Dorset has served as the backdrop for a number of Hollywood hits, from romantic dramas to light-hearted comedies. With its scenic coastline, charming villages, and beautiful manor houses, it's no wonder the county is so popular among filmmakers.

Here are the highest grossing and most popular films ever shot in Dorset:

The Imitation Game, 2014

This film chronicles the story of Alan Turing and his quest to decipher the German Enigma code.

Director: Morten Tyldum

Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode

Dorset Location: Sherborne School

The flashbacks to Turing's youth were filmed at his actual school, Sherborne, located in Dorset.

Barry Lyndon, 1975

This period drama by Stanley Kubrick follows the rise of an Irish rogue who wins the heart of a wealthy widow.

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Starring: Ryan O'Neal, Marisa Berenson, Patrick Magee

Dorset Location: Compton Acres, Canford Cliffs

The Italian Garden at Compton Acres in Poole served as the stunning location for the scene where Barry first meets the Countess of Lyndon.

Emma, 1996

A young Englishwoman navigates the complexities of matchmaking, while nearly missing her own chance at love.

Director: Douglas McGrath

Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, James Cosmo, Greta Scacchi

Dorset Locations: Bridport, Evershot, Newtown

Mapperton Gardens in Bridport was used for the beautiful period settings, while the village of Evershot stood in for Highbury, Surrey.

On Chesil Beach, 2017

Set in 1960s England, this adaptation of Ian McEwan's novel explores a young couple's tumultuous wedding night.

Director: Dominic Cooke

Starring: Billy Howle, Saoirse Ronan, Andy Burse

Dorset Location: Chesil Beach

Filming took place at the stunning Chesil Beach, capturing the natural beauty of the coastline.

Bedknobs and Broomsticks, 1971

In this magical film, an apprentice witch and three children search for the key ingredient to a spell in Britain.

Directors: Robert Stevenson, Ward Kimball

Starring: Angela Lansbury, David Tomlinson, Roddy McDowall

Dorset Location: Corfe Castle

Scenes were filmed at Corfe Castle, adding a magical touch to the film's atmosphere.

Nanny McPhee, 2005

A widower with seven unruly children finds help from the mysterious and magical Nanny McPhee.

Director: Kirk Jones

Starring: Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Angela Lansbury

Dorset Location: Durdle Door

The iconic beach scene was filmed at Durdle Door, known for its dramatic natural arch.

The Boat That Rocked, 2009

A group of renegade DJs takes to the high seas to broadcast music that defies the government's classical-only policy.

Director: Richard Curtis

Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Nick Frost

Dorset Location: Portland Harbour

Filming for the "North Sea" scenes took place at Portland Harbour and nearby locations.

Far from the Madding Crowd, 2015

Bathsheba Everdene, an independent woman in Victorian England, juggles the affections of three suitors.

Director: Thomas Vinterberg

Starring: Carey Mulligan, Matthias Schoenaerts, Michael Sheen

Dorset Locations: Sherborne, West Bay, Mapperton House, Forde Abbey

Dorset's manor houses made the perfect setting for this period drama, providing an authentic backdrop for the story.