Sand dunes have become a major part of modern popular film and literature. Sometimes to portray another planet or at other times to be part of a desert setting on a more early set.

Dune by Frank Herbert

In 1957, Frank Herbert came to Florence Oregon intending to write an article documenting the spreading of the coastal Oregon dunes into the city. In the early 20th century, the town of Florence was slowly being consumed by the nearby dunes as they blew across the town slowly engulfing road, train tracks, and even homes.

Herbert researched desert ecosystems and sand dunes further and this inspired him to write the epic 1965 science fiction novel "Dune" which tells the story of a future civilization fighting over control of natural resources on a harsh desert planet known as Arrakis which carries the nickname of Dune.

Frank Herbert's novels spawned subsequent novels and major film adaptations.

The 1984 film adaptation is filmed primarily in northern Mexico in the Pinacate and Grand Desert of Altar in Sonora Mexico.

The 2021 film adaptation and it's sequel were filmed in Jordan, The United Arab Emirates and Abu Dhabi.

Star Wars

Most of the iconic desert scenes in early Star Wars films were filmed in Tunisia. Even the name of the fictional planet was borrowed from a real Tunisian town called Tataouine. In addition, Golden Canyon, Dante's View, and Desolation Canyon all within Death Valley National Park were used for various Tatooine backdrops.

Rub' al Khali is a desert in Abu Dhabi which plays as the planet Jakku in "The Force Awakens."

The Tatooine backdrop in Return of The Jedi which contains the sarlock pit and hosts the ultimate destruction of Jabba the Hut was filmed at the Imperial Sand Dunes in California.

Spaceballs

The Moon of Vega which is a backdrop for many scenes in the 1987 film Spaceballs was filmed at the Imperial Sand Dunes in California.

The Ten Commandments (1923)

Cecil B. DeMille directed the silent film epic, which was the most expensive movie filmed at the time. The massive sets of ancient Egypt were built on the dunes near the town of Guadalupe, California.

Other Media References:

  • Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) – This high-octane post-apocalyptic film was shot in the Namib Desert, featuring vast sand dunes that added to its dystopian setting.

  • Lawrence of Arabia (1962) – Filmed in Wadi Rum, Jordan, and other desert locations, it prominently features rolling dunes in its cinematography.

  • The English Patient (1996) – This Oscar-winning film has several scenes in the Sahara Desert, with beautiful dune landscapes.

  • The Mummy (1999) & The Mummy Returns (2001) – Set in Egypt, these films feature numerous desert scenes, many of which were shot in the dunes of Morocco.

  • Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010) – This fantasy adventure film features extensive desert landscapes, including dunes.

  • Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) – Some scenes were filmed in the dunes of Jordan and Spain.

  • Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) – The battle scenes in Egypt showcase the sweeping dunes near the pyramids.

  • Game of Thrones (TV Series, 2011-2019) – The fictional land of Essos, particularly the Dothraki Sea, features dune-like desert settings (some filmed in Morocco and Spain).

  • Tremors (1990) – Filmed in the Alabama Hills and surrounding desert regions of California and Nevada, some scenes feature dune-like landscapes.

  • Dune (1984) – David Lynch’s adaptation of Dune was partially filmed at the Gypsum Dunes in White Sands National Park, New Mexico.

  • The Scorpion King (2002) – This Mummy spinoff starring The Rock was shot in the Imperial Sand Dunes, California.

  • Hidalgo (2004) – This horse-racing adventure movie was partly filmed in the sand dunes of Montana and South Dakota, particularly the Black Rock Desert and California's Imperial Dunes.

  • Lawrence of Arabia (1962, some scenes) – While mostly filmed in Jordan and Spain, some desert scenes were filmed in the dunes of Arizona and Nevada.

  • Breaking Bad (2008-2013) – Several desert scenes were filmed in the White Sands National Park dunes in New Mexico.

  • Westworld (2016-2022) – Some of the futuristic desert landscapes were filmed in the Imperial Sand Dunes of California.

  • The Mandalorian (2019-present) – While much of the show was filmed using digital sets, some outdoor scenes were shot in California’s sand dunes.