5 Hollywood films shot in KwaZulu-Natal

Updated May 19, 2026, 4:04 p.m. | By Tamlyn Canham

Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, Viola Davis and Djimon Hounsou are just some of the actors who have spent time in KwaZulu-Natal shooting some of Hollywood's biggest productions.

Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt in Mission Impossible — Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning/ Paramount Pictures and Skydance

South Africa is one of the go-to destinations for some of the biggest movie products.

Several high-profile films have also been shot in parts of KwaZulu-Natal, including Durban, the Drakensberg, and the Midlands.

Hollywood executives choose Mzansi for two main reasons: beautiful landscapes and lower filming costs.

Here's a look at just some of the Hollywood films shot in KZN.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

One of Hollywood's biggest action stars was spotted in several locations in KwaZulu-Natal in 2022. Tom Cruise was in town to shoot scenes for 'Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning', the eighth film in the popular franchise. The daredevil, who performs many of his own stunts in the film, was pictured flying multiple aircraft over the Drakensberg and surrounding areas, including Ladysmith Airfield.

Cruise also shot scenes in other parts of South Africa, which he describes as "incredible and amazing". "It would be nice to live here," he said.

Spud

South African-born Australian actor Troye Sivan played the lead role of John 'Spud' Milton the movie 'Spud'. The film was based on SA author John van de Ruit's novel of the same name. English actor John Cleese also appeared in the film. 'Spud' was shot in the Midlands at one of KZN's most prestigious all-boys schools, Michaelhouse. The film is technically an independent South African production, but it was a hit outside SA as well.

The Woman King

Oscar-winner Viola Davis spent five months in South Africa shooting scenes for 'The Woman King' in late 2021 and early 2022. Pietermaritzburg actress Thuso Mbedu also starred in the film. The film's jungle scenes were shot in KwaZulu-Natal. Other parts of the film were shot in Cape Town. Davis has been to Mzansi many times since, including for her Prime Video film, 'G20'.

"Me and my love in South Africa....our 2nd Home.....God's playground," she wrote on Instagram in March 2024.

Blood Diamond

Leonardo DiCaprio and Djimon Hounsou's 2006 film, 'Blood Diamond', was filmed on location in Port Edward. It was also shot in Cape Town. During his visit to SA, DiCaprio donated a large sum of money to build a well in one of the villages where shooting took place. The film's director, Ed Zwick, wrote in her memoir that the actor "quietly donated the funds to leave a place in better shape”.

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle

The 2018 movie, 'Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle', was filmed in Durban. Freida Pinto, Rohan Chand, and Matthew Rhys, starred in the movie, while Cate Blanchett, Christian Bail, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Naomie Harris were part of the voice cast.