Films Shot in Oxford: A City on the Big Screen
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Oxford, with its stunning architecture, historic charm, and picturesque landscapes, has served as the backdrop for many iconic films. From magical adventures to poignant dramas, the city’s beautiful university buildings and scenic streets have been immortalised in cinema. Here’s a look at some of the most notable films shot in Oxford.
1. Harry Potter Series
Oxford's stunning architecture provided the perfect setting for many scenes in the Harry Potter series. The city’s historic buildings were used to portray the prestigious Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Christ Church College played a major role in the films, with its grand dining hall inspiring the Hogwarts Great Hall, while the Bodleian Library and Divinity School doubled for the Hogwarts Library and infirmary, respectively. These Oxford landmarks gave the films their magical, timeless atmosphere and continue to be a must-see for Potter fans visiting the city.
2. The Golden Compass (2007)
Based on Philip Pullman’s novel Northern Lights, The Golden Compass is a fantasy film that features scenes shot in Oxford. The city’s striking university buildings served as the setting for the fictional world of Lyra Belacqua.
Bodleian Library became Jordan College, Lyra’s home, while other Oxford locations, such as Radcliffe Camera and the Bridge of Sighs, contributed to the film’s atmospheric, mysterious vibe. The grandeur of Oxford’s architecture helped transport viewers into this fantastical world, blending history with magic in the process.
3. The Theory of Everything (2014)
The Theory of Everything, the biographical drama about renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, also features Oxford’s university buildings. The film chronicles Hawking’s time at the University of Oxford, where he met his first wife, Jane Wilde, and embarked on his groundbreaking work in theoretical physics.
Key Oxford locations in the film include University College, where Hawking studied, and the iconic Radcliffe Camera, which is used in several pivotal scenes. The city’s academic environment and stunning architecture beautifully complement the story of a genius’s early years and his challenges with ALS.
4. Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)
The Transformers franchise took advantage of Oxford’s breathtaking architecture in the fifth installment, The Last Knight. Although the film is set in various global locations, Oxford plays a role in some of the movie’s key action scenes.
Oxford University’s Examination Schools was used to portray a British government building, adding to the film's high-octane action. The city’s majestic, historical buildings helped provide a sense of grandeur and significance to the dramatic battle sequences that unfolded in the movie.
5. The Mummy (2017)
In The Mummy (2017), Oxford makes a brief but memorable appearance. The action-adventure film, starring Tom Cruise, includes scenes set in the Bodleian Library, which is used to introduce the story’s archaeological elements. The library’s stunning architecture and atmospheric ambiance provided the perfect backdrop for scenes of ancient mysteries and discoveries.
The city’s combination of history and grandeur helps elevate the film’s sense of adventure and intrigue, adding an extra layer of depth to the supernatural storyline.
​​6. X-Men: First Class(2016)
Oxford played a key role in X-Men: First Class, with its stunning architecture adding depth to key scenes. The University of Oxford appears as the backdrop for moments featuring Charles Xavier, portrayed by James McAvoy, during his early days as a professor. The elegant Pitt Rivers Museum is also featured, showcasing the city’s intellectual and historical charm in the film. This location adds a layer of authenticity to the story while grounding the superhero narrative in a real-world setting.
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7. Saltburn (2023)
The dark comedy Saltburn, directed by Emerald Fennell, also showcases Oxford’s charm. The film, starring Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi, is set in the elite world of Oxford University, where the main character becomes involved in the lives of a wealthy family.
The beautiful, sprawling Oxford University grounds and iconic buildings were used to reflect the exclusive and opulent atmosphere of the story. Locations such as Keble College add an extra layer of sophistication to the film, making it a fitting choice for a story set in the world of academia and privilege."
