Pinewood Studios, located near Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, is marking its 90th anniversary on September 30, 2026. Since opening in 1936, the studio has become a cornerstone of British and international film production, hosting a wide range of iconic movies and contributing significantly to cinematic history.
Founded by millionaire flour miller J Arthur Rank, the studio was named Pinewood to symbolize growth, contrasting with Hollywood’s holly. The complex originally cost £1 million to build and had five stages, enabling multiple productions simultaneously. The first full feature produced entirely at Pinewood was the crime thriller *Talk of the Devil*, directed by Carol Reed.
During World War II, the Crown Film Unit used the studio to produce war documentaries such as *Coastal Command* and various propaganda films, while parts of the facility also served as offices for Lloyds of London and the Royal Mint.
The 1950s saw Pinewood become the home of popular British comedies, including the Doctor films starring Sir Dirk Bogarde and *Carry On* series, with Bogarde recalling the physical preparation required for his role as young doctor Simon Sparrow.
The studio is closely associated with the James Bond franchise, beginning with *Dr No* in 1962. Pinewood has housed impressive set constructions, such as the volcano built for *You Only Live Twice* (1966) and a 59,000 sq ft soundstage created for *The Spy Who Loved Me* (1977). The latter was rebuilt after a fire in the 1980s and named the Albert R. Broccoli 007 Stage after the producer. This stage was later used for productions like *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory* (2005) starring Johnny Depp.
Pinewood’s versatility is evident in its varied filmography. The studio re-created ancient Egypt for *Cleopatra* (1963), where Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton met during filming. It also hosted spy thrillers such as *Billion Dollar Brain* (1967), featuring a full-scale Honeywell computer on set, and the 1968 family film *Chitty Chitty Bang Bang*, which utilized the studio to portray the Scrumptious Mansion.
The site was transformed into war-torn Vietnam for Stanley Kubrick’s *Full Metal Jacket* (1987), with palm trees imported from Spain to enhance authenticity. Pinewood also played a significant role in the *Star Wars* franchise and its television spin-offs like *Andor* and *Obi-Wan Kenobi*, serving as the backdrop for alien worlds and spacecraft interiors. Notably, Prince William visited the studios about a decade ago and participated in a Jedi lightsaber demonstration, alongside his brother Prince Harry meeting characters such as Chewbacca and the droids R2D2 and BB8.
The studio’s involvement with science fiction continued with the *Alien* series starting in 1979, featuring Sigourney Weaver, and extending to more recent projects including *Prometheus* (2012) and the TV spin-off *Alien: Earth Season*.
Today, Pinewood boasts 30 stages, three large backlots, and a permanently filled underwater stage used in films like *The Da Vinci Code* (2003). It has also become a hub for Marvel Studios, hosting over 25 productions within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including *Spider-Man*, *The Fantastic Four*, and *Avengers: Doomsday*. Actor William H. Macy has described Pinewood as “state-of-the-art,” underscoring its continued relevance and capability in modern filmmaking.
Pinewood’s legacy over nine decades reflects its adaptability and prestigious standing in the film industry, cementing its status as Britain’s premier studio and a vital part of global cinema history.