Liverpool’s historic architecture has set the scene for a number of blockbuster movies, hit TV shows and binge-worthy series, ranging from Harry Potter to Peaky Blinders.
Dubbed as the ‘Hollywood of the North’, Liverpool is one of the most filmed cities outside of London. Natalie Portman and John Krasinski are currently in town shooting scenes for director Guy Ritchie’s new heist movie Fountain of Youth.
The city’s historic architecture has also set the scene for box office films, including Captain America: The First Avenger, Fantastic Beasts and The Batman, plus huge drama’s like The Crown and Peaky Blinders.
In 2021, multi-million pound film studios The Depot opened with two purpose-built, 20,000 sq ft sound-proofed film and TV production units. Paramount+ became the first major long-term tenants as they filmed Sexy Beast over a period of seven months and plenty more movies and series have been shot on location since.
With the city being used as a double for everywhere from Moscow to New York, here’s 26 blockbuster films and TV shows that you probably didn’t know were filmed in Liverpool....
13. Sherlock Holmes (2009)
Stanley Dock was used as a location for the 2009 Sherlock Holmes film featuring Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law. The docks doubled as a Victorian London warehouse and saw the hero detective narrowly survive an explosion. | holger.l.berlin - stock.adobe.co Photo: holger.l.berlin - stock.adobe.co
14. The 51st State (2001)
Samuel L Jackson’s 2001 film The 51st State is shot all over Liverpool as his character Elmo McElroy, a streetwise American, is guided around the city’s underworld and rave scene by Robert Carlyle. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
15. Yesterday (2019)
Directed by Danny Boyle, Yesterday tells the story of a struggling musician who is the only person on Earth who can remember The Beatles after he wakes up in an alternate reality where they never existed. Filming took place in Liverpool, making use of Penny Lane, Liverpool John Lennon Airport (pictured), Lime Street Station and the Queensway Tunnel. | Paramount Photo: Paramount
16. Chariots of Fire (1981)
The 1981 film Chariots of Fire was filmed in various locations all over Merseyside, including the Oval Leisure Centre in Bebington, Wirral. Much of Paris was actually Liverpool - the British Embassy is Liverpool Library (pictured) and Town Hall and the chapel at the old Royal Hospital doubled as a French cafe. | SakhanPhotography - stock.adobe.com Photo: SakhanPhotography - stock.adobe.com