Italy is such a beautiful country that it's not all that surprising that countless movies have chosen to film there. Its stunning natural landscapes and incredible cities have been home to some of the best movies of all time. Pixar is set to add to that filmography with Luca.
The original movie from the well-renowned animation studio is set to feature a small town on the Italian Riviera, contributing its own artistic merit to Italy's on screen legacy. Some of the movies have that have chosen to have the European country as its backdrop have gone on to great success, with these stories becoming hugely influenced by the amazing Italian places they are set in.
Honorable Mentions: Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) & Quantum Of Solace (2008)
While neither film has Italy as its main focal point, both globe-hopping features allow the country to become a key part of their action sequences. For Quantum Of Solace, James Bond is chased in a memorable sequence across the rooftops of a small Italian town, before being captured near Lake Garda.
In before his mysterious aquatic foe strikes in the heart of the city. Both feature iconic locations from across Italy and both are landmark movies in their own right, although neither are as heavily focused on Italy as other movies featured below.
Master Of None (2015-2017)
Netflix commissioned Aziz Ansari's although there's plenty of signs that a third one is on the way. After realizing he had to make a change in his life in the first season, Ansari's Dev Shah moves to Italy to rediscover his ion for food.
He begins learning how to make pasta, developing the skill so that he can one day potentially turn his talents and ideas into a business. The city of Modena is the backdrop to his culinary experiences and also provides a host of authentic storylines that really could have only have been achieved by taking this American to Italy.
The Godfather (1972)
When critics and audiences alike put together a list of the most vital and historically significant films of all time, The Godfather will likely always be included upon that list. It's a cinematic masterpiece, one which solidified the career of Francis Ford Coppola and defined the genre.
Of course it's sequels are equally as respected and discussed, but one thing that's often overlooked is the importance of the Godfather's use of Sicily in exploring the mob's Italian heritage. While the movie is known for the city of New York, Sicily shines as a key part of the gangster's history.
The Italian Job (1969)
It's no surprise that a movie entitled The Italian Job is set in Italy, but the film is heightened by its backdrop. For the movie, Italy represents wealth and class, something completely in contrast to that of rugged thieves looking for one last heist.
Fantastic filming locations across Italy were chosen to house this picture, from the Alps in Aosta to the tunnels of La Thuile. The movie's legacy is cemented by its literal cliff-hanger and memorable performance from lead Michael Caine, but it would not be the same without the backdrop of Italy.
The Trip To Italy (2014)
The Trip as a concept has evolved greatly over the years. The basic premise sees Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon travel across famous tourist destinations in the search of great food and the opportunity to revel in their own banter.
Needless to say, there's something quite self-indulgent about these actors playing versions of themselves, but The Trip To Italy perhaps takes a step beyond some of the other series, not only showcasing the beauty of Italy but also taking a much deeper, emotional turn in the narrative.
The Pink Panther (1963)
While the 1964 sequel to is perhaps less fondly ed, its predecessor the original 1963 Pink Panther, has taken its rightful place in history as a landmark production in the comedy genre.
Inspector Jacques Clouseau must head to Rome to catch a notorious jewel thief who has set their eye on the priceless diamond known as the titular Pink Panther. Italy is crucial to the narrative at play here and its hotels, villas and general culture are the perfect background for Clouseau's comedic investigations.
Letters To Juliet (2010)
Of course, one thing Italy is incredibly famous for is the fair streets of Verona, where William Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet takes place. Plenty of romantic comedies have been inspired by the vital play and Letters To Juliet follows suit in both name and indeed location.
With lead Sophie and her fiancé taking a pre-honeymoon trip to Verona, Italy quickly serves as a much larger symbol of romanticism and begins in many ways to act as a catalyst for Sophie to analyze their relationship. The iconic city is therefore of great importance for the story and serves its purpose well.
Call Me By Your Name (2017)
This critically acclaimed coming of age story is as much about its protagonists and their own identity and journey of sexual awakening as it is the places that they go on that journey. Indeed it is Elio's move to Northern Italy that really begins this chapter in his life.
Some beautiful places were chosen to shoot Call Me By Your Name with Lombardy becoming a vital part of the story. Europe has always been a place for romantic endeavors with Italy itself often used to reflect upon one's own lovelorn heart; it serves a similar yet more complex purpose here.
Medici (2016-2019)
Netflix has continued to develop a number of original dramas which not only look to history for inspiration in of new narratives but also across the world in order to capitalize on its increasingly international audience. Medici aimed to tell a significant piece of Italian history to a global audience.
With Richard Madden in the titular role of Cosimo de' Medici, the head of the family, the three seasons of the show indicate the rise of this power-hungry family and the impact they have had on Italy's timeline. The show simply could not be developed without Italy and both its people and its landscapes are vital components to the story.
The Two Popes (2019)
Netflix's The Two Popes is just as it suggests, a story of two popes coming together as one looks to give his title to another; in a break from tradition, reg from the prestigious role. The narrative is driven by the negotiations, discussions, and indeed friendship of the two men.
While Vatican City is the home of some of the film's plot, with the independent country becoming a larger symbol of the Papacy, the two men find common ground in the backdrop of Rome. Its many memorable scenes often boast the famous capitol city, either as a stand-in for The Vatican or as a departure from the often-used home of the Pope.
