Malta: A film buff’s paradise

Director Ridley Scott on the set of Gladiator II from Paramount Pictures.

By Zach Havard

From terrifying zombie scenes to epic battles and heart-stopping drama, Malta’s landscape has been the canvas for myriad blockbuster productions and it’s just waiting to be explored.

At every turn, a traveller’s journey could lead them to the ancient cities of Game of Thrones or the cliffs of World War Z.

Read on to find out why film buffs from around the world are returning from Malta with rave reviews!

A history of film

Malta’s commitment to high-quality film production has established it as a premier location for filmmakers globally.

The first film on record to be filmed in Malta is Sons of the Sea (1926), a silent film that tells the story of two young men who join the navy.

Zeppelin (1971) is a British World War I film shot in Malta that depicts a fictitious attempt by the British to steal a German Zeppelin aircraft. Actor Peter Carsten was injured during the filming of bayonet scenes in the film.

In the modern day, the filming of Gladiator II (a project that is more than 20 years in the works) has returned to Malta.

At Fort Ricasoli, Roman-style structures were built around the fort’s existing ancient architecture, including a replica of the Colosseum. For the mock naval battle scenes, known as ‘naumachia,’ 100-foot-long ships were mounted on wheels and manipulated remotely to recreate the chaos of the battle while close-up shots of the hand-to-hand combat on the ships were filmed in a studio water tank in Malta.

From dedicated local crews to world-class film locations, Malta provides a platform for directors and producers to work their magic.

Malta as a director’s canvas

Malta has long attracted filmmakers and travellers alike.

From the fortified walls of Valletta, which doubled as Game of Thrones’ ancient city, to the haunting and stunning Dingli Cliffs that are spotted in World War Z or the vast oceans that played home to the set of Captain Phillips, every setting tells a story.

Napoleon, By the Sea, and Jurassic World Dominion both used Malta’s rich, varied landscapes to depict everything from 19th-century Europe to apocalyptic landscapes.

Valletta starred in the Gladiator. (iStock – Ratstuben)

The medieval city of Mdina, known as the “Silent City,” was a filming location for Game of Thrones, its narrow, ancient streets a perfect match for fantasy worlds. Even Malta’s prehistoric Megalithic Temples and dramatic coastal caves, such as the famous Blue Grotto, have inspired cinematic scenes, making a visit to Malta feel like stepping onto a film set where history and Hollywood meet.

A year-round destination for film lovers

Malta is not just a one-season wonder. Its dreamy climate and mild winters make it an ideal year-round destination, giving travellers no excuse to not experience Malta’s cinematic locations at least once in their lifetime. Whether taking in the summer heat or relaxing on the beach during the island’s mild winter, the Maltese landscape changes beautifully with each season, adding depth to each cinematic scene you encounter.

Blending history, culture and culinary delights, Malta is a year-round gem waiting to be discovered

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