Locations are a crucial part of making a film. They add to the overall excellence and magic we see on-screen. Places such as New York City and Los Angeles are the typical backdrop for most Hollywood films, really honing in on America’s geographic fame. As a result, it’s exciting when we see other cities in major productions, capturing a feel for what makes it unique.

One city that is less regularly featured in Hollywood is Dubai. There are several international films that take the city as it’s backdrop, and we are seeing more films in the Hollywood space use it as a location for filming due to its vast deserts, sprawling architecture, and luxurious cityscapes. Here are the best movies set in Dubai, ranked.

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6 Fireworks Wednesday

     Boshra Films

Fireworks Wednesday is a 2006 Iranian drama film directed by Asghar Farhadi and co-written by Farhadi and Mani Haghighi. The film stars Hedieh Tehrani, Taraneh Alidoosti, and Hamid Farokhnezhad. Fireworks Wednesday focuses on Roohi (Alidoosti) who becomes engaged. She works as a housekeeper for Mozhde (Tehrani) who sends her for a free service at a local salon. She asks her to eavesdrop when she suspects that her wealthy husband, Morteza (Farokhnezhad), is having an affair. Roohi seeks to save their marriage and begins to meddle; however, this ends up having consequences that could see her in more trouble than she bargained for. The characters vacation to Dubai, which is where the location comes into play. It’s overall a very charming film which is well worth watching.

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5 The Misfits

     Film Gate Productions

The Misfits was released in 2021, directed by Renny Harlin and written by Robert Henny and Kurt Wimmer. The film stars Pierce Brosnan, Rami Jaber, Hermione Corfield, Jamie Chung, Mike d Angelo, Tim Roth, Nick Cannon, and Qais Qandil. The story focuses on a group known as The Misfits, who work as modern-day Robin Hood-types of characters. In an attempt to steal gold bars, which are hidden under a prison, they recruit an international thief. The film was not a huge success at the box office; however, the visuals were very impressive. Filming locations included Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Los Angeles, which added to the international appeal and adventure of the movie. What it lacked in critical and commercial success it made up for with its stunning cinematography.

4 Happy New Year

     Red Chillies Entertainment

Happy New Year is a 2014 Indian comedy film directed by Farah Khan and produced by Gauri Khan. The film features an ensemble cast of the legendary Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Sonu Sood, Boman Irani, Vivaan Shah, and Jackie Shroff. The films plot centers on a group of people who transform their lives by pulling off an elaborate diamond heist, which promises riches and success. The protagonist is played by Khan, and he is on a mission to avenge his father’s death. This is one of the most popular Bollywood films to use the backdrop of Dubai in its production. Dubai also features in the plot of the movie as it’s an integral part to the story. Shooting took place at Atlantis, The Palm, and The Dubai Mall, and these locations are featured throughout, giving the larger-than-life vibe of Dubai. We also see the many deserts that add to the intensity of the visuals. The film was a massive success and features Dubai as a backdrop perhaps more heavily than any other film on this list.

3 Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol

     Paramount Pictures

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol is a 2011 film directed by Brad Bird, featuring Tom Cruise returning to his role for the fourth time in the franchise, which itself has been a resounding worldwide success. The movie also stars Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, and Paula Patton. The film’s plot focuses on the IMF being shut down after being implicated in the bombing of the Kremlin, causing Ethan Hunt to go without any backup or support when they undertake their mission. The movie was shot largely in Dubai and features memorable scenes where Cruise scales down the Burj Khalifa (for real) in a harrowing stunt that kept viewers on edge. The filming of the stunt took 23 days in total and featured 400 crew members who ensured the safety of all those involved. Other important locations were Zabeel Saray on Palm Jumeirah and Armani Hotel, making for a visually impressive and all-around exciting film.

2 Furious 7

     Universal Pictures

Furious 7 is the seventh installment in the Fast & Furious franchise. After defeating international terrorist Owen Shaw, Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) have returned to living normal lives and are no longer involved with each other. Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham), Owen’s older brother, becomes fixated on revenge, and a government agent offers to help Dom tackle Shaw in exchange for their help against a destructive computer hacker. The film features some very impressive action sequences and locations, which add to the drama of the production. The film was filmed in several locations across the Middle East, including Dubai, and the set-pieces are very impressive, with actions sequences taking place in expansive deserts.

1 Circumstance

     Participant Media / Roadside Attractions

Circumstance is a 2011 French-Iranian-American film written and directed by Maryam Keshavarz, starring Nikohl Boosheri, Sarah Kazemy, Reza Sixo Safai, and Keon Alexander. Atafeh (Boosheri) is the teenage daughter of a wealthy Iranian family in Tehran. She and her best friend, the orphaned Shireen (Kazemy), attend parties and experiment with sex and drugs. The movie explores themes of queerness, and Dubai serves as the nearby fantasy for the characters who imagine the freedom they could experience there. It’s a moving tale with characters who feel complex and emotionally raw. Unlike other films on this list, Dubai, here, helps to elevate the interiority of the characters’ coming of age.