#48: The Beach

Set Piece: The Beach

Location: Maya Bay, Ko Phi Phi Leh, Krabi, Thailand

Production Budget: $50 million*

In The Beach, Leonardo DiCaprio takes the lead, and some say it’s one of his greatest hits. Filmed in Thailand’s Maya Bay, this film put the tiny spot on the map with its stunning scenery of pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters.

But all that attention came at a cost. Tourists flocked to Maya Bay, leaving a mess piled up over time. The Thai Government shut down the bay for cleanup to restore its natural beauty. After reopening, it faced another closure in August 2022 to assess if it could ever reopen.