5 Hollywood blockbusters that were filmed around Lake Balaton

Due to the favorable prices and scenic locations, Hungary has been an attractive destination for American movie producers. Although directors mostly choose Budapest as a filming location, Lake Balaton is also a highly sought-after place where many Hollywood blockbusters were filmed. 

Balaton.hu has collected some Hollywood blockbusters that were shot around Lake Balaton. Have a look at them below.

Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Philip K. Dick’s novel inspired the Blade Runner movie. According to the plot, young Blade Runner K’s discovery of a long-buried secret leads him to track down former Blade Runner Rick Deckard, who has been missing for thirty years. The long-awaited sequel was released 35 years after the first movie. If you have a keen eye for detail, you can spot the abandoned site of the former thermal power plant in Inota, which is located just 19 kilometers from the northeastern corner of Lake Balaton.

• Read also: Famous Hollywood movies shot in Hungary

Spy (2015)

The plot of the 2015 comedy starring Melissa McCarthy and Jason Statham mostly takes place in Budapest, but its action-packed culmination was filmed near Lake Balaton. In the ominous helicopter scene, even 50 Cent appears for a cameo. After the main action, the authorities on the shore of the lake also arrive at the scene with the familiar Hungarian police cars.

Moon Knight (2022)

A brand new series on Disney+ also takes inspiration from Hungary. Not only the Hungarian capital appears disguised as London, but also Lake Balaton. In the third episode, a castle appears, the Nádasdy Castle in Nádasdladány, built in the second half of the 19th century in the Tudor style. It is also located a stone’s throw from the eastern edge of Lake Balaton.

• Read also: Legendary rockstars are coming to Budapest this year part II.

Die Hard (2013)

In this Die Hard movie, John McClane travels to Russia to help out his seemingly wayward son, Jack, only to discover that Jack is a CIA operative working undercover. After they establish their bond, father and son team up against underworld forces. Bruce Willis took on the role of John McClane for the fifth time, although, in the last film, they had to pair the aging character/actor with his CIA agent son in the hope of getting more action and stunts. This time, Budapest was featured as Moscow while Hungarian rapper Ganxta Zolee and actor Iván Kamarás also took minor roles. It is worth watching this movie because of its Hungarian aspect and the completeness of the franchise. Part of the filming with live ammunition took place on Hajmáskér in Veszprém county, near Lake Balaton.

Red Sparrow (2018)

Red Sparrow, the Hollywood blockbuster was shot in Hungary in 2018. If you watch closely, you can spot Jennifer Lawrence at Semmelweis University tower or in the New York Café. In addition, there are shots from above Gellért Hill and glimpses of the Parliament and the Hungarian State Opera House. However, not only Budapest served as a filming location. The manor seen in the film is none other than the Festetics Castle on the southern coast of Dég.

Read alsoBudapest Independent Film Festival 2023 – programme guide

Source: balaton.hu