Looking for the best movies set in Italy? I’ve curated this list of 25 essential films that showcase Italy’s landscapes, culture and cinematic legacy.
From Fellini masterpieces to modern classics, these recommendations range from romantic comedies to gripping dramas. Most are available to stream on Amazon Prime, and I’ve noted which films you’ll find on Netflix.
Essential Italian Cinema
These are the films that define Italian cinema and showcase the country at its most memorable.
1. La Dolce Vita (1960)
Fellini’s masterpiece follows journalist Marcello Mastroianni through seven days and nights in Rome, searching for “the sweet life” amongst the city’s glittering elite.
The film is worth watching for its opening scene alone: a helicopter transporting a statue of Christ over Rome. Then there’s the iconic image of Anita Ekberg wading through the Trevi Fountain at dawn. This is Italian cinema at its finest.
- Where filmed: Rome
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime
2. Cinema Paradiso (1988)
Perhaps the finest film about films ever made. This Italian classic follows a successful man confronting demons from his past whilst celebrating his love of cinema.
One of my favourite films of all time and guaranteed to make me weep with each viewing. It’s about memory, loss and the magic of the movies.
- Where filmed: Sicily
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime
3. The Leopard (1963)
An epic in every sense. Clocking in at just over three hours, it chronicles an aristocratic Sicilian family during Italy’s unification in the 1860s.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made, starring Burt Lancaster, Alain Delon and Claudia Cardinale. I was lucky enough to see this on the big screen at London’s BFI Southbank.
- Where filmed: Sicily
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime, rental services
4. Il Postino / The Postman (1994)
A more recent gem of Italian cinema, Il Postino is set on the island of Procida in Southern Italy.
Shy, uneducated Mario (Massimo Troisi) takes a job delivering mail to exiled poet Pablo Neruda (Philippe Noiret). The two men develop a friendship based on Neruda helping Mario win the heart of his beloved Beatrice. Simple, moving and unforgettable.
- Where filmed: Procida
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime
5. Roman Holiday (1953)
Two hours of pure entertainment courtesy of Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. A sheltered princess escapes her duties for one glorious day, exploring Rome with an American reporter.
The film was shot at multiple locations across Rome. If you’re after a timeless fairy tale with a bittersweet edge, this is essential viewing.
- Where filmed: Roman Holiday was filmed in multiple locations in Rome
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime
6. The Godfather (1972)
Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpiece chronicles the exploits of the Corleone crime family. When Don Vito’s youngest son, Michael (Al Pacino), reluctantly joins the firm, he’s pulled into a deadly cycle of violence and betrayal.
- Where filmed: Sicily (Savoca, Forza d’Agrò), New York
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime, streaming services
7. A Room With A View (1986)
Not only is this one of the best films set in Italy, but it is also one of my favourite films of all time. This sumptuous Merchant-Ivory adaptation made me fall in love with Florence.
Well-brought-up Edwardian lady Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham Carter) must choose between safe but dull Cecil (Daniel Day-Lewis) or charismatic but unsuitable George (Julian Sands), whom she met in Italy. Gets better with every viewing.
- Where filmed: Multiple filming locations in Florence, Fiesole
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime
8. Summertime (1955)
Another of my favourite movies of all time.
Middle-aged Ohio secretary Jane Hudson (Katharine Hepburn) uses her savings for the trip of a lifetime to Venice. Overwhelmed by the city’s beauty, she falls for handsome but married Italian Renato (Rossano Brazzi).
Could her days as a single woman be over?
- Where filmed: Venice
- Where to watch: DVD, rental services
Modern Classics
Contemporary films that capture Italy’s enduring appeal.
9. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
Matt Damon heads up an all-star cast in this movie, written and directed by the late, great Anthony Minghella, which is set in the 1950s.
The charismatic but psychopathic Tom Ripley (Damon) is dispatched to Italy to bring back Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law), a spoiled millionaire playboy. However, events take a sinister turn.
- Where filmed: Positano, Rome, Venice, Ischia
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime
10. Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Call Me By Your Name is an outstanding coming-of-age romantic drama.
