Lights, camera, action – Montenegro continues to be a great choice for a wide array of movie locations. The sea, lakes, canyons, mountains, as well as old town and modern marinas, widely charished as attractive locations to visit have also found its wat onto the movie scene.
Its wonders have become a stunning backdrop for both Hollywood blockbusters and European cinema. From James Bond speeding along the Adriatic coast and Kotor to independent films capturing the countryโs authentic charm, Montenegroโs cinematic presence is growing.
Movie production companies have recognised the potential of the alluring areas of Montenegro which is why each year more and more movies are filmed partially or entirely in this region.
Typically, Montenegro is depicted through nature, urban areas, rivers, mountains, seas, lakes, or hills. With everything it offers, it’s incredibly convenient to move from one location to another within the country, as it is relatively small.
In this blog, weโll take a closer look at the movies filmed in Montenegro, exploring not only the famous scenes you might recognise, but also the hidden corners of the country that directors love to bring to life on screen. And who knows, maybe you will find the next item to visit on your bucket list.
Top 5 movies filmed in Montenegro
Papillon
The 2017 remake of worldly world-famous movie Papillon, directed by Michael Noer and produced by Joey McFarland, David Koplan, Ram Bergman, and Roger Corbi, has been featuring scenes filmed in Montenegro. The story follows a classic prison-escape drama originally made famous in 1973.
Starring Charlie Hunnam as Henri โPapillonโ Charriรจre and Rami Malek as Louis Dega, the film follows their desperate struggle for survival and freedom in a brutal penal colony. While the story is set in French Guiana, much of the movie was actually filmed in Montenegro, which stood in for the tropical backdrops of South America.
Locations such as Kotor, Mamula Island, Ulcinj, Skadar Lake, and even the rugged landscapes around Nikลกiฤ provided striking scenery for the filmโs dramatic escapes and tense encounters. Mamula is now a luxury resort/hotel open for visitors, but it looks vastly different from its depiction in the movie. This international production not only showcased Montenegroโs versatility as a filming destination but also highlighted how its diverse coastlines, mountains, and historic towns can convincingly transform into almost anywhere in the world.
In the Land of Blood and Honey
“In the Land of Blood and Honey” is a 2011 war drama film that was shot in Montenegro, among other locations. The film was directed by Angelina Jolie and is set during the Bosnian War in the 1990s. It tells the story of a Bosnian woman and a Serbian man who are romantically involved before the war but find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict.
Montenegrin cities of Kotor and Cetinje serve as substitutes for Bosnian cities of Sarajevo and Mostar. Production chose locations there for both their authenticity and practical advantages. Montenegroโs landscapes, historic towns, and war-damaged architecture provided the perfect setting to recreate the atmosphere of Sarajevo and other Bosnian cities during the siege. Cetinje is the old royal capital of Montenegro and has a historic, picturesque charm that can be a perfect backdrop for period pieces or scenes requiring an old-world feel. The town has many grand buildings, museums, and monuments that can serve as great locations for filming.
Kotor is a coastal town on the Bay of Kotor, known for its stunning natural beauty and historic fortifications. The old town of Kotor is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is well-preserved, making it an ideal location for period pieces or scenes requiring a medieval European feel.
Angelina Jolie, the movie’s director, also elaborated how she picked Montenegro as a filming location after visiting the country in 2007 and being impressed by its natural splendour and cultural significance. This decision highlights the exceptional beauty of Montenegro. Additionally, the film crew utilized drones to capture aerial footage of Kotor and Cetinje, which allowed them to exhibit the stunning Montenegrin landscape.
The November Man
Going further down the line of famous movies shot in Montenegro, The November Man makes the list. It is a 2014 action-thriller film starring Pierce Brosnan, and some scenes of the movie were filmed in Montenegro. Clearly, another James Bond link with Pierce Brosnan, having played the British agent 4 times. The movie plot follows a retired CIA agent pulled back into the world of espionage for one final mission. When he is tasked with protecting a valuable witness, Devereaux finds himself in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with his former protรฉgรฉ. The film combines suspense, action, and international intrigue, with a storyline that jumps across Europe.
In the film, Montenegro serves as a backdrop for several key scenes. Particularly the coastal towns of Kotor, Perast, and Risan. The beautiful scenery of the Bay of Kotor is prominently featured in the movie. Focus was given to the old town and the historic fortifications. Some of the most memorable scenes in the film were shot in and around the Our Lady of the Rocks church in Perast. It is a small island located in the middle of the bay.
The film crew had to obtain special permits to film in the church. This is a popular tourist attraction and a site of cultural significance for Montenegro. Pierce Brosnan reportedly enjoyed his time in Montenegro and even took time to explore the local area during breaks in filming. He was particularly impressed by the beauty of the Bay of Kotor. He liked the historic fortifications in the area.
For Montenegro, The November Man was an important Hollywood production that showcased the country as more than just a tourist destination. Thanks to it, Montenegro became a versatile stage for high-stakes action and international storytelling.
Force 10 from Navarone
Force 10 from Navarone (1978) is a war sequel featuring Robert Shaw and Harrison Ford, set during WWII in Yugoslavia. The movie follows a group of Allied commandos on a dangerous mission in German-occupied Yugoslavia. Their task: to destroy a key bridge and support Yugoslav Partisans in their fight against the Nazis. Tara River Canyon and its iconic bridge served as a location for the infamous explosion scene. This highlighted the country’s scenic beauty and enhanced the movie’s visual appeal.
