Movie Sets Revealed: Why Horror Loves Budapest & Other Genre Hotspots
Content Idea: Filmmaking Hotspots by Genre: A Global Tour (And Why They're Chosen)
Explanation: This content could be a series or a comprehensive article/video that dives into which countries or regions are popular for filming specific movie genres. It would go beyond just listing locations and explore the reasons behind these choices. The original Reddit post ("If horror movies are shot in Budapest and Bulgaria, what countries are popular to shoot specific genres in?") sparked this idea, and the comments confirm interest in examples like "Westerns in Italy" (or Spain, highlighting a point of clarification ripe for content).
The content would break down:
- Genre: (e.g., Horror, Sci-Fi, Western, Fantasy, Romance, Action, Period Drama).
- Popular Location(s): (e.g., Eastern Europe for Horror, Canada for Sci-Fi, Spain/US Southwest for Westerns, New Zealand/UK for Fantasy).
- The "Why": This is the crucial part that addresses user curiosity and confusion.
- Cost-Effectiveness & Tax Incentives: Many countries offer significant financial benefits.
- Specific Landscapes/Architecture: Deserts for Westerns, ancient castles for fantasy/horror, futuristic cityscapes for sci-fi.
- Skilled Local Crews & Infrastructure: Availability of experienced technicians, studios, and post-production facilities (e.g., Vancouver, London).
- Historical Precedent/Look: "Spaghetti Westerns" created an association with Spain/Italy; UK for period dramas due to authentic locations.
- "Runaway Productions": Explaining why Hollywood shoots elsewhere.
Example Structure for a Segment (e.g., Sci-Fi):
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Popular Locations:
- Vancouver & Toronto, Canada
- United Kingdom (London, various studios)
- Iceland
- Budapest, Hungary
- Why?
- Canada: Generous tax credits, strong VFX industry, diverse urban and natural landscapes that can double for US locations or alien worlds. (Examples: Stargate SG-1, The X-Files, many CW shows, The Expanse).
- UK: World-class studios (Pinewood, Leavesden), exceptional VFX and practical effects talent, tax relief. (Examples: Star Wars sequels, Doctor Who, Children of Men).
- Iceland: Unique, otherworldly volcanic landscapes, glaciers, and aurora borealis perfect for alien planets or post-apocalyptic settings. (Examples: Interstellar, Prometheus, Star Wars: The Force Awakens).
- Budapest: Increasingly popular for its versatile architecture, studio space, and skilled crews, often at a lower cost. (Example: Blade Runner 2049, Dune).
Why this idea is potentially popular/viral:
- Answers a direct question: The Reddit post shows there's existing curiosity.
- "Behind-the-Scenes" appeal: People love learning the "secrets" of how movies are made.
- Combines multiple interests: Film, travel, geography, and even economics.
- High visual potential: Can use film clips, location photos, maps, and infographics.
- Educational and entertaining: Provides interesting trivia that people can share.
- Addresses confusion: Clarifies why certain looks are achieved in unexpected places (e.g., a "New York" scene shot in Toronto).
Target Audience:
- Movie Fans & Film Buffs: Those who enjoy watching movies and are interested in the filmmaking process.
- Aspiring Filmmakers & Film Students: Individuals looking to understand the practicalities of production.
- Travel Enthusiasts: People interested in film tourism or learning about different countries through the lens of cinema.
- Trivia Lovers: Anyone who enjoys learning interesting facts and "did you know" type information.
- Pop Culture Consumers: General audience interested in entertainment and how it's created.
Origin Reddit Post
r/answers
If horror movies are shot in Budapest and Bulgaria, what countries are popular to shoot specific genres in?
