The Arab landscapes have been anchoring Hollywood storytelling for decades. The region’s cinematic appeal does not rely on a singular facet but lies in its contrast. From ancient heritage sites in its timelessness alongside futuristic cities that look like sci-fi concept art brought to life, the region offers diverse locations that act as perfect storytelling tools for Hollywood imaginations. 

Wadi Rumm, Jordan 

Home to the nomadic Bedouin tribes, Hollywood famously reimagined Wadi Rumm’s landscapes as the Moon in many of its features. Its dramatic sand dunes, towering sandstone mountains, and alluring red sand make Wadi Rumm a surreal extension of earthly beauty, giving it the nickname “The Valley of the Moon”.  

Featured in iconic movies like Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Martian (2015), Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) and Dune: Part One & Two (2021, 2024), Hollywood has reimagined the landscape in many ways, showcasing the visual versatility of the place. 

Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai, UAE

Hollywood transformed Dubai’s family-friendly neighbourhood of Jumeirah Lake Towers into a solarpunk and high-futuristic Yorktown in Star Trek Beyond. Portrayed as a Utopian Starbase, the lakeside neighbourhood takes the spirit of a space city in the movie, reflecting the high-architectural design and global innovation of the region. 

Dubai’s futuristic skylines are also featured in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011), differentiating itself from the region’s dated narrative that only speaks only of its ancient deserts. 

Petra, Jordan

Recognised as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World by UNESCO, Petra is an ancient city and archaeological site in Southern Jordan. Known as the “Rose City” for its intricate sandstone architectural sculptures washed in pink, from breathtaking sunsets that wash the stone structures golden to its azure skies during the day, Petra is truly a sight to behold.

In the world of Indiana Jones, the city appears as the famous treasury building Al Khazneh whereas in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009), the city is the Monastery, Al Deir where we discover the Tomb of the Primes. 

Rub’ al Khali, Abu Dhabi

Part of the larger Arabian Desert, Rub’ al Khali has massive, red-orange shifting sand interspersed with salt flats called sabkhahs. Mostly uninhabited and unexplored, the desert houses its mystery in its vast expanse that spans across Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Yemen. 

Dune imagines the rolling sands as Arakkis, the desolate Spice planet. In Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), the desert transformed into planet Jakku while the dunes witnessed high-octane car chases and action sequences from Furious 7 (2015).

Whether it is the ancient monuments, surreal landscapes, or space-like futuristic cities, the Gulf continues to pilot global stories, allowing storytellers to bring their fictional worlds to life. 

By Bhavatna Prasad