Why Marvel Loves the UK for Filming (And Keeps Coming Back)

From the cinematic hills of Scotland to the busy streets of London, the UK has firmly established itself as a favourite for Marvel's filming locations. Today, Marvel filming in the UK isn’t just a creative choice, it is a cornerstone for their production strategy. 
But why does Marvel love the UK so much for filming? Let’s break down the reasons behind the superhero franchise’s ongoing relationship with Britain,  and what it means for fans, filmmakers, and the UK film industry as a whole.

It’s no secret that Spider-Man: Brand New Day has recently been filming on the streets of Glasgow, with additional scenes scheduled to be shot at Pinewood Studios. While this may be home turf for Tom Holland, Marvel’s love with the UK as a filming destination is long-established and only growing stronger.

Marvel Studios is actively working on several upcoming projects across the UK, including a new Avengers film and the Vision series. The next Avengers instalment, potentially titled Avengers: Doomsday  is reportedly planning to film scenes in Berkshire, with a major set proposed for Windsor Great Park. Meanwhile, the Vision series, starring Paul Bettany, is wrapping up a five-month shoot at Pinewood Studios, further cementing the UK’s role as a central hub for Marvel productions.

Marvel’s Long-Standing Love with the UK
For well over a decade, Marvel has used the scenic settings and bustling London streets for their projects such as, Thor: The Dark World (2013), Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Doctor Strange (2016), Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), Eternals (2021), and Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania (2023) 
It’s not just a case of dropping in for a few scenic shots. Marvel has increasingly chosen to base full production units on British soil, bringing Hollywood-scale filmmaking to Pinewood, Shepperton, and Leavesden Studios.

Why Does Marvel Film in the UK?
Marvel chooses to film in the UK for many reasons, combining financial advantages with practical filmmaking benefits, the UK offers substantial tax incentives for film productions as well as lower costs and well established studios and production infrastructure. All of this combined makes the UK a highly attractive alternative to the usual Hollywood settings. 

1. Tax Incentives and Financial Benefits
One of the biggest reasons Marvel keeps filming in the UK is money,  or rather, how much of it they can save.

The UK offers generous tax relief to film productions. The UK Film Tax Relief (FTR) scheme allows studios to claim up to 25% back on qualifying expenditures. With Marvel movies often costing upwards of $200 million, that’s a huge chunk of change. The UK on average has lower labour costs than those across the pond, as well as a national funding system for films.

With all these incentives, this makes the UK one of the most cost-effective places to shoot a blockbuster, especially for long-term projects or series like those on Disney+. 

2. World-Class Film Studios and Infrastructure
The UK boasts some of the most advanced film studios in the world. 
And Marvel has made fine use of them:

• Pinewood Studios: Home to multiple Marvel productions, including Ant-Man and Guardians of the Galaxy.
• Shepperton Studios: Used for Doctor Strange and Avengers: Age of Ultron.
• Longcross Studios and Dunsfold Aerodrome: Featured in Thor: The Dark World and Captain America: The First Avenger.
• Leavesden Studios: Formerly a Harry Potter haunt, now a home for superhero magic too.
  
  

These facilities offer top-tier soundstages, CGI capabilities, and post-production infrastructure, everything Marvel needs to bring its multiverse to life. With the UK being a front runner for VFX and post production, it is no wonder that Marvel are eager to take advantage of the award winning talent we have across the country. 

3. Versatile and Iconic Locations
From regal palaces to post-apocalyptic moors, the UK offers versatile and beautiful landscapes for filming, all in a relatively small geographic area.

From the Northern Englands Vibrant cities of Manchester and Liverpool being transformed to a 1940s Brooklyn for Captain America: The First Avenger to Durham Castle being used to depict Asgard in Avengers: Endgame, the North has thrived with Marvel. Our very own Leeds and Yorkshire has seen some fantastic projects, right on our doorstep such as, Secret Invasion. 

But that's not all, take a look at some of the other standout filming locations for some of our favourite Marvel films.

