Jamaica is a prime location for Hollywood movies set in "paradise".

Jamaican-born and international filmmakers are always scouting the island for attractive locations to shoot a scene or two of their cinematic projects.

And it's hardly surprising!

The natural elegance of its landscape, coupled with the unique culture and spirit of the Jamaican people, have helped to propel the popularity of movies on the big screen and in small cinema circuits. 

Here are nine iconic movie sets in Jamaica. 

No Time To Die, 2022

It's no surprise that James Bond movies consistently include scenes in Jamaica because it was on this island that the series was conceptualized by famous writer, Ian Fleming.

In the movie, No Time to Die, Bond retires in a beautiful cottage in Port Antonio, on the eastern part of the island, and showcases sections of the town of Port Antonio such as Market Square, West Street, William Street, and Harbour Street.

One specific scene was filmed at the Kingston Container Terminal.



Knight and Day, 2010

You'll quickly notice that Portland is a popular location for big-screen films shot in Jamaica.

Have you ever visited Frenchman's Cove in Portland?

The popular beach is the site where this action comedy movie starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz was filmed. 

Harder They Come, 1972

The Jamaican crime drama starring Grammy-winning Reggae singer, Jimmy Cliff has scenes in several sections of the capital city of Kingston.

If you've been to Devon House on Waterloo Road in Kingston, you're actually only a few meters away from the place the movie was shot and edited, 10A West King's House Road, which was the home and office of its Jamaican-born producer Perry Henzell.

How Stella Got Her Groove Back, 1998

Scenes in this raved black romantic comedy starring Angella Bassett and Taye Diggs were filmed in two resorts on the western end of the island.

The first one is Time-n-Place in Falmouth, which was subsequently closed down, and the Round Hill Hotel and Villas, located less than 20 kilometers from Montego Bay.

Cocktail, 1988

If you were watching this 80's movie classic closely, you'd notice that the world-famous water attraction and nature park, Dunn's River Falls in Ocho Rios was the background for some scenes.

The movie, starring Tom Cruise and Bryan Brown, also exposed viewers to the idyllic blue waters at Blue Lagoon and Frenchman's Cove in Portland.

In 2020, Blue Lagoon was ordered closed for rehabilitation works so if you wish to make a trip to this iconic movie location, check with your tour operator to confirm that the site is open. 



Dr. No, 1962

It was most fitting for the first movie in the Bond series to be shot in several exotic locations across the island.

The movie starring, Sean Connery and Ursula Andress, takes you on a tour through Kingston from the Norman Manley International Airport, down the Norman Manley Highway, and up into the Blue Mountain in Saint Andrew.

In Ocho Rios, Dunn's River Falls, White River, and Laughing Waters are some of the sites that feature prominently in the film.

Cool Runnings, 1993

This 1993 Disney movie classic starring John Candy and Jamaican-born Leon Robinson takes you on a journey from Jamaica to Calgary, Canada.

The earlier parts of the film were shot in the coastal town of Discovery Bay and in the island's capital city, Kingston. 

Pirates of The Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, 2003

The first movie in the series was shot in the infamous wickedest place on earth, Port Royal in Kingston.

It was the most suitable site for a film adaptation of stories of popular pirates who scouted the Atlantic Ocean for treasure. 

Shottas, 2002

By now you'll realize that the city of Kingston is a popular location for Jamaican movie classics.

In this action film starring Ky-Mani Marley, Wyclef Jean, and Spragga Benz, viewers are given a tour of the troubled community of Waterhouse.

Waterhouse is also the home community of Jamaican female sprint sensation, Shelly-Ann Frazer Pryce.

Which of these nine movie sets have you visited in Jamaica?

Ask your local tour operator about booking a trip to these famous locations on the island.