Hedvika Petrželková
5. May 2026
In 2025, the Czech Republic once again confirmed its position as one of Europe’s leading filming destinations, with inward investment from film productions reaching approximately EUR 381 million.
Chris Baker © Netflix
Czechia has continued to attract major international productions thanks to its experienced crews, diverse locations, well-established production infrastructure, and, last but not least, increased incentives for film production. Recent big-budget projects filmed in the Czech Republic include the movies Resident Evil and The Face of Horror, as well as the TV series Foundation, Ride or Die, and The Age of Innocence. These productions bring billions of Czech crowns into the local economy while creating valuable opportunities for Czech crews and industry professionals.
„I’m delighted that 2025 confirmed what many of us have sensed for years: Czechia is no longer merely a backdrop for international stories. It has become an essential creative partner, actively shaping how stories are developed, produced, and ultimately experienced on screen,” says Pavlína Žipková, Head of the Czech Film Commission. This milestone reflects collaboration, craftsmanship, and strong global trust in Czech film professionals worldwide.
One of the largest and most widely discussed productions filmed in the Czech Republic in 2025 was the American series The Age of Innocence, produced for Netflix.
Inspired by the novel of the same name by Edith Wharton, the series takes viewers into the world of New York high society in the 1870s. This literary classic has been adapted for the screen several times. The new series is directed by Shannon Murphy and stars Ben Radcliffe, Kristine Froseth, and Margo Martindale.
Filming in the Czech Republic ran from October 1, 2025, to February 27, 2026, and took place mainly at Barrandov Studios, in the historic center of Prague, and the city of Liberec. The Czech service production was provided by Stillking Films. This project once again confirms the Czech Republic’s attractiveness as a stable and sought-after location for large-scale international television productions.
The British feature film The Face of Horror, a historical horror production, was produced by Good Chaos Production UK and directed by Anna Biller, a prominent filmmaker known for her distinctive genre work. The cast features Jonah Hauer-King, Kristine Froseth, Ellie Bamber, Leo Suter, and Ben Radcliffe.
Biller’s film, inspired by a classic Japanese ghost story, is set during a plague epidemic in medieval times. The story follows knight Edward Carnifex, whose tragic tale of betrayal and revenge unfolds as a dark moral allegory.
Filming in the Czech Republic took place from July 28 to September 14, 2025. The Czech service production was handled by Sirena Film.
The production filmed at Barrandov Studios as well as several historic locations, including St. Bartholomew’s Church in Kolín, the park at Konopiště Chateau, Dobříš Chateau, St. Wenceslas Church in Výsluní near Chomutov, and Točník Castle.
Courtesy of Good Chaos
Another major international production shot in the Czech Republic was Resident Evil, the eighth installment in the film series based on the popular Japanese video game franchise. The movie is directed by Zach Cregger, known for his horror film Weapons (2025) and the thriller Barbarian (2022).
Filming took place primarily in Prague from October 2025 to January 2026. Czech service production was provided by Stillking Films.
“Resident Evil was my fourth production in Prague spanning more than 25 years. Over this period of time, I’ve seen the film and TV industry flourish and grow. The infrastructure has improved significantly, both in terms of skilled labor and studio space/vendors. I highly recommend shooting in Prague,” said executive producer Robert Bernacchi.
Another example of Prague’s popularity as a global filming destination was the production of an episode of the popular television series The Rookie. Although the crew spent only three days in the city (June 23–25, 2025), they made full use of the time.
The storyline of the episode, from the show’s eighth season, is set directly in Prague, which appears as itself. The episode, titled “Czech Mate,” features a number of iconic Prague locations, including Kampa Island, Charles Bridge, the Rudolfinum concert hall, the Mánes gallery, and the Invalidovna complex.
The series tells the story of John Nolan, the oldest rookie in the Los Angeles Police Department, played by Nathan Fillion. The series is created and executive produced by Alexi Hawley. Czech service production was provided by Stillking Films.
Larry Horricks ABC Entertainment
The American action series Ride or Die was also filmed in the Czech Republic in 2025. The project was produced by Amazon MGM Studios and former Skydance Media (now Paramount Skydance). The series is directed by Peyton Reed and stars Octavia Spencer, Hannah Waddingham, Ed Skrein, and Jamie Parker.
The story follows two lifelong friends whose relationship is pushed to the limit when one of them is revealed to be living a secret double life as a highly trained assassin.
Filming took place between January 17 and July 1, 2025. Czech service production was again provided by Stillking Films.
The project made use of a wide range of locations across the country, particularly in Prague—including Mariánské Square, Divadelní Street, Hanavský Pavilion, Troja Mill, and St. Gabriel’s Church—as well as locations at Slapy, the Čeřinka quarry, Jordan Studios, Újezd nad Lesy, Králův Dvůr, Ploskovice Chateau, Kolín, and Karlovy Vary, where filming took place at the Grandhotel Pupp and the Mill Colonnade.