Although the story takes place in wartime Yugoslavia, the filmmakers chose several locations in Montenegro to bring the action to life. The rugged mountains, dramatic rivers, and stone villages of the Montenegrin landscape provided an authentic backdrop that convincingly doubled for occupied Balkan territory. The areaโs untamed terrain added realism to the filmโs epic sequences.
Today, Force 10 from Navarone stands out not just as a war movie with an all-star cast, but also as one of the earlier examples of Hollywood productions using Montenegroโs landscapes. For film and travel enthusiasts alike, it highlights how the countryโs natural beauty and dramatic geography have long attracted international filmmakers.
The Brothers Bloom
The Brothers Bloom (2008) is a whimsical adventure film also partially filmed in Montenegro. The movie stars Adrien Brody and Mark Ruffalo play Bloom and Stephen. They are two brothers who have spent their lives perfecting elaborate cons. When Bloom falls for their latest target, a wealthy heiress played by Rachel Weisz, the scheme turns into something far more complicated, blending romance, comedy, and adventure.
Although the story takes the characters across the globe, from New Jersey to Prague, some of its most picturesque scenes were filmed in Montenegro. The production made use of the Adriatic coast. In particular movie was shot around Budva and the Bay of Kotor, to capture the filmโs elegant, old-world European atmosphere.
They used medieval stone towns and cobble streets to portray the authenticity of the Mediterranean. The picturesque coastal town of Budva was a notable filming location, capturing the film’s charming and quirky ambience.
Honourable Mention: Casino Royale
A special place in our blog deserves a movie that put Montenegro on the map. “Casino Royale” is a 2006 British spy film that features James Bond. Agent is played by Daniel Craig, as he embarks on his first mission as a 007 agent. The movie’s plot revolves around Bond’s attempt to defeat a terrorist financier in a high-stakes poker game at the Casino Royale in Montenegro, which helped put the country on the map.
Although it does mention the country extensively, this Bond movie was not filmed in the actual location in Montenegro. Most of the movie was shot in the Czech Republic and the Bahamas, including Bond’s arrival and a sequence which was presented as a Montenegrin road.
Given that the movie describes itself as being shot in Montenegro, which is not entirely true, an interesting fact is that to create an illusion of a grand hotel in Montenegro, the production team used a combination of practical sets and digital effects to enhance the building’s grandeur.
The Misfits
The Misfits (2021) is an action-heist film directed by Renny Harlin. It is starring Pierce Brosnan as Richard Pace, a master thief who gets caught up with a group of unconventional vigilantes. Together, they plan a daring gold heist aimed at taking down a corrupt businessman with ties to terrorist financing. The film blends glossy action sequences with international intrigue, giving it a modern, globe-trotting feel.
A large portion of The Misfits was filmed in the Middle East, especially Qatar, but key scenes were also shot in Montenegro. The filmmakers used the countryโs dramatic coastline and historic towns to heighten the movieโs sense of glamour and high-stakes adventure. Montenegroโs stone-walled cities and sweeping Adriatic views provided a cinematic backdrop. This was in contrast to the desert settings elsewhere in the film.
While the movie itself received mixed reviews, its visuals remain a highlight. For Montenegro, The Misfits was another showcase of how the country can serve as an exotic and stylish filming location for international productions.
Other movies shot in Montenegro
There have been a few US movies that were filmed in Montenegro. Here, we list a few:
- ”The Deceivers” (2014) was also partly filmed in Montenegro, with scenes shot in Kotor, Perast, and Risan.
- “The Hateful Eight” (2015) – This Quentin Tarantino western was partly filmed in Montenegro, with scenes shot in the Durmitor National Park.
- “The Balkan Line” (2019) – This Russian action-war film was partly filmed in Montenegro, with scenes shot in the coastal town of Budva.
Conclusion
Montenegro is a beautiful country with stunning natural scenery and a rich cultural heritage, making it an excellent location for filmmaking. We listed a handful of movies that became very famous and loved by many. There are many reasons film producers choose to do their production in Montenegro:
Scenic Locations: Montenegro is known for its breathtaking landscapes, from the stunning coastline of the Adriatic Sea to the rugged mountains and national parks. These locations provide filmmakers with a wide range of backdrops for their films, including beaches, forests, lakes, and mountains.
- Tax Incentives: Montenegro offers tax incentives for filmmakers, which can significantly reduce the cost of production.
- Low Cost of Production: Montenegro has a relatively low cost of living compared to other European countries, making it a cost-effective option for filmmakers. The cost of equipment rental, accommodation, and labor is also relatively low, making it an attractive option for indie filmmakers.
- Cultural Heritage: Montenegro has a rich cultural heritage, with many historical landmarks and traditional customs. Filmmakers can draw inspiration from this cultural diversity and incorporate it into their films, providing a unique flavor to their stories.
The film industry in Montenegro is still emerging. That indicates that many of the movies made in the country are authentic and not moulded by mainstream Hollywood. Watching these films can present a new outlook on storytelling and movie-making. So if you are looking for a unique destination with beautiful wind-swept landscapes, look no further and add to the wonderful list of Montenegro films.
