Fez — Need ancient Troy? Morocco can do it. Need a desert, medieval city, Middle Eastern streets, mountains, coastline, or an imaginary kingdom? Morocco can probably do those too.
That versatility has helped turn the country into one of international cinema’s most dependable production destinations, and the business behind the scenery is getting bigger.
The Moroccan Cinematographic Center reported that foreign productions invested MAD 1.21 billion in Morocco during 2025.
One of the clearest recent examples is Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey.” The $250 million (approximately MAD 2.35 billion) epic used Morocco among six filming countries. Associated Press reported that the production shot for 91 days across Morocco, Greece, Italy, Iceland, Scotland, and the United States.
In Morocco, Aït Benhaddou helped transform the production’s real-world locations into ancient Troy, while filming also took place around Essaouira and other parts of the country.
Morocco can pretend to be almost anywhere
That ability to visually become somewhere else is one of Morocco’s oldest advantages.
International filmmakers have been shooting in the country for more than a century. The Moroccan Cinematographic Center traces foreign filmmaking in Morocco back to productions filmed in Tangier in 1919.
Ouarzazate later became the center of that industry. Its desert terrain, kasbah architecture, nearby mountains, established studios, and long-trained crews allow productions to build historical worlds without starting entirely from scratch.
The result is a filmography that reads like Morocco repeatedly convincing audiences they are somewhere else.
Big productions connected to the country include “Gladiator,” “Kingdom of Heaven,” “The Mummy,” “Game of Thrones,” “Gladiator II,” and now “The Odyssey.” Screen Daily described the combination of locations, experienced professionals, studios, and incentives as central to Morocco’s current appeal.
That is the real cheat code. A producer is not simply buying a nice desert shot. Morocco already has an ecosystem accustomed to turning that desert into a functioning international set.
The 30% reason Hollywood keeps coming back
The scenery is only part of the equation.
Morocco currently reimburses qualifying foreign productions for 30% of eligible local expenses. The Moroccan Cinematographic Center states that productions generally need to spend at least MAD 10 million and complete at least 18 working days in Morocco to qualify.
The rebate rose from 20% to 30% in March 2022, strengthening Morocco’s ability to compete with other international production hubs.
For a major studio, that means hotels, transport, set construction, costumes, local technicians, extras, and other qualifying expenses can become considerably cheaper.
The attraction is increasingly visible in the numbers. Variety reported that foreign investment linked to productions shot in Morocco reached roughly $130 million (approximately MAD 1.22 billion) in 2025.
Morocco wants more than the filming days
The next phase is about keeping productions in Morocco after directors yell cut.
In June, work began on a MAD 240 million international film-production complex in Ouarzazate, designed to add studios, post-production facilities, training spaces, and other services. Variety reported on the project as Morocco moves to expand the infrastructure surrounding foreign shoots.
Another planned development, “Argan Studios,” is expected to rise between Rabat and Casablanca. Le Monde reported that the project carries an estimated €70 million (approximately MAD 746 million) investment and is envisioned as an integrated audiovisual hub.
The ambition signals an important shift. Morocco does not simply want Hollywood to borrow its deserts and leave.
It wants more construction, editing, training, technical work, accommodation, and production spending to remain inside the country.
For decades, Morocco’s advantage was that it could convincingly play almost anywhere on screen. The emerging strategy is to make sure that, behind the camera, international productions have fewer reasons to go anywhere else.
