Top 10 Tourist Attractions RUINED by Movie Productions

The Losers (1970) & Too Late the Hero (1970)

1970 was a significant year for the Philippines' island of Boracay, as two different war films were shot there: The Losers and Too Late the Hero. These portrayals, as well as praise from travel writers, saw tourists flock to Boracay as its beaches were declared some of the best around. However, the mass influx of people caused havoc on the islands sewage system, leading to bacteria spreading. While the beaches were littered with trash. Unsurprisingly, this resulted in tourism significantly falling by the 1990s. In 2018, then-president Rodrigo Duterte called Boracay a cesspool, as it was closed for six months to fix environmental issues.

Frozen (2013)

While Disneys smash-hit musical Frozen was mostly inspired by Norway and Canada, rumors emerged that Hallstatt was also used in the creation of Arendelle, which has been disputed by the creators. As a small waterfront town in Austria, which had already had a replica Hallstatt opened in China in 2012, tourism in the area exploded with the films release. In 2020, Hallstatt had a population of 780 but was estimated to bring in up to 10,000 tourists per day. This mass disruption to everyday life even caused local churches to hire security. The local government has tried to put off tourists, such as putting up a fence around prime selfie locations, but to little avail. Locals have even protested against overtourism.

La Dolce Vita (1960)

Ever since Anita Ekberg walked into the historic Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy, in her dress in Federico Fellinis classic La Dolce Vita, film fans have been enamored with the location. The site has a rich history in the industry, appearing in various other productions. However, tourists have unwisely decided to emulate Ekberg by entering the fountain, completed in 1762. Over the years, officials have issued various fines and restrictions for people bathing in the water or being a nuisance near it. In 2024, to reduce overtourism in the area and protect the monument, plans were announced to limit the number of visitors to the Trevi Fountain and charge people for the experience.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 (2010) & Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011)

You dont need to be a fan of the franchise to feel the emotional punch of beloved house elf Dobby perishing as he saves everyone. The site of his final breath was filmed on Freshwater West beach in Pembrokeshire in Wales. Since then, fans have flocked to the site to pay their respects to Dobby by leaving socks and other trinkets there. However, while a charming thought, they didnt consider the environmental impact. The UKs National Trust has issued pleas to not leave items, as wildlife like seals and birds could be hurt by them.

Star Wars sequel trilogy

Between the 6th and 8th centuries, Christian monks built a monastery on Skellig Michael, off the coast of County Derry, Ireland. The monks eventually left in the 13th century, leaving the island to become a pilgrimage site before rare wildlife called the ruins their home. In 2014, the Star Wars sequel trilogy found Skellig Michael to be the ideal location for Ahch-To, where Luke Skywalker exiled himself. However, the production was immediately accused of damaging the environment. The newfound fame of the island also boosted visitors to Skellig Michael. In 2018, while UNESCO recommended 11,000 tourists per year, figures showed Skellig Michael received over 16,700. As a result, boats were restricted from landing on the island.

Saltburn (2023)

One of 2023s most popular films was Saltburn. Helped by Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Murder on the Dancefloor, the movie took the internet by storm with its extravagant estate. Despite reports none involved in the film could state where it took place, it was soon discovered the estate was Drayton House in Northamptonshire, England. Built in the 1300s, the estate has been passed down via inheritance since it was sold in 1361. Beyond Saltburn, Drayton has been privately owned and doesnt welcome visitors. Yet that hasnt stopped influencers and fans of the film from trying to get inside. In 2024, the owners of Drayton House spoke publicly about more than 50 people being caught trespassing on their grounds.

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

As a small town in Maryland, Burkittsville was in for a shock when an small-budget film became a horror phenomenon , completely transforming its landscape. In 1999, The Blair Witch Project set in and around Burkittsville, was released. While the town hasnt had a population larger than 200 since 1980, suddenly, a large influx of tourists descended into their quiet corner of the US. Fans desecrated graveyards, stole public signs for mementos, and harassed locals for tales about the fictional witch. Even an abandoned but beloved church had tourists ripping pieces off it and splashing graffiti within. While time has caused locals to embrace the history more recently, the issues may have caused Burkittsville's population to fall to 142 in 2020.

Joker (2019)

For many, no moment is more memorable from 2019's "Joker" than Joaquin Phoenixs criminal clown dancing on stairs as a song by disgraced musician Gary Glitter plays. This scene was filmed in the Bronx in New York at the outside steps known as the West 167th Street Stairs. With the films success, loads of film fans gathered on the so-called Joker stairs and recorded their own versions of the dance. Locals then had to dodge selfie sticks and photographs as they went about their day-to-day business. To make it worse, the tourists would arrive, take a photo, and not spend money in the Bronx, making it even less positive for locals.

3 Idiots (2009)

It takes a special kind of film to not just ruin an attraction but a whole region. Yet that was the case for Indias Ladakh after the Bollywood film 3 Idiots was released in 2009. One year later, the area saw its sharpest increase in tourism as people flocked to see Pangong Lake, a location used in the films climax. However, the rapid rise soon began affecting Ladakhs infrastructure, causing a huge increase in trash. As the area is a cold desert, water scarcity has increased, with demands for Western-style toilets being a major factor. The problems affecting Ladakh even sparked the inspiration for 3 Idiots, Sonam Wangchuk, to make a plea to the government to take action to protect the region.

The Beach (2000)

Ironically, and sadly, a film about a character searching for a beach untouched by tourism would cause the real-life location to be destroyed by exactly that. Yet thats the case with Maya Bay. Located on the Thai island Ko Phi Phi Le, the site was prominently featured in the 2000 movie The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The production even destroyed the landscape to make it more paradise-like. With the films release, tourists soon arrived, causing havoc with every step and via their boats. The environment was so badly damaged that the Bay had to be closed indefinitely in 2018 to recover. During that time, wildlife flourished as blacktip reef sharks returned to the water. In 2022, the Bay reopened to tourists with heavy restrictions.

Have you ever purposely visited a place that youve seen in a film, TV show, or other media? Let us know below!