Movies Filmed in Prague

Quick overview: 20 most famous movies filmed in Prague

Amadeus (1984) – Miloš Forman’s Oscar-winning masterpiece. Opera scenes were filmed at the Estates Theatre, the only theatre in the world where Mozart actually conducted. (See more below)

Mission: Impossible (1996) – The start of the cult series. Tom Cruise survives an aquarium explosion at Old Town Square and escapes across a fog-covered Charles Bridge. (See more below)

Les Misérables (1998) – Prague was transformed into 19th-century revolutionary Paris. You can spot the narrow streets of Hradčany or the area around the Troja Château.

From Hell (2001) – Johnny Depp hunts Jack the Ripper; Prague and its surroundings served as the backdrop for Victorian London.

Enemy at the Gates (2001) – A WWII drama with Jude Law. Prague locations helped recreate war-torn Stalingrad.

The Bourne Identity (2002) – Prague is a spy heaven. Long before James Bond and The Gray Man arrived, Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) was operating here. Although the city doubles for Zurich in the movie, eagle-eyed viewers will recognize the street Politických vězňů (as the bank) or Kampa Park, where Bourne wakes up on a bench and shows off his combat skills for the first time.

Blade II (2002) – Wesley Snipes hunted vampires in the dark industrial settings of Prague, especially in former factory districts like Holešovice and Vysočany.

Hellboy (2004) – Ron Perlman as the red-skinned demon; one of the best-known scenes was filmed at the Vítkov National Monument.

Van Helsing (2004) – Hugh Jackman battled monsters in Prague, which stood in for Transylvania. Filming took place near St. Nicholas Church in Lesser Town and on Charles Bridge.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) – The fantasy world was partially created at Barrandov Studios, but the breathtaking winter exteriors were filmed in the Adršpach-Teplice Rocks.

Casino Royale (2006) – Daniel Craig’s first Bond film; the monumental hall of the National Museum became a luxury hotel in Venice. (See more below)

The Illusionist (2006) – Edward Norton in a story set in Vienna. Filming locations included the iconic Café Imperial and the Vinohrady Theatre.

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011) – Ethan Hunt returns; Prague’s historic interiors doubled as the Moscow Kremlin, while Prague’s main railway station stood in for Budapest.

Anthropoid (2016) – A historically accurate film in which Prague plays itself. The final battle was filmed in the crypt of the Church of Sts. Cyril and Methodius.

Red Sparrow (2018) – Jennifer Lawrence as a Russian spy.Tthe grand interiors of the Rudolfinumstood in for Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.

Jojo Rabbit (2019) – Taika Waititi’s satire used for key scenes the library of the Petschek Palace, the former Gestapo headquarters.

Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) – Peter Parker’s European trip and scenes with Spider-Man in Prague are unforgettable, especially the pivotal moment on Charles Bridge. (See more below)

The Gray Man (2022) – Netflix’s most expensive film features an extensive chase through the center of Prague, including a shootout on a tram near the Rudolfinum. (See more below)

All Quiet on the Western Front (2022) – The Oscar-winning Netflix adaptation. Historical buildings in central Prague served as the headquarters for the German and French commands.

One Life (2023) – Anthony Hopkins as Nicholas Winton, filmed partly at Prague’s Main Railway Station. (See more below)

A Closer Look at Movies Filmed in Prague: Locations & Behind-the-Scenes Facts

1. Mission: Impossible (1996)

The first installment of this saga gave Prague incredible publicity in the 1990s and significantly raised the city's profile for international audiences. For many, this was the first time they associated Prague with a major Hollywood action production.

• Locations: If you want to see the main "crime scene," head to Charles Bridge, where Ethan Hunt witnesses the elimination of his team. The famous aquarium explosion was filmed right on Old Town Square. The "American Embassy" is actually a mix of two locations: the exterior is the Liechtenstein Palace on Kampa Island, while the interior reception took place inside the National Museum. The movie also features the surrounding historic streets, creating an enduring image of Prague as a moody, spy-filled city.
   
• Interesting Fact: The bridge scene was filmed at night using massive amounts of artificial fog and special lighting, creating a visual style that defined the atmosphere of spy movies for years to come. The restaurant with the aquarium was merely a temporary set built in the middle of the square.

2. Amadeus (1984)

Miloš Forman’s Oscar-winning masterpiece remains one of the most famous movies in Prague.

• Locations:  Head to Lesser Town and Hradčany for authentic 18th-century scenery. The opera scenes were filmed at the Estates Theatre, the only surviving theatre where Mozart actually conducted. and which looks almost exactly as it did during the premiere of Don Giovanni.
• Interesting Fact: Director Miloš Forman insisted on filming in Prague because Vienna felt too modern at the time, whereas Prague had preserved its raw, historical face. Even though filming under the supervision of the secret police (StB) wasn't easy for the American crew, Prague proved it could be a better Vienna than Vienna itself.

3. Casino Royale (2006)

Daniel Craig’s first Bond film is a key chapter in Prague’s film history. Even though the plot travels the world, most interiors were created here, mainly at Barrandov Studios and in real buildings playing other countries.

• Locations: Bond kills his first victim in the Danube House building in Karlín. The library of the Strahov Monastery stood in for the British Parliament. If you want to see the "Venice hotel" where the lobby sinks at the end, visit the hall of the National Museum.
• Interesting Fact: The scene where Bond's Aston Martin flips seven times was filmed at the Milovice airport near Prague and entered the Guinness World Records..

4. The Gray Man (2022)

Netflix’s most expensive production showed a modern and highly active side of the city. If you are looking for movies filmed in Prague that utilized the city to its full potential, this is the one.

• Locations: The centerpiece is Jan Palach Square. The shootout and subsequent tram chase take place around the Rudolfinum. Ryan Gosling also appears at the Vítkov Monument and the iconic Prager Cubes near Emmaus Monastery.
• Interesting Fact: Filming shut down parts of the city for days, costing millions. A full-scale replica of a Prague tram was built and custom-made specifically to be destroyed by the crew – enhanced, of course, by post-production and visual effects.

5. One Life (2023)

This moving film about Nicholas Winton was shot in authentic locations, which amplifies the power of the story.

• Locations: The key scenes where children board the trains were filmed at Prague Main Railway Station, the same place where the real Winton trains departed in 1939.
• Interesting Fact: During filming at the station, Anthony Hopkins paid his respects to the real Nicholas Winton memorial located on the first platform – a powerful moment for the entire crew.
   

Why is Prague so popular with filmmakers?

The list of movies filmed in Prague keeps growing every year. The reasons are clear: world-class services at Barrandov Studios, a city that can convincingly double for almost any European capital, and highly skilled Czech stunt performers and film crews.

Next time you watch a global hit on TV or in the cinema, keep an eye on the background. There is a high chance you’re watching yet another of the many successful movies filmed in Prague.