From The White Lotus to Jurassic World Rebirth, today’s biggest screen sensations are inspiring more than just binge sessions — they’re driving travellers to book getaways to filming locations. It’s all part of a trend called set-jetting, where your next destination is decided by what you’re watching. And with wanderlust sweeping TikTok and Instagram, it’s clear: cinema and streaming are now rewriting the travel guidebook.
The buzzword’s been around for a while, but it’s gaining fresh traction in the age of streaming and social media. Pop culture has long influenced where (and how) we want to travel, whether it’s sipping whisky at the Park Hyatt Tokyo like in Lost in Translation, café-hopping through Paris à la Emily in Paris, or chasing technicolor landscapes that feel plucked from Wicked (hello, Furano).
What started as a niche curiosity has become a full-blown movement—one where the line between screen and scenery is blurrier (and more beautiful) than ever.
Here are some of our favourite films and TV shows that will make you want to follow suit:
The White Lotus Season 3
For its third installment, The White Lotus took viewers to a new paradise — Koh Samui in Thailand. With its lush jungle hills, picturesque coastline, and ultra-luxe villas, the award-winning HBO series has once again set off a wave of set-jetting fever. Since airing, The White Lotus Season 3 has put Thailand on the radar for curated chaos, existential retreats, and envy-inducing island stays.
Read next: The White Lotus Guide: 72 Hours In Samui
Jurassic World Rebirth
Dinosaurs return — this time to the tropics. Filmed in the limestone cliffs, caves, and rainforests of Phang Nga and Krabi, Jurassic World Rebirth trades high-tech labs for the wild, otherworldly beauty of Southern Thailand. With secluded shores and misty jungle terrain, this reboot not only reimagines the franchise but also puts Thailand’s natural wonders in the spotlight for movie-inspired travel.
Wicked
Wicked’s two-part film adaptation has us spellbound — and with Wicked: For Good on the way, the craving for technicolor fantasy is only growing. While Oz may be fictional, Glinda’s world isn’t far off. Our pick? The rainbow-hued flower fields of Furano, in Hokkaido, Japan. Though not a filming location, it’s a dreamlike escape for set-jetters chasing fairytale beauty and elevated whimsy.
Read next: Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Furano’s Flower Fields
Emily in Paris
Paris has long been the muse of romantics and style seekers, and Netflix’s hit series, Emily in Paris, simply gave it a playful, pop-culture twist. From the cobbled charm of Montmartre to the pastel cafés near Place de l’Estrapade, the series reminds us why the City of Light remains an eternal backdrop for everyday fantasy.
Lost in Translation
Starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson (her second appearance in our set-jetting lineup), this modern classic by Sofia Coppola transformed Tokyo into a neon-lit dreamscape. Filmed at iconic locations like the Park Hyatt Tokyo in Shinjuku, the movie invites travellers into the surreal rhythm of the city — from karaoke bars and whisky lounges to late-night city views.
Read next: Lights, Camera, Action: 5 Designer Villas in Koh Samui that Look Like a Film Set
The Beach
A cult backpacker classic, The Beach (2000) was filmed on Maya Bay, a stunning cove on Phi Phi Leh island in Thailand’s Krabi province. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, the film turned this secluded bay into a global travel sensation. While over-tourism forced its closure for several years, the beach has since reopened with visitor limits — a reminder of both the power and impact of set-jetting.
Craving more screen-worthy escapes? Read these articles next:
Lights, Camera, Action: 5 Designer Villas in Koh Samui that Look Like a Film Set
5 Jurassic World Rebirth Locations to Visit in Thailand
Looking for a Real-Life Wicked Experience? Visit Furano in Japan
