Under the Tuscan Sun (2003) – Tuscany

Based on a true story, Under the Tuscan Sun chronicles Frances Mayes’ experience buying a Tuscan villa near Cortona on a whim, and her journey as she renovates the property and gets to know the locals (Italians and ex-pats alike).

The Italian Job (2003, 1969) – Venice

A classic heist movie featuring Mini Coopers and plenty of Venice (including an epic chase scene through Venice’s canals), The Italian Job tells the story of several criminals banded together to get back at a former colleague who double-crossed them after a successful heist.

La Dolce Vita (1960) – Rome

One of the best-known and most classic Italian movies, you’ll see references to La Dolce Vita in some of the other movies set in Italy! The Italian movie of La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life) chronicles the adventures and many romances of a gossip columnist as he explores the streets of Rome.

The Godfather (1972) – Sicily

Perhaps the most famous of all of these movies set in Italy, The Godfather follows the exploits of the Corleone crime family for ten years, centering primarily on the family’s patriarch, Vito Corleone, and his son Michael Corleone.

When in Rome (2010) – Rome

A skeptical New Yorker takes a trip to Rome and accidentally places several would-be suitors under a love spell–so begins the plot of When in Rome, a lighthearted romantic comedy that doesn’t take itself too seriously, while sharing plenty of scenes of beautiful Rome.

Eat, Pray, Love (2010) – Rome & Naples

Elizabeth Gilbert’s best-seller about her one-year journey to find herself in Italy, India, and Indonesia after a hard divorce has captivated audiences, as has its movie adaptation–and, of course, the Italy section of the movie focuses on the “eat” section of the title.

My Brilliant Friend (2018) – Naples

Here’s the setting: it’s a poor, violent neighborhood in 1950s Naples. Two girls befriend each other, defy the non-existent expectations of their academic talents, and dream of achieving great things.

Quantum of Solace (2008) – Lake Garda

Quantum of Solace, the immediate sequel to Casino Royale, opens in Italy, with scenes in and around Lake Garda, the Tuscan countryside, and Siena.

The Tourist (2010) – Venice

Part intriguing spy movie and part heist movie, The Tourist is fairly standard, if the enjoyable movie, –but where it truly shines is in how obvious it is that much of the movie was filmed on location in beautiful Venice, and it is complete with chase scenes in the lagoon and across the rooftops.

Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) – Venice

The movie is set partially in Venice, as well as several other places scattered across Europe, and while a set was built to film the battle scene, (the actual Rialto Bridge definitely would not have been suitable for filming) some scenes were filmed on location in Italy.