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Why Jordan Is Hollywood’s Desert Jewel — And Your Next Luxury Escape

Follow legendary stories through Jordan’s timeless landscapes.

  • ByKhaled Basheer
  • July 15, 2025

There’s something about Jordan — something eternal, cinematic, untamed. Perhaps it’s the way golden light rolls over its dunes at dusk, or how ancient rose-red cities rise like mirages from the stone. But whatever it is, the world’s greatest filmmakers have felt it too.

For decades, Jordan has served as the backdrop to some of cinema’s most iconic stories — from sweeping sci-fi epics to deeply human dramas. As someone who’s explored these locations firsthand, I can tell you: standing where these scenes were filmed is nothing short of surreal.

Let me take you on a journey through nine films — each revealing a different side of Jordan — and reveal why Jordan is not just a set piece for Hollywood, but a stage for your own unforgettable escape.

1. Dune (2021 & 2024) — Wadi Rum as Planet Arrakis

When Denis Villeneuve envisioned the vast, perilous deserts of Arrakis in Dune, he turned to Wadi Rum. It’s no surprise — the jagged sandstone mountains and sweeping red sands here feel genuinely otherworldly.

Wadi Rum wasn’t just a stand-in. It became the essence of the film’s texture and tone. The stark silence. The endless horizon. The fierce beauty.

Travel like the cast: Stay in a luxury martian-style dome tucked among the dunes. Explore by camel, or better yet, by private 4×4 with a cinematic tour guide. And when night falls, dine beneath the stars as the desert turns silver.

2. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) — Petra’s Treasury

This may be Jordan’s most iconic cinematic moment: Harrison Ford and Sean Connery standing at the entrance of Al Khazneh (The Treasury) in Petra, searching for the Holy Grail.

Spielberg chose Petra not just for its majesty but for its mystery — a hidden city carved into rose stone, revealed only after a silent passage through the Siq, a natural sandstone corridor that builds cinematic tension with every step. The location plays itself, because frankly, it needs no embellishment.

Experience it like never before: Arrange a private, early-morning tour — before the crowds. Or visit by candlelight, when soft music echoes off the stone walls. For the truly exclusive, some operators offer guided archaeology walks with scholars.

3. The Martian (2015) — Mars Recreated in Wadi Rum

Ridley Scott also chose Wadi Rum to double as another planet — this time, Mars. Its rust-colored cliffs and empty expanses needed no visual effects.

Matt Damon’s stranded astronaut walked the same ground that Bedouins have for centuries. That contrast — between fiction and reality — is what makes visiting so powerful.

Go beyond the screen: Trek across the Martian dunes with an expert desert guide, enjoy lunch in a private camp, and end your day stargazing with professional astronomers under an untouched sky.

4. Lawrence of Arabia (1962) — Cinematic Origins in Wadi Rum

This is where it all began. David Lean’s masterpiece, Lawrence of Arabia, put Wadi Rum on the cinematic map. The desert became a character in itself — vast, dramatic, unforgiving, and unforgettable. Beyond the cameras, Wadi Rum is also the true homeland of the Arab tribes who worked closely with T.E. Lawrence during the Arab Revolt, lending the film a profound historical resonance.

Filming here wasn’t easy. The cast and crew lived in tents, hauling 70mm cameras across sand dunes. But what they captured was magic.

Step into history: Trace T.E. Lawrence’s footsteps across Rum’s towering cliffs. Choose a bespoke tour that blends film history with authentic Bedouin culture, topped off with a gourmet dinner served at sunset.

5. John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) — Wadi Rum’s Dramatic Desert Chase

John Wick: Chapter 4 opens with one of its most electrifying scenes filmed in Wadi Rum — a breathtaking horse chase that races through the desert’s towering sandstone formations. The raw, rugged landscape perfectly matches the film’s intensity and cinematic flair, turning the desert into a thrilling stage for Keanu Reeves’ high-speed pursuit.

Experience the thrill: Immerse yourself in Wadi Rum with a private horse-riding excursion along the very trails where the chase was filmed. Combine this with luxury desert camping and exclusive guided tours to feel the pulse of this cinematic desert playground.

6. Theeb (2014) — A Jordanian Story in Wadi Araba and Wadi Rum

This Oscar-nominated gem was filmed across the sweeping deserts of Wadi Araba and Wadi Rum, telling a deeply Jordanian tale — a coming-of-age story set during World War I, seen through the eyes of a Bedouin boy.

The film’s authenticity shines through its rugged settings and cast, many of whom were local Bedouins and non-actors from the region. Its raw, emotional narrative is rooted in the real desert life of southern Jordan.

Travel with purpose: Embark on a cultural immersion journey. Meet Bedouin families, participate in traditional cooking sessions, or explore hidden desert trails — all with the refinement and safety of a bespoke, expertly curated itinerary.

7. Aladdin (2019) — A Whole New World in Wadi Rum

Guy Ritchie brought Disney’s live-action Aladdin to life among the vast dreamscapes of Wadi Rum. The desert scenes capture the sense of wonder and freedom that defined the film.

It wasn’t just beautiful — it was magical. The mix of real terrain and CGI created something both grounded and fantastical.

Feel the magic: Book a private desert camp themed around Arabian Nights, complete with traditional music, fire-lit dinners, and stargazing beside your own private fire.

8. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) — A Final Battle in Wadi Rum

In this final chapter of the Skywalker saga, Wadi Rum became the desert planet Pasaana, where Rey and company fight for the fate of the galaxy.

The site was chosen for its surreal topography and clear, bold lines — perfect for sci-fi storytelling. It’s where imagination meets geology.

Your experience: Opt for a film-lover’s tour of the exact shooting sites. Some guides even carry stills from the scenes to show you where each moment happened. Cinematic photography sessions can be arranged.

9. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) — Petra and the Robot Apocalypse

Yes, even Michael Bay brought the Transformers to Petra and Wadi Rum. The climax of Revenge of the Fallen explodes through these ancient and alien-looking backdrops.

Over-the-top? Of course. But there’s a reason these places were chosen. They defy time, scale, and logic — just like the films themselves.

Explore with flair: Combine Petra and Wadi Rum in a seamless luxury tour. Helicopter transfers, private guides, curated experiences, and fine dining in the desert — it’s all possible.

Travel Through the Lens, Walk Through the Legend

Jordan isn’t just a film location. It’s a character, a canvas, a calling. And for the traveler who craves more than just sightseeing — who longs to feel a place, to enter a story — there’s no better stage.

From the sandstone cathedrals of Petra to the sci-fi vistas of Wadi Rum, and the vibrant streets of Amman, Jordan has been the backdrop for countless cinematic masterpieces. While we’ve explored nine iconic films here, many other productions have chosen Jordan’s stunning landscapes as their canvas, each adding to its rich tapestry of stories.

Jordan lets you walk through film history — in comfort, in style, in depth.

The cameras may have stopped rolling, but the magic remains. Come see it for yourself.

Explore More Jordan Travel Stories

Feeling Inspired by Jordan’s Wonders? Let Our Experts Help You Craft Your Perfect Journey

Let us craft an exclusive, bespoke experience tailored just for you. Our travel experts will design a personalized journey through Jordan, perfectly aligned with your unique preferences, style, and desires. Reach out today to begin your journey.


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