The city of Liverpool, England, is a popular location for the filming and setting of films and television shows, both fictional and real. The following article provides a list of films and television shows which have been shot in Liverpool. The list includes a wide array of films and TV shows, ranging from those that were almost entirely shot and set in the city (e.g. The 51st State, Brookside) to those where only a small number of scenes were set or shot in Liverpool (e.g. Across the Universe).
Media is an important component of Liverpool's economy and in 2019 brought over £17.6m into the local area, with 324 productions racking up 1,750 production days. After London, it is the most filmed city in the United Kingdom. The Liverpool Film Office, founded in 1989, was the first of its kind in the United Kingdom and along with North West Vision and Media and the UK Film Council acts to promote the city to film and television producers. In addition to attracting outside producers, Liverpool is also home to Lime Pictures, the UK's largest independent television production company.
Liverpool's rich architectural base means it is frequently used as a double for major cities across the globe, including Chicago, London, Moscow, New York, Paris and Rome. It is also able to utilise a large number of historic sites within the city that are openly available for filming, including the now decommissioned courtrooms of St. George's Hall, or the nineteenth century warehouses around Stanley Dock.
Films shot in Liverpool TitleYearNotesRef The 51st State 2001 Drug-related comedy. Filming took place at the India Buildings in Water Street and on Liverpool Docks as well as several other locations in and around Liverpool. '71 2014 Thriller set in Northern Ireland in 1971 with Liverpool doubling for Belfast. A Day in Liverpool 1929 A city symphony film covering life in Liverpool in the 1920s. Across the Universe 2007 A love story crafted around several Beatles songs. Alfie 2004 Jude Law starred in the remake of the Michael Caine original, with Liverpool doubling for New York City The Almond and the Seahorse 2021 Film adaptation of Kaite O’Reilly's stage play, starring Rebel Wilson, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Trine Dyrholm and Meera Syal. Filming took place around the World Museum and Central Library as well as in Wirral. Al's Lads 2002 Known as Capone's Boys for its US release, Liverpool doubles for Chicago Amazing Grace 2026 A film about the relationship between a suicidal man and a volunteer on a crisis phone helpline. The Arrest of Goudie 1901 Possibly the world's first filmed crime reconstruction, by Mitchell and Kenyon Awaydays 2009 Crime drama about football hooliganism, starring Stephen Graham An Awfully Big Adventure 1995 Drama about a Liverpool theatre company in 1947; although establishing shots were filmed in Liverpool, most of the location shooting was in Dublin Backbeat 1994 Drama about the early days of the days of the Beatles, particularly their Hamburg days The Batman 2020 St George's Hall and the Liver Building was used for filming. Blood on the Dole 1994 Alan Bleasdale drama for Channel 4 that filmed in multiple locations across the city and the Wirral. Blond Fist 1991 Drama film about a female boxer from Liverpool. Bolan's Shoes 2023 Drama about the lives of several children growing up in an orphanage in Liverpool and how glam rock band T. Rex influenced their lives. Business as Usual 1987 Drama set and filmed in Liverpool starring John Thaw and Glenda Jackson. Captain America: The First Avenger 2011 Stanley Dock doubles as docks in Brooklyn, New York also Southport Reporter Chariots of Fire 1981 Liverpool Town Hall was used, while the Bebington Oval in Wirral doubled as the Olympic Stadium and beach scenes were shot at New Brighton. Charlie Noades R.I.P. 2009 Family comedy. Clayface 2025 DC Comics adaptation of the character of the same name. Filming took place in multiple locations, including the Cunard Building, Derby Square, Philharmonic Hall and Water Street. Coast to Coast 1987 Comedy thriller starring Lenny Henry that was set and filmed in Liverpool. Creed 2015 Spin off from the Rocky series of films. Goodison Park was used as a filming location.Dalíland 2021 Biopic of Salvador Dalí starring Ben Kingsley, with Liverpool doubling for New York.Dark Summer 1994 Urban love story set in Liverpool. Dead Man's Cards 2006 Thriller about two bouncers and gun culture Digital Reaper 2004 Thriller, set in and filmed New York and Liverpool. Also known as Dot.Kill Distant Voices, Still Lives 1988 1940s and 1950s Terence Davies period drama set in Liverpool. Downtime 1997 Thriller starring Paul McGann and Susan Lynch The Dressmaker 1988 Adaptation of the Beryl Bainbridge novel, starring Joan Plowright, Billie Whitelaw and Pete Postlethwaite Fackham Hall 2025 Period satirical comedy film set in 1930s England. Knowsley Hall was used as Fackham Hall with filming also taking place in Thornton Hough.Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 2016Liverpool doubled as 1920s New York City with St Georges Hall and the Cunard Building being used extensively.Fast & Furious 62013Although the featured chase is set in a tunnel in London, the chase actually was filmed in the Queensway Tunnel. Ferry 'Cross the Mersey 1965 Film musical featuring Gerry & The Pacemakers Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool 2017 One of the Mersey Ferries were used as well as locations in the city centre and Toxteth. Liverpool also doubles as New York City. Florence Foster Jenkins 2016 Liverpool doubled as 1940s New York with Water Street, the Cunard Building and Liver Building featuring. Fountains of Youth 2024 Heist film for Apple+ starring John Krasinski and Natalie Portman. Filming took place around Exchange Flags and St George's Hall. The Fruit Machine 1988 British thriller set and filmed in Liverpool. Genius2016Biopic of Maxwell Perkins, US book editor who discovered authors Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Thomas Wolfe. Going Off Big Time 2000 Gangster & crime film that was set and filmed in and around Liverpool. Grow Your Own 2007 Comedy about a group of refugees given allotments, starring Benedict Wong and Eddie Marsden. Gumshoe 1971 Dark comedy about a would-be private eye, played by Albert Finney Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2010 The interior of the Queensway Tunnel was used for part of a chase sequence. Heads of State 2025 Amazon Prime action film starring John Cena and Idris Elba. Filming took place in the Port of Liverpool building and St Georges Hall Hear My Song 1991 Drama based on the life of tenor Josef Locke. Partially set and filmed in Liverpool. Holy Cross 2003 RTE / BBC co-production dramatising the Holy Cross dispute. The film was recorded in Liverpool as its subject was deemed too sensitive to film in Belfast. The Hunt for Red October 1989 Liverpool Town Hall was used for exterior shots along with William Brown Street to double for a snow-filled Moscow. I Thank a Fool 1962 Crime thriller starring Susan Hayward and Peter Finch. In the Name of the Father 1993 Biopic about the Guildford Four, partly filmed in St. George's Hall Jack Ryan 2012 Queensway tunnel side entrance doubles as New York's Wall Street underpass. Other locations include Liverpool Docks and Duke Street. Kicks 2010 BBC Films production of a story of two teenage girls who bond over their crush on a footballer. Let Him Have It 1991 Dramatisation of the Craig & Bentley case, shot in Liverpool and New Brighton but set in Croydon Letter to Brezhnev 1985 Romantic comedy film set and shot in Liverpool. Liam 2000 Stephen Frears' adaptation of Joseph Mckeown's novel Back Crack Boy The Long Day Closes 1992 Drama written and directed by Terence Davies Longford 2006 Television dramatisation of Lord Longford's attempts to achieve parole for Myra Hindley The Magnet 1950 Ealing Comedy filmed in New Brighton and Liverpool The Man Who Stole Portugal 2026 Dramatisation of a true story of financial fraud, starring James Nelson-Joyce, Dominic West & Richard E Grant. Filming took place at Croxteth Hall and in the Georgian Quarter. Midas Man 2021 Film detailing the life of Beatles manager Brian Epstein, with filming taking place at multiple locations across the city. Millions 2004 Danny Boyle-directed comedy-drama Morning in the Streets 1959 BBC film about life in a northern city. Munich: Edge of War 2021 Netflix adaptation of the Robert Harris novel. My Kingdom 2001 Crime film starring Richard Harris, Lynn Redgrave and Jimi Mistry. Occupy! 1976 Story of a worker occupation at a Kirkby factory, starring Bill Nighy, Peter Postlethwaite and Julie Walters Official Secrets 2018 The interior of St George's Hall was used. Of Time and the City 2008 Documentary film directed by Terrence Davies depicting life in Liverpool in the 1950 and 1960s. The Parole Officer 2001 Comedy film that used a bank on Castle Street as the location of a heist. Penny Paradise 1938 Comedy film set on the tug boats of the River Mersey. Perduto 2024 Short film about a child whose father is interned as an enemy alien in World War 2 Britain. Filming took place in Wirral and Liverpool. Priest 1994 Jimmy McGovan drama about a priest's conflict of belief The Reckoning 1969 Crime drama set and filmed in and around Liverpool Revengers Tragedy 2002 Film adaptation of the 1606 play The Revenger's Tragedy Rich Deceiver 1995 TV movie about a couple who win on the pools. Shooters 2001 Channel 4 film. A Town In Nova Scotia 2026 BBC Film production featuring Bill Nighy. Filming took place in Liverpool and the Wirral. Violent Playground 1958 "Struggle between a Liverpool Juvenile Liaison officer and a young and dangerous pyromaniac" Virgin of Liverpool 2002 Family comedy set and filmed in Liverpool The Crew 2008 Crime drama partially set and filmed in Liverpool. No Surrender 1985 Black comedy about a group of Catholic Nationalists and Protestant Unionists forced to spend New Year's Eve together in Liverpool Nowhere Boy 2009 Biopic of the early life of John Lennon Route Irish 2010 Ken Loach drama examining British soldiers returning from service in Iraq Salvage 2009 Horror film set in Liverpool. Partially filmed on the former set of Brookside. Sherlock Holmes 2009 Guy Ritchie directed tale of Sherlock Holmes Shirley Valentine 1989 Film adaptation of the Willy Russell play. Tolkien2017 Biographical film about the life of J. R. R. Tolkien. Three and Out 2008 Black comedy starring Mackenzie Crook, Colm Meaney, Gemma Arterton and Imelda Staunton Three Businessmen 1998 Alex Cox comedy about business men trying to find a meal in Liverpool. Under the Mud 2009 Comedy following a day in the life of a family from Garston Under the Skin 1997 Drama film set in Liverpool over a period of two months. Waterfront 1949 Drama set in depression-era Liverpool Yentl 1983 Romantic musical drama directed, co-written, co-produced and starring Barbra Streisand. The closing scenes were filmed on the Manxman passenger ferry on the River Mersey. Yesterday 2018 Danny Boyle musical comedy. Filming took place on Penny Lane and other areas around the city including the Birkenhead Tunnel.
Television shows filmed in Liverpool