Posted by u/MorePea7207•06/01/2025
Top Comments
u/Sky-is-here
A surprising amount of fantasy is recorded in Spain. Game of thrones for example I believe used a lot of my own city of Granada, particularly the Alhambra. But also other Spanish cities
u/dfsw
Fantasy in New Zealand
u/Sky-is-here
A surprising amount of fantasy is recorded in Spain. Game of thrones for example I believe used a lot of my own city of Granada, particularly the Alhambra. But also other Spanish cities
u/Consistent_Catch9917
Austria has a long running tradition to act as a backdrop for spy movies and series. Not all that surprising as Vienna was and is again the capital of east/west spying. Sometimes Prague is us
u/liang_zhi_mao
I have watched a documentary about the fact that a lot of Bollywood movies and Asian movies are shot in Switzerland because this is vaguely how they imagine paradise: mountains, green grass a
u/iSteve
Anything in the desert is usually shot in Morocco or Jordan.
u/GarageIndependent114
England - Period dramas and romantic comedies
Scotland - Apocalyptic fillms
France - Romantic films
Russia - Epics
USA - Action and crime
India - Musicals and documentaries
Australia
u/bootherizer5942
Are many sitcoms actually filmed in New York though? Even if they take place there
u/HersheyBoi23
Ah, Spaghetti Westerns.
u/dfsw
Fantasy in New Zealand
u/Life_Is_A_Mistry
I thought you meant that as a pun, [then I actually looked it up](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaghetti_Western)
u/Life_Is_A_Mistry
I thought you meant that as a pun, [then I actually looked it up](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaghetti_Western)
u/Steinmetal4
I've only ever had a layover there and I remember looking at the landscape from the plane and thinking it looked like another planet.
u/iSteve
Anything in the desert is usually shot in Morocco or Jordan.
u/attess
I noticed that many desert scenes are shot in Morocco and the UAE
u/Life_Is_A_Mistry
I thought you meant that as a pun, [then I actually looked it up](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaghetti_Western)
u/qualityvote2
Hello u/MorePea7207! Welcome to r/answers!
---
For other users, does this post fit the subreddit?
If so, **upvote this comment!**
Otherwise, **downvote this comment!**
And if it does bre
u/melinte
I thought Italian westerns were actually shot in Spain?
u/Tupcek
mostly “major US city” scenes
u/Sky-is-here
A surprising amount of fantasy is recorded in Spain. Game of thrones for example I believe used a lot of my own city of Granada, particularly the Alhambra. But also other Spanish cities
u/GrynaiTaip
That's where they are based, not where they are shot. Most American shows are shot in California, that's where biggest studios are.
u/MauPow
Mexico - drug wars
New York - Sitcoms
England - Fantasy
Japan - Monster
u/melinte
I thought Italian westerns were actually shot in Spain?
u/zzupdown
They used to shoot a lot of Westerns in Italy.
u/melinte
I thought Italian westerns were actually shot in Spain?
u/HersheyBoi23
Ah, Spaghetti Westerns.
u/iSteve
Anything in the desert is usually shot in Morocco or Jordan.
u/GrynaiTaip
That's where they are based, not where they are shot. Most American shows are shot in California, that's where biggest studios are.
u/helgihermadur
Lots of Sci-fi movies are shot in Iceland (Interstellar, Oblivion, Rogue One etc.) because of the otherworldly landscape.
u/Gwyrr
It's not that those locations are popular, its because production costs are cheap otherwise they would be shot in the locations they're supposed to take place in. Like most TV shows are shot
u/zzupdown
They used to shoot a lot of Westerns in Italy.
u/helgihermadur
Lots of Sci-fi movies are shot in Iceland (Interstellar, Oblivion, Rogue One etc.) because of the otherworldly landscape.
u/dfsw
Fantasy in New Zealand
u/bootherizer5942
Yeah the desert of Almería is where the good the bad and the ugly was shot, for example
u/qualityvote2
Hello u/MorePea7207! Welcome to r/answers!
---
For other users, does this post fit the subreddit?
If so, **upvote this comment!**
Otherwise, **downvote this comment!**
And if it does bre
u/redvodkandpinkgin
That's where they got the name, they were usually shot in Italy and generally with Italian directors
u/tchomptchomp
Lot of SciFi shot in Vancouver and Toronto. Lot of westerns shot in Alberta.
u/Life_Is_A_Mistry
I thought you meant that as a pun, [then I actually looked it up](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaghetti_Western)
u/redvodkandpinkgin
That's where they got the name, they were usually shot in Italy and generally with Italian directors
u/fieryuser
Canada is a popular country to shoot specific genres in. Specifically all the genres.
u/Gwyrr
It's not that those locations are popular, its because production costs are cheap otherwise they would be shot in the locations they're supposed to take place in. Like most TV shows are shot
u/GrynaiTaip
A lot of american shows are filmed in Toronto and Vancouver, there are lots of companies that provide props, like USPS mailboxes and police cars with names of various US cities. They have ple
u/GrynaiTaip
That's where they are based, not where they are shot. Most American shows are shot in California, that's where biggest studios are.
u/bootherizer5942
Yeah the desert of Almería is where the good the bad and the ugly was shot, for example
u/qualityvote2
Hello u/MorePea7207! Welcome to r/answers!
