Summary

• Fictional locations like Radiator Springs and Monstropolis may not exist in reality, but their beauty and inspiration still captivate viewers.
• Real-world locations like New York City's American Museum of Natural History and Game of Thrones filming locations offer fans a chance to experience the magic of their favorite films and shows.
• From Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to Gotham City, these fictional places have become iconic in their own right, drawing fans to visit them in theme parks and explore their imagination.

For millennia, stories were told by people sitting around campfires to either pass the time or teach important moral lessons to the young ones. Prehistoric cave art was also a way of depicting stories of civilization.

Today, all kinds of imagined worlds have been created that resonate through various forms of media, including books, TV shows, and movies. Some stories may feature fictional locations with ties to myth. However, some fictional locations were inspired by stunning environments of the real world, such as Game of Thrones's Westeros and Lord of the Ring's Middle Earth universe. The beauty of these fictional places inspires viewers longing to visit a place that doesn't even exist!

Take a look at some fictional locations that are featured in some of the most popular films and TV shows of all time. Travelers will be pleased to know that few of these places are actually real (and can be seen visited)!

UPDATE: 2023/10/27 13:40 EST BY NOAH STAATS

More Real And Fictional Places From Movies And TV To Check Out

This article has been refreshed with two new fictional locations, as well as an additional real one from your favorite movies and TV shows. Whether its off Route 66 in the Cars movie or far beyond reality in Monstropolis, there are endless locations in blockbusters worth exploring: even if it's in our dreams.

28 Fictional: Radiator Springs

For those who fell in love with the Cars franchise back during the 2000s, Radiator Springs quickly became the topic of conversation among movie watchers. This fictional place, just off Route 66, was believed to be real by many who loved the animated movie, only for it to be made up and based more closely on the town of Seligman, AZ. Seligman was once a thriving Route 66 town, which diminished once the road and other infrastructure were completed in the area. Unfortunately, not much of it remains, although Cars depicted it fairly accurately, according to historians. Disneyland even opened its own Radiator Springs, and that has become a major draw to Anaheim in California.

To this day, tourists will drive up and down Route 66 looking for the town of Radiator Springs, only to find it never truly existed.

27 Real: New York City's American Museum of Natural History

For those who watched and loved Night at the Museum, the actual filming location for much of the movie took place in Canada, although the true museum and much of its interior is true: located in New York City, USA. Moreover, the majority of Night at the Museum was filmed in a purpose-built studio in British Columbia, Canada, because the real museum wasn't able to be closed down and adjusted for filming for as long as the production would have needed. It's also worth noting that the museum in the movie was embellished quite a bit in Canada through set design and visual effects.

For those who have traveled to the Museum of Natural History in NYC, you may notice it has a different layout than the movie in some sections and is rather peaceful and organized versus what the film portrayed. The Ancient Egyptian display is still one of the most visited and iconic in all the museum, beckoning travelers from across the globe to this day.

26 Fictional: Monstropolis From Monsters Inc.

To not much surprise, the city of Monstropolis in Monsters Inc. is not real but heavily believed to have been located on the East Coast, roughly around either Boston, Massachusetts, or Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Due to people's accents in the film and other notable scenery, the idea of an East Coast city where Monstropolis would stand isn't as far-fetched as it seems. Monsters University is also said to have been loosely designed after Ivy League colleges like Harvard in Massachusets, giving Boston an even better run for its money regarding the filming "location" for the animated movie.

Again, Pixar has always done a great job of sending audiences to make-believe places for a couple of hours in the theater, with this being the same. Most animated movies featuring a city are based on New York, Los Angeles, London, or Tokyo, so it's nice that many East Coasters feel represented in Monstropolis. Could it have been Boston? We'll never know.

25 Real: Westeros From Game of Thrones

Though a fictional realm in Game of Thrones, Westeros draws inspiration from real-world locations. The series turned the film locations into popular tourist destinations. Places like The Dark Hedges (Ireland) became a bucket-list destination for fans.

Game of Thrones was filmed in different locations, so creating a whole itinerary around it is possible. Other locations include Dubrovnik (Croatia), Seville (Spain), and Iceland. These genuine places, transformed through cinematic magic, allow fans to step into the fantastical world of Westeros, blurring the line between imagination and reality for those seeking a taste of the Seven Kingdoms.

There are tour agencies specializing in Game of Thrones. In The UK, travelers can check the Game of Thrones Tours, which brings fans to different locations within the country.

24 Fictional: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

For those of us who grew up reading the Harry Potter books and seeing the movies, it has been a collective fantasy of ours to receive a letter from an owl with the chance to attend the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Considered to be one of the safest places in the Wizarding World (except for the times when it wasn’t), it’s a place of learning where children learn how to practice magic in several forms, including potions and spells. It’s even possible to interact with magical creatures and enchanted plants, as well as have all kinds of magical adventures.

