The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has evolved from a regional filming destination into one of the world's most sought-after cinematic backdrops. With its futuristic skylines, vast deserts, luxury hotels and world-class production infrastructure, the country has attracted some of the biggest names in Hollywood, Bollywood and international cinema.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai, in particular, have become favourites among filmmakers, offering everything from tax incentives and experienced local crews to locations that can double for cities across the globe. According to Gulf News, more than 50 major international productions have filmed in the UAE, cementing the country's reputation as a global filmmaking hub.
Here are 10 of the most iconic films that showcased the UAE on the big screen.
The Kingdom (2007)
Photo: Subversive Rabbit
The political thriller starring Jamie Foxx recreated parts of the Middle East using locations in Abu Dhabi. The UAE provided secure filming conditions while offering architecture and landscapes that suited the story's setting.
Local facilities also enabled the production to stage several large-scale action sequences.
Race (2008)
Photo: Airtel
Abbas-Mustan's thriller used Dubai's luxury hotels, highways, and skyline to complement its glamorous action-packed narrative. The city's modern backdrop became an integral part of the film's sleek aesthetic, helping reinforce Dubai's growing appeal as a filming destination for Bollywood.
A decade later, Race 3 (2018) returned to the UAE, expanding filming across Abu Dhabi and Dubai with elaborate chase scenes, desert action, and glamorous waterfront locations.
Dabangg (2010)
Photo: Gulf
Salman Khan's blockbuster featured portions filmed in Dubai, particularly songs and promotional sequences that highlighted the city's glamorous locations.
According to Gulf, the Bollywood actor chose the Dubai Metro to romance his on-screen wife, played by Sonakshi Sinha. “We are not going around trees any more, now we are doing it around trains," quipped Khan as he discussed the experience of shooting the song sequences.
Although primarily set in India, the UAE served as an important overseas filming destination.
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)
Photo: Talk Film Society
No film has showcased Dubai quite like Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. The movie's most memorable sequence features Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt scaling the exterior of the Burj Khalifa — the world's tallest building — in one of the most daring stunts ever filmed.
Rather than relying entirely on visual effects, Cruise performed much of the sequence himself while suspended hundreds of metres above the ground. The film also features Downtown Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road and other landmarks, helping introduce the city's dramatic skyline to a global audience.
Happy New Year (2014)
Photo: Arab News PK
Farah Khan's Bollywood entertainer made Dubai a central character in its story, with much of the film revolving around the fictional "World Dance Championship" held in the city.
With several sequences shot at Atlantis, The Palm, Atlantis Aquaventure, Dubai's roads, and other famous landmarks, the film's glamorous portrayal of Dubai helped reinforce the emirate's image as a luxury entertainment destination.
Furious 7 (2015)
Photo: Rolling Stone
The seventh instalment of the blockbuster Fast and Furious franchise delivered one of the series' most outrageous action scenes inside Abu Dhabi.
The film's signature sequence sees a Lykan HyperSport supercar leap between the Etihad Towers in a gravity-defying stunt. The production also filmed at Emirates Palace and across Abu Dhabi, highlighting the city's luxury and modern architecture.
Independence Day: Resurgence (2016)
Photo: Deadline
Abu Dhabi stood in for parts of a futuristic world in the alien invasion sequel to Independence Day. The production utilised the city's contemporary skyline and surrounding landscapes while combining practical locations with extensive visual effects.
In the film, the UAE's distinctive modern cityscape helped portray humanity's technologically advanced future.
Star Trek Beyond (2016)
Photo: Arabian Business
The futuristic architecture of Dubai made it a natural choice for the futuristic setting of Star Trek Beyond. Several scenes were filmed throughout the city, including Downtown Dubai and other modern architectural landmarks that complemented the film's vision of advanced civilisation.
Dubai's skyline blended seamlessly with CGI, creating a visually striking setting for the film.
Kung Fu Yoga (2017)
Photo: The Statesman
Jackie Chan's action-comedy brought together Chinese and Indian cinema, with extensive filming taking place across Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The movie featured car chases through Dubai's streets, lavish hotel interiors, and desert sequences, while showcasing many of the UAE's most recognisable locations as part of its globe-trotting adventure.
Dune (2021)
Photo: Time Out Abu Dhabi
Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi epic transformed Abu Dhabi's spectacular Liwa Desert into the harsh world of Arrakis. The towering dunes provided an authentic alien landscape that required minimal digital enhancement.
Meanwhile, large portions of the desert sequences were filmed on location, with the endless sand dunes capturing Frank Herbert's iconic universe.
From Jamie Foxx's action thriller in the late 2000s to Shah Rukh Khan dancing against Dubai's glittering skyline, Tom Cruise hanging from the Burj Khalifa and Timothée Chalamet traversing Abu Dhabi's endless dunes, the UAE has become much more than a picturesque backdrop. It has established itself as one of the world's leading filming destinations, capable of hosting everything from Bollywood entertainers to billion-dollar Hollywood franchises.
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