Various locations around the world were chosen for the filming of 'Midsommar'. Most scenes were shot in and around Budapest, providing a picturesque and almost otherworldly backdrop for the film. Some of the initial scenes were filmed in Utah and New York. The beautiful and sometimes eerie locations of Hungary helped create the perfect setting to enhance the horror experienced throughout the film. Set designers built structures resembling farmhouses where Dani, Christian, and their group of friends stayed in an empty field. To make the sets in Hungary look authentically Swedish, director Aster collaborated with production designer Henrik Svensson from Stockholm.

Filming Locations:

Apartment

In the Movie

The scene where we see the main character Dani in her apartment, overwhelmed with grief after learning of the death of her parents and sister. This is a poignant and tense moment, highlighting the depth of her emotions and her strong bonds with her loved ones. The scene depicts Dani in shock and deep sorrow as she seeks comfort from her boyfriend Christian.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in a rented apartment in Brooklyn. Fortunately, the film crew did not have to build extensive sets there, allowing them to shoot the scenes in a few days and stay overnight. Compared to other filming locations in the production, this place was chosen for its convenience. Brooklyn is a densely populated and vibrant area of New York, where many nice apartments are available for daily rent.

Village

In the Movie

The scene where Pelle invites Dani, Christian, and his friends Mark and Josh to visit a unique midsummer festival. It takes place in a remote pagan commune in Sweden. Upon arrival, they are introduced to the Horga community. They begin to learn about the surrounding culture, explore the village, and meet the locals.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in the village of Budakeszi, Hungary. Budakeszi is a remote forest village that gives viewers a supernatural atmosphere. Although there is a town called Horga in central Sweden, the village shown in the film is fictional. The surroundings of Budakeszi feature lush green hills, old churches, and small villages that have remained unchanged for centuries, making it an ideal location for filming rural community scenes.

Altar

In the Movie

The scene where Christian participates in a ritual ceremony. At the edge of a clearing stands an altar covered with flowers and other offerings. Maya, a village resident, stands in the center of this altar, wearing a wreath of wildflowers on her head. She is surrounded by elderly women, all standing silently around her and looking admiringly at Christian. An elderly man hands Christian a drink, and then the ceremony begins.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at the Sándor Korda Film Studio in Hungary. This multifunctional studio provides filming, post-production, and other services that made it ideal for creating an authentic Swedish setting for the ritual scene in 'Midsommar'. The studio is a complex located on the site of a former barracks in the village of Etyek. It was founded in 2007 and is located 30 kilometers from Budapest.