---
For other users, does this post fit the subreddit?
If so, **upvote this comment!**
Otherwise, **downvote this comment!**
And if it does bre
u/Steinmetal4
I've only ever had a layover there and I remember looking at the landscape from the plane and thinking it looked like another planet.
u/Zerowantuthri
There is a lot more to costs than salaries. If you shoot in Canada you will need to rent equipment locally (and/or pay to ship your equipment up there) and pay for hotels and food for the ac
u/HersheyBoi23
Ah, Spaghetti Westerns.
u/attess
I noticed that many desert scenes are shot in Morocco and the UAE
u/qualityvote2
Hello u/MorePea7207! Welcome to r/answers!
---
For other users, does this post fit the subreddit?
If so, **upvote this comment!**
Otherwise, **downvote this comment!**
And if it does bre
u/bootherizer5942
Are many sitcoms actually filmed in New York though? Even if they take place there
u/tchomptchomp
Lot of SciFi shot in Vancouver and Toronto. Lot of westerns shot in Alberta.
u/HersheyBoi23
Ah, Spaghetti Westerns.
u/GrynaiTaip
A lot of american shows are filmed in Toronto and Vancouver, there are lots of companies that provide props, like USPS mailboxes and police cars with names of various US cities. They have ple
u/Tupcek
mostly “major US city” scenes
u/tchomptchomp
Lot of SciFi shot in Vancouver and Toronto. Lot of westerns shot in Alberta.
u/redvodkandpinkgin
That's where they got the name, they were usually shot in Italy and generally with Italian directors
u/svferris
Actually, a lot of small town scenes too. My parents used to live near Steveston, a small historic fishing village outside Vancouver. It was used for a bunch of things including Once Upon a T
u/fieryuser
Canada is a popular country to shoot specific genres in. Specifically all the genres.
u/MauPow
Mexico - drug wars
New York - Sitcoms
England - Fantasy
Japan - Monster
u/Zerowantuthri
There is a lot more to costs than salaries. If you shoot in Canada you will need to rent equipment locally (and/or pay to ship your equipment up there) and pay for hotels and food for the ac
u/Truth_Hurts318
Can I have your plug's number, tho? You must be smoking some good stuff.
u/waltjrimmer
LA if it's shot in-studio because that's likely where the talent and crew live, that's where the studio is, that's where it makes the most sense to film.
If on location, they go often where
u/qualityvote2
Hello u/MorePea7207! Welcome to r/answers!
---
For other users, does this post fit the subreddit?
If so, **upvote this comment!**
Otherwise, **downvote this comment!**
And if it does bre
u/Sky-is-here
A surprising amount of fantasy is recorded in Spain. Game of thrones for example I believe used a lot of my own city of Granada, particularly the Alhambra. But also other Spanish cities
u/Steinmetal4
I've only ever had a layover there and I remember looking at the landscape from the plane and thinking it looked like another planet.
u/GrynaiTaip
That's where they are based, not where they are shot. Most American shows are shot in California, that's where biggest studios are.
u/HersheyBoi23
Ah, Spaghetti Westerns.
u/fieryuser
Canada is a popular country to shoot specific genres in. Specifically all the genres.
u/svferris
Actually, a lot of small town scenes too. My parents used to live near Steveston, a small historic fishing village outside Vancouver. It was used for a bunch of things including Once Upon a T
u/iSteve
Anything in the desert is usually shot in Morocco or Jordan.
u/Consistent_Catch9917
Austria has a long running tradition to act as a backdrop for spy movies and series. Not all that surprising as Vienna was and is again the capital of east/west spying. Sometimes Prague is us
u/tchomptchomp
Lot of SciFi shot in Vancouver and Toronto. Lot of westerns shot in Alberta.
u/glitterfaust
This isn’t even that weird of a question
u/AutoModerator
Sorry /u/panicz82, it appears you have broken rule 9: "Accounts with less than -10 comment karma are not allowed to post here. Please improve your karma to participate."
