Where was the Assassin’s Creed movie filmed? Explore Malta’s forts, Spain’s deserts, and London’s Templar halls – no Animus required.
So you’ve watched Michael Fassbender leap off rooftops, stab bad guys with style, and look confused in a modern-day lab coat.
Yes, we’re talking about the 2016 Assassin’s Creed movie – the one where Callum Lynch (Fassbender) discovers he’s a descendant of Aguilar de Nerha, gets strapped into the Animus, and relives 15th-century Spanish assassinations while Marion Cotillard watches intensely.
Plot nutshell: Death row inmate Cal is rescued by the shady Abstergo Foundation (aka modern Templars), forced into the Animus to find the Apple of Eden, and accidentally rediscovers his murderous roots. Cue parkour, stabbing, and a whole lot of hooded brooding.
Cast highlights: Michael Fassbender (double duty as Cal & Aguilar), Marion Cotillard (Sofia Rikkin), Jeremy Irons (her scary dad), Brendan Gleeson (dad energy), and Ariane Labed (kickass assassin Maria).
Table of Contents
🎯 Assassin’s Creed Filing Locations
So, where did this chaotic, gorgeous mess actually film? Grab your hidden blade and let’s travel.
🔪 Malta – The 15th-Century Seville Stand-In
Malta basically cosplayed 15th-century Spain for most of the movie. The production team chose this tiny Mediterranean gem because it looks old, dramatic, and didn’t need CGI to look like a historical fever dream
Merchants Street in Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. No, you can’t leap off it. Security guards have zero sense of humor. The crew covered modern signs with fabric and dumped sand everywhere. Imagine cleaning that up.
Fort Manoel, Manoel Island, is an 18th-century star fort pretending to be 15th-century. Time travel? No. Movie magic? Yes. Gladiator vibes but with more hoods and fewer tigers.
Fort Ricasoli, Kalkara, was also used in Gladiator and Troy. It gets around more than a Renaissance diplomat. The set was so huge that crew members got lost. Daily. Map-reading is not an Assassin skill, apparently.
Fort Delimara, Marsaxlokk, is an abandoned 19th-century fort. No ghosts were harmed, but actors definitely got spooked. Bring a flashlight if you visit. And maybe an Apple of Eden.
Real monks watched Fassbinder run on the roof of the Basilica of St. Dominic & Porto Salvo. They were… unimpressed.
The Great Ditch is between Valletta and Floriana. Great for historical battles. Less great for parking. Visit for the view. Don’t attempt a Leap of Faith. Your ankles will hate you.
The National Library of Malta gives the Da Vinci Code energy, minus Tom Hanks’ haircut. You can’t run through it now. Librarians are the real Templars.
What was filmed here:
- Merchants Street, Valletta: Epic rooftop chase scenes and street-level chaos. Aguilar parkours like a caffeinated cat.
- Fort Manoel, Manoel Island: The Spanish Inquisition plaza – the “we need to talk” scene where Aguilar and Maria are about to get crispy.
- Fort Ricasoli, Kalkara: The Sultan’s palace in Seville. That massive Arabic-style courtyard? Built here based on the Alhambra.
- Fort Delimara, Marsaxlokk: Underground tunnel escape sequences. Dark, damp, stabby.
- Basilica of St. Dominic & Porto Salvo: The iconic rooftop chase climax. Aguilar parkours across the basilica roof, doubling as Seville Cathedral.
- Great Ditch & Laparelli Garden: Battle scenes when Cal first enters the Animus. Bridges, swords, confusion.
- National Library of Malta: Corridor scene with a massive church window. Very moody. Very dramatic.
🏜️ Spain – Desert, Dust, and Dramatic Dunes
Spain handled the dry, crispy, “we are definitely not in Malta anymore” scenes. The Andalusia region, especially Almería, doubled for… well, also 15th-century Spain, but sandier.
El Chorrillo is a tiny desert area in Pechina, Almería. Locals probably wondered why hooded weirdos were fighting. The crew built an entire village set, then took it down. Movie life, baby.
Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park is stunning. A salt settlement called La Almadraba played Mexico. Movie logic. Still no Apple of Eden buried there. Probably.
Calahorra Castle in Granada is actually a 16th-century castle. The movie needed the 15th century. No one cared. Visit for the history. Stay for the “I’m an Assassin” photo ops.
Almería Penitentiary Center is a real prison. No inmates escaped to join the Brotherhood. Probably.
What was filmed here:
- El Chorrillo, Pechina, Almería: Village scenes. Mud, sweat, and hidden blades.
- Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park: Outdoor desert scenes. Also stood in for Baja California (because geography is flexible).
- Calahorra Castle, Granada: Exterior of the castle where Aguilar is accepted into the Brotherhood. Cue dramatic hood ceremony.
- Almería Penitentiary Center: Aerial shot of modern-day correctional facility.
⛪ United Kingdom – Modern Templars & Cathedral Drama
The UK handled interiors, modern Abstergo creepiness, and one very fancy hall.
The Freemasons’ Hall in London is a real Freemasons’ building where wearing a hood indoors is the least weird thing. They were probably fine with the Templar cosplay.
The Shell Mex Building in London is a real office building. Commuters saw Fassbender and thought, “Must be Tuesday.”
Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire is stunning. Also, not historically Spanish. Shh. Worth visiting. Don’t expect confessional booths with hidden blades.
