The Best Movie Sets of 2023, According to House Beautiful Editors
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Hollywood had an eventful 2023, to say the least. From the historic double feature known as “Barbenheimer” to two big strikes (first the Writers Guild of America and then the Screen Actors Guild), the past year was significant for the entertainment industry. And with awards season underway, we’re looking back at all of the buzz, beauty, and chaos. Particularly, we’re eyeing the best production design to hit the big screen in 2023. If you ask us, a good movie is nothing without the impressive sets and filming locations that transport viewers into whatever the world may be—whether it’s the pink-drenched, plastic showcase of Barbie Land or the opulent English estate of Saltburn.
Below, we’ve laid out 10 films that are must-watch titles for the production design alone. Some of these 2023 selects have already begun to sweep award shows while others deserve praise for everything from the process behind how they were created to the decor inspiration they offer. (And if you're feeling nostalgic afterward, consider browsing our favorite movie sets from 2022.)
Poor Things
Set during an ambiguous time period, Poor Things required creating a world for the main character Bella Baxter (Emma Stone) to inhabit. On her journey of discovery, Bella finds herself in London, Lisbon, Alexandria, and Paris. Production designers Shona Heath and James Price worked together to dream up epic built sets at studios in Budapest. A mix of painted backdrops, back projection, and LED screens make the universe truly feel like "a fairytale or a metaphor of things," as director Yorgos Lanthimos put it in a press brief.
Barbie
The Barbie sets—which sparked the vibrant Barbiecore trend—may have been the most talked about movie sets of 2023. The Greta Gerwig–directed film even used up a company's global supply of pink paint to bring Barbie Land to life. With Palm Springs-inspired dream houses, painted backgrounds, and other endless details, the Barbie sets and filming locations are better than we could've ever imagined. We're even fond of Weird Barbie's house.
Killers of the Flower Moon
Killers of the Flower Moon takes viewers back to a dark period in Oklahoma's history. Based on the true story of the suspicious murders of members of the Osage Nation in the 1920s, the Martin Scorsese-directed movie was filmed where the real crimes took place: Oklahoma. The towns of Pawhuska, Fairfax, and Bartlesville were tapped, where the team led by production designer Jack Fisk built '20s-inspired facades and turned the remains of a freight building into an old train station. Discover more about the sets and locations here.
Oppenheimer
A past version of Los Alamos was newly constructed for director Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico, which exists along the same mountain range as the real town of Los Alamos. Production designer Ruth De Jong and her team built all of the physical exteriors and relied on dressed-up filming locations for the interiors—including Oppenheimer's real house, which has remained mainly untouched since he lived there.
Wonka
Willy Wonka's chocolate factory has graced the big screen twice. In Wonka, fans of the Roald Dahl character are introduced to the factory's predecessor: Wonka's chocolate shop located in a shopping center modeled after Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Set in a fictional city inspired by the best of Europe, the shop is packed with delicious details—many of which are truly edible. Dig into how production designer Nathan Crowley worked with set decorator Lee Sandales and the art team to craft the fantasy world here.
Saltburn
Saltburn is a cinematic masterpiece in every way, and a huge contributing part is the location where the story unfolds. The English estate had never been used for filming before, which was one of writer-director Emerald Fennell's top requirements for a sprawling setting. Production designer Suzie Davies and her team rearranged rooms, painted walls, changed fabrics, and embellished gardens to get the Catton residence's opulence just right. Get more details about the extravagant filming location here.
A Haunting in Venice
Perhaps one of the more underrated movies of 2023, A Haunting in Venice taps into the inherent eeriness of the City of Canals. Adapted from iconic author Agatha Christie’s 1969 book Hallowe'en Party, the frightening tale mainly takes place in a Venetian palazzo. The palazzo interiors and most of the exteriors were built by production designer John Paul Kelly and his team—from a dark, traditionally scary basement, to a romantic rooftop garden, to a bedroom that feels like being lost in an enchanted forest. Learn more about the ominous yet dreamy sets and filming locations here.
Priscilla
Priscilla takes a more impressionistic approach to the visuals. But since Graceland is such a well-recognized home, director Sofia Coppola and production designer Tamara Deverell knew it needed to be rooted in reality. They built a mini Graceland on soundstages in Toronto. Custom-made furnishings (made to accommodate Jacob Elordi's height) and special recreations bring the interiors to life—from the main floor drenched in buttercream paint to Elvis's bedroom inspired by his style. Find out everything that went into reimagining the Graceland here.
Fair Play
Fair Play is a masterclass in how design can be used to create a strong feeling. In this movie's case, it happens to be a not-so-fun one. Writer-director Chloe Domont wanted the sets to feel like there was no escape. At the office, there's nowhere to hide so everyone's constantly watching each other. At the apartment, the walls literally close in on the characters. Get the rundown on how production designer Steve Summersgill and the team created those environments that make the whole film feel like a slow-building anxiety attack here.
Haunted Mansion
If you're a fan of the original Haunted Mansion attraction in Disneyland, you were likely delighted to feast your eyes on the sets of Haunted Mansion (2023). The ride in Anaheim, California, which opened in 1969, was production designer Darren Gilford and his team's inspiration for the latest iteration of the story. They recreated elements from the ride with meticulous detail to bring the spooky-silly saga to life. Eager to know more? Get the scoop here.
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