Italy is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, and it’s easy to see why. However, its appeal is not only reserved for tourists. In fact, countless writers, artists and movie producers have also felt the draw Italy offers. You can even say that Italy often takes the role of a supporting character who steals the show with little effort.
In this post, I share my favourite movies set in Italy that you can watch before your trip. From romantic flicks to action thrillers, these movies prove that Italt is one of those destinations travellers and moviegoers can’t get enough of.
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15 Best movies set in Italy to watch
Italy has been inspiring filmmakers for decades. While many movies set in Italy are rom-coms, there are also plenty of thrillers, dramas and war-related movies. Then, there are even more movies partially set in Italy, making it very challenging to pick and choose. To make this easier, my selection of movies set in Italy includes those filmed in and based in Italy for most of the movie.
The stunning locations, food and cinematography will take you to Venice, Rome, Tuscany, Amalfi Coast and many more. Be forewarned that they might induce wanderlust and have you dreaming of visiting all these places. So get your popcorn ready and dive into your Italian inspiration.
Under the Tuscan Sun
2003 – Romance/Comedy
I believe this movie was singlehandedly responsible for fuelling people’s fantasy of moving to Italy by making it look pretty straightforward. I can tell you that buying a home in Italy as a foreigner is more complicated than this movie makes it out to be. Nonetheless, this is a fun watch that will make you dream of owning an Italian villa.
Plot: San Francisco writer Frances Mayes (Diane Lane) learns that her cheating husband wants a divorce to be with his pregnant new partner. After she loses her house in the divorce, she becomes depressed and unable to write. With nothing left to lose, she accepts her friend Patti’s (Sandra Oh) ticket for a tour in Italy, which Patty bought before she got pregnant.
While in Tuscany, Frances impulsively buys a run-down villa in a small town and decides to renovate it. There, she juggles repairs and romance while trying to get her life back on track. A cast of colourful characters helps Frances along the way in her journey. You can check out the movie’s filming locations in Rome, Cortona, Florence, Montepulciano, Siena, Positano and Salerno.
Casanova
2005 – Romance/Comedy
Loosely based on the fascinating life of Giacomo Casanova, the legendary lover, spy and bane of the Catholic church. This fun movie takes you to Venice, which hasn’t changed much since Casanova’s time. It’s also the perfect watch if you’re into historical romances.
Plot: in 1753, the young Casanova (Heath Ledger) is well on his way to establishing his notorious reputation as a ladies’ man when he faces a choice – marry or be exiled from Venice. He then falls in love with Francesca Bruni (Sienna Miller), who mistakes him for his servant, Lupo Salvato. Francesca is a feminist who writes illegal feminist books under the pseudonym Bernardo Guardi. As she hates the promiscuous Casanova, so he never corrects her.
Francesca’s family is impoverished, so her mother encourages her to marry the wealthy Paprizzio (Oliver Platt) from Genoa. When he arrives in Venice, Casanova tries to keep him away from Francesca by telling him that he is Bernardo Guardi. At the same time, he confesses to Francesca that he really is Paprizzio and that he is testing her. Secret identities and misunderstandings result in Shakespearean-style comedy set in Venice, one of the most romantic cities in Italy.
Angels and Demons
2009 – Thriller/Mystery
If you love Dan Brown’s books, you know they are often fast-paced and full of intrigue. Angles and Demons is a great companion to the book of the same name or as a stand-alone. I love movies based on books as they have the power to bring the pages alive for the viewers, especially in places that are not that easy for regular people to explore.
Plot: Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) discovers a deadly plot against the Catholic Church. The threat comes from the ancient brotherhood known as the Illuminati. In Rome, he joins forces with the Italian scientist Vittoria Vetra (Ayelet Zurer), following a centuries-old trail of ancient symbols to prevent the attack.
The two embark on a frantic hunt through sealed crypts, dangerous catacombs and deserted cathedrals while the clock ticks. With the fate of the church at stake, anything can happen. The movie was filmed in Rome, Caserta and Vatican City (many scenes inside churches were filmed in studios in California as the Catholic Church forbade filming inside), which means you can also see them for yourself when you visit.
When in Rome
2010 – Romance/Comedy
If you think Rome is a perfect setting for a romantic comedy, you’ll be right. Just as in many other cities in Italy, Rome is where romance, passion and drama can all happen (often to the same people) as they navigate the Eternal City.
Plot: Beth (Kristen Bell) is a successful art curator at the Guggenheim Museum. Despite her success, her love life leaves much to be desired. Fed up with the idea of a perfect romance, she flies to Rome for her sister’s impulsive wedding. There, she meets Nicholas Beamon (Josh Duhamel), who aids her in a couple of difficult situations, and the two seem to hit it off. All is good until she sees Nick kissing another woman.
