Malta has emerged as a premier European destination for major American and British film productions, hosting more than 30 film and television projects annually across recent years, according to data highlighted by the European Audiovisual Observatory and local officials. Measuring no larger in size than Sheffield, the Mediterranean archipelago has stood in for locations ranging from ancient Rome and the Caribbean to the south of France and the Bay of Pentos in Game of Thrones.
Tax Incentives Drive Cinematic Growth in Malta
The microstate’s rapid rise as a filming hub is largely driven by financial incentives that have reshaped modern European filmmaking. According to a report by the European Audiovisual Observatory cited in industry coverage, financial incentives now account for nearly half of European fiction film budgets, causing productions to be engineered specifically around locations that offer strong rebates. Malta introduced its cash rebate mechanism in 2005 and has progressively enhanced its offerings. Productions filming on the island can qualify for up to a 40% cash rebate, which applies to incoming crew and equipment costs if they cannot be sourced locally.
Adrian Wootton, the chief executive of the British Film Commission, stated in industry reports that Malta is punching above its weight for such a small European country and has taken an aggressive, positive approach to diversifying its industry. Johann Grech, Malta’s film commissioner, noted that the island’s production schedule has transitioned from a seasonal market to a year-round operational industry.
Blockbusters and Television Series Filmed on the Island
Recent high-profile projects utilizing Malta’s diverse landscapes include major Hollywood releases and streaming series. According to production records, the island hosted a record 36 productions in 2023 and again in 2025. Recent and forthcoming titles filmed locally include:
- Gladiator II and Jurassic World Rebirth, utilizing the island’s expansive maritime and historic backdrops.
- The Magic Faraway Tree, an adaptation of Enid Blyton’s work featuring Nicola Coughlan.
- Mutiny, an action thriller starring Jason Statham.
- The Madame Blanc Mysteries, Channel 5’s cozy crime drama set in rural southern France.
- Viva la Madness, Guy Ritchie’s forthcoming follow-up to Layer Cake, which stands in for the Caribbean.
- The third season of Netflix’s Enola Holmes, which shifts its setting from Victorian London to the British-occupied island.
Malta’s cinematic history extends back to the 1925 silent maritime drama Sons of the Sea. Since the 1970s, the island has maintained two of the world’s largest water tanks designed for controllable marine shoots.
Future Infrastructure and Economic Impact
Looking ahead to future developments, principal photography is scheduled to begin next year for Stephen Poliakoff’s The Order, set during the 1565 siege of Malta by Ottoman forces. To sustain this momentum, Film Commissioner Johann Grech announced plans at the Mediterrane film festival to refine the rebate model ahead of its 2028 expiration and secure private investment to construct an €80 million studio complex. According to official estimates provided at the festival, every euro invested in the rebate framework generates four euros back for the local industry.