The third season of the Netflix historical drama The Empress, one of the most successful German-language titles on the platform, was also filmed partly in the Czech Republic.
As in previous seasons, Devrim Lingnau stars as Empress Elisabeth, alongside Philip Froissant as Emperor Franz Joseph. The story continues after the Sardinian War, which Franz Joseph returns from deeply affected. While Elisabeth faces increasing pressure at court, she struggles to maintain both her marriage and the stability of the empire.
Filming took place from September 1 to December 18, 2025, then again in early 2026. The Czech service production was handled by MIA Film.
The series filmed at Barrandov Studios and numerous locations across the country, including Sychrov, Zbraslav, Konopiště and Zvířetice chateaux, St. Barbara’s Cathedral in Kutná Hora, Loreto Square and Belvedere in Prague, Točník Castle, and Králova Koruna in Chlumec nad Cidlinou.
Another German production filmed in the Czech Republic was the six-part series My Ex (working title), produced for the television channel ZDFneo.
Filming took place from June 2 to September 12, 2025. The Czech service production was provided by Evolution Films.
The story follows Ivy (Palina Rojinski), a successful interior and set designer in her thirties who revisits her past relationships in search of true love and a better understanding of herself. Filming in the Czech Republic took place primarily in Prague, including the locations Chotkovy Gardens, Prague 6, Kampa, Heroldovy Gardens, the Strahov Tunnel area, and Karlín. Studio filming took place at FAK Studio and HEXAR Studios in Chrášťany.
ZDF
Other German productions filmed in the Czech Republic in 2025 were the Netflix series Two Killers (service production by Wilma Film); the eight-part historical series Ludwig, for ARD, about Bavarian king Ludwig II (Wilma Film); the ARD series Seelendorf (MIA Film); and the movie Prototype (Sirena Film).
A French production shot the feature film Once Upon a Time … in the Czech Republic (service production by OutlookMovie).
Among digital productions supported by the enhanced 35% incentive, two British films were produced in the Czech Republic: the comedy Spa Weekend, directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore (service production: Magiclab), and the corporate drama Turbulence (service production: Wilma Film). Another project was the international horror thriller Arachnid, set in Los Angeles and produced as a coproduction between the United States, Spain, Portugal, and the United Kingdom (service production: PFX).
By far the most filming last year took place in Prague, which serves as the country’s main production hub. This is not surprising, given that the city is home not only to key studios (Barrandov Studios, Prague Studios), but also attractive outdoor locations, mainly in the historic center (Charles Bridge, the Belvedere, the Estates Theater), as well as a host of other distinctive sites, including the Karlín district, the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art, Thomayer Hospital, and Koh-i-noor. The Age of Innocence, for example, was filmed in the city’s historic center—on Rytířská Street and in and around the Estates Theater and the Clam-Gallas Palace.
The next most popular place to shoot was the Central Bohemian Region, which benefits from its proximity to Prague and offers a combination of settings (castles and chateaus, villages, nature) and smaller studios (Modletice, Klecany, Chrášťany). Zwei Mörder im Wald, My Ex, and Seelendorf have all filmed extensively in this region. The British historical horror film The Face of Horror was also shot here, filming in the Konopiště Castle Park and at Dobříš and Točník castles.
Apart from Prague and the Central Bohemian Region, another area frequently visited by international film and TV crews is the Ústí Region, with its array of industrial locations (Most, Litoměřice), striking landscapes (Tisé stěny, Hřensko), and picturesque towns. Smaller towns such as Úštěk and Žatec stand out in particular. This makes the region especially attractive for foreign productions and genre-specific projects.
In 2026, production began on the German feature film Fellinger, produced by Producers at Work Film GmbH, as well as the fifth season of the German historical series Charité. A British TV series based on the John le Carré novel Legacy of Spies is also in production, produced by The Ink Factory. Location scouting is underway for the American project Birdwatcher, produced by Legendary Television and Apple. Other big-budget projects are also being filmed; these are registered under code names, and their nature cannot be disclosed at this time.
This year, Martin Scorsese’s highly anticipated and long-kept-secret project, What Happens at Night, was also filmed in the Czech Republic, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence. Hailing from Apple Studios, and made in partnership with STUDIOCANAL, the dreamlike story follows a married American couple who travel to a small, snowy European town to adopt a baby. The feature is adapted from the novel of the same name by Peter Cameron.
The Czech Republic has long been home to a wide range of productions—from big-budget international series to European coproductions, crime dramas, and comedies. The combination of highly skilled crews, strong production infrastructure, and a remarkable diversity of locations—from historic cities and castles to industrial sites and natural landscapes—continues to make the country a compelling destination for filmmakers.
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