The Ultimate Venice Watchlist: 11 Must-See Movies That Capture the Essence of the Floating City

Written by Ella Anderson & Likewise Pix | Aug 13, 2024 Planning a trip to Venice? Dive into our handpicked list of the best 11 movies that perfectly encapsulate the magic of this enchanting city. From thrilling action to heartfelt dramas, these films not only showcase Venice's picturesque canals and historic architecture but also offer compelling storylines that make them unforgettable watches.

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

The Talented Mr. Ripley

Tom Ripley is a calculating young man who believes it's better to be a fake somebody than a real nobody. Opportunity knocks in the form of a wealthy U.S. shipbuilder who hires Tom to travel to Italy to bring back his playboy son, Dickie. Ripley worms his way into the idyllic lives of Dickie and his girlfriend, plunging into a daring scheme of duplicity, lies, and murder. The evocative backdrop of Venice amplifies the movie's tension, making it a perfect retreat into a world of intrigue. Watch it here.

Casino Royale (2006)

Casino Royale

Le Chiffre, a banker to the world's terrorists, is scheduled to participate in a high-stakes poker game in Montenegro, where he intends to use his winnings to establish his financial grip on the terrorist market. M sends Bond—on his maiden mission as a 00 Agent—to attend this game and prevent Le Chiffre from winning. With the help of Vesper Lynd and Felix Leiter, Bond enters the most important poker game in his already dangerous career. And where better to do so than in the glamorous and perilous city of Venice? Watch it here.

Don't Look Now (1973)

Don't Look Now

While grieving a terrible loss, a married couple meets two mysterious sisters, one of whom gives them a message from the afterlife. Venice's haunting beauty and labyrinthine streets serve as the perfect setting for this eerie thriller, where supernatural elements intermingle with the real and the surreal. The film's atmosphere is thick with suspense and sorrow, making it a quintessential Venice-based horror. Watch it here.

Death in Venice (1971)

Death in Venice

Composer Gustav von Aschenbach travels to Venice for health reasons. There, he becomes obsessed with the stunning beauty of an adolescent Polish boy named Tadzio, who is staying with his family at the same Grand Hôtel des Bains on the Lido as Aschenbach. This film is a visual feast, with Venice's opulent yet decaying splendor perfectly mirroring the protagonist's inner turmoil and existential crisis. Watch it here.

Youth (2015)

Youth

Two lifelong friends bond whilst vacationing in a luxury Swiss Alps lodge as they ponder retirement. While Fred has no plans to resume his musical career despite the urging of his loving daughter Lena, Mick is intent on finishing the screenplay for what may be his last important film for his muse Brenda. Where will inspiration lead their younger friend Jimmy, an actor grasping to make sense of his next performance? Though much of the film unfolds amidst the Alps, Venice's artistic allure weaves through their pasts and pivotal moments. Watch it here.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

In 1938, an art collector appeals to eminent archaeologist Dr. Indiana Jones to embark on a search for the Holy Grail. Indy learns that a medieval historian has vanished while searching for it, and the missing man is his own father, Dr. Henry Jones Sr.. He sets out to rescue his father by following clues in the old man's notebook, which his father had mailed to him before he went missing. Indy arrives in Venice, where he enlists the help of a beautiful academic, Dr. Elsa Schneider, along with Marcus Brody and Sallah. Together they must stop the Nazis from recovering the power of eternal life and taking over the world! Watch it here.

The 15:17 to Paris (2018)

The 15:17 to Paris

On Aug. 21, 2015, the world watches in stunned silence as the media reports a thwarted terrorist attack on a train bound for Paris—an attempt prevented by three young Americans traveling together through Europe. The heroic and courageous actions of Anthony Sadler, Alek Skarlatos, and Spencer Stone help save the lives of more than 500 passengers on board. Although much of the action takes place outside Italy, parts filmed in Venice highlight the intertwining of history and modernity. Watch it here.

Moonraker (1979)

Moonraker

After Drax Industries' Moonraker space shuttle is hijacked, secret agent James Bond is assigned to investigate, traveling to California to meet the company's owner, the mysterious Hugo Drax. With the help of scientist Dr. Holly Goodhead, Bond soon uncovers Drax's nefarious plans for humanity, all the while fending off an old nemesis, Jaws, and venturing to Venice, Rio, the Amazon...and even outer space. Few spy adventures capture the mix of high-tech and classic European elegance quite like this jaunt through Venice. Watch it here.

Just Married (2003)

Just Married

Tom Leezak and Sarah McNerney fall in love and plan to get married despite opposition from Sarah's uptight, rich family. When they do get married, and get a chance to prove Sarah's family wrong, they go on a European honeymoon and run into disaster after disaster. They have to decide whether the honeymoon from hell and a few pre-marital mistakes are worth throwing away their love and marriage. Venice proves to be both romantic and comedic in this light-hearted love story. Watch it here.

The Comfort of Strangers (1990)

The Comfort of Strangers

An Italian diplomat's son follows and seduces English lovers in Venice. The city’s enigmatic atmosphere and ambiguous alleys provide the perfect backdrop for this disturbing and psychological thriller, drawing viewers into a web of intrigue and seduction. Watch it here.

One Chance (2013)

One Chance

This film follows the remarkable and inspirational true story of Paul Potts, a shy, bullied shop assistant by day and an amateur opera singer by night. Venice’s grand operatic history and stunning venues become part of Paul's journey from obscurity to fame. The film beautifully captures the transformative power of music set against an evocative Venetian backdrop. Watch it here.

Venice, with its timeless beauty and endless allure, stands as much more than a film set—it’s a character in its own right. Each of these films, in its unique way, captures the essence of this magical city, making them perfect companions as you plan your trip or dream of returning.