*I am a bot, and thi
u/zzupdown
They used to shoot a lot of Westerns in Italy.
u/helgihermadur
Lots of Sci-fi movies are shot in Iceland (Interstellar, Oblivion, Rogue One etc.) because of the otherworldly landscape.
u/zzupdown
They used to shoot a lot of Westerns in Italy.
u/zzupdown
They used to shoot a lot of Westerns in Italy.
u/attess
I noticed that many desert scenes are shot in Morocco and the UAE
u/liang_zhi_mao
I have watched a documentary about the fact that a lot of Bollywood movies and Asian movies are shot in Switzerland because this is vaguely how they imagine paradise: mountains, green grass a
u/redvodkandpinkgin
That's where they got the name, they were usually shot in Italy and generally with Italian directors
u/Gwyrr
It's not that those locations are popular, its because production costs are cheap otherwise they would be shot in the locations they're supposed to take place in. Like most TV shows are shot
u/tchomptchomp
Lot of SciFi shot in Vancouver and Toronto. Lot of westerns shot in Alberta.
u/bootherizer5942
Yeah the desert of Almería is where the good the bad and the ugly was shot, for example
u/Gwyrr
It's not that those locations are popular, its because production costs are cheap otherwise they would be shot in the locations they're supposed to take place in. Like most TV shows are shot
u/liang_zhi_mao
I have watched a documentary about the fact that a lot of Bollywood movies and Asian movies are shot in Switzerland because this is vaguely how they imagine paradise: mountains, green grass a
u/attess
I noticed that many desert scenes are shot in Morocco and the UAE
u/Zerowantuthri
There is a lot more to costs than salaries. If you shoot in Canada you will need to rent equipment locally (and/or pay to ship your equipment up there) and pay for hotels and food for the ac
u/bootherizer5942
Yeah the desert of Almería is where the good the bad and the ugly was shot, for example
u/MauPow
Mexico - drug wars
New York - Sitcoms
England - Fantasy
Japan - Monster
u/fieryuser
Canada is a popular country to shoot specific genres in. Specifically all the genres.
u/bootherizer5942
Are many sitcoms actually filmed in New York though? Even if they take place there
u/bootherizer5942
Are many sitcoms actually filmed in New York though? Even if they take place there
u/MauPow
Mexico - drug wars
New York - Sitcoms
England - Fantasy
Japan - Monster
u/king-one-two
Breaking Bad was set in Albuquerque because that's where the production was.
u/liang_zhi_mao
I have watched a documentary about the fact that a lot of Bollywood movies and Asian movies are shot in Switzerland because this is vaguely how they imagine paradise: mountains, green grass a
u/fieryuser
Canada is a popular country to shoot specific genres in. Specifically all the genres.
u/waltjrimmer
LA if it's shot in-studio because that's likely where the talent and crew live, that's where the studio is, that's where it makes the most sense to film.
If on location, they go often where
u/dfsw
Fantasy in New Zealand
u/melinte
I thought Italian westerns were actually shot in Spain?
u/GrynaiTaip
A lot of american shows are filmed in Toronto and Vancouver, there are lots of companies that provide props, like USPS mailboxes and police cars with names of various US cities. They have ple
u/Tupcek
mostly “major US city” scenes
u/Steinmetal4
I've only ever had a layover there and I remember looking at the landscape from the plane and thinking it looked like another planet.
u/Zerowantuthri
There is a lot more to costs than salaries. If you shoot in Canada you will need to rent equipment locally (and/or pay to ship your equipment up there) and pay for hotels and food for the ac
u/Tupcek
mostly “major US city” scenes
u/[deleted]
[removed]
u/melinte
I thought Italian westerns were actually shot in Spain?
u/helgihermadur
Lots of Sci-fi movies are shot in Iceland (Interstellar, Oblivion, Rogue One etc.) because of the otherworldly landscape.
u/GrynaiTaip
A lot of american shows are filmed in Toronto and Vancouver, there are lots of companies that provide props, like USPS mailboxes and police cars with names of various US cities. They have ple