Ouarzazate is often dubbed “Africa’s Hollywood” or “Ouarzawood,”. It’s a city in southern Morocco that has become a world-renowned hub for film production. Its unique and diverse landscapes, combined with established film studios and a skilled local workforce, make it an incredibly attractive location for filmmakers from around the globe.

The region offers an incredible array of natural diverse landscapes. The vast, golden sand dunes of the Sahara Desert (Erg Chebbi, Erg Chigaga) are perfect for epic desert scenes. The rugged mountains, often snow-capped peaks and dramatic valleys of the Atlas Mountains provide diverse terrain.

The lush palm groves of an oases offer stark contrast to the arid surroundings. The ancient Kasbahs and Ksars, fortified mud-brick villages like Aït Benhaddou (a UNESCO World Heritage site) provide authentic historical settings. Vast open spaces, the Rocky Plains, can stand in for various arid environments.

Filming in Morocco can be more cost-effective than in many other parts of the world, and Morocco even offers cash rebates for productions, further incentivising international filmmakers. Its relatively close proximity to Europe makes logistics easier for international productions.

Ouarzazate’s landscapes and studios have played host to an incredible number of iconic productions, transporting audiences to diverse eras and fictional worlds. Some of the most notable include:

Epics & Historical Dramas:

Lawrence of Arabia (1962): A classic that put Morocco on the map for filmmakers.

The Last Temptation of Christ (1988): The journey of Jesus Christ and his final temptation on the cross.

Gladiator (2000): Ridley Scott’s Oscar-winning epic heavily utilized Ouarzazate’s terrain for Roman-era North Africa.

Kingdom of Heaven (2005): Another Ridley Scott film set in the Crusades.

The Mummy (1999) & The Mummy Returns (2001): Depicting ancient Egypt.

Alexander (2004): Oliver Stone’s historical epic.

Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014): Ridley Scott’s biblical epic.

Jesus of Nazareth (1977) & The Last Temptation of Christ (1988): Biblical films often find suitable backdrops.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010): A fantasy adventure based on the video game.

Ben Hur (2010 Mini-Series)

Gladiator II: Ridley Scott’s highly anticipated sequel.

Action & Thrillers:

The Living Daylights (1987): A James Bond film.

Hanna (2011): A sixteen-year-old who was raised by her father to be the perfect assassin.

Babel (2006): A multi-narrative drama, parts of which were filmed in the Moroccan desert.

Body of Lies (2008): A spy thriller.

Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015): Featured incredible action sequences.

Fantasy & Sci-Fi:

Game of Thrones (TV Series): Several key scenes for locations like Yunkai were filmed at Aït Benhaddou and around Ouarzazate.

Dune (2021) & Dune: Part Two (2024): While primarily filmed in Jordan and Abu Dhabi, some early pre-production or establishing shots may have utilized Morocco.

Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018): Parts of the Star Wars universe were brought to life here.

Other Notable Films:

Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra (2002)

The Hills Have Eyes (2006)

Prison Break (TV series)

Aladdin (2019): Live-action adaptation.

The constant flow of international productions has cemented Ouarzazate’s reputation as a vital global filmmaking destination.