Favorite Movies Set in Italy
These movies set in Italy aren’t necessarily my favorite because they’re outstanding examples of cinematic genius. They’re on this list because they showcase my favorite places in Italy we’ve visited or they’re still on my list of places to travel to – and they’re entertaining enough to watch.
A Haunting in Venice (2023) – canals! (the movie is average, but you’ll recognize the stars)
A Room with a View (1986) – Florence
Book Club: The Next Chapter (2023) – Venice and Rome are the highlighted cities; the Tuscany scenes are actually filmed just outside of Rome (I do love these ladies and their shenanigans!)
Casino Royale (2006) – Venice at the end
Cinema Paradiso (1990) – Sicily
Angels and Demons (2009) – Rome
Eat Pray Love (2010) – Naples, Rome, Venice, Italian countryside (in the first half)
Ferrari (2023) – Modena and Bologna (fascinating slice of his life)
From Scratch (2022) – Florence, parts of Italy (Have your Kleenex ready while watching this Netflix limited series!)
Letters to Juliet (2010) – Verona, Siena and Lake Garda
La Dolce Vita (1960) – Rome
Lift (2024) – The first 11 minutes showcase great views of Venice. If you enjoy heist movies, this is a fun Friday night flick.
Love & Gelato (2022) – Rome; based on the book of the same name
Life is Beautiful (1998) – This Oscar winner is set in Arezzo in Tuscany as well as other parts of Italy.
Made in Italy (2020) – Italian countryside; there are some parallels between the movie and Liam Neeson and his son’s life events
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023) – Venice, Rome; get location details from Atlas of Wonders
Roman Holiday (1953) – take a guess; Hepburn and Peck – everyone should watch this classic
Spiderman: Far from Home (2019) – Venice, around Italy
The Italian Job (2003) – The first part of the movie (and the very end) were filmed in Venice; (1969) in Turin
The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) – Venice, Rome, Campania
The Tourist (2010) – Venice
Under the Tuscan Sun (2003) – Cortona, Tuscany
Travel Shows
Dream of Italy (2015-2019) – travel series
Searching for Italy – Stanley Tucci dives into food throughout Italy
Somebody Feed Phil – Phil Rosenthal visits Venice and Modena
Other movies or shows I haven’t yet seen but appear on several “best of Italy” lists:
Call Me By Your Name (2018) – Lombardy region
Enchanted April (1992) – Portofino
Johnny Stecchino – filmed in multiple Italy locations including Emilia-Romagna
Only You (1994) – Rome, Venice, Tuscay, Amalfi Coast
Summertime (1955) – Katharine Hepburn in Venice
Tea with Mussolini (1999) – Florence, San Gimignano
The Two Popes (2019) – Vatican
The White Lotus (2021) – Season 2 was filmed in Sicily
To Rome with Love (2012) – Rome!
Tips from Others:
This post from Life Lemons Italy shares additional movie recommendations complete with details about Italian scenery.
I Heart Italy has also compiled a list of movies with location details.
Buon viaggio!
If you need an easy-to-follow guide to leave work behind so you can enjoy the destinations you see in movies, check out these Escape from Work options in online or book format.
