Where Was “Dune” Filmed?

The epic science fiction film “Dune” is filled with beautiful yet rugged terrain and sweeping landscapes. And you may be surprised to know barely any of the shots were created using green screens! So where was “Dune” filmed? We’ll walk you through the real-life film locations used for Caladan, Arrakis, Giedi Prime, as well as the studio used to build some of the sets that couldn’t be re-created in real locations. To start, let’s discuss how you can re-create your own Dune sets close to home!

Was “Dune” filmed in the US?

“Dune” wasn’t filmed in the United States, but that doesn’t mean you can find a “Dune” inspired set for a film production, photoshoot, or event in the US! Peerspace is an online marketplace featuring beautiful creative spaces you can rent for any type of production or event throughout the US, Canada, and even the UK.

It’s easy to search for themed spaces in your area on the website, and once you find the perfect venue near you, you can book in a matter of minutes — without any messy contracts! Check out a few examples of “Dune” inspired venues on Peerspace.

1. From inside the Ornithopter

The dragonfly-like ornithopters used by non-Fremen to navigate around the Imperium are pretty amazing. While they may not actually exist for us to fly around in, at least on Earth, we can still pretend they do! For example, this sci-fi spaceship set in Los Angeles can be customized, resized, and moved around to meet the specific needs of your interior ornithopter design.

2. Inside Giedi Prime

If you are looking for a Giedi Prime-inspired production or event space, you’ll need a venue that’s dark, dingy, and has a polluted look to it. On Peerspace, you can find tons of fantastic warehouses and abandoned building sets that would be perfect to create a Giedi Prime feel. For example, this industrial barn near Atlanta, Georgia, may fit the bill! 

3. Sandworm heaven

If the sandworms native to the deserts of Arrakis were to live in the US, where do you think you’d find them? Our bet is there would be at least one across this stretch of desert land in Lancaster, California! Rent out this location on Peerspace for a video production, photoshoot, or event for an affordable rate. Check out all the amazing reviews and photos of this stunning desert venue on Peerspace!

Where was Caladan in “Dune” filmed?

If you want to experience the real sets of “Dune” for yourself — you’ll have to travel far outside the US! For a trip to Caladan, for example, you’ll need to take a flight to Norway. However, it makes sense the film crew chose Norway to represent Caladan, a planet of water. The sandy beaches, extensive boulder fields, and gorgeous fjord coastlines are perfect for depicting Paul’s home planet.

Norway Adventures even offers a eight-day tour where you can explore all the different set locations used to film “Dune.” It includes visiting Runde, Stadlandet (Myresanden), Nordfjordeid, Stryn, Lodalen valley, Geirangerfjord (Seven Sisters), and Ålesund.

Where was Arrakis in “Dune” filmed?

The vast sand dunes of Arrakis in “Dune” exist here on Earth… but not all in one location! “Dune” was filmed in the deserts in the United Arab Emirates and Wadi Rum in Jordan — at least for the parts of the film used to the Fremens’ home of Arrakis!

According to Dune’s director, Denis Villeneuve, in an interview with Stephen Colbert, it was critical they shoot the movie in real deserts rather than using green screens. “My argument was that they didn’t shoot Jaws in a swimming pool,” he told Colbert. “The title is Dune. We needed to be in the real environment.”

Production location: Wadi Rum, Jordan

According to an interview with location manager Nick Oliver in Architectural Design, the rocky landscapes and beautiful sand in Wadi Rum were perfect for shooting Arrakis. “It is absolutely virgin sand,” he said. “No on has been walking on it.” However, this is really no surprise considering this area, on the border of Israel and Jordan, has previously only been used by the military!

Production location: United Arab Emirates

In the southeastern corner of the United Arab Emirates is a luxury desert resort named Qasr Al Sarab. The world’s largest sand desert, the Empty Quarter, sits on the outskirts of this resort, which you’ll recognize as looking very similar to the landscape of Arrakis. That’s because the production crew of “Dune” spent quite a bit of time filming around here while staying at the resort!

Where was Giedi Prime in “Dune”filmed?

A final piece of the puzzle in answering the question, “Where was “Dune” filmed,” is answering the specific question, “Where was Giedi Prime filmed?” Many of the shots depicting the evil House of Harkonnen are actually sets the crews constructed in the Origo Film Studios in Budapest, Hungary.

Origo Studios is one of the largest studios in Europe. As well as being the home of many of the shots seen in “Dune,” Denis Villeneuve directed other famous movies shot here — like “Blade Runner 2049.” But Villeneuve isn’t the only one who loves this Hungarian studio. Origo Studio boasts 50-plus other major productions filmed there in the last 10 years! 

Find unique film production venues on Peerspace