Hollywood Movies Shot in Budapest - Part 1

Much like a seasoned actor, the Hungarian capital has embraced various roles over the years, drawing major productions with its adaptable streetscapes. Whether it’s showcasing its untouched charm or undergoing drastic makeovers, the city has become a hub for high-profile films, capturing global audiences with its cinematic versatility.

The Josephine Baker Story (1991)

The Josephine Baker Story (1991)

Budapest transformed into Paris and Harlem in The Josephine Baker Story, where Lynn Whitfield embodied the legendary entertainer on a modest $8 million budget for HBO. Although filmed in Hungary, the sets recreated iconic scenes from Baker’s life, such as a club in Casablanca, where Whitfield’s Baker performs to a diverse crowd of American soldiers. Hungarian extras and African students were cast as GIs, creating an authentic look for the era. Hungarian locations like Andrássy Boulevard became stand-ins for Paris, and local crews helped create the dazzling sets, including horse-drawn wagons and vintage cars, at a fraction of Western production costs. Despite the country's economic challenges, Budapest’s skilled film industry made this ambitious project possible.

Evita (1996)

Thanks to producer Andy Vajna, Budapest became the backdrop for the star-studded musical Evita, with Madonna and Antonio Banderas gracing the city's streets. Iconic locations like the former Museum of Ethnography and Keleti Station doubled as Buenos Aires for the biopic of Eva Perón. Rumor has it that Madonna performed "Don’t Cry for Me Argentina" in a house on Oktogon. Vajna recalled that the shoot went smoothly, with Banderas being professional and even Madonna, known for her demanding nature, embracing her role with full cooperation.

Evita (1996)

Spy Game (2001)

In the fall of 2000, Budapest morphed into Cold War-era Berlin for two weeks, as a replica of a Berlin border crossing was erected at Felvonulási tér for the espionage thriller Spy Game. The presence of Hollywood icons Robert Redford and Brad Pitt stirred excitement throughout the city. While Redford maintained a low profile, sneaking into the Kempinski Hotel through a back entrance, Pitt's struggle to start his Škoda 1000 MB was the talk of the town.

Director Tony Scott chose Budapest for its striking resemblance to 1970s Berlin, describing parts of the city, like the worn but beautiful Gozsdu Court, as the perfect setting for the film. Pitt's then-wife, Jennifer Aniston, also accompanied him to Budapest during the shoot, although she reportedly stayed away from the set to avoid distracting him. Aniston later reminisced about her brief but peaceful stay, enjoying walks, a visit to the baths, and even celebrating Thanksgiving with a special meal prepared by the hotel chef.

Brad Pitt has returned to Budapest on several occasions. In 1989, he accompanied his then-girlfriend, Jill Schoelen, during a film shoot, and in 2011, he filmed parts of World War Z in Hungary. He even temporarily relocated to the city in 2012 with Angelina Jolie. More recently, in 2023, he was spotted at the Hungarian Grand Prix of Formula One, where his latest film was being shot. Although scenes from World War Z were filmed in a Kőbánya cannery, they were eventually cut from the final version of the movie.

Spy Game (2001)

I Spy (2002)

Budapest once again played a starring role in Hollywood with the 2002 comedy I Spy, featuring Eddie Murphy and Owen Wilson. Unlike other films, this one was actually set in Budapest, showcasing the city’s famous landmarks like the Liberty Bridge, Gellért Hill, Chain Bridge, and Buda Castle. A grand party scene was filmed in the courtyard of Buda Castle, and Murphy even scaled the Chain Bridge. While not a major box office hit, I Spy was a visual love letter to Budapest, presenting its splendor to international audiences and even slipping in a few Hungarian words like "igen" (yes), "olcsó" (cheap), and "köszönöm" (thank you).

I Spy (2002)

Munich (2005)

Steven Spielberg's Munich extensively used Budapest as a stand-in for various European cities, including Paris, Rome, and London. Iconic landmarks like Andrássy Avenue, the Opera House, and the Puskás Ferenc Stadium were transformed into the backdrop for the film’s gripping historical drama. Tököl Airport, just outside the city, stood in for the Fürstenfeldbruck Air Base. Budapest's cinematic versatility brought the tension and emotion of the 1972 Munich massacre and its aftermath to life. You can read more about Spielberg’s time in Budapest during filming in our full blog here.

Munich (2005)