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| Where Was Chum Filmed? All Shooting Locations of the 2026 Shark Thriller Revealed. (Credits: IFC) |
If there is one thing the 2026 shark thriller Chum gets right, it is making Malta look both breathtaking and slightly terrifying at the same time. While audiences have been debating the film's story and its surprisingly chaotic shark encounters, many viewers have also been left wondering where exactly those wedding scenes, luxury yacht moments and open-water sequences were filmed. The answer is largely found across Malta, where historic cities, coastal resorts and world-famous water facilities became the backdrop for the film's Mediterranean nightmare.
Not every production location was publicly disclosed during filming, which is common practice for major productions looking to avoid disruptions. However, several key locations featured throughout Chum have now become talking points among film fans planning future holidays. Some places are famous tourist destinations already, while others are well-known among filmmakers rather than casual travellers.
The film opens with lavish wedding celebrations staged across Valletta, Malta's stunning capital city. Known for its honey-coloured limestone buildings, grand balconies and centuries-old architecture, Valletta provides the elegant setting audiences see before everything starts going spectacularly wrong.
The city's narrow streets and historic squares give the wedding scenes an expensive appearance that perhaps cost less than viewers might assume. Fans online have joked that Valletta deserved a better fate than becoming the starting point for one of cinema's most unfortunate honeymoon trips.
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Several of the film's most intense sequences were produced at Malta Film Studios in Kalkara, one of the world's most respected marine filming facilities. While the movie frequently gives the impression that actors are stranded in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, many scenes were actually created inside the studio's famous water tanks.
The facility's Deep Water Tanks allowed filmmakers to stage sinking vessels, underwater encounters and dangerous sequences under controlled conditions. Meanwhile, the Infinite Horizon Tank helped create the illusion of endless ocean stretching toward the horizon.
For viewers wondering why some scenes looked surprisingly polished compared to the film's modest budget, this location probably deserves much of the credit.
Another memorable location featured in the film is Mdina, often referred to as Malta's Silent City. Its winding medieval streets, towering stone walls and timeless atmosphere helped establish the destination-wedding feel seen during the film's opening act.
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Walking through Mdina today feels a bit like stepping into a different century. Many viewers have said these scenes were among the most visually appealing moments in the entire production, which admittedly is not the toughest competition considering the amount of time later spent staring nervously at water.
The production also utilised Fort Ricasoli, one of Malta's most recognisable coastal fortifications. The imposing structure provides the rugged backdrop associated with the mysterious fisherman Roy and several of the darker moments in the story.
The weathered stone walls and dramatic sea views add a layer of realism that arguably outperforms some of the film's digital effects. More than a few viewers have remarked online that the fort looked more convincing than the shark itself.
Modern Malta appears through scenes filmed around St. Julian's and Sliema, two bustling coastal districts known for marinas, hotels and waterfront promenades. These locations helped establish the luxurious holiday atmosphere surrounding the newlyweds before their excursion begins.
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The contrast between these vibrant seaside destinations and the chaos that follows works surprisingly well. It is almost as if the film wanted audiences to think, "What could possibly go wrong?" before answering that question repeatedly for the next ninety minutes.
Another location connected to the production is Marsaxlokk, Malta's famous fishing village. Its colourful traditional boats and working harbour environment helped reinforce the maritime atmosphere surrounding the film's fisherman storyline.
The village's authentic coastal character blends naturally with the Mediterranean setting and provides some of the region's most photogenic sea views. Visitors arriving today will thankfully encounter seafood restaurants rather than oversized predators lurking beneath every boat.
The film also incorporated portions of Mellieħa Bay, one of Malta's best-known beach destinations. The area's clear waters, sandy coastline and panoramic sea views helped enhance several establishing shots throughout the production.
While the movie attempts to make viewers nervous about entering the water, Mellieħa remains one of Malta's most popular holiday destinations, proving that reality is considerably less dramatic than Hollywood's imagination.
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Among viewers, reactions to the filming locations have generally been far more positive than reactions to the film itself. Many fans praised Malta's scenery for adding scale and visual appeal to the production.
Social media discussions frequently highlight Valletta, Mdina and Fort Ricasoli as standout locations, with some viewers joking that the island deserved a better screenplay. Others argued that Malta's landscapes were compelling enough to keep them watching even when the story drifted into increasingly unbelievable territory.
There has also been growing interest from travellers who discovered Malta through Chum. Several viewers have described the film as an accidental tourism advertisement, with the island's historic architecture and Mediterranean coastline becoming the true stars of the production.
Even critics who were less enthusiastic about the movie itself often acknowledged that Malta looked fantastic on screen. Whether you loved Chum, hated it, or simply watched it out of curiosity after seeing a shark on the poster, there is no denying that Malta provided a memorable backdrop.
From the historic streets of Valletta and Mdina to the technical wizardry of Malta Film Studios, the island plays a huge role in shaping the film's atmosphere. If these locations have made it onto your travel wish list, which one would you visit first? Would you explore the medieval streets, relax by the coast, or brave a boat trip across those famous Mediterranean waters?