Pinewood’s 007 Stage has seen more action than most Assassins’ skill trees. Yes, 007 and Assassins share a workspace. The Animus set was massive. Actors got lost. Again.
What was filmed here:
- Freemasons’ Hall, London: The “Grand Templar Hall” for the film’s climax. All the evil suits and dramatic speeches.
- Shell Mex Building, London: The movie’s final shot. Cal and friends stand on a rooftop, looking mysterious.
- Ely Cathedral, Cambridgeshire: Interior of Seville Cathedral. Yes, an English church played a Spanish one.
- Pinewood Studios 007 Stage: The modern Abstergo Foundation Rehabilitation Center. All those white corridors, Animus rooms, and Fassbender strapped to a machine.
Also see: Where Was Knightfall Filmed? Plus a Knights Templar Tour Itinerary
❓ Assassin’s Creed FAQ
In the Assassin’s Creed movie, how does Sofia see herself?
Assassin’s Creed movie ending explained: Sofia watches herself in the Animus reflection – a confusing metaphor for “I’ve become what I hate” (aka a Templar disappointment). Meanwhile, Cal escapes Abstergo, recruits his fellow Assassins, and stares dramatically at London. The Apple of Eden stays hidden. Sequel? Ha. Ha. Ha.
Will there be another Assassin’s Creed movie?
Assassin’s Creed movie 2 isn’t confirmed. A Netflix live-action series is in development. No release date. Hold your hidden blade.
Is there a Netflix Assassin’s Creed movie?
Not yet. But Netflix has an animated series (Assassin’s Creed: Dragon’s Tooth?) and a live-action project coming. Eventually. Maybe. Ubisoft time is like Animus time – wobbly.
Where was Assassin’s Creed Mirage set?
Assassin’s Creed Mirage was set in 9th-century Baghdad. Not filmed there, though – mostly Ubisoft Bordeaux’s computers.
Where was Assassin’s Creed 1 set?
Assassin’s Creed 1 was set in the Holy Land during the Third Crusade (1191). Acre, Jerusalem, Damascus. No movie, though. Sad.
Where was Assassin’s Creed 2 set?
Assassin’s Creed 2 was set in Renaissance Italy. Florence, Venice, Monteriggioni. Ezio’s playground.
Where was Assassin’s Creed Odyssey set?
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey was set in Ancient Greece. 431 BCE. Lots of ships, Socrates, and questionable family reunions.
Where was Assassin’s Creed Valhalla set?
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla was set in 9th-century England and Norway. Vikings, axes, and very poor real estate decisions.
Where was Assassin’s Creed Origins set?
Assassin’s Creed Origins was set in Ptolemaic Egypt. Cleopatra, pyramids, and Bayek’s dad energy.
Where was Assassin’s Creed Black Flag set?
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag was set in the Caribbean. 1715. Pirates, ships, and Edward Kenway being a chaotic gremlin.
Where was Assassin’s Creed Codename Red/Shadows?
Assassin’s Creed Codename Red/Shadows (2025) is set in Feudal Japan. Two protagonists – a ninja and a samurai. No film locations. Just pure hype.
Which is the best Assassin’s Creed game?
Fans argue. Black Flag, Brotherhood, Origins, or Odyssey. The movie? Not on the list. Sorry, Fassbender.
What was the Assassin’s Creed movie budget?
$125 million. Box office? $240 million. Profitable, but critics hated it. Classic.
🎮 Assassin’s Creed Games In Order
Buckle up, initiate. There are two ways to play: release order (how the story unfolded) or chronological order (by historical setting). Here’s both.
📅 Release Order
- Assassin’s Creed (2007)
- Assassin’s Creed II (2009)
- Brotherhood (2010)
- Revelations (2011)
- Assassin’s Creed III (2012)
- Black Flag (2013)
- Rogue (2014)
- Unity (2014)
- Syndicate (2015)
- Origins (2017)
- Odyssey (2018)
- Valhalla (2020)
- Mirage (2023)
⏳ Chronological Order (The “History Nerd” Way)
- Odyssey (431 BCE – Greece)
- Origins (49-43 BCE – Egypt)
- Valhalla (872-878 CE – Norway/England)
- Mirage (861-877 CE – Baghdad)
- Assassin’s Creed (1191 – Holy Land)
- Assassin’s Creed II (1476–1512 – Italy/Constantinople)
- Black Flag (1715-1722 – Caribbean)
- Rogue (1752-1760 – North Atlantic)
- Assassin’s Creed III (1754-1783 – America)
- Unity (1789-1794 – France)
- Syndicate (1868 – London)
Which one should you play first?
Assassin’s Creed II or Black Flag. Don’t start with Odyssey unless you have 150 hours to spare.
📺 Where to Watch the Assassin’s Creed Movie
Licensing is the real Templar conspiracy.
- Amazon Prime Video: Available to rent or buy.
- DVD/Blu-Ray: Fans recommend the 5-part documentary on the making of the film.
- Other platforms: Disney+, Apple TV, YouTube Movies, Google Play, Vudu.
So there you go, Hidden Ones. Assassin’s Creed (2016) was a globetrotting mess of Maltese forts, Spanish deserts, English cathedrals, and one very busy 007 stage.
Was it a good movie? Debatable. Was it beautifully filmed? Absolutely. Now go play Shadows. And maybe skip the movie sequel hopium. 🗡️
Disclaimer: This fan-created article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. All referenced titles, names, and related intellectual property are the property of their respective owners, and no copyright infringement is intended.
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