Movies filmed in Lisbon
From arthouse European cinema to Hollywood thrillers, Lisbon's streets, palaces, and waterfront have appeared on the big screen for decades. Here are five films where you can spot some of its most iconic locations:
Lisbon Story (1994) by Wim Wenders
A beautiful feature film about a sound engineer (Rüdiger Vogler) who arrives in Lisbon to help a filmmaker and gradually falls in love with the city's streets, sounds, and atmosphere. The film also features music by Madredeus, with the band appearing on screen throughout the story.
The Ninth Gate (1999) by Roman Polanski
A supernatural thriller about a rare book dealer (Johnny Depp) investigating an ancient manuscript believed to summon the Devil. Parts of the film were shot in Sintra at Biester Palace, which is open for visit since 2022!
- Relevant:
- Biester Palace
Night Train to Lisbon (2013) by Bille August
A mystery drama following a Swiss professor (Jeremy Irons) who travels to Lisbon after a chance encounter, uncovering the story of a Portuguese resistance fighter and the city's past.
Poor Things (2023) by Yorgos Lanthimos
Lisbon's waterfront and historic streets make a brief appearance in the world of Poor Things, but there's an important catch: the film wasn't actually filmed in Lisbon.
A surreal, Oscar-winning reimagining of the Frankenstein story, the film follows Bella Baxter (Emma Stone) as she embarks on a journey of discovery, freedom and adventure. Lisbon was digitally recreated as part of the fictional city of Alexandria, giving the Portuguese capital a starring role without the cameras ever actually filming here.
The Russia House (1990) by Fred Schepisi
A Cold War spy thriller starring Sean Connery and Michelle Pfeiffer, with several scenes filmed in Lisbon and along Portugal's Atlantic coast.