Discover Naples on set: films and series shot in the city in 2023!

Naples, a city that fascinates with its breathtaking beauty and rich cultural history, has become a real film set in recent years. In 2023, its diverse and vibrant landscape has attracted filmmakers from around the world, transforming its streets, squares and monuments into unforgettable settings for a wide range of productions. From epic action stories to light comedies, from dramas that explore everyday life to documentaries that celebrate local culture, Naples has proven to be an ideal stage for every film genre.

In this article, we will guide you through ten highlights of the cinematographic works and TV series shot in Naples in 2023, revealing how the city has lent itself to telling different and fascinating stories. We will discover action films that exploit the pulsating energy of the metropolis, comedies set in its historic neighborhoods, and dramas that manage to capture the true essence of Naples. There will be no shortage of crime TV series that are intertwined with its streets, documentaries that offer a profound look at Neapolitan culture, and international productions that choose these iconic places as the backdrop for their stories.

Additionally, we will explore independent productions shot in evocative settings, fantasy and science fiction films that use the city as a playground for the imagination, short films and experimental projects that push the boundaries of storytelling, and the events and film festivals that have enlivened Naples in the course of the year. Get ready to discover how Naples, with its warm hospitality and cultural heritage, continues to inspire filmmakers and viewers from around the world.

Action films shot in Naples in 2023

Fast & Furious: Naples Drift

2023 was a year full of action films shot in Naples, but one of the most anticipated is certainly "Fast & Furious: Napoli Drift". The Fast & Furious saga has decided to bring its protagonists to the Neapolitan city for a new adrenaline-filled adventure. Filming took place in various iconic locations in Naples, such as the Lungomare, Vesuvius and the historic centre, giving spectators spectacular action scenes in the streets of the city. The film promises to capture the energy and beauty of Naples, offering viewers a new perspective on the city through the action and speed typical of the saga.

Comedies set in historic neighborhoods

The comedies set in the historic districts of Naples are a real spectacle that mixes the charm of the past with the liveliness of the present. These films manage to capture the unique essence of Naples, with its winding streets, colorful alleys and colorful characters that populate the city.

Comedies set in the historic neighborhoods of Naples are often characterized by funny dialogue, hilarious situations and unexpected twists. The directors and screenwriters manage to create stories that are intertwined with the thousand-year history of the city, giving the public an engaging and unforgettable experience.

This type of film often shows the most characteristic neighborhoods of Naples, such as Spaccanapoli, the Quartieri Spagnoli, the Rione Sanità and the Vomero, offering the public the opportunity to completely immerse themselves in the daily life of the city and discover its secrets better guarded.

Comedies set in the historic districts of Naples are loved by both local and international audiences, thanks to their ability to convey the unique and unrepeatable atmosphere of the Neapolitan city. These films manage to make people laugh and excite at the same time, giving the audience a different and fascinating perspective on Naples and its inhabitants.

Dramas that capture the true essence of the city

Neapolitan cinema has a long tradition of telling dramatic stories that capture the true essence of the city. Naples is a city rich in history, culture and contradictions, which provides a perfect backdrop for intense and engaging stories.

Drama films shot in Naples in 2023 have been particularly praised for their ability to show the complexity of life in the city. These films do not just show the iconic places of Naples, such as Vesuvius or the seafront, but also explore lesser-known neighborhoods and the stories of the people who live there.

The film productions that have focused on the dramatic genre have been able to capture the soul of Naples, showing its beauty but also its contradictions. The characters in these films are often looking for hope and redemption in a difficult social context, and the city itself becomes a silent but powerful protagonist.

Through dramatic stories told on the big screen, Neapolitan cinema manages to convey authentic emotions to the public and to make them reflect on the complexity of urban reality. The dramatic films shot in Naples in 2023 are a tribute to the city and the people who live there, showing their strength, their resilience and their humanity.

Crime TV series with Naples as a backdrop

The crime TV series set in Naples offer viewers a unique immersion in the reality of the city, exploring its crowded streets, its characteristic neighborhoods and its unique atmosphere. Naples has been chosen as the backdrop for many television productions of the genre, which exploit the charm and complexity of the city to create compelling and engaging stories.

In these series, you can often admire breathtaking scenery such as the seafront of Naples, the historic center with its narrow streets and suggestive alleys, but also the peripheral neighborhoods that tell the true essence of the city. Spectators can experience the protagonists' investigations among the busy streets and iconic places of Naples, completely immersing themselves in the atmosphere of crime and justice.

The crime TV series that have chosen Naples as their backdrop are appreciated not only for their gripping plot, but also for their ability to capture the authenticity and liveliness of the city. The actors move between the Neapolitan locations naturally, giving life to credible characters well integrated into the urban context.

Naples, with its history full of contradictions and contrasts, proves to be the perfect set for telling stories of investigations, crimes and mysteries. The crime TV series that choose it as a backdrop manage to convey to the public the energy and passion of a unique city in the world, giving emotions and suspense to each episode.

Documentaries on Neapolitan culture

Neapolitan culture is one of the richest and most fascinating in Italy, and it is not surprising that numerous documentaries have been made to tell it in all its splendor. These documentary films explore the unique history, traditions, music, cuisine and lifestyle of Naples and its inhabitants.

One of the most famous documentaries on Neapolitan culture is "Napoli Velata" directed by Ferzan Özpetek, which explores the mysterious beauty and hidden secrets of the city through the eyes of a photographer. This film offers an intimate and poetic look at daily life in Naples, showing its liveliness and melancholy in equal measure.

Another unmissable documentary is "Napoli '44" by Francesco Patierno, which tells the story of Naples during the Second World War through the testimonies of those who lived there. This film offers a touching and truthful look at the resilience and determination of the Neapolitan people in the face of the adversities of war.

