Malta Movies

Only a handful of movies are set in Malta, but plenty were filmed there. Here is a list of the fifteen best films that include a Maltese backdrop, in order of when they were filmed.

1. Malta Story (1952)

This one is a war film based on Malta’s involvement in World War II and is extra special because it includes actual historic archive footage.

2. Midnight Express (1978)

Based on the true story of an American college student was arrested and sentenced to life in prison, all for trying to smuggle 2kg of hash out of Turkey.

3. Popeye (1980)

Robin Williams plays a spinach eatin’ sailor in this musical movie. The creators built Popeye’s village film set into a cove in Malta and now it is a delightful theme park!

4. Cutthroat Island (1995)

Geena Davis is hardcore pirate searching for buried treasure and all she has to go by is the map that was tattooed on dead father’s scalp.

5. Gladiator (2000)

Russell Crowe is a general turned gladiator in this historical drama which took home five Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor.

6. The Count of Monte Christo (2002)

An adaptation of the novel by the same name, about a man who is wrongly imprisoned and his revenge on those jerks who betrayed him.

7. Troy (2003)

Ever heard of a little book called “Iliad”? If not, just watch Troy. It’s like cliff notes, but with the added bonus of an extremely attractive cast.

8. Munich (2005)

An action packed historical drama based on the aftermath of the Munich Massacre at the 1972 Summer Olympics.

9. The Da Vinci Code (2006)

A mystery thriller that unravels some deep, dark secrets about Christianity.

10. Agora (2009)

Set in Roman Egypt, Agora follows the relationship between a philosophy professor and her servant amidst violence between Pagans and Christians. It shows an overall conflict between religion and science.

11. Kon Tiki (2012)

An epic adventure story based on the life of Thor Heyerdahl, a Norwegian explorer who sailed from South America to the Polynesian Island on a primitive raft. #budgettravel

12. Captain Phillips (2012)

This Best Picture winner is inspired by the true story of a ship captain who is captured and held hostage by Somali pirates.

13. World War Z (2013)

It’s a zombie apocalypse and the future of mankind depends on Brad Pitt. There is a good portion of the film that takes place in Isreal, but is actually beautiful Valletta!

14. Simshar (2014)

Inspired the 2008 Marsaxlokk sea tragedy, this is the only film on the list that is in Maltese and it was the first Maltese film ever submitted for a Foreign Language Oscar Nomination.

15. Murder on the Orient Express (2017)

Agatha Christie’s novel comes to life in this fun murder mystery movie. Though the majority of the film takes place on a train, you can see shots of Malta in some of the flashbacks.

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