The magic of film transports us to captivating worlds, meticulously crafted with stunning sets. While many sets are dismantled after filming, some remain, echoing the stories they once housed. Let’s explore ten movie sets abandoned after the cameras stopped rolling, each a unique relic of cinematic history.
10. Intolerance: Babylon Set
In 1916, W.D. Griffith invested a significant portion of his budget into creating the ancient city of Babylon for his epic film “Intolerance.” Located off Hollywood Boulevard, the set was visually stunning but contributed to the film’s financial struggles. After the film’s release, the massive Babylon set was left to decay until it was razed in 1922. Today, a shopping mall features a partial replica, reminding us of early Hollywood’s ambition.
9. The Ten Commandments: City of the Pharaoh
Cecil B. DeMille’s 1923 version of “The Ten Commandments” featured an enormous “City of the Pharaoh” set in the California desert. This included an 800-foot wide temple and numerous papier-mâché sphinxes. Instead of dismantling the set after filming, DeMille decided to bury it in the sand. Nearly 90 years later, archaeologists unearthed remarkably intact sphinxes and remnants of the original set, offering a glimpse into the grandeur of early Hollywood.
8. Big Fish: Spectre Movie Set
Tim Burton built the town of “Spectre” on an island in the Alabama River for his 2003 film “Big Fish.” After filming concluded, the town was left behind, leading to its gradual decay due to weather and a fire. Today, six buildings still stand, serving as a tangible connection to the whimsical world Burton created.
7. Star Wars: Tatooine Set
The desert of Tunisia provided the backdrop for the planet Tatooine in the original Star Wars trilogy. Sets like Ben Kenobi’s home and the Krait Dragon skeleton were left in the desert. When the crew returned to film “The Phantom Menace,” they were surprised to find much of the original set still intact. The “Mos Espa” set was added, and it remains a popular tourist attraction, drawing Star Wars fans from around the globe.
6. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Considered one of the greatest Westerns ever made, “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” was filmed in Almería, Spain. Many of the Old West buildings remained and were used in other Spaghetti Westerns. The “Sad Hill Cemetery,” the location of the film’s iconic final standoff, was restored in 2014 by dedicated film enthusiasts, recreating the original set.
5. Popeye Village
For the 1980 film “Popeye,” starring Robin Williams, an entire village was constructed in Malta. Instead of being destroyed, the colorful village was transformed into a tourist attraction. Today, “Popeye Village” welcomes visitors with its unique Mediterranean charm, offering a quirky glimpse into the world of Popeye.
4. Patriots Day
To recreate the events of the Boston Marathon bombing for the 2016 film “Patriots Day,” sets were built at the former South Weymouth Naval Base. These sets included recreations of the Boylston Street finish line and a residential street used for the climactic shootout. Although these are facades, they remain accessible to those interested in seeing where the movie was filmed.
3. Field of Dreams
Built for the 1989 classic “Field of Dreams” in Dyersville, Iowa, the baseball field and the main character’s house were left intact after filming. This site has become a popular tourist attraction. Visitors can tour the house, play baseball, and soak in the nostalgic atmosphere. Major League Baseball even hosted a game at the site in 2020, further cementing its place in baseball and movie history.
2. Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters
Despite being a poorly received movie, “Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters” (2013) featured a detailed medieval village built outside Berlin in Augsburg, Germany. The set was left standing and remained accessible to the public as a potential sequel was considered. Fortunately, the sequel never materialized, leaving the village as an unusual and somewhat eerie attraction.
1. Schindler’s List
For his 1993 film “Schindler’s List,” Steven Spielberg constructed a replica of the Nazi concentration camp “Plazlow” in Poland. The set included watchtowers, barracks, and officer villas. After filming, the replica camp was left to decay in the quarry. Visiting this site is a sobering experience, serving as a stark reminder of the atrocities it represents, despite being a movie set.
These abandoned movie sets offer a fascinating look into the world of filmmaking and the stories that linger long after the cameras stop rolling. Each location has its unique charm and historical significance, making them intriguing destinations for film buffs and curious travelers alike.
Which of these abandoned movie sets would you most like to visit? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