• Greenwich, London (Thor: The Dark World)
• Bourne Woods, Surrey (Thor: The Dark World)
  St Abbs, Scotland (Avengers: Endgame) – doubled as “New Asgard”
• Cambridge and Oxford – seen in various scenes across the Marvel Cinematic Universe
• The Gannochy Estate, Perthshire (The Marvels)
• Edinburgh, (Avengers: Infinity War) 
• The Gannochy Estate, Perthshire (The Marvels)

Whether Marvel needs an ancient fortress, a bustling modern city, or a sleepy countryside town, the UK delivers, often with history and character to spare. The UK boasts easy transport for across country, making travel far easier than across states, we also offer consistent laws across counties, making permits and logistics simpler than in the US, where regulations vary by state. 

4. Skilled British Film Crews and Talent
The UK film industry is packed with highly skilled crew members and award winning talent, many of whom have years of experience on major productions. Marvel benefits from a deep talent pool that covers every aspect of production, from cinematographers and set designers to visual effects specialists and costume designers.
The UK has produced some exceptional talent, many of whom have gone on to star or lead in some fabulous Marvel projects:

• Tom Holland – Spider-Man
• Benedict Cumberbatch – Doctor Strange
• Tom Hiddleston – Loki
• Richard Madden & Kit Harington – Eternals
• Olivia Colman – Secret Invasion
• Florence Pugh – Yelena Belova

From IPM’s very own roster, our talent has featured in Marvel’s Secret Invasion, with even more opportunities to audition for major productions, some of which, of course, we have to keep under wraps…

5. Disney+ and the Expansion of Marvel TV Shows
The launch of Disney+ has seen Marvel Studios rapidly expand its TV slate, with many series shooting in the UK due to cost, flexibility, and studio availability. Projects like:

• Secret Invasion (2023) – shot primarily in our very own Leeds as well as Halifax, and London
• Loki (Season 2) – filmed in London and Pinewood
• Moon Knight – while mostly shot in Budapest, post-production and additional units were UK-based
  
  

Marvel is no longer just dropping in for a feature film. The UK is now a consistent home base for long-running productions, and we are excited to see what comes next! 

How the UK Benefits from Marvel’s Presence
Marvel filming in the UK doesn’t just bring superheroes to the big screen, it brings jobs, tourism and global prestige and pride to the country.

Economic Boost
Marvel’s productions hire hundreds (if not thousands) of British workers and crew. Each major shoot pumps millions into the local economy, through everything from hotel stays to catering services and providing supporting and day player roles to thousands of local actors. 
Film Tourism
Fans travel from all over the world to visit Marvel filming locations across the UK. “New Asgard” in Scotland (St Abbs) has become a fan pilgrimage site since Endgame.
Inspiration for Future Talent
Marvel’s frequent UK presence helps inspire the next generation of filmmakers and actors, many of whom train at leading UK institutions like RADA, LAMDA, and the National Film and Television School. 

UK: A Permanent Home for Marvel?
With Disney investing in long-term studio partnerships across the UK, and Marvel Studios continuing to expand its content pipeline, it’s safe to say that Marvel isn't going anywhere, except maybe deeper into British soil.
In fact, in 2022, it was announced that Disney secured a long-term lease of space at Pinewood studios,  ensuring future Marvel films and series will be developed in the UK for years to come.

What This Means for UK-Based Actors and Filmmakers
If you’re a UK Actor, Director, Screenwriter or Crew Member,  Marvel’s UK presence is a game-changer.
It opens up:

• Greater casting opportunities without moving to Hollywood
• Training and career pathways through Marvel-led productions
• Local networking with Hollywood-level professionals
• Behind-the-scenes insight into global-scale filmmaking
  
  

More importantly, it helps put UK based and trained talent on a global stage. With casting calls and crew opportunities becoming increasingly open across the country, now is a great time to train, work, and grow in the UK film industry.

Final Thoughts: It’s a Marvel-ous Partnership
Marvel Studios’ love for the UK isn’t just a passing phase, it’s a mutually beneficial relationship built on financial efficiency, creative flexibility and top-tier talent. As Marvel continues to evolve into new characters, worlds, and stories, the UK will likely remain a foundational part of the journey.

Whether you’re an aspiring actor, a film student, or just a die-hard Marvel fan hoping to spot the next big production in your town, keep your eyes peeled, because the next Marvel masterpiece might be filming just down the road.

​If you're interested in Marvel filming locations in the UK, casting opportunities, or what it takes to break into the film industry, follow our blog and stay tuned for exclusive interviews, actor spotlights, and more insights into how the UK's becoming the real-world home of superheroes.

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Author

Abbygail Morrison