While watching a movie, many of us find ourselves wishing to transport through the screen to join the characters wherever they are. From snowy mountain ranges towarm summer beaches, many directors really know how to make certain locations look incredible. Unfortunately, when you actually travel to those same destinations in real life, a lot of the magic is lost. For the fantasy lands that are full of magic or the made up nations and kingdoms that appear in films, the fascination remains because reality never disturbs the imaginative storylines.
Some writers decide to model their scenery after places, but they deliberately make the main setting a fictional place. The purpose of this is to avoid limitations and conflicts of having to abide by that country or nation’s real laws, customs, and politics. People are quick to judge a movie or series for its representation of real places, and writers simply do not want to put up with the unwarranted criticism. Whether they be small countries depicted in our own world or a shift in how our environment as a whole had turned out, here are 20 unique yet fictional countries and nations that were created for movies.
20Genovia (The Princess Diaries)
While people cannot physically go visit the beautiful yet small country that is Genovia, it is comforting to know thatThe Princess Diariesnovelist, Meg Cabot, got her inspiration for the kingdom from a quaint location in Europe. Cabot said that when she visited the second-smallest country in the world, Monaco,an impression was left on her. From the beautiful, old architecture of the buildings to the “slightly naughty royal family,” a Cinderella-like tale was destined to take place in a similar setting.
19Costa Luna (The Princess Protection Program)
Adamsel in distressalways makes for a good Disney movie, right? InThe Princess Protection Program, when Princess Rosalinda Maria Montoya Fioré is supposed to be crowned queen of her tiny fictional country, Costa Luna, a neighboring ruler shows up to spoil the fun, forcing the princess to go into hiding. Costa Luna is meant to be a small island nation that does not appear on most maps, or so the princess says. The architecture and coronation ceremony depict some Spanish influences, so places like Puerto Rico and Costa Rica are likely the closest vacation spots that will resemble this Disney creation.
18Themyscira / Paradise Island (Wonder Woman)
Themyscira, also known as Paradise Island, is more than just the homeland of the fierce Amazonian women inWonder Woman. It is an island where the Amazons were able to take refuge after being attacked by men, but more importantly, it became a sanctuary where women were able to train and become lethal warriors. The hidden island is thought to be off the coast of Turkey. DC fans can expect to learn more about the civilization in theWonder Woman prequel TV series,Paradise Lost.
17Agrabah (Aladdin)
Though Agrabah is a city rather than a nation, it is noteworthy to see how the creators ofAladdinincorporated various Islamic and Middle Eastern factors into the fictional melting pot. Different races, ethnicities, and social classes are represented to show that the city does not strictly belong nor adhere to one country’s policies and laws. The palace resembles the grand Taj Mahal in India, but the city itself is a construct of multiple places.
Related:Mena Massoud Casts Doubt on Aladdin 2 Ever Happening
16Republic of Wadiya (The Dictator)
Wadiya is a fictional North African state inThe Dictator, and when looking at the boundaries and surrounding areas, it is actually a physical representation of Eritrea. Given the nature of the dark humored movie, it was likely the best idea to create a fictional territory rather than attempt to make an existing one its setting as to avoid conflict and offense to the government and people of the true location. Aside from Wadiya being made up, the rest of the plot deals with real locations, groups, and individuals.
15Nambutu (Casino Royale)
After earning his 00 agent statusCasino Royale, James Bond pursues the bomb-maker, Molloka, all the way to theNambutuan Embassy in Madagascar. While Madagascar is a real country off the southeastern coast of Africa, the embassy as well as the country of Nambutu are both fictional. In the film, Nambutuan soldiers are enraged by Bond’s destruction of their embassy, but his tunnel vision for catching and killing a terrorist does not allow him to see the potential national conflict he has caused.
14Atlantica (The Little Mermaid)
Life under the ocean’s surface is still a mystery to many, so creating an underwater kingdom modeled after the mythological city, Atlantis, that houses merpeople and very opinionated sea creatures is somewhat believable. What we do know about the fictional city inThe Little Mermaidis that it lies somewhere under the Atlantic Ocean’s surface. The 2023 live action film beautifully depicts the scenery and makes everyone want to jump in the water to meet anew fish best friend.
13Greek island of Kalokairi (Mamma Mia!)
While Greece does have about 6,000 islands, Kalokairi is not one of them. The filming ofMamma Mia!took place on the island of Skopelos, Greece, so fear not fellow fans! Anyone can take a trip to Skopelos or one of the other 226 habitable islands and sing their hearts out to ABBA while imagining that Meryl Streep’s quirky hotel is just a short walk away. It is forgivable that the exact name of the island is fictional only because the beautiful location and welcoming culture is very real.
Related:Mamma Mia!: Where the Cast is Today
12Kingdom of Wakanda (Black Panther)
Wakanda is a fictional MCU country located in East Africa that is best known as the home of Black Panther inBlack Panther. While its citizens present their small nation as a Third World country, they are anything but behind in the technologically advanced world. After a meteorite crashed on the land thousands of years ago and deposited an abundance of vibranium, four tribes came together to use the energy source and build an advanced but isolated civilization.
11Andalasia (Enchanted)
Giselle and many others inEnchantedtransport themselves between the fantasy world of Andalasia and the meanstreets of New York City, using a well that doubles as a sewer hole. Andalasia appears to be in a mountainous range in Europe, and it is ruled by an evil and vindictive queen. The kingdom is represented more in the sequel,Disenchanted, as it is on the brink of disappearing due to all of its magic being transported to another location.
