island and a detour to the rugged cliffs of Jebel Hafit, and the result is pure, over-the-top adrenaline with Abu Dhabi stealing almost every frame.
The Misfits (2021)
The Misfits, a FilmGate Productions project, marked one of the first Hollywood productions to be heavily shot across the United Arab Emirates, turning the region into a full-scale action backdrop.
Starring Pierce Brosnan, the film leans into the UAE’s cinematic mix of luxury and modern architecture, with major sequences filmed around the striking Etihad Towers. It also ventures into the culture-rich spaces of Louvre Abu Dhabi and the iconic resort setting of Atlantis The Palm.
Dune (2021) & Dune: Part Two (2024)
Dune and Dune: Part Two transform the sweeping dunes of Liwa Desert into the otherworldly planet Arrakis, turning Abu Dhabi into the backbone of one of modern sci-fi’s most iconic visual worlds. Across both films, the vast, untouched sands of the Empty Quarter deliver the scale and intensity needed for Denis Villeneuve’s epic vision, with endless dunes that feel almost alien in their beauty.
Starring Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and Jason Momoa, the franchise uses Abu Dhabi’s dramatic desert landscapes to build a world that feels both brutal and breathtaking; so much so that a potential third installment is also expected to return to the same cinematic sands.
From sweeping desert landscapes to futuristic skylines, the United Arab Emirates continues to cement its status as one of Hollywood’s go-to filming destinations. With world-class infrastructure, cinematic scenery, and iconic landmarks all in one place, the country has become a magnet for major international productions. As more global filmmakers bring their stories to the Emirates, the UAE is no longer just a backdrop for blockbuster moments; it’s becoming a star of the screen in its own right.
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