Sicily has inspired filmmakers for decades, and these 15 movies and shows capture its landscapes, cities, and spirit – and might just inspire your next trip.
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15. Stromboli
Ingrid Bergman stars as a woman who marries a fisherman to escape a postwar camp, only to struggle with life on his remote island. Directed by Roberto Rossellini and filmed on the real Stromboli, the movie captures both the harsh beauty of the Aeolian Islands and the tension of isolation. | © RKO Pictures
14. From Scratch
This Netflix series follows an American woman who falls in love with a Sicilian man while studying abroad in Florence. Alongside scenes in Florence and Los Angeles, it showcases the charm of Cefalù, Pollina, and Termini. | © Netflix
13. A Bigger Splash
Luca Guadagnino sets this sultry drama on the volcanic island of Pantelleria, with Tilda Swinton playing a rock star vacationing with her partner. Their quiet escape unravels when her ex (Ralph Fiennes) shows up with his daughter, bringing tension that upends the holiday. | © Searchlight Pictures
12. The Mafia Kills Only in Summer
This dark comedy, directed by Pif, follows a boy growing up in 1970s–90s Palermo who slowly becomes aware of the Mafia’s grip on his city. Blending humor with tribute, it both mocks the mob and honors the judges and police who fought against it. | © 01 Distribution
11. A Street in Palermo
Emma Dante’s film follows two drivers who meet head-on in a tight Palermo street and refuse to move. Filmed right where the story takes place, it captures the humor and tension of a situation that feels unmistakably Sicilian. | © Abc Distribution
10. Palermo Shooting
Wim Wenders tells the story of a German photographer who heads to Palermo to step away from his chaotic life. Filmed largely in the city, it highlights the streets, food, and atmosphere that make Sicily’s capital so memorable. | © Wild Bunch
9. Ocean’s Twelve
In the sequel to Ocean’s Eleven, Danny Ocean and his crew head to Europe to repay the casino owner they robbed, taking viewers from Amsterdam to Rome and beyond. Sicily makes a brief but memorable appearance at the end, with scenes shot in the coastal village of Tonnara di Scopello. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
8. Respiro
Set on the island of Lampedusa, this drama follows a mother whose free-spirited ways clash with the expectations of her tight-knit community. Shot on location, it offers a raw look at island life and the stigma around mental health. | © Sony Pictures Entertainment
7. Il Postino: The Postman
Set in 1950, this gentle drama follows exiled poet Pablo Neruda and his friendship with a humble postman on the island of Procida. Filmed on Procida, Salina, and Corricella, it’s a moving story with some of Sicily’s most beautiful backdrops. | © Miramax Films
6. Much Ado About Nothing
Kenneth Branagh sets his take on Shakespeare’s comedy in Messina, though the filming actually took place in Tuscany. With Emma Thompson, Keanu Reeves, and Denzel Washington in the cast, it’s a bright, witty tale of romance, rivalry, and mistaken intentions. | © MGM
5. Cinema Paradiso
This beloved coming-of-age film follows young Salvatore as he discovers a love for movies in his small Sicilian village, spending hours in the projection booth with his mentor. Shot in Cefalù and Palermo, Tornatore’s classic is both a tribute to cinema and a heartfelt portrait of childhood. | © Miramax Films
4. The Leopard
Visconti’s classic, starring Burt Lancaster, Claudia Cardinale, and Alain Delon, is set during the upheaval of Italian unification. Shot in Palermo’s Palazzo Gangi and across the Sicilian countryside, it reflects on changing times and the fading of old traditions. | © 20th Century Studios
3. The Godfather: Part III
The last chapter of the saga returns Michael Corleone to his Sicilian roots. Filmed in Palermo, Taormina, and Forza d’Agrò, the landscapes provide a rich and tragic backdrop for Coppola’s story of history, family, and destiny. | © Paramount Pictures
2. The White Lotus: Season 2
The second season takes viewers to Sicily, where wealthy guests stay at a luxury resort in Taormina while their dramas spill into Noto and Palermo. With its star-studded cast and sweeping shots of hotels, piazzas, and coastline, the show doubles as a glossy Sicilian travel guide. | © HBO
1. Malena
Monica Bellucci stars as a woman whose beauty unsettles a Sicilian village during World War II. Shot in Ortigia, Ragusa, and Noto, the film captures the island’s streets and squares while exploring gossip, desire, and judgment. | © Miramax Films
Sicily has inspired filmmakers for decades, and these 15 movies and shows capture its landscapes, cities, and spirit – and might just inspire your next trip.