Fans of the beloved series can still experience the magic of Hogwarts at Universal Studios or even visit Harry Potter locations in London!

23 Fictional: Gotham City

Now this certainly wouldn’t be a great place to live in, given the rampant amount of crime that’s committed here compared to any other city in the DC Universe of comic books and other related media; its appeal comes from its association with a certain character. Namely, Batman (or the Dark Knight as he’s sometimes called) protects this city along with a variety of memorable sidekicks and allies. Plus, many of DC’s greatest villains reside here, such as The Joker and anti-heroes like Harley Quinn, whose fame has skyrocketed in recent years. So maybe it’s worth going here.

While Gotham City isn't real, it was inspired by New York.

22 Real: The Flintstones' House

While everyone knows the Flintstones from their cartoons and commercials, their house is just as memorable in terms of design. Made completely out of rocks, it somehow manages to have working electricity and conditioning like a modern house which the show never really explained, but we didn’t really care because it looked cool (at the time). But then a famous television personality named Dick Clark decided to build a house that looks just like the Flintstones’ abode in Malibu, California, which was listed at $3.5 million in 2012!

While the house isn't open for visitors, it's possible to see it near the northbound freeway.

21 Fictional: Middle Earth

From the Shire to Rivendell to Minas Tirith, it’s hard to pick one place that would be preferable to go to in the realm of Middle Earth because they’re all so cool with something for everyone. For instance, the Shire would be a great place to go to for a relaxing, carefree lifestyle which is practiced by the Hobbits who occupy it. Rivendell is also relaxing too, but in the healing sense as it has given travelers a brief refuge before they embark on a long and perilous journey. Then finally, the amazing architecture of Minas Tirith speaks for itself. While Middle Earth remains a fictional beauty, travelers can tour New Zealand and check out some gorgeous locations where the actual films were shot!

• Recommended tour agencies: Red Carpet, Hobbiton Tours

20 Real: Hobbiton From Lord of the Rings

Hobbiton, nestled in the heart of New Zealand's lush countryside, is a real-life rendition of J.R.R. Tolkien's Shire from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. The meticulously crafted village features charming hobbit holes, emerald gardens, and the iconic Party Tree.

Guided tours offer an immersive experience, allowing visitors to explore this fantastical abode's whimsical nooks and crannies. The attention to detail and breathtaking scenery make Hobbiton a testament to the magic of cinema, inviting fans and travelers alike to step into the enchanting world of Middle-earth.

• Recommended tours: Hobbiton Tours
• Prices: $89.00 - $199.00

19 Fictional: Pandora

Ever since it appeared onscreen in the blockbuster phenomena known as Avatar, the tropical moon of Pandora, which the Na’vi call their home, has captured so many people’s imaginations to the point where a literal theme park based on it was built in Disney’s Animal Kingdom not too long ago. Yet no matter what the theme park offers, it could never replace the real thing, which may lie somewhere across the galaxy (assuming there really is life on other planets).

With floating mountains, bioluminescent plants, and many strange creatures, it’s got a lot of appeal despite its potentially hostile natives. Fans of this hit sci-fi film can hike on the Tianzi Mountain in the Hunan Province of China. Hikers can awe at the "Monarch of the Peak Forest" from which the film was inspired.

Avatar: The Way of Water was influenced by the Amazon and Brazilian indigenous people. The best way to feel close to the movie atmosphere is traveling to the country.

18 Real: Paradise Falls

From the beloved movie Up, this was the place where Carl and his wife dreamed of settling their house. But what’s even cooler is that Paradise Falls is based on a real place. Known as Angel Falls, the world's tallest fall, it is located in Venezuela. While there’s probably not an eccentric explorer living at the top of this waterfall with an army of talking dogs, the person whom the falls are named after was a pilot from America who attempted to land his plane there and failed (though he came out unscathed).

• The real Angel Falls in Venezuela has 979 meters

17 Fictional: Asgard

Though it may have been lost following the events of Thor: Ragnarok, the splendor of this place is still memorable as it’s one of the most visually creative places in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Home to the Norse Gods, including Thor and Loki, it is only accessible via the rainbow-colored Bifrost Bridge. This, in turn, is constantly watched by the guardian Heimdall, who literally sees everything despite the few times he was blind to an approaching threat. With impressive architecture and a generous (though not always great) ruler in the form of Odin, who wouldn’t want to live here?

RELATED: Top 10 Cities For Fantasy Movie Tourism

16 Fictional: Jurassic Park

Even though the movies go out of their way to demonstrate why this place would never work in real life, what child wouldn’t like to go to a place full of living dinosaurs that can be seen and interacted with? Sure, the science behind the cloning of these things is dubious, and the way the dinosaurs are portrayed isn’t always scientifically accurate, but it’s a fun concept. With that said, it is hard to ignore the fact that some of the dinosaurs, like the T-Rex, are incredibly dangerous and can be harmful to humans if they’re not contained properly. Fans of the film can check out some beautiful places in Hawaii that were actual Jurassic Park sets!

• Recommended tour agencies: Hawaii Tours, Kualoa Ranch

15 Fictional: Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory

No matter the age, sweets are a guilty choice of food that everyone likes to indulge in every once in a while. This is especially true with children whose addiction to sweet things has caused sickness in the stomach from eating too many or trips to the dentist for damaged teeth. But regardless of the consequences, a place like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, which offers a wide variety of strange and colorful rooms full of different candies, is charismatically appealing to anyone like its owner. Yet one must keep in mind the lack of safety measures and frequently disappearing guests.

Cadbury World, UK, has created a real-life version of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, where they recreate the experience.

14 Real: Tatooine

Though Star Wars may exist in a galaxy far away, some places may be a lot closer in terms of visiting. Tatooine, for instance, which was the home of Luke and his father Anakin before him, is actually based on the city of Tataouine in Tunisia. Plus, many scenes of the desert planet were filmed here as well as in some neighboring areas, including the partially subterranean Sidi Driss Hotel. This served as the exterior for the water farm Luke grew up at with his aunt and uncle. Thus, it has become a popular attraction for tourists.

• Recommended tour agencies: Tunisia Star Wars Tours, Galaxy Tours

13 Fictional: The Emerald City

As a whole, the Land of Oz has a lot of fantastic places that would be pretty neat to visit, as well as a few less pleasant areas. But by far, the prettiest locale has got to be the Emerald City. Accessed by the Yellow Brick Road, it stands out like a shining beacon with an iconic design that comes from The Wizard of Oz film from the 1930s (though Oz the Great and Powerful certainly tried to replicate it, as the above screenshot shows). Plus, the inside is just as amazing with jovial people around and the titular wizard himself.

While travelers can't actually visit the majestic Emerald City, they can still check out places that were inspired by the film, like Chicago's Oz Park or the Oz Museum in Wamego, Kansas!

12 Fictional: Pemberley

While it’s not one of the most fantastic places that are highlighted in this article, it is certainly something that fans of the Victorian British author Jane Austen would love to be real. After all, this is the estate owned by Mr. Darcy, the love interest of Elizabeth, who is the lead heroine of the book Pride and Prejudice. Now among the various books that Austen wrote, this one has had several movie and TV show adaptations over the years, including a recent one involving zombies (though that was technically based on a different work that borrowed elements from Austen’s writings).

• Recommended tour agencies: Classic British Drama Tours, Chatsworth House & Gardens Tour

11 Fictional: The Gatsby Mansion

In contrast to Pemberley House, which is refined and classy, Jay Gatsby’s mansion is vibrant and wild, with parties being thrown every night. Now that may seem annoying for those who don’t like parties; that’s just the way things were back in the 20s when F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby takes place. A classic tale of hubris and enduring love, this book has become quite popular through its film adaptations, especially the recent version starring Leonardo DiCaprio as the titular character. Because of his charismatic charm, and the film’s poppy soundtrack, it certainly makes this mansion worth checking out at least.

• Recommended tour agency: Discover Long Island

10 Fictional: Lilliput

Though it started out as a satire, Gulliver’s Travels is now regarded as an English literary classic that inspired a popular TV mini-series and several movies, including one that starred Jack Black as the titular character (as shown above). But among the many fantastic realms that Gulliver explores, the most widely recognized one is Lilliput. Home to a race of small humans that are constantly at war with another nation of small people, Gulliver’s arrival could not have come at a better time. So who wouldn’t want to go there and be worshiped like a literal God?

9 Fictional: Neverland

When we’re children, the idea of growing up sounds foreign and not something to look forward to because it would mean change as well as taking on new responsibilities. Even as adults, we wish we could go back to being kids again and not have to worry about anything. For reasons such as this, Neverland has been an enduring concept that has lasted for centuries. Popularized by various adaptations of Peter Pan, though especially the Disney version, it's a place where no one ages. Instead, one can have many adventures, whether it involves fighting pirates, visiting mermaids, or seeing pixies.

Although it's a fictional place, there are several sources that believe that Neverland was inspired by Eilean Shona, a tiny island in the UK.