Elio Perlman (Timothée Chalamet) is staying in his family’s 17th-century villa when he meets Oliver (Armie Hammer), an American doctoral student who is spending the summer as an intern for Elio’s father. What follows is a sensual tale of first love set against the sun-drenched splendour of Lombardy.
- Where filmed: Crema, Lombardy
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime, streaming services
11. The Hand of God (2021)
This small miracle of a movie is enough to make you start to plan a visit to Naples.
Directed by Paolo Sorrentino, The Hand of God is based on his boyhood in Naples. Set in the 1980s, this beautifully filmed coming-of-age story was shot on location in the city.
- Where filmed: Naples
- Where to watch: Netflix
12. The Great Beauty (2013)
The second movie in this list by Paolo Sorrentino is set in Rome.
It centres on a 65-year-old journalist, Jep Gambardella (Toni Servillo), reflecting on the passions of his youth. Gambardella and his circle of friends and associates are presented as exotic animals trapped in a gilded cage.
Although a long film, The Great Beauty never bores.
- Where filmed: Rome
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime, streaming services
13. La Vita è Bella / Life is Beautiful (1999)
Roberto Benigni’s Oscar-winning performance anchors this bittersweet Italian film.
Jewish-Italian waiter Guido Orefice and his son are transported to a concentration camp. To protect his son from the horrors surrounding them, Guido pretends their time in the camp is a game. Sometimes veers towards saccharine but remains moving and humorous given the subject matter.
- Where filmed: Arezzo, Tuscany
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime
14. The Two Popes (2019)
This Oscar-nominated movie chronicles the relationship and differences between Pope Benedict (Anthony Hopkins) and his successor, Cardinal Bergoglio (Jonathan Pryce). Career-best performances from the two leads, forming a peculiar odd-couple in stiff white robes, and a first-rate script elevate The Two Popes above its dry subject matter.
- Where filmed: Locations in Rome; a full-sized replica of the Sistine Chapel’s interior was created at the city’s Cinecittà studios.
- Where to watch: Netflix
Romantic Escapes
Perfect for armchair travel with a romantic edge.
15. Eat Pray Love (2010)
Julia Roberts stars in this adaptation of Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir. Shot on location in Rome and Naples, it’s the ultimate Italian food indulgence.
Few would call it a cinematic masterpiece, but see it and salivate.
- Where filmed: Rome, Naples
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime
16. Under The Tuscan Sun (2003)
In this adaptation of Frances Mayes’ memoir of the same name, Diane Lane plays the author who escapes to Tuscany when she discovers her husband has been cheating on her. Falling in love with Cortona, she buys a dilapidated villa and starts to rebuild her life.
- Where filmed: Cortona, Florence, Montepulciano, Rome
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime
17. Letters To Juliet (2010)
Fluffy rom-com territory. New Yorker Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) becomes entangled in a 50-year-old love story during a pre-honeymoon trip to Verona. She ends up scouring Tuscany for the Italian ex-lover of widowed Claire (Vanessa Redgrave).
It’s not a great film, but undemanding fun, and showcases Verona, Siena and Pienza beautifully.
- Where filmed: Verona, Siena, Pienza
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime, streaming services
18. Enchanted April (1991)
This sun-dappled treasure of a film was shot on location in Portofino.
Lottie Wilkins (Josie Lawrence) and Rose Arbuthnot (Miranda Richardson) swap their empty relationships with their husbands in 1920s London for a medieval castle in Italy. Joined by Caroline Dester (Polly Walker), a young socialite, and Mrs Fisher (Joan Plowright), an older aristocrat, they are slowly transformed by their surroundings and experiences.
- Where filmed: Portofino (Castello Brown)
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime, rental services
Thrills & Adventure
From supernatural horror to ancient epics.
19. Don’t Look Now (1973)
Venice has never appeared more sinister than in Nicolas Roeg’s supernatural horror.
Adapted from Daphne du Maurier’s short story, a married couple travel to Venice shortly after their daughter’s accidental death. It is renowned for its editing and recurring use of the colour red. The sex scene remains the subject of “Did they really do it?” debate.
