The Oscars are a time to celebrate the best of cinema, but the magic doesn’t have to stay confined to the screen. From iconic cities to gorgeous landscapes, this year’s nominees and winners have given us the chance to explore stunning destinations from our wonderful world. Get inspired by the films that captured the world’s attention and check out these incredible locations you can visit, each bringing the magic of the movies to life.
1. New York: Anora, The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, The Apprentice
With Anora, The Apprentice, The Brutalist and more, New York served as the stage for some of the year’s biggest blockbusters. Here are the films, their locations, and how you can visit.
Anora
Sweeping the Oscars with five awards, Sean Baker’s Anora dives deep into the raw, unpredictable energy of New York City, following the whirlwind romance between a Brooklyn stripper and the son of a Russian oligarch. The film paints an unfiltered portrait of NYC, balancing its neon-lit glamour with its gritty underbelly. If you want to walk in Anora’s shoes, visit New York and make sure to get to trendy Brooklyn, where much of the story unfolds.
Where to Visit
Coney Island – A vibrant mix of nostalgia and chaos, this iconic Brooklyn boardwalk has long been a symbol of working-class entertainment, complete with neon-lit amusement rides, rickety wooden roller coasters, and hot dog stands serving up classic American fare. In Anora, it serves as a backdrop for the highs and lows of its protagonist’s whirlwind romance, reflecting the dreamlike, almost surreal side of New York.
Brighton Beach – Dubbed “Little Russia,” this Brooklyn neighborhood is a cultural enclave where Eastern European influences are woven into daily life. Cyrillic shop signs, authentic Russian bakeries, and bustling beachside promenade serve as backdrop to the film’s cultural tensions.
Lower East Side – Once a gritty hub for immigrants and artists, the Lower East Side has transformed over the decades, but its rebellious energy remains. By day, explore its historic tenement buildings and delis, and by night, dive into its legendary music scene at underground bars and clubs like Pianos or The Bowery Ballroom.
The Brutalist
Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist tells the fable of an immigrant architect’s integration into America, how he shapes its skyline and how the country shapes him in return. It won three Oscars, including Best Actor for lead Adrien Brody. It is set in New York and then Pennsylvania, both setting the perfect canvas for its stark and striking visuals. The film’s aesthetic revolves around brutalist architecture, a style known for its raw concrete and geometric forms. Since the majority of the shooting took place in Hungary, one of our favorite ways to immerse in the themes of the movie is to explore New York’s diverse city-streets, looking out for examples of brutalist architecture.
Where to Visit:
P.S. 199 Manhattan –A stark example of brutalist school design, this Upper West Side elementary school is a testament to the architectural movement that shaped parts of 20th-century New York. While it’s not open to the public, walking past its imposing structure offers a glimpse into the city’s lesser-known architectural heritage.
Ford Foundation Building – A hidden gem among NYC’s architectural landmarks, this brutalist masterpiece blends raw concrete with modernist openness. Unlike many brutalist buildings, it features an unexpected touch of nature—a vast indoor atrium filled with greenery, a design that challenges the often cold and rigid perception of the style. This harmonious mix of brutalism and biophilic design makes it a standout for architecture lovers.
One Police Plaza – New York’s NYPD headquarters is a hulking mass of concrete and glass, exuding imposing authority befit for the city’s police force. Located in Lower Manhattan near City Hall, this building looms over the civic heart of NYC, standing as a testament to the city’s bureaucratic backbone.
A Complete Unknown
James Mangold’s A Complete Unknown explores the rise of Bob Dylan, bringing us through the folk scene of 1960s Greenwich Village all the way to Dylan’s controversial electric debut at the Newport Folk Festival. If you’re a Dylan fan, this is your chance to walk through music history in both New York and Rhode Island.
Where to Visit:
Café Wha? – This legendary Greenwich Village club was the launchpad for some of the biggest names in music, including Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and Bruce Springsteen. Featured in A Complete Unknown, it captures the bohemian energy of 1960s NYC, where folk musicians, beat poets, and revolutionaries gathered to change the cultural landscape. Today, it still hosts live music, keeping the spirit of its golden era alive.
Kettle of Fish – A Greenwich Village institution, Kettle of Fish was more than just a bar—it was a second home for folk musicians, poets, and activists in the ‘60s, including Bob Dylan. Once a regular haunt of the Beat Generation, it’s where Dylan and his contemporaries debated politics, played impromptu sets, and fueled their artistic ambitions. Though it has changed locations, its walls are still adorned with memorabilia from its heyday, making it a must-visit for music lovers.
Washington Square Park – The epicenter of the ‘60s folk revival, this park has long been a gathering place for street musicians, artists, and activists. Even today, you’ll find musicians strumming guitars under the iconic arch, echoing the sound of an era that forever changed American music.
Fort Adams State Park, Newport – Home to the famous Newport Folk Festival, where Dylan famously “went electric” in 1965, shocking folk purists. This historic fortress, overlooking Narragansett Bay, still hosts the festival each summer, keeping the spirit of folk music alive. Walking these grounds, you can almost hear the echoes of that moment when music history changed forever.
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The Apprentice
Ali Abbasi’s The Apprentice is a biographical drama chronicling the rise of Donald Trump in the 1970s and ‘80s, turning New York City into the stage for a dramatic origin story for one of the most polarising figures today. New York is an essential character in the story, shaping the characters as much as they shape it, as we get a taste of the city’s shifting real estate landscape, power struggles, and excess.
Where to Visit:
Trump Tower – A gleaming symbol of excess and ambition, Trump Tower plays a key role in The Apprentice, reflecting the high-stakes world of Donald Trump’s early career. With its gold-plated interiors, glass elevators, and waterfall centerpiece, it epitomizes the bold, flashy aesthetic of 1980s New York. Whether you admire it or critique it, there’s no denying its place in the city’s history.
Wall Street & Financial District – The power corridors of Manhattan, where money moves and fortunes are made. A walk down Broad Street and past the New York Stock Exchange offers a glimpse into the world of finance, while spots like Delmonico’s Steakhouse provide a taste of the old-school business dining scene.
Studio 54 (now Studio 54 Theater) – The infamous nightclub where excess knew no limits, Studio 54 defined the decadent nightlife of Trump’s early years. Though the original club closed, its legend remains, and the building now houses the Studio 54 Theater, where Broadway productions take the stage. While you can’t relive the wild parties of the ‘70s, stepping inside offers a connection to one of NYC’s most legendary venues.
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2. Poland: A Real Pain
Jesse Eisenberg’s A Real Pain is a road-trip drama following two cousins traveling through Poland, exploring both personal and historical trauma. The film highlights Poland’s deep history, from the picturesque streets of Warsaw to the haunting sites of the Holocaust.
Where to Visit:
Kraków’s Kazimierz District – Once the heart of Jewish life in Poland, this district has evolved into a sprawling cultural hub, blending its rich past with a thriving arts scene. A Real Pain explores themes of Polish-Jewish identity and history, making Kazimierz’s cobbled streets, pre-war synagogues, and atmospheric cafes a poignant setting.
Lublin’s Czechowka River Mural – This striking tribute to pre-war Jewish heritage brings history and art together in a powerful way. Designed by Jacek Rudzicki, the mural is based on archival photographs taken by Stefan Kiełsznia in the late 1930s, depicting the bustling Jewish quarter of Podzamcze. The images capture a world that was nearly erased—Polish and Yiddish signboards, lively streets, and everyday life before the war.
Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial – A deeply moving site, Auschwitz-Birkenau serves as a sobering reminder of history’s darkest moments. As seen in A Real Pain, visiting this memorial is a powerful and emotional experience, offering an unfiltered look at the past.
3. Brazil: I’m Still Here
This intimate and poetic film, which won best International feature, takes us through the streets of Rio de Janeiro, following the heartwrenching journey of a family reconciling with an unspeakable loss. With such tragedy set in such beautiful surroundings, I’m Still Here is a film which captures the contrasts of Brazil in all its complexity.
Where to Visit:
Urca Neighborhood – Nestled at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain, Urca is one of Rio de Janeiro’s oldest, most picturesque and exclusive neighborhoods. Known for its charming cobblestone streets, pastel-colored houses, and stunning bay views, it offers a quieter, more elegant side of the city. In I’m Still Here, this historic district is the location for the main house where the family live. Here, the calm waters of Guanabara Bay meet the towering grandeur of Rio’s natural landscape. One of the best ways to soak in the neighborhood’s atmosphere is to grab a beer at Mureta da Urca, a beloved waterfront spot where locals gather to watch the sunset over the bay.
Leblon and Ipanema Beaches – These twin stretches of golden sand represent the heart of Rio’s beach culture, where sunbathers, surfers, and joggers mingle against the backdrop of the Two Brothers Mountains (Morro Dois Irmãos). While Ipanema is known for its lively scene—immortalized in the bossa nova classic “The Girl from Ipanema”—Leblon offers a more upscale, relaxed vibe, frequented by Rio’s elite. Walk along the calçadão (black-and-white mosaic sidewalk), sip on a fresh coconut water, or catch a game of footvolley, a uniquely Brazilian blend of soccer and volleyball.
Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico) – A lush oasis in the heart of the city, this 200-year-old botanical garden is a sanctuary of biodiversity, home to over 6,500 plant species, including towering royal palms and vibrant orchids. It’s also a place where history and nature intertwine—walking its paths, you’ll find everything from a 15th-century Japanese garden to an ancient iron greenhouse from the 19th century. It’s here in the Jardim Botânico neighborhood, where Rubens Paiva’s family dream of building a home. Be sure to visit the Avenue of Royal Palms (Palmeiras Imperiais), an awe-inspiring pathway lined with 40-meter-tall palms that date back to the garden’s founding.
4. Vatican City: Conclave
Based on Robert Harris’ novel, Conclave is a political thriller set within the secretive world of the Vatican, following the high-stakes election of a new Pope. While much of the film takes place behind closed doors, visitors to Vatican City can still experience its grandeur and history while walking around this microstate.
Where to Visit:
St. Peter’s Basilica – One of the most breathtaking cathedrals in the world, this architectural masterpiece serves as the heart of Vatican City, playing a key role in Conclave.
Sistine Chapel – The sacred room where papal elections take place, with Michelangelo’s iconic frescoes watching over the proceedings.
Vatican Museums – A vast collection of art, history, and religious relics, providing a deeper understanding of the world depicted in Conclave.
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