There's a particular magic when a film or TV series makes you stop mid-episode and think, "I need to go there." That pull is real, and it's only growing stronger. Filmmakers know this, too. They're not just choosing locations for their stories anymore; they're creating reasons for audiences to become travelers.
This summer, nine major releases are set to transform their real-world filming locations into your next destination. Whether you're drawn to Mediterranean islands, bustling cities, or Pacific coastlines, these projects offer something for every kind of wanderer. Here's what's coming and where you should consider pointing your passport.
Fashion, Glamour, and Italian Lakes
The Devil Wears Prada 2 arrives on May 1st, nearly two decades after the original captured the fashion world's cutthroat energy. The sequel reunites us with Miranda Priestly as she wrestles with a shifting media landscape, while Emily Charlton has ascended to luxury executive status. Filming took place across New York City, Milan, and Lake Como, giving viewers a masterclass in where high fashion actually happens. New York's designer districts and Milan's streets are calling. Lake Como's villas? Even more so.
Mythology Meets Mediterranean Coastlines
The Odyssey (July 17th) is Christopher Nolan's attempt to bring Homer's epic to the screen. This isn't your high school textbook version. The production scattered itself across Greece and Italy, using dramatic cliffs, islands, and landscapes that have witnessed thousands of years of stories. If you've ever wanted to connect with classical history beyond a museum, this film might be the push you need.
Urban Energy and Rooftop Views
Spider-Man: Brand New Day swings into theaters July 31st with Peter Parker navigating New York City after his identity vanishes from the timeline. The film strips the city down to what it does best: soaring architecture, crowded streets, and the kind of urban electricity that photographs can't quite capture. If you've been meaning to escape typical tourist routes and see a city for what it actually is, New York deserves another look through fresh eyes.
Pacific Islands and Volcanic Beauty
Moana returns as a live-action film on July 10th, following a young Polynesian girl chosen by the ocean to save her people. Dwayne Johnson plays the demigod Maui. The story draws from Polynesian mythology and culture, filmed across Hawaii's volcanic landscapes, tropical coastlines, and ocean vistas. This isn't just a Disney remake; it's a celebration of island heritage and natural beauty that demands to be seen in person.
Chicago's Culinary Heart
The Bear Season 5 drops sometime this summer, continuing its portrait of chef Carmy and his team's quest to transform their restaurant. The series has made Chicago a character in its own right. Beyond the kitchen's chaos, you'll see the city's neighborhoods, architecture, and food scene in ways that typical tourism won't reveal. If you're a food traveler, this show is an unofficial guide.
Dragon Wars and European Castles
House of the Dragon Season 3 premieres June 21st with the Targaryen civil war as its backdrop. While Westeros is fictional, the European filming locations are absolutely real. Think dramatic castles, rugged coastlines, and the kind of fortress-laden landscapes that fantasy comes from. Set-jetting fans have been tracking these locations for years.
Mediterranean Mysteries
Enola Holmes 3 arrives in 2026 with Millie Bobby Brown's detective heading beyond Britain to Malta. The island's historic fortifications, winding streets, and Mediterranean harbors create a new flavor for the franchise. Malta doesn't always make travelers' lists, but this film might change that.
Two Weeks in August (May 23rd) is a BBC drama that unravels on a Greek island, where whitewashed villages and crystal-clear waters form a striking contrast to the family secrets bubbling beneath the surface. It's the kind of setting that looks perfect until you arrive and realize that every destination has complications underneath its postcard exterior.
Romance, Relationships, and Wandering
People We Meet on Vacation launches January 9th, based on Emily Henry's bestselling novel about two best friends reuniting for one final trip to repair their relationship. The film was shot across Barcelona, New Orleans, and Spain's Costa Brava. What makes this one different is that travel isn't just a backdrop. The destinations actually shape how the characters understand each other. Every city they visit becomes part of their healing.
Why This Matters for Your Summer Plans
Set-jetting isn't a frivolous trend. When a film captures a location in a compelling way, it taps into something real about why we travel in the first place: we want to inhabit stories, not just read them. We want to walk the streets our heroes walked, see what they saw, and understand places through the emotional lens of the characters we cared about on screen.
These nine releases give you plenty of reasons to move beyond the usual resort destinations. Whether you're booking a summer escape or just daydreaming about next year, let these films do what they do best: make the world feel both cinematic and possible. Your next great trip might be playing at a theater near you right now.
