In this day and age of VFX, green screens and CGI, you rarely see films shot on location. And we think that's a shame.

When it comes to showcasing beautiful scenery on the big screen, Cumbria has a wealth to offer.

With its rolling hills, historical sites and dramatic landscapes, Cumbria has hosted zombies, Jedi and even Tom Cruise.

We've compiled a list of films and TV shows that have been filmed or based on Cumbria.

Gill Haigh, managing director of Cumbria Tourism, previously told us: "We love welcoming film and TV productions to the Lake District, Cumbria. Our county is home to an array of different landscapes and backdrops, so it’s no wonder that location scouts choose to bring productions here.

"Major productions can bring many benefits to Cumbria, with the potential to employ local people and use local accommodation and facilities before the finished product hits the screen.

"Meanwhile seeing the beautiful Cumbrian countryside showcased on the big screen can reach worldwide audiences and inspire visits to the area," she said. 

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy was confirmed earlier this year and is set for release in early 2025.

Over the weekend, lead actress Renee Zellweger (Bridget Jones) and 12 years a Slave actor Chiwetel Ejiofor (who plays a PE teacher and Bridget's rumoured love interest) were spotted filming a school trip scene for the new movie in Keswick, according to reports in the national media, with Renee even having a classic 'Bridget Jones' moment with a trip over the bridge.

Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

The Westmorland Gazette: A-LIST: Tom Cruise skydiving across Buttermere Lake. A-LIST: Tom Cruise skydiving across Buttermere Lake.
Hollywood star Tom Cruise was spotted skydiving from a helicopter in an impressive stunt as he filmed for the latest movie in the Mission Impossible franchise. 

The 59-year-old was pictured paragliding across the picturesque Buttermere Lake in 2021.

Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens (2015)

The Westmorland Gazette:
Released in 2015, the majestic sites of Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite were pictured as the Millennium Falcon flies into Takodana, with the mountains of Skiddaw pictured within the digitised shot. 

Miss Potter (2006)

The Westmorland Gazette: SHOT: Yew Tree Farm, Coniston. The farm was owned by Beatrix Potter and was used as a location in the 2006 film "Miss Potter". It is now owned by the National Trust and run as a working farm, B&B, tea room and butchers..SHOT: Yew Tree Farm, Coniston. The farm was owned by Beatrix Potter and was used as a location in the 2006 film "Miss Potter". It is now owned by the National Trust and run as a working farm, B&B, tea room and butchers..
No surprise that one of Cumbria's best figures, Beatrix Potter's, autobiographical film Miss Potter was filmed in the Lake District - allowing for actress Renee Zellweger to portray the life of the children's book author's rise to fame. 

Included in the backdrop and the narrative are the sites of Loughrigg, Grasmere, Loweswater and Coniston - with Whitehaven's The Rum Story making an appearance as the set of William Heelis’ offices. 

28 Days Later (2008)
The Westmorland Gazette: ZOMBIES: 28 Days Later filmed at Ennerdale. Credit: PAZOMBIES: 28 Days Later filmed at Ennerdale. Credit: PA  
Danny Boyle's cult classic zombie movie brought actor Cillian Murphy to the region's Forestry Commission land at Ennerdale Water, between Cockermouth and Egremont, for the emphatic ending scene.

Recommended reading:

When Hollywood came to the Lake District

Lake District: Visitors excited to see Bridget Jones filmed in Keswick

The Lake District hotel that has become a celebrity hangout

Murder on the Orient Express (2017)

The Westmorland Gazette: LOCATED: Dream lunchspot at Bassenthwaite Lake StationLOCATED: Dream lunchspot at Bassenthwaite Lake Station (Image: Newsquest)
Not so much filmed in the Lake District but the French SNCF steam train which featured a film version of the classic tale can now be visited at the Bassenthwaite Lake Station, perfect for film-buffs and coffee-lovers alike. 

Snow White and the Huntsman (2012) 

The Westmorland Gazette: The Fairy Tale was shot at the sites of Blea Tarn. Credit : Cumbria Tourism The Fairy Tale was shot at the sites of Blea Tarn. Credit : Cumbria Tourism
Based on the original Grimm fairy tale, the movie brought around A-listers such as Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron and Chris Hemsworth to the Lakes as they used locations such as the Cathedral Cave and Blea Tarn within its production. 

Dolittle (2020) 

The Westmorland Gazette: ALL-GO: Creating the set at Kirkby Lonsdale. Credit: Jon Granger.ALL-GO: Creating the set at Kirkby Lonsdale. Credit: Jon Granger.
The village of Kirkby Lonsdale was transformed into Victorian-era Britain for a chase scene in Dolittle: a fantasy film about Doctor Dolittle which brought the likes of Robert Downey Jr and Antonio Banderas to South Lakes town.