Hollywood filmmakers have been drawn to Nepal for many years, captivated by the country’s vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and rich history. Over the years, many Hollywood movies have been shot in Nepal, showcasing the country’s diverse culture and regions to an audience around the world. Be it a full-length movie or just a few scenes, Hollywood seems to be keen on filming on Nepali soil. Today, In this blog post I have listed 10 Hollywood movies that were shot in Nepal.
Hollywood Movies shot in Nepal
Doctor Strange
The first movie that I have included in this list is not other than the 2016 Marvel movie “Doctor Strange“. Some of the filming locations included the ancient city of Bhaktapur, the Pashupatinath Temple, and the streets of Kathmandu. Kamar Taj, the mythical location in the Doctor Strange movie serves as the base of operations for the Ancient One and her disciples, including Doctor Strange himself. In the movie, Kamar-Taj is depicted as a hidden temple located somewhere in the mountains of Nepal.
The Patan Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, was used as the location for the outdoor shots of Kamar-Taj. The inside sequences, however, were filmed on a set built at Longcross Studios in England. Toorder to film the scenes for Doctor Strange, the production crew was in Nepal for around a month. To build the sets and shoot the scenes, they collaborated extensively with regional filmmakers, technicians, and suppliers while they were in town. The team encounters some significant difficulties during filming, such as unrest in the nation’s politics and sporadic street protest disruptions.
The scenes that were filmed in Nepal contributed significantly to the visual style of the movie and helped to establish the otherworldly setting that is essential to the development of the character and plot of Doctor Strange.
The Golden Child
The Golden Child: is a 1986 American fantasy comedy film that was partly shot in Nepal. The movie features starting scenes filmed in the Kathmandu Valley and the surrounding areas, including the Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath Temple, and Pashupatinath Temple. The Film starred Eddie Murphy as Chandler Jarrell, a social worker who is tasked with finding a young Tibetan boy with mystical powers, known as the Golden Child. The movie was directed by Michael Ritchie and Produced by Paramount Pictures.
Budget: $24.5 million
Gross Collection: $149.4 million
The Wildest Dream
Another movie on the list is The Wildest Dream (2010) directed by Anthony Geffen was partially shot in Nepal. The movie is a documentary about the life of a mountaineer George Mallory, who disappeared while attempting to summit Mount Everest in 1924. the movie includes reenactments of Mallory’s expeditions, as well as interviews with mountaineers and experts. most of the scenes featuring Nepal were captured in the Khumbu region where Mount Everest is located. The movie also features various Himalayan mountains and the surrounding landscapes.
Baraka
Ron Fricke’s 1992 non-narrative documentary film Baraka was first shown in theaters. The film uses stunning visuals and music to illustrate various facets of people and the natural world. The film does include some moments that were filmed in Nepal, despite having material from many other nations, including Egypt, Indonesia, Brazil, Turkey, Australia, and many others. The gorgeous scenery, historic temples, and vibrant cities of the nation are depicted in severalnumber of fascinating scenes in the movie. The Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Stupa, and Kathmandu Durbar Square are just a few of the Nepali places that appear in the movie. The movie also shows videos of Nepalese people going about their daily lives, participating in customary rites and ceremonies.
Overall, Baraka is a remarkable cinematic experience that captures the beauty and diversity of our world, and its Nepal footage is no exception.
Little Buddha
The Movie “Little Budhha” directed by Bernardo Bertolucci has several scenes that take place in Nep[al. One of the most memorable scenes is when the two young boys, Jesse Conrad and Raju, are searching for the reincarnation of Lama Norbu‘s teacher in the Kathmandu Valley. The scene begins with the two boys walking through a crowded market in Kathmandu, surrounded by vendors selling goods such as species, fabrics, and jewelry. They come across a group of men playing music on traditional Nepalese instruments, and Jesse is immediately drawn to the sound.
As they continue walking, they pass by several colorful temples, and shrines, including the Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest stupas in the world and a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists. The boys stop to watch as devotees circle the stupa, spinning prayer wheels and chanting mantras. Eventually, they reach a small village in the Kathmandu Valley where they believe they have found the reincarnation of lama Norbu’s teacher. The scene is set against the backdrop of the Himalayan Mountains, with prayer flags fluttering in the wind and monks chanting in the distance.
The village is a traditional Nepalese settlement, with small stone houses and narrow dirt roads. The boys are welcomed by the villagers and led to a small house where they meet they meet the young boy who they believe is the reincarnation. the scene is quiet and peaceful, with the only sound being the rustling of the prayer flags and the occasional bird chirping. Overall, this scene captures the beauty and tranquility of Nepal, with its rich cultural heritage and stunning natural scenery. It provides a glimpse into the spiritual traditions of Buddhism and the deep reverence that the Nepalese people have for their religion.
Final Words
These movies are among the most appreciated Hollywood movies that touched the Nepali land. How many movies have you watched from the above list let me know in the comment section and also mention your favorite one.
Also Read: Video Games set in or inspired by Nepal