- Where filmed: Venice
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime, streaming services
20. Gladiator (2000)
Gladiator takes us to Ancient Rome, recreated in all of its former glory.
Featuring a wonderful score by Hans Zimmer, this Ridley Scott-helmed multi-Oscar-winning blockbuster is a vengeance story. Maximus, a former Roman General (Russell Crowe), sets out to avenge the murder of his family and his descent into slavery by a corrupt emperor, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix).
- Where filmed: Rome (some scenes), Malta, Morocco
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime, streaming services
21. The Italian Job (1969)
Infinitely quotable British caper film. Charlie Croker (Michael Caine) leads a gang attempting to steal gold bullion from an armoured truck in Italy.
One of the greatest end scenes in cinema history, a Quincy Jones soundtrack, and iconic chase scenes filmed around Turin.
Just remember this: in this country, they drive on the wrong side of the road.
- Where filmed: Turin
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime
22. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Let’s travel to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) for the next addition to our Italy movies list.
Spider-Man Far From Home was partially set in Venice and features a wonderful set-piece in the City of Canals. It has humour, emotion, and Tom Holland is fabulous in the title role.
- Where filmed: Venice
- Where to watch: Disney+, streaming services
23. Angels & Demons (2009)
This Ron Howard-directed adaptation of Dan Brown’s sequel to The Da Vinci Code, starring Tom Hanks, received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike. To me, it is fast-paced, albeit silly fun.
- Where filmed: Angels & Demons was partly filmed in Rome (some scenes were recreated on a backlot in Culver City and at Cinecittá).
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime
Comedy & Lighter Fare
For when you want entertainment without heavy themes.
24. Luca (2021)
This Disney-Pixar animation shares an unforgettable summer between young Luca and his sea-monster best friend.
Wonderful animation takes you on a joyful trip to the Italian Riviera of the 1950s. Look out for movie posters advertising Roman Holiday and La Strada.
- Where filmed: Animation inspired by Cinque Terre
- Where to watch: Disney+
25. Avanti (1972)
Jack Lemmon delivers a stellar performance in his fifth collaboration with Billy Wilder.
Lemmon plays a befuddled businessman who travels to Ischia to claim his father’s body. He discovers his old man had a mistress for years, who died with him in a car accident. The mistress’s daughter Pamela (Juliet Mills) has also arrived. You can guess what happens next.
- Where filmed: Ischia
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime, rental services
And That’s a Wrap!
Whether you are looking for movies to watch before going to Italy, or simply looking for recommendations for some good films for a popcorn night at home, I hope that this list of my favourite films set in Italy has been useful.
Watch, dream and book that holiday.
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About Bridget
Bridget Coleman is a complete cinephile who has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.
In my view one of the best films set in Italy is Summertime by David Lean. It’s not on Netflix or Amazon Prime, but can be bought on DVD. It’s a love story set in Venice with Katharine Hepburn and Rossini Brazzi. Venice has never looked more beautiful and timeless and romantic. David Lean said it was his favourite film, which, considering he also directed Lawrence of Arabia and Dr Zhivago is saying something. Well worth seeking out.
That should be Rossano not Rossini as my phone keeps correcting it to.
Thank you so much for the movie recommendation (Lawrence is in my top 5 favourite films of all time). I confess that this film hasn’t been on my radar. What’s not to like about a Lean / Hepburn / Brazzi combo! :)
After mentioning this to you, I just had to dig out my DVD and watch Summertime again. It really is just so beautiful. The central romance may seem a little old fashioned by today’s standards, but I still love it…and I really, really want to return to Venice and sip a coffee in Piazza San Marco with the orchestras playing gorgeous music all around me. I did it once and it cost a fortune, but worth every romantic penny.
Wonderful! You can’t put a price on experiences like that. And I’m a sucker for old-fashioned movies. I really want to get hold of Summertime!
Re Italian film recommendations: Impressive list to which you could add the entire Montalbano TV series
Thanks! Indeed. Friends have also highly rated the series but I confess I have yet to make time to watch it.