Drunk and angry, Beth defiantly gets into the “fountain of love,” where she grabs a handful of coins, unaware of the legend that says if you take coins from the fountain, the coin owner will fall in love with you. She’s pursued by several pushy suitors back home, presumably owners of the coins from the fountain. Now, she has to figure out how to break the spell and determine if Nick was also affected by the coin.
The Tourist
2010 – Thriller/Action
Plot: Frank (Johnny Depp) is an American tourist who comes to Italy to mend his broken heart. While on a train to Venice, a beautiful stranger named Elise (Angelina Jolie) strikes up a conversation with him. Once they arrive in Venice, he invites her to dinner before she returns to her hotel. Seems like a beginning or a romance, but not all is as it seems.
Frank is unaware that Elise is setting up him. She’s using him as a decoy to make people think he’s her boyfriend, Alexander Pearce. Pearce is wanted by Scotland Yard and a Russian mobster whose money he stole. Now, the two must evade police and shady thugs intending to get their money back as they navigate Venice and additional locations in Mestre and Treviso.
Letters to Juliet (2010)
2010 – Romance/Comedy
I’m surprised there aren’t more romantic comedies set in Verona, given its connection to the famous Romeo and Juliet of Shakespeare fame. It’s a fun movie with two love storylines, with interesting outcomes for both couples. Plus, you get to explore some of the Italian countryside as well as Siena and Soave.
Plot: Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) works as a fact-checker at the New York Times while yearning to be a writer. She goes on a trip to Verona with her chef fiancé Victor, where she discovers a group of women called the “Secretaries of Juliet.” The women answer the numerous letters to Juliet left in the famous Verona courtyard. While Sophie is a romantic, Victor is not, and since she is left to her own devices, she joins the ladies at their work.
After finding an unanswered letter to Juliet written by Claire Smith in 1957, she decides to answer it. Soon after, Clair arrives in Verona with her grandson Charlie, who disapproves of this adventure. Soon, Sophie, Claire and Charlie set out to find Claire’s true love – a man named Lorenzo Bartolini. If you’re a romantic at heart or simply enjoy a fun rom-com, then this one is for you.
The Trip to Italy
2014 – Comedy/Drama
I love this movie because it’s a very different take on movies set in Italy about friendship. Here, two men go on a culinary road trip in Italy. It’s as simple as that and works in many ways.
Plot: Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon star as fictionalized versions of themselves as they eat their way through Italy. The two men have been commissioned for a new tour in Italy that retraces the steps of the romantic poets’ grand tour. They set off on this culinary journey as they banter and playfully one-up each other and their careers.
If you’re a foodie, love Italy and want to imagine yourself on a culinary trip like this, then this is a must-see. With filming locations in Ravello, Monforte d’Alba, San Terenzo, Salerno, Amalfi Coast, Capri and Rome, there are many ways to fall in love with Italy.
Pompeii (2014)
2014 – Action/Adventure
If you’ve ever wondered what it must have been like before the Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, then this is your chance. Pompeii is one of the historical movies set in Italy that uses actual events in a fictional story. The movie combines romance and tragedy and offers a fascinating look into life in ancient Rome.
Plot: Milo (Kit Harington) is a talented slave-turned-gladiator that the crowds nicknamed “the Celt.” In 79 AD, he was brought to Pompeii to participate in the gladiatorial games with other slaves. There, he catches the eye of Cassia (Emily Browning), the daughter of the city governor Severus (Jared Harris) and his wife Aurelia (Carrie-Anne Moss).
Despite their different social standings, the two become involved even though Cassia has been betrothed to the corrupt Senator Corvus (Kiefer Sutherland), who is also the man responsible for the deaths of Milos’ family. Against the backdrop of an erupting volcano and Corvus’ wrath, Milo must fight his way out of the arena and save his beloved while Pompeii is crumbling around them.
All Roads Lead to Rome
2015 – Comedy/Romance
There is something about Italy that draws in American women who are either looking for love or trying to relive their youth. Here, we have another romantic movie where different love stories weave into the plot, blending the past with the present.
Plot: Maggie (Sarah Jessica Parker) brings her rebellious teenage daughter Summer (Rosie Day) on a mother-daughter trip to Italy. Instead of bonding in the Italian countryside of Maggie’s youth, Summer is determined to return to the US and into the arms of her no-good boyfriend. While Sumer is busy hatching her getaway plan, Maggie reconnects with a former flame, Luca (Raoul Bova), whom she met as a young woman.
Summer and Luca’s mother, Carmen (Claudia Cardinale), steal his convertible and head for Rome, where there is an airport and Carmen’s secret lover, Marcellino. Realizing what happened, Maggie and Luca chase after them while confronting what happened between them in the past.
Call Me By Your Name
2017 – Romance/Drama
Many movies in Italy focus on love and romance, and this coming-of-age tale is about a young man who falls for his father’s assistant. The movie was filmed in many gorgeous locations, including Crema, Bergamo, Sirmione, Moscazzano, Valbondione, Montodine and other small towns in Lombardy.
Plot: For 17-year-old Elio Perlman (Timothée Chalamet), the summer of 1983 at his parents’ villa in rural Italy shapes as any other. That is until his father’s new research assistant, 24-year-old Oliver (Armie Hammer), arrives to help with his academic paperwork. The two initially don’t get along, but neither can deny the attraction between them.
Amid the sun-drenched splendour of their surroundings, Elio and Oliver discover the awakening desire throughout a summer that will alter their lives forever.
Made in Italy
2020 – Comedy/Romance
Plot: Jack (Micheál Richardson) manages an art gallery in London owned by his soon-to-be ex-wife Ruth (Yolanda Kettle) and her family. When they decide to sell the gallery from under him, he buys it instead. To do that, he must convince his estranged artist father, Robert (Liam Neeson), to sell the home he inherited from his late wife in Tuscany, Italy.
The house, after years of neglect, is in shambles. A local real estate agent advised them to fix up the property to get a higher profit. As they start the renovations, father and son must confront their past, the unresolved issues between them and the tragedy that took the life of the woman they both loved.
House of Gucci
2021 – Crime/Romance
While most of the movies set in Italy on this list are fictional, the House of Gucci is a biographical crime drama based on actual events. You will appreciate the filming locations, including Lake Como, Gressoney-Saint-Jean and Milan. Add in a great soundtrack and you have yourself a movie night.
Plot: Patrizia Reggiani (played by Lady Gaga) is an outsider who marries into the powerful Gucci fashion family. The film explores the complexities of their relationship, including Patrizia’s ambition, their struggles for control within the family business, and, ultimately, the events leading to the assassination of Maurizio Gucci (played by Adam Driver), Patrizia’s ex-husband.
Love in the Villa
2022 – Romance/Comedy
Starring Kat Graham and Tom Hopper, Love in the Villa is a fun rom-com that will make you want to go to Italy for your own adventure. Filmed entirely on location in Verona and the surrounding area. It captures the city’s iconic landmarks, including Juliet’s Balcony and Piazza Bra, bringing the town’s romantic vibe to life.
Plot: Julie Hutton, heartbroken after a recent breakup, travels to Verona, Italy, for a solo vacation. However, she discovers that the charming villa she booked is double-booked with Charlie, a cynical British man.
Initially clashing, Julie and Charlie are forced to cohabitate and navigate the beautiful city together. Unexpectedly, their shared experiences and the enchanting Italian setting lead to an unexpected connection and a blossoming romance.
Book Club: The Next Chapter
2023 – Comedy/Romance
This movie shows that Italy is a place for romance regardless of age. Shot entirely on location in Italy, it captures the beauty and charm of Rome, Venice and Tuscany. Some of the notable filming locations include the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Doge’s Palace, and the Grand Canal of Venice.
Plot: Four lifelong friends – Diane (Diane Keaton), Vivian (Jane Fonda), Carol (Mary Steenburgen) and Sharon (Candice Bergen) – embark on a long-awaited trip to Italy for Vivian’s bachelorette party. What starts as a glamorous Italian adventure quickly veers off course. Lost luggage, unexpected romantic encounters, and a series of hilarious mishaps throw their plans into disarray.
As they navigate the challenges of travelling together, the friends confront their anxieties about aging, love, and the changing dynamics of their relationships. They rediscover the importance of friendship, learn to embrace new possibilities, and prove that life’s greatest adventures often happen when you least expect them.
A Haunting in Venice
2023 – Mystery/Horror
If you’re a fan of mysteries set in Italy, you’ll love A Haunting in Venice. Taking place shortly after World War II, the movie offers a look at Venice at a different time. If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like devoid of tourists, this is your chance.
Plot: The now-retired detective Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) lives a simple, secluded life in Venice. He’s disillusioned with life and people in general. When his friend and mystery writer Ariadne Oliver (Tina Fey) persuades him to attend a Halloween party followed by a seance at a mysterious palazzo, he reluctantly accepts.
The palazzo, owned by a former opera singer, was once an orphanage and is said to be haunted. When one of the guests is mysteriously murdered, Poirot is drawn into a sinister investigation. As he delves deeper into the secrets and hidden agendas of the eccentric attendees, he must confront his own past traumas while unravelling a chilling mystery.
The selection of best movies set in Italy
You might be surprised that I didn’t include many famous movies set in Italy that often appear on other lists. That’s because I only included my favourite films set in Italy from the last 25 years on this list. There is a whole other list of movies partially based in Italy (looking at you, James Bond), but I wanted to focus solely on those mostly set here.
I know there are many classic movies set in Italy, including the likes of Audrey Hepburn and Sofia Loren, as well as original Italian films. They deserve a list of their own. So do shows based in Italy (both Italian and non-Italian) that offer great inspiration for anyone dreaming of visiting.
I hope that these movies have offered you some inspiration. Whether you dream of exploring ancient ruins, getting lost in the Tuscan countryside or being the main character in a love affair with a handsome stranger, you can find it in Italy.
