10 Fictional Places Everyone Wishes Were Real

One of the main beauties of storytelling is the magical worlds fans can escape to and imagine themselves experiencing. The settings of some of the most loved fictional worlds, like Hogwarts and its scary creatures, create such an ambiance of enchantment, fans wish upon shooting stars that they were real.

Luscious gardens, tumbling waterfalls, and glamorous cities are just some of the characteristics of these fictional places from movies that everyone wishes were real. Unfortunately, fans can’t hop on a plane, or an inter-dimensional bridge, to see these magical destinations, but they can certainly dream. Or visit the filming locations.

Asgard

The home of Thor and Loki of Norse mythology is one of the most beautiful fictional places brought to the big screen. The iconic golden castle that cascades down the sides is perfectly nestled in the center of the Ancient Romanesque city. Not to mention, the incredibly mesmerizing Rainbow Bridge that goes over the water flowing into the galaxy.

It was a travesty when Asgard was destroyed by Hela in Thor: Ragnarok, but maybe fans will get something comparable in the upcoming Thor: Love and Thunder. One wonders just how many secrets Loki had hidden throughout the gorgeous landscape.

Rivendell

Rivendell is an absolutely enchanted city in Middle-earth and home to the Elves. Located in Eriador, the valley rests in the western part of the Misty Mountains. It’s also a symbol of safety in the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies as a fortress barring evil for Frodo’s and Bilbo’s epic adventures.

The structures made out of dark stone with bridges where waterfalls flow through are what fantasy novels are made of. J.R.R. Tolkien’s vision of Rivendell is a dream destination and the closes people can get is the village of Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland that’s known to have a resemblance.

The Shire

Another location from Tolkien’s Middle-earth, The Shire is the infamous homeland of Frodo Baggins and the Hobbits. Intricately layouts and perfectly round doors are two of the staples of the iconic homes in this land of luscious greenery, making it part of a wild fantasy world fans would love to live in.

Luckily, for the millions of Lord of the Rings fans out there, the original movie sets remain in New Zealand and hosts tours to thousands of people a year. There are even a couple of hotels near the movie sets where visitors can stay in a Hobbit hole. It’s the perfect vacation spot for second breakfast.

Endor

The forest moon of Endor is located in a deep corner of a galaxy that’s far far away. Home to the adorable Ewoks who inadvertently worshipped C3PO, Endor was home to a very decisive battle in Star Wars: Episode VI–The Return of the Jedi.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect that makes Star Wars fans wish the moon was real is that it’s the gravesite of Darth Vader and, in tandem, the Empire itself with its defeat. This would be an exotic and surreal camping trip with its super tall trees and mountainous terrain, plus the Ewoks to hang out with.

Naboo

The only negative thing associated with the Star Wars world Naboo is Palpatine’s origin from the stately world that’s home to peaceful humans, Queen Padmé Amidala among them, and the reptilian Gungans. Its landscape consists of green hills, waterfalls, swamps, and rolling plains.

Naboo has the desirable combination of the benefits of a city along with the availability to vast nature. Anyone who has seen the ending scene to Star Wars: Episode II–Attack of the Clones with the secret Anakin and Padmé wedding will know the planet’s beauty.

Pandora

From the mind of Titanic director, James Cameron, Pandora is the setting of the epic Avatar movie that blew up the box office in 2009 and is currently set for four sequels to be released. Avatar 2 is set to release later the year and is no doubt one of the movies of 2022 that people are looking forward to.

The planet has gorgeous landscapes with floating mountains and majestic animals. Forests glow with neon fluorescents at night and light with each step taken. Being able to travel here would be a literal out-of-this-world experience and they couldn’t leave without a souvenir of some Unobtanium.

Neverland

Neverland is a fictional place that’s often forgotten, ironically as Peter Pan fans grow up and move on from children’s stories. But every adult wishes they could go back to being young from time to time and going to have some fun with the Lost Boys would be just the place to do that.

Who wouldn’t want to team up with Peter Pan and Tinkerbell and take on Captain Hook? Neverland is the ultimate fictional island getaway where adults are not allowed. Maybe one day explorers will find the route that goes second to the right, and straight on until morning.

Hogwarts

Probably the most desirable location list is the epitome of magical places, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The enormous castle with its infinite secrets and moving staircases have entranced audiences around the globe. Fortunately, fans can visit the Hogwarts theme park to get a gist of the central Harry Potter setting.

Aside from the castle itself, who wouldn’t jump at the chance to explore the Forbidden Forest? Or take a boat ride and perhaps see the merpeople of Great Lake? The Whomping Willow and Chamber of Secrets are just tips of the magical iceberg of reasons why people wish Hogwarts was real.

The Emerald City

Since its 1939 release, audiences have wished they could follow the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City from The Wizard of Oz. The gigantic, dark green metropolis sparkling in the distance would draw in anybody running from a Wicked Witch of the West.

Color-changing horses pulling carriages and decadent feasts to satisfy the hungriest of needs, the Emerald City would definitely be no place like home. Visitors could leave the enchanting city with souvenirs like a heart, a brain, and courage. Or just a pair of ruby slippers.

King’s Landing

Even though King’s Landing was home to tyrants like Jeoffry and Cersei Lannister, it would be hard to guess such evil could flourish in such a beautiful place, which contributes to it being one of the bleakest fantasy worlds in fiction. In the Game of Thrones world of Westeros, King’s Landing is still an incredible metropolis that looks out onto the Blackwater Rush and Blackwater Bay.

For fans who wish they could go to the mythical city, the main filming location for King’s Landing scenes was Dubrovnik, Croatia. Luckily, the Croatian city does not have any damage from a catastrophic attack of dragon fire.