Films shot in the Dominican Republic with locations

The Dominican Republic is an incredible tropical paradise that has captured the hearts of filmmakers from around the world, including such famous directors as Francis Ford Coppola and Steven Spielberg. These filmmakers have used the country's natural beauty, rich history and vibrant culture as the setting for some truly amazing films. From stunning beaches to colorful streets, the Dominican Republic was the perfect setting for some of the most memorable scenes in cinematic history.

So if you're a movie buff or just looking for a great vacation spot, this Caribbean gem is definitely worth checking out.

1. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)

The fourth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise was partially filmed in the Dominican Republic. The stunning beaches of Samana served as the backdrop for the opening scenes of the film, in which Johnny Depp's character Captain Jack Sparrow finds himself on a deserted island. The crew also filmed in Los Haitis National Park, which is known for its lush mangrove forests and ancient caves.

2. Jurassic Park (1993)

Although much of the filming of the classic Jurassic Park movie took place in Hawaii, some scenes were shot in the Dominican Republic. The iconic waterfall scene, where the main characters first encounter a brachiosaurus, was filmed at the Damayagua Cascades in Puerto Plata. This natural wonder consists of 27 cascading waterfalls that visitors can climb and jump into.

3. The Godfather, Part II (1974)

The Godfather, Part II was partly filmed in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. The crew used the city's colonial architecture and cobblestone streets to depict Havana in 1950s Cuba. The famous scene in which the young Vito Corleone (played by Robert De Niro) kills the corrupt Don Fanucci was filmed in the Zona Colonial, Santo Domingo's historic district.

4. The Rum Diary (2011)

The Rum Diary is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Hunter S. Thompson. The film was shot entirely in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. The crew used the historic town of La Romana as the location for filming the newspaper office where Johnny Depp's character works. Scenes were also filmed at the resort of Casa de Campo, which boasts beautiful beaches, golf courses and luxury villas.

5. James Bond: Quantum of Solace (2008)

Several scenes from the James Bond film Quantum of Solace were filmed in the Dominican Republic. The Consistory Palace in Santo Domingo was used as the exterior of the Bolivian hotel where Bond meets the villain Dominic Green. The team also filmed on Bavaro Beach, which is known for its white sand and turquoise waters.

6. The Lost City (2005)

The Lost City is a historical drama about the turbulent years of Rafael Trujillo's rule in the Dominican Republic. The film was shot entirely on location in the country, using historic buildings in the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo as well as the beautiful countryside in the Cibao region. The crew also filmed at the Casa de Campo resort and the artists' village of Altos de Chavón.

7. Miami Vice (2006)

The action movie Miami Vice, directed by Michael Mann, was partially filmed in the Dominican Republic. The crew used the modernist architecture of the capital's Malecon as the setting for the film's opening scenes. They also filmed at the Casa de Campo resort and the beautiful beaches of Punta Cana.

8. 12 Years a Slave (2013) 

The Oscar-winning movie 12 Years a Slave was partly filmed in the Dominican Republic. The crew used the colonial architecture and cobblestone streets of Santo Domingo's Zona Colonial to depict New Orleans in the 1840s. The team also filmed at the Los Haitises National Park and the beautiful beaches of Samana.

Other movies

• Sugar (2008) - This independent sports drama film tells the story of Miguel Santos, a talented Dominican baseball player who dreams of making it to the major leagues. The movie was filmed in various locations around the country, including Santo Domingo, San Pedro de Macoris, and La Romana.
• Holiday in the Sun (2001) - This teen comedy stars Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen as two sisters on vacation in the Dominican Republic. The movie was filmed in the luxurious Casa de Campo resort in La Romana, which offers stunning views of the Caribbean Sea.
• The Good Shepherd (2006) - This spy thriller directed by Robert De Niro was partly filmed in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. The city's colonial architecture and bustling streets provided the perfect backdrop for the movie's 1960s setting.
• The Devil's Advocate (1997) - This supernatural thriller starring Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino was partly filmed in the coastal town of Cabarete in the northern part of the country. The town's pristine beaches and lush jungles served as a stunning backdrop for the movie's intense and dramatic scenes.
• Manuela y Manuel (2007) - This romantic comedy was filmed entirely in Santo Domingo and tells the story of two friends who fall in love and explore their gender identities. The movie's colorful and vibrant setting captures the energy and spirit of the Dominican Republic's capital city.
• Veronica Mars (2014) - This crime drama movie based on the popular TV series was partly filmed in the Dominican Republic's Punta Cana region. The movie's tropical setting and stunning beaches add to the suspense and drama of the story.
• The Perfect Game (2009) - This sports drama film tells the true story of a group of young baseball players from Monterrey, Mexico, who travel to the United States to compete in the Little League World Series. The movie was partly filmed in Santo Domingo and La Romana, capturing the beauty and passion of baseball in the Dominican Republic.
• Godzilla vs. Kong (2021) - This epic monster movie was partly filmed in the Dominican Republic's Samaná province, which boasts stunning waterfalls, dense jungles, and towering cliffs. The movie's breathtaking locations add to the excitement and intensity of the battle between Godzilla and Kong.

If you are a movie buff and want to visit these famous filming locations in the Dominican Republic, you can take a tour or hire a personal driver to sightsee in the Dominican Republic or rent a car from a reliable rent point for more flexibility and independence when exploring the country.

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