Furthermore, "Naples Piazza Municipio" by Gianluca Migliarotti is a documentary that explores the history and importance of the largest square in Naples, a symbol of the social and political life of the city. This film offers an in-depth look at the daily life of Neapolitans and the dynamics that animate the beating heart of Naples.

Finally, "Naples: the City and the Music" by John Turturro is a documentary that explores the profound link between music and the soul of Naples, through the testimonies of local and international musicians. This film offers a passionate and engaging look at the city's vibrant music scene and its ability to inspire and move everyone who sets foot in it.

International films that choose Naples

The beauty and unique atmosphere of Naples have always attracted international directors and film productions, who choose the city as the backdrop for their stories. Thanks to its rich history, breathtaking architecture and vibrant energy, Naples has provided the perfect backdrop for numerous global blockbuster films.

Famous directors such as Paolo Sorrentino, Matteo Garrone and Gabriele Salvatores have chosen Naples as the location for their films, thus bringing the beauty of the city to the big screen. Films such as "La Grande Bellezza", "Gomorra" and "Mediterraneo" have shown the magic and uniqueness of Naples to the whole world, helping to make it an increasingly popular destination for cinema tourists.

International productions have also chosen Naples as the backdrop for their films. The city has been the protagonist of successful Hollywood films such as "Inferno" based on the novel by Dan Brown, and "Welcome to the South" a French-Italian comedy which was a great success with the public.

The beauty of the alleys of the historic center, the majesty of Vesuvius as a backdrop, and the liveliness of neighborhoods such as Spaccanapoli and Quartieri Spagnoli have inspired directors from all over the world to set their stories in Naples. The city offers a variety of unique and evocative locations, ranging from splendid seaside villas to the ancient Roman ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum, thus offering a wide range of possibilities for film productions.

Furthermore, the passion and energy of the Neapolitan people, their culture rich in traditions and their delicious cuisine contribute to making Naples a magical and fascinating place to shoot successful films. It is therefore not surprising that more and more international directors are choosing Naples as a set for their productions, helping to promote the city as a first-rate film destination.

Independent productions in suggestive locations

Unique background for original stories

Independent productions are always looking for evocative and original locations to bring their stories to life. Naples, with its thousand-year history, historic neighborhoods, picturesque alleys and breathtaking landscapes, proved to be an ideal choice for many of these productions.

The Neapolitan city offers a variety of unique scenarios that can easily transform into real film sets. Neighborhoods such as Spaccanapoli, the historic center, the seafront and the alleys of San Gregorio Armeno are just some of the most popular locations for independent productions.

Independent productions, often characterized by limited budgets, find in Naples not only an evocative location, but also a community ready to welcome and support them. The Neapolitan inhabitants have repeatedly shown themselves willing to open the doors of their homes and shops for filming, thus contributing to creating an authentic and engaging atmosphere.

Independent productions that choose Naples as a set often manage to capture the soul of the city in a unique and original way, giving the public an authentic immersion in Neapolitan culture and places.

Naples therefore confirms itself not only as a renowned tourist destination, but also as an ideal place for independent film productions that seek to tell original stories in evocative and authentic contexts.

Fantasy and science fiction among the streets of Naples

The charm of Naples also lends itself perfectly as a location for fantasy and science fiction films, adding a touch of magic and mystery to its historic streets and suggestive panoramas. Over the years, several directors have chosen the Neapolitan city as the backdrop for stories of fantastic worlds and space adventures.

One of the most famous examples is the 2010 film "Benvenuti al Sud", a comedy that mixes fantastic elements with the daily reality of the Neapolitan neighborhoods. The film achieved great success with the public and critics, thanks also to the evocative setting of the city.

Other examples include 2008's "Gomorra", which despite being a gritty and realistic drama, manages to capture the surreal and mysterious essence of Naples through the events of the Camorra and its characters. Furthermore, TV series such as "Squadra Antimafia" have used the city as a backdrop for police and crime stories, adding a touch of suspense and mystery to the Neapolitan streets.

The magic of Naples has also been the protagonist of international productions, such as the 1999 film "The Talented Mr. Ripley", which set some scenes in the Neapolitan city, adding a touch of mystery and charm to the story. Furthermore, short films and experimental projects have exploited the suggestions of the city to create original and innovative stories, which explore new narrative and visual territories.

In conclusion, Naples confirms itself as a versatile and fascinating location for fantasy and science fiction films, which manage to mix the charm of the city with compelling and original stories. With its mix of tradition and modernity, history and imagination, Naples continues to inspire directors and screenwriters from all over the world, who find in the Neapolitan city the ideal place to give life to unforgettable and engaging stories.

Short films and experimental projects

Short films and experimental projects are an essential element of the Neapolitan film scene, often offering a unique perspective on the city and its culture. Naples, with its rich and complex history, its unique traditions and its lively atmosphere, provides an ideal setting for the making of short films that explore deep and engaging themes.

Often short films and experimental projects focus on short but intense stories, which can capture the essence of the city in just a few minutes. These works offer viewers the opportunity to immerse themselves in alternative worlds, to explore new perspectives and to appreciate the creativity and originality of the directors and artists involved.

Short films and experimental projects shot in Naples often stand out for their ability to mix traditional and modern elements, offering a unique look at the city and its people. Thanks to their brevity and experimental nature, these works allow directors to explore new techniques and highlight new perspectives, resulting in surprising and engaging works.

The scene of short films and experimental projects in Naples is constantly evolving, with more and more directors and artists choosing the city as a location for their creations. Thanks to its breathtaking beauty, its unique history and its vibrant atmosphere, Naples offers endless creative possibilities and continually inspires new and interesting cinematic works.