Florence is a haven for filmmakers, offering inspiration from its Renaissance art and architecture to its culture and cuisine. The city has been the setting for many films, in a range of different genres and time periods. Even today, many artists and directors continue to find Florence to be an inspiring destination. Each of these movies and tv series set in Florence shows a different side of the city, turning it into the scene of a great romance, or the setting for some dangerous chase.
Here you find some of the most notable movies and TV series set in Florence, which have captured the city’s essence and allure.
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Famous Movies and TV Series Set in Florence
1. “Six Underground” (2019)
Michael Bay, who directed the Transformers saga and Armageddon, delivers a movie filled with thrilling action sequences, hilarious moments, and exciting adventures. The six main characters are spies who are selected for their unparalleled expertise and equally unique desire to erase their pasts and change the world for the better. They’re independent and off the grid, and their fight against injustice knows no bounds.
As if that wasn’t enough, the car chase scene was filmed on the iconic streets of Florence. With Vespas buzzing down its ancient streets, this is a classic Florentine movie experience. So, add this movie to your list right away and make way for a whole new level of action-packed entertainment!
2. “From Scratch” (2022)
Are you wondering: “What Netflix series was shot in Florence?” Experience the passionate love story of Texan artist Amy and Italian chef Lino in “From Scratch,” based on Tembi Locke’s memoir. Initially a swoony romance, the limited series transforms into a heartrending tale of loss and resilience.
Produced by Hello Sunshine after being handpicked by Reese Witherspoon for her highly regarded book club, this show follows the couple’s beginning, middle, and end. If you want to watch it on the go, you might need to learn how to unblock US Netflix while travelling. You can use a VPN to watch Netflix if you want to make your connection secure and bypass geo-blocks. Using VeePN, you can get lost in the instant and intense chemistry between leads, which inspires Lino to leave Italy and move in with Amy in Los Angeles. You just need to use Netflix VPN to avoid missing out on this unabashedly sentimental journey.
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3. “Hannibal” (2001)
After escaping from the asylum in “The Silence of the Lambs” (1991), Dr. Hannibal Lecter goes into hiding in the beautiful city of Florence. However, he soon becomes the target of a vengeful victim, Mason Verger, who is disfigured and confined to life support. It is the fourth instalment in the iconic Dr. Hannibal Lecter series. Set against the stunning backdrop of Florence, Italy, the film showcases famous landmarks, colouring the city with a dark tone.
4. “Inferno” (2016)
It’s the third time Ron Howard and Tom Hanks have teamed up to adapt a Dan Brown novel. “Inferno” introduces us to Ben Foster’s character, Zobrist – a tech billionaire whose obsession with overpopulation leads him to create a man-made plague. He dies within the film’s opening minutes, jumping off the Badia Fiorentina’s bell tower, and setting off a race against time to find his bioweapon before it’s too late. The film strips away the main weapon of our hero, Professor Robert Langdon: his intellect. Suffering from a head wound and Bedlam-like hallucinations, Langdon relies on the charming Dr. Sienna Brooks for assistance. This change makes him more vulnerable than ever before.
Exploring symbols around Florence’s famous landmarks, Langdon surely manages to overcome his challenges. In the first half of the film, set in Florence, you see some amazing overhead shots of the city. Langdon and Sienna racing through Boboli gardens, falling through the Vasari frescoes in Palazzo Vecchio. This is renaissance art turned action setting.
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5. “Medici Master of Florence” series (2016-2019)
Medici Masters of Florence is the 3 season series set in Florence and Tuscany that’s been thrilling audiences on Netflix. The series tells the story of the family that helped the Renaissance to flourish and changed the face of Italy. It’s the early 15th century, and the place is Florence, in Tuscany, where the Medici are rising to power in the Florentine Republic. You follow the rise of the Medici family, their love stories and political intrigues. With names such as Dustin Hoffman (Giovanni de’ Bicci), Richard Madden (Cosimo de’ Medici), and plenty of historical references to the Renaissance – some more colourful than accurate – the Medici series make for a fun watch.
=> Medici Masters of Florence: Truth and fiction in the TV series set in Florence
6. “Room with a view” (1986)
The film starring a young Helena Bonham Carter and Julian Sands is based on the classic novel “Room with a view” by English writer E. M. Foster. It’s about love, and the timeless fascination with Florence as an exotic, and potentially unsettling, destination. The title refers to the fact that in Florence it’s “very sad not to have a room with a view”, the very fact that starts the action in the film.
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7. “Tea with Mussolini” (1999)
This film, by Italian director Franco Zeffirelli, follows the lives of a group of eccentric British and American ladies in Florence during the Second World War. The protagonist Luca – inspired by Zeffirelli’s experience as a young boy growing up in Florence – is the illegitimate son of an Italian business man not interested in raising him. The expatriate group of ladies help him and teach him about arts and life, and at the end they turn into real heroes by saving a Medieval tower in San Gimignano. The first half of the movie is set entirely in Florence.
8. “Gladiator” (2000) – Famous movie set near Florence
The 2000 film “The Gladiator” offers a captivating portrayal of the Roman Empire. Inspired by the stories of emperor Commodus and his father Marcus Aurelius, this movie is a must-watch for action lovers. The story revolves around Hispano-Roman general Maximus (played by Russell Crowe) who gets betrayed by Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), the ambitious son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Fuelled by the desire to avenge the murders of his family and his emperor, Maximus is condemned to slavery and rises through the ranks of the gladiatorial arena.
“The Gladiator” showcases exquisite landscapes near Florence. The home of Maximus is situated in the Val d’Orcia region, in central Tuscany – more precisely in the Podere Terrapille. If you’re a fan, plan a road trip through this exquisite part of Tuscany.
Whether you’re a fan of action films, love stories or historic fiction, Florence is the perfect setting, offering beautiful vistas and an interesting backdrop for some great movies. You find many more movies and TV series set in Florence, Italy, on Netflix and other streaming platforms. With its stunning landscapes and historic beauty, it is no wonder that filmmakers have chosen Florence as the location for their productions. So, if you’re looking for a movie night that offers a bit of inspiration for your next trip, be sure to check out some of the films that have been shot in Florence!
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