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....
17. In the Name of the Father (1993)
Starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Pete Postlethwaite is based on the true story of the ‘Guildford Four’, who were wrongly convicted of IRA bombings in 1974. Part of the film was shot in and around Liverpool World Museum, with Gerry Conlon (played by Day-Lewis) making an emotional speech on the steps of the ‘courtroom’. | Hell's Kitchen Films, Universal Pictures Photo: Hell's Kitchen Films, Universal Pictures
18. Official Secrets (2019)
Official Secrets is the true story of a British whistleblower who leaked information to the press about a spy operation designed to push the UN into sanctioning the 2003 invasion of Iraq. It stars Keira Knightley and Matt Smith. Filming took place at St George's Hall and County Sessions House in April 2018. The beach scenes for Ralph Fiennes’ character is at Thurstaston beach and features the cottage known locally as Sally's Cottage. | Getty Images for 20th Century St Photo: Getty Images for 20th Century Studios
19. Alfie (2004)
In a remake of the 1966 Michael Caine film Alfie, Jude Law starred alongside Sienna Miller as an English womaniser in New York who learns the hard way about the dangers of his actions. But two of the main scenes in the film are shot in Merseyside. The first on Formby beach as Alfie decides to leave Manhattan and the second is on Brunswick Street when he buys flowers in an attempt to woo Susan Sarandon. Paramount’s location manager Bill D’Arby said: “Liverpool is definitely one the best UK places for turning into New York. It’s so much better than London where the architecture is not as great and where you couldn’t film in that way for six days in a row.” | Paramount Photo: Paramount
20. Creed (2015)
Goodison Park was a filming location for Creed - a spin-off from the Rocky series of films - in 2015. Filming took place during half-time of a Premier League match between Everton and West Bromwich Albion. The stadium later hosted the climactic fight between the hero Donnie and villain Ricky Conlan - played by Liverpool boxer Tony Bellew. US actor Sylvester Stallone had been to the stadium before, to promote his Rocky Balboa film in 2007. | Